If you’re planning a trip to Lagos, Portugal — welcome (bem-vindo) in advance! This little corner of the Algarve is one of the most beautiful, walkable, and traveler-friendly towns in the country. And yes, we’re a little biased since we live here. Part of why we chose Lagos as our home is that getting here is easy, no matter where you’re coming from.
Below is a complete guide to the best ways to get to Lagos from Faro, Lisbon, Porto, and Sevilla, plus what to expect once you arrive.
How to get to Lagos from Faro (FAO)
For most travelers, the easiest way to reach Lagos is by flying into Faro Airport (FAO) and taking the train to Lagos.
From the Faro airport, you have several options to get to Lagos, Portugal:
- Train: Book directly on the CP (Comboios de Portugal) website. This is one of the most affordable and comfortable ways to reach Lagos.
- Bus: Rede Expressos and FlixBus both operate routes between Faro and Lagos.
- Rideshare: Uber and Bolt are available between Faro and Lagos, though prices vary by time of day and demand.
- Rental Car: This is an option, but not necessary for your time in Lagos — and can be more expensive due to tolls.
- Private Car Service: Private car services can be a great option from Faro to Lagos if traveling in a large group with several bags or when your flight times don’t align with public transportation times. For a van that seats up to 8 passengers with european-sized luggage, we recommend Fábio Rodrigues from Algar Fun.
Although Faro is the easiest airport to fly into when visiting Lagos, it doesn’t always have the most affordable flight prices for international travel. Keep on reading for how to get to Lagos, Portugal from Lisbon, Porto, and Sevilla!
How to Get to Lagos from Lisbon (LIS)
Traveling from Lisbon to Lagos is straightforward with several reliable transportation options.
1. Bus (Most Affordable + Often Fastest)
Rede Expressos and FlixBus offer multiple daily routes from Lisbon to Lagos.
Our preferred option: Rede Expressos from Oriente or Sete Rios stations.
Rede Expressos tends to be the best option if you have several bags. Large luggage is stored in the undercarriage of the bus during your ride, which means size of bags isn’t limiting. FlixBus usually charges for extra bags. And for the train, you’ll need to carry those with you for the entire time.
Most Rede Expressos buses have WiFi and chargers (but not all). Some Flix Bus rides have WiFi and most Flix Bus rides have a toilet break half way to Lagos.
Typical cost: €4-20 / person
🔎 Tip: Double-check your departure station before booking — Lisbon has several bus terminals.
2. Train (Comfortable + Easy Transfer)
The train tends to be people’s favorite way to travel to Lagos from Lisbon. You will have one train transfer in Tunes and you can book your tickets on CP’s app or website.
On the train to Lagos you can expect:
- Assigned seats from Lisbon → Tunes
- A transfer in Tunes to an urban train (first-come, first-served seating)
- The train terminates in Lagos, so you can’t miss your stop.
- Standing areas with more space for luggage if you have several bags.
Typical cost: €25-30/person
3. Driving
You can rent a car and drive, but the toll between Lisbon and the Algarve can be €50+ depending on your vehicle type, making this a pricier option. You don’t need a car to enjoy your trip in Lagos, so public transportation ends up being the most common, scenic, and easiest option.
4. Private Driver
A Lisbon → Lagos private transfer typically runs €300–€400+, depending on the driver. This is often an option that people use when moving to Lagos but not for just a holiday trip.
How to Get to Lagos from Porto
You can take a train or bus just like you would from Lisbon, but I also recommend checking flight prices from Porto to Faro before booking your journey. Flights can be faster, less stress, and cheaper.
If you’re comparing all options, check:
- CP (train)
- Rede Expressos (bus)
- FlixBus
- TAP or Ryanair (flights to Faro)
- omio (site that compares all transit options)
🔎 Tip: Keep in mind that airlines here typically charge extra for bags. If you have a lot of luggage, the bus or train may still be the way to go!
How to Get to Lagos from Sevilla (SVQ)
Sevilla is another major airport near Lagos — and the drive time is almost identical to Lisbon → Lagos.
Depending on where you’re flying from, Sevilla may offer cheaper international flights, so it’s worth checking prices from Sevilla, Faro, and Lisbon when planning your trip.
From Sevilla, you can:
- Rent a car and drive to Lagos
- Take a bus (alsa or FlixBus are the most common options – omio is a good site for comparing travel journeys)
There is no train route that takes you all the way from Sevilla all the way to Lagos.
If you do come from Sevilla, we recommend making a trip out of it to enjoy this beautiful Spanish city. Here’s a video full of our favorite places in Seville:
Do You Need a Car in Lagos? (Short Answer: No!)
One of the best parts about visiting Lagos is how walkable and well-connected it is, meaning no driving or car rental necessary!
- Lagos is the start/end of the Algarve train line.
- It’s serviced by regional, international, and local bus routes.
- Uber and Bolt rides are typically under €10 anywhere around town.
We’ve lived here for two years and rented a car once — for a single week.
E-bikes are another fun way to get around town and travel between nearby areas like Luz and Burgau. Here’s a quick highlight of a scenic e-bike ride from Lagos to Luz and back:
Public transportation in Portugal is safe, reliable, and budget-friendly, and having a car in Lagos is often more hassle than convenience. Between traffic, narrow streets, limited parking, and toll roads, public transit is usually the better choice.
Here’s a full map of our favorite activities, restaurants, and places to stay (the green icons) in Lagos:
I hope this helps you plan your trip to Lagos, Portugal! We have some more content on our website and YouTube that can help. I also highly recommend checking out our list of apps you should download before coming to Portugal – it’ll make booking a lot of your adventures much easier.