Albufeira is a wonderful town and hopefully your visit goes so well that you won’t want to leave. But, Portugal has many wonderful coastal towns that you should visit as well. A local favorite that is close to Albufeira, is the town of Lagos. This town is known for its spectacular scenery and for not being as crowded as some of the other beach areas – perfect for a day trip no matter who you are traveling with. This post goes into detail on the different ways you can get from Albufeira to Lagos, and the pros and cons of each.
Albufeira to Lagos by Train
Going by train is the cheapest method of getting to Lagos, starting at around 4.85€ ($5.60). There are multiple trains that you can take, meaning there is a lot more choice when it comes to time availability. Here are some notes about traveling by train.
- There are three different types of trains you can take: Alfa Pendular (AP), Regional (R), and IC (Intercidades). The R trains are the cheapest, with the AP trains being a bit costlier (around 16€, $18.50). All three will get you to Lagos in around the same amount of time which is about 1-1.5 hours.
- Most trains start service around 7:30 AM and end around 8:00 PM, but make sure to check the times at: www.cp.pt first before booking your tickets.
- Lagos is a popular spot for locals, I recommend getting your tickets before your trip regardless of which train you choose to go with. You can book your tickets here.
- When traveling by train, make sure to have your passport with you as they will use it for identification purposes.
Albufeira to Lagos by Bus
Similar to going by train, the bus is a cheap option to travel between the two towns. Going by bus is a bit more expensive than by train with prices ranging from 15-26€ ($17-30), but it is still one of the cheaper options to take. Going to Lagos via bus also provides a beautiful view of the scenery throughout Portugal. Some notes on bus travel:
- There are multiple websites you can use to book your bus ticket, but I find that Check My Bus is the most user-friendly website, especially for tourists. Some other websites you can use are: Eva Bus and Rede Express.
- The time it takes to travel from Albufeira to Lagos is around the same as taking the train (approximately 1 to 1.5 hours). However, by taking the bus there will be other cars on the road so you may run into some traffic. This could change the arrival time slightly.
- Most buses to Lagos only take about 2 to 4 trips a day, and operate between 9 AM to 6 PM. So, plan your trip accordingly if you are only going for a day.
Albufeira to Lagos by Car
If you need special accommodations while traveling, a car may be the best option for you. That being said, going by car is the most expensive option of the three. I have listed below some facts and figures on different car services, whether you want to go via taxi, car hire, or a rental.
- Taxi: You may want the privacy of a car, but maybe without the driving part. Driving in a new country can be quite intimidating – even for the best drivers. Taking a taxi will cost around 60€ ($69), and some taxis may charge a “gas fee” for their refueling to get back to Albufeira. If you decide to take a taxi, I recommend booking one ahead of time to save you the struggle of trying to flag down someone who is willing to drive the hour to Lagos. This website can help with booking a taxi easily.
- Car Hire: This service is similar to a taxi, but is better for larger groups who may want to go in a better car, or one that is more accommodating. If you have small children or members with disabilities, it may be easier as there are specific car services that have specialized accommodations to make any trip accessible. Visit Kiwi Taxi to look at all the different car hire services to find what meets your needs best.
- Rental: Having your own car to drive in is perfect for those who don’t want to follow a strict schedule. The cost of a car rental can range from $21/day to $100/day depending on what kind of car you get. Remember though, gas is more expensive in Europe so make sure to have a budget for gas. If you are interested in renting your own car, you can follow this link.
Hopefully all of this information helped you figure out what transportation works best for you on your trip to Lagos. No matter which you choose, I know you will enjoy your time there!
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