Do you need a car in the Algarve?

We get asked this more than almost anything else, and our answer is nearly always the same: if you want to see more than one beach and one town, rent a car. That is not because public transport does not exist, it does. The problem is the way it works, and where it does not go.

What public transport can and cannot do

Buses: frequent, cheap and very slow

There are plenty of buses between the Algarve towns, run mainly by Vamus, plus long-distance coaches such as FlixBus and Rede Expressos. On paper the timetables look generous, and the fares are low.

The catch is the route. The buses travel along the A22 motorway, but leave it to call at the bus station of almost every town on the way, then return to the motorway. A journey that takes 40 minutes by car can take two hours or more by bus. From Tavira to Portimão, for example, a bus with all its stops can take about as long as driving from Portimão to Lisbon. It is cheap, but it eats a large part of your day.

Many bus stations are also outside the town centres. Albufeira’s is about 1.6 km from the old town, and Portimão’s is almost as far from its centre.

Trains: one line, mostly away from the beaches

A single railway line runs along the Algarve between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António. Do not imagine a modern European intercity train: it feels much more like an old suburban commuter line, with simple carriages and many small stops, and few visitors use it. Since July 2026 trains run between Faro and Vila Real de Santo António roughly every hour, but between Faro and Lagos only about every two hours, and the last train leaves Lagos at 20:22.

The bigger problem is location. The line runs inland, and many stations are a long way from the coast. Albufeira-Ferreiras station is about 6 km from Albufeira, and Estômbar-Lagoa station is well away from the beaches of Lagoa and Carvoeiro.

The airport bus

The Aerobus from Faro Airport to Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos runs seven times a day in summer, but only twice a day from November to April. See our guides from Faro Airport to Lagos, Albufeira and Tavira.

The beaches you cannot reach without a car

Most of the famous cliff beaches sit at the end of small roads, away from any bus route. That includes Praia da Marinha, Praia do Carvalho and the Benagil coast in Lagoa, the coves west of Lagos, and nearly the whole west coast from Sagres to Odeceixe. A taxi or Bolt can get you there, but the return trip from a remote beach is often hard to book, and the cost adds up quickly over a week.

Driving in the Algarve is easier than you think

If you are nervous about driving abroad, the Algarve is a good place to start:

• The A22 motorway runs across the whole region, from the Spanish border to Lagos, and has been free of charge since 1 January 2025. The old toll gantries are still standing, but nothing is charged. See toll roads in the Algarve.
• Traffic is light for most of the year. Summer brings queues around Albufeira, Portimão and the beach car parks, but nothing like a big city.
• Roundabouts are everywhere, especially on the N125, the old coastal road that runs parallel to the motorway. Give way to traffic already on the roundabout.
• Old town centres have narrow, steep and sometimes one-way streets. Park on the edge of town and walk in.
• Beach car parks fill early in July and August. At Praia da Marinha, police sometimes close the access road when the car park is full, and at Benagil there is simply not enough space on the narrow roads. Arrive early or late.

Renting a car at Faro Airport without surprises

Most problems that travellers report on forums come from the same few situations. A little preparation avoids nearly all of them.

Deposit and credit card. Most companies need a credit card in the main driver’s name and block a deposit on it, which can run into hundreds or, with some budget companies, a few thousand euros. Debit cards are often refused, or accepted only if you buy the company’s own full insurance.

Insurance at the desk. Expect a firm sales pitch for extra cover. Third-party excess insurance bought from a broker is legal and often cheaper, but some desk agents insist it is worthless and demand a large deposit instead. Decide in advance which route you are taking, and read the terms before you book.

Damage claims. The most common complaint is a bill for small scratches after the car has been returned. Film the whole car, including the wheels, the windscreen and the interior, when you pick it up and when you return it, and keep the video until your deposit is released.

Fuel. Choose a full-to-full policy, fill up close to the airport before you return the car, and keep the receipt.

Off-airport companies. The cheapest prices often come from companies outside the terminal. Check whether they run a shuttle and how often, especially for late arrivals.

Driving to Spain, young drivers and extra drivers. These usually cost extra. Check the fees in your rental conditions before you book rather than at the desk.

Toll devices. You do not need one for the A22. It is only worth taking if you plan to drive on toll motorways elsewhere in Portugal, such as the A2 to Lisbon.

When you can manage without a car

A car-free holiday works if you stay somewhere you can walk to the beach and you are happy to stay mostly in one place. Central Lagos, Albufeira’s old town, Praia da Rocha in Portimão and Monte Gordo all have beaches within walking distance. Faro and Tavira are pleasant towns without a car too, with island beaches reached by ferry. For a day or two of exploring, you can rent a car locally for just those days.

Our recommendation

Book a car before you travel, pick it up at Faro Airport, and choose a place to stay with parking. You will spend less time waiting for buses, and you will see the beaches that make the Algarve special, not just the one nearest your hotel.