If you’re heading south to start an Algarve holiday, the Lisbon to Faro train is a relaxed, scenic way to do it — no transfers, a terminus station right in Faro’s town center, and a route that runs along the Tagus estuary before cutting through the Alentejo countryside. Here’s what matters most for planning: which Lisbon station to use, duration, cost, and the schedule.
Which Lisbon Station Do You Actually Leave From?
This trips up more travelers than anything else on this route: all trains to Faro and the Algarve depart from Lisboa Oriente — not Santa Apolónia, even though Santa Apolónia is Lisbon’s more central, historic station and handles plenty of other long-distance routes. If you’re staying near Alfama, Baixa, or Chiado, don’t head to Santa Apolónia expecting to catch your Faro train there.
The good news: CP runs a frequent free suburban (Urbano) connection between Santa Apolónia and Oriente, taking about 8 minutes, with trains every 30–60 minutes. If your ticket is for a train departing Oriente, this connection is included — just check your ticket to see which station is printed and plan your journey there accordingly.
If you’re arriving in Lisbon by air, this works in your favor: Oriente is well connected to the airport by metro, so you can go straight from your flight to your Algarve train without detouring into the city center at all.
Is There a Direct Train from Lisbon to Faro?
Yes. Every Alfa Pendular and Intercidades service runs direct from Oriente to Faro, with no changes required.
Lisbon to Faro Train Duration
The Alfa Pendular covers the roughly 295 km journey in about 3 hours. The Intercidades takes a little longer, around 3 hours 24 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes.
Lisbon to Faro Train Cost
- Advance Promo fares: from as low as €4–€8 in second class
- Full-flex Intercidades: around €24 (2nd class) / €31 (1st class)
- Full-flex Alfa Pendular: around €26 (2nd class) / €34 (1st class)
Booking around 60 days ahead — as soon as tickets open — gives you the best shot at the cheapest fares, especially for summer travel when this route fills up fast. Standard discounts also apply: children under 4 travel free, kids under 12 get 50% off, under-25s get 25% off, and seniors 65+ get 50% off, though these don’t stack with Promo fares.
Lisbon to Faro Train Schedule
CP runs about five trains a day on this route: two Alfa Pendular services and three Intercidades. On weekdays, Intercidades departures are typically spaced roughly every four hours, with services around mid-morning, early afternoon, and early evening — check cp.pt for the current exact times, since schedules shift periodically.
What the Journey Looks Like
This is a genuinely scenic ride if you get a window seat. Leaving Lisbon, the train crosses the 25 de Abril Bridge over the Tagus, giving you a view back at the city and the Cristo Rei statue, before heading south through the Alentejo’s rolling countryside and cork oak groves. Some Intercidades services also stop at towns like Grândola and Ermidas-Sado along the way — useful to know if you’re combining this trip with an Alentejo detour rather than going straight through to the Algarve.
Arriving in Faro
Faro station sits well within the city, about a 15-minute walk to the center — no taxi or bus transfer needed, unlike the stations serving Albufeira or Lagos. If you’re continuing on to another Algarve town, Faro is also a practical hub with onward bus and regional train connections.
Alfa Pendular vs Intercidades
The Alfa Pendular is faster and better equipped — free Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, reclining seats, and a café-bar in carriage 3. The Intercidades takes a bit longer and has fewer onboard extras, though it’s still comfortable, air-conditioned, and includes a café-bar of its own — a reasonable trade-off if the fare difference matters more to you than the extra 20–30 minutes.
Practical Tips
- Double-check your departure station — Oriente for Faro, not Santa Apolónia, though the free connection between them covers you either way.
- Book as early as the 60-day window opens for the cheapest Promo fares, especially in summer.
- Grab a window seat for the Tagus crossing and the Alentejo countryside.
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early, particularly during peak holiday season.
- No transfer needed in Faro — the station puts you within walking distance of the town center.
Other Ways to Travel from Lisbon to Faro
By Bus
Rede Expressos and FlixBus run direct coaches in around 3 to 3.5 hours, sometimes cheaper than the train if booked early, though less comfortable for a journey this length.
By Car
Driving via the A2 takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours — the fastest option if you’re comfortable with tolls and want flexibility to stop along the way.
By Air
Flights take under an hour, but by the time you add airport transfers, check-in, and security, total travel time is often similar to the train, and usually pricier for this route.
FAQs
Which Lisbon station does the Faro train leave from?
Lisboa Oriente. Santa Apolónia doesn’t serve Algarve trains directly, but CP includes a free connecting service between the two stations.
Is there a direct train from Lisbon to Faro?
Yes. Every Alfa Pendular and Intercidades service runs direct, with no changes needed.
How long does the Lisbon to Faro train take?
The Alfa Pendular takes about 3 hours. The Intercidades takes around 3 hours 24 to 30 minutes.
How much does a Lisbon to Faro train ticket cost?
Advance Promo fares start from around €4–€8 in second class. Full-flex fares run €24–€26 in second class and €31–€34 in first class, depending on the train.
How many trains run per day? About five: two Alfa Pendular and three Intercidades, spaced through the day.
Is the train ride scenic? Yes. It crosses the Tagus on the 25 de Abril Bridge and passes through the Alentejo countryside, with some services stopping in towns like Grândola along the way.
Is Faro’s station close to the town center? Yes, about a 15-minute walk — no additional transfer needed, unlike Albufeira or Lagos.
Should I book Alfa Pendular or Intercidades? Alfa Pendular is faster with more amenities like Wi-Fi and power outlets. Intercidades is slightly slower but often just as comfortable, and usually cheaper.
Prices and schedules reflect recent Comboios de Portugal (CP) fares. Always confirm current details on cp.pt before booking, as prices and timetables can change.