Tavira is about 35 minutes east of the airport by car. Without a car, the cheapest option is bus 16 to Faro station and then the hourly train, which runs until about 22:10. A taxi or Bolt is the easiest choice if you land late or have a lot of luggage.
Tavira is one of the quieter bases in the Algarve, about 40 km east of Faro Airport. Most airport transport heads west towards the big resorts, so getting to Tavira without a car takes a little more planning.
| Option | Journey time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car | about 35 minutes | rental plus fuel, no tolls | almost everyone staying more than two days |
| Bus 16 plus train | about 1 hour 15 minutes in total | about €6 | budget travellers with light luggage |
| Bolt or Uber | about 35 minutes | varies with demand | couples and small groups |
| Taxi | about 35 minutes | roughly €45 to €65 | late arrivals and families |
By rental car
From the airport, take the A22 east towards Spain and leave at one of the Tavira exits. The drive takes about 35 minutes. The A22 has been toll-free since 1 January 2025, although the old toll gantries are still in place; our guide to toll roads in the Algarve explains what that means for you.
Tavira’s island beaches, Praia do Barril and Ilha de Tavira, are reached on foot and by a small train across the lagoon, or by ferry, but the beaches further along the coast and the villages inland are much easier by car. See Do you need a car in the Algarve?
By bus 16 and train
There is no direct bus from the airport to Tavira, and no railway station at the airport. The route by public transport is:
- Take bus 16 from the stop outside arrivals to Faro railway station. It takes around 20 minutes; buy your ticket from the driver.
- Take a regional train east towards Vila Real de Santo António and get off at Tavira. The single fare is about €3.60, and the ride takes around 35 minutes.
Trains from Faro towards Tavira run roughly every hour. The first leaves Faro at 07:00 and the last at 22:10, arriving in Tavira at 22:43. Tavira station is a short walk from the old town.
This is a simple regional line rather than a modern intercity service, with basic carriages and frequent stops. It is cheap and reliable enough for a transfer with a suitcase, especially in daylight.
By taxi, Bolt or Uber
Taxis wait outside arrivals and charge by the meter, with a higher rate at night, at weekends and on holidays. For Tavira, expect roughly €45 to €65. Bolt and Uber are usually cheaper outside busy periods.
Arriving in the evening
The train is the one public option that still works after dark: the last departure from Faro towards Tavira is at 22:10. Leave time to get from the terminal to Faro station first. If you land later, or simply do not want to change twice with luggage, take a taxi, Bolt or a pre-booked transfer.
Which option we would choose
If you are staying in Tavira for a week, rent a car at the airport. The drive is short and easy, and you will want the car for the beaches east and west of town. For a short stay in the old town, the bus-and-train route is cheap and perfectly manageable during the day.
Questions people ask
Is there a direct bus from Faro Airport to Tavira?
No. The Aerobus runs west from the airport towards Albufeira and Lagos, not east. To reach Tavira by public transport, take bus 16 or a taxi to Faro railway station and then the train.
How often do trains run from Faro to Tavira?
Roughly every hour. On the timetable in force since 19 July 2026, the first train east from Faro leaves at 07:00 and the last at 22:10, arriving in Tavira at 22:43.
How much is the train from Faro to Tavira?
About €3.60 for a single ticket on a regional train.
How much is a taxi from Faro Airport to Tavira?
Roughly €45 to €65 depending on the time of day and the size of the car.
How long is the drive from Faro Airport to Tavira?
About 35 minutes for roughly 40 km, mostly on the A22, which has been toll-free since 1 January 2025.