The Lagos to Faro train is the simplest way to cross the Algarve without a car. Comboios de Portugal (CP) runs it as a regional service on the Linha do Algarve. Since the electrification works were completed, the line has offered direct journeys between Vila Real de Santo António and Lagos with no change at Faro, using electric trains, from 19 July 2026.
This guide covers Lagos in Portugal’s Algarve, not Lagos in Nigeria.
Is There a Direct Lagos to Faro Train?
Yes. Omio lists all ten daily Lagos to Faro services as direct. You board at Lagos, the western end of the line, and stay on the same train to Faro.
These are regional trains, so they stop at most stations along the way. Before the July 2026 change, many journeys on this line meant switching trains at Faro, a setup that had lasted 25 years. That is now much less common.
Lagos to Faro Train Timetable
CP’s regional timetable, valid from 19 July 2026, shows ten departures from Lagos. The first leaves at 06:20 and the last at 20:22. The spacing is uneven:
- Early morning: 06:20, 07:05 and 08:22.
- The midday gap: after 10:34, the next train is 13:22.
- Afternoon and evening: departures at 15:22, 17:18, 18:22, 19:25 and 20:22.
A few services run only on certain days of the week. Confirm your date on cp.pt or in the CP app before you plan around a specific train. CP updates its timetables seasonally.
How Long Does the Train From Lagos to Faro Take?
Most trains in CP’s timetable take about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes. For example, a 08:22 departure from Lagos reaches Faro at 09:54. Some journey planners show longer times because they add walking or transfers. Press reports on the new timetable said the Faro to Lagos stretch got about 20 minutes shorter.
Stops include Portimão, Silves, Tunes, Albufeira-Ferreiras and Loulé, plus several small halts. The ride is slower than an express, but it is steady and has no traffic.
Lagos to Faro Train Tickets and Prices
CP’s 2026 tariff sheet, valid from 19 July 2026, lists the regional single from Lagos to Faro at €8.30. A half-price single is €4.15. The faster InterRegional summer service is €9.15. Resellers show similar figures. Omio’s sample Lagos to Faro departures were priced at about €8.
The half-price fare is for eligible passengers only. Check who qualifies on cp.pt before you count on it.
Where to Buy Your Ticket
- CP website and CP app: the official source, with live times and fares.
- Station ticket offices: available at many stations, and CP also takes bookings by phone.
- On board: CP sells tickets on the train only when the boarding station has no ticket office or other way to buy. Buy before you board whenever you can.
- Omio: a third-party reseller that sells CP tickets.
You usually don’t need a seat reservation. In CP’s timetable key, compulsory seat reservation is marked on the Alfa Pendular and Intercidades services. The regional trains on this route carry no such marker.
Lagos and Faro Stations
Lagos Station
Lagos is the terminus, so trains start here and you can board without a rush. One listing puts the station about 0.5 km from the town centre. The bus terminal is a separate stop, so make sure you are at the rail station.
Faro Station
Faro is the main railway station for the city, with regional trains running west to Lagos and east to Vila Real de Santo António. The airport is not on the rail line. One airport information site lists bus 16 between the airport and central Faro for €2.25, with the train station as a stop on the way. Check the current fare and route before you travel.
[Image 2: Faro railway station]
Practical Tips for the Journey
- Plan around the midday gap. If you miss the 10:34, the next train is not until 13:22.
- Leave a buffer before flights. With gaps of up to nearly three hours between trains, choose one that gets you to Faro well before check-in closes.
- Don’t count on walking to Albufeira. Albufeira-Ferreiras station is about 8 km from Albufeira’s centre, so plan a bus or taxi if you stop there.
- Keep your luggage with you. I couldn’t find a published size limit for regional trains. Check cp.pt if you carry large bags, and keep them clear of doors and aisles.
- Check your return time. The last Faro to Lagos departure in the timetable I reviewed was in the evening (around 20:40), so don’t leave it late.
Other Ways to Get From Lagos to Faro
By Bus
Vamus Algarve, Rede Expressos and FlixBus all serve this route. Sample timetables show journeys of about 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes, with one listing around $15. The bus is slower than the train, but it can fill a timetable gap.
By Car
The drive is about 85 km. The A22 is the usual route and is a toll road, so check how tolls work if you have a rental car. Allow time to park in Faro.
By Plane
There is no airport in Lagos and no domestic flight on this route, so flying isn’t an option.
FAQ
Is there a direct train from Lagos to Faro?
Yes. CP regional trains run directly, and Omio lists all ten daily services as direct.
How long does the Lagos to Faro train take?
Most journeys take about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, based on CP’s timetable from 19 July 2026.
How much is a Lagos to Faro train ticket?
The CP regional single is €8.30, with a half-price fare of €4.15 for eligible passengers. The InterRegional summer service is €9.15.
What are the first and last trains?
The first train leaves Lagos at 06:20 and the last at 20:22 in the current timetable. Some services run only on certain days.
Do I need to reserve a seat?
Not normally. Compulsory reservation applies to Alfa Pendular and Intercidades, and the regional trains on this route carry no such marker. Buy your ticket before boarding.
Does the train go to Faro Airport?
No. Take a bus from Faro station or the city centre to the airport. Check the current route and fare.
Is the train or the bus better?
The train is faster, about 1.5 hours against roughly 2.5 hours by bus. The bus is a backup when trains are far apart.
Is this about Lagos in Portugal or Nigeria?
Lagos in the Algarve. There is no rail connection between Lagos, Nigeria and Faro.
Timetable and fare details reflect CP’s published documents valid from 19 July 2026. Confirm live details on cp.pt before you travel.