How to get to Olhão: train, bus, car and Faro Airport

The easiest way to reach Olhão is by train. The Algarve Line runs through the town and, on the timetable in force since 19 July 2026, the trip from Faro takes about 10 minutes. If you are flying into Faro, bear in mind there is no railway station at the airport. Anyone who lives here will tell you public transport in the Algarve is limited, so the most practical options are to get into central Faro and take the train to Olhão, or go straight there by taxi or ride hailing (Uber, Bolt). Driving is simple too, and the A22 motorway has been toll free since 1 January 2025.

By train: the easy option

Since 19 July 2026 the whole Algarve Line, from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, has been served by electric trains. The big change is that you no longer have to swap trains in Faro: according to CP, the Portuguese rail operator, there are now through trains from one end of the line to the other.

On CP's official timetable for the line (valid from 19/07/2026), journey times to Olhão are roughly:

• Faro to Olhão: about 10 minutes.
• Tavira to Olhão: about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Vila Real de Santo António to Olhão: about 50 minutes.
• Lagos to Olhão: just under 2 hours.

Between Faro and Vila Real de Santo António there is roughly one train an hour, and between Faro and Lagos one every two hours, with extra trains at peak times. There is also an InterRegional service, two trains a day in each direction, which skips some stops. Some trains only run on weekdays or at weekends, so always check the timetable before you set off.

Tickets are sold at station ticket offices, in the CP app and on the CP website. Coming from Lisbon or Porto? Take a long-distance train to Faro and change there for the Algarve Line regional service. The CP website will show you the connection.

By bus: the Vamus Algarve network

Intercity buses in the Algarve run under the Vamus Algarve brand, the public network managed by AMAL, the regional association of councils. From Faro, the main route is line 63 Faro – Olhão, which runs between the two towns' bus stations. On the weekday timetable published by Vamus, the trip takes about 25 minutes. Timetables differ for weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays or public holidays.

Other Vamus lines serving Olhão:

• 68 Olhão – Loulé
• 69 Olhão – University of the Algarve (Gambelas campus)
• 62 Olhão – Moncarapacho, via Fuseta and Poço da Areia
• 101 Olhão – Moncarapacho and 102 Olhão – Pechão

Timetables, a journey planner and fares are on the Vamus Algarve website and app. AMAL has also launched a Vamus tourist pass, valid for 3 or 7 days with unlimited travel on the network's lines; check the current price on the Vamus website.

From Faro Airport to Olhão

Faro Council puts the airport about 7 km from Faro city centre, and there is no train station on site.

Our recommendation: public transport in the Algarve is limited, so keep it simple. The most practical choice is to get into central Faro and take the train to Olhão, or go straight there by taxi or ride hailing (Uber, Bolt).

In more detail, you have three options:

1. Bus into Faro, then train or bus. The airport website lists daily buses between the terminal and the city centre. Faro Council mentions urban line 16 on the Próximo network, linking the airport with the bus station. In central Faro you can then catch the train to Olhão or Vamus line 63.
2. Taxi or ride hailing straight to Olhão. The quickest choice if you land late, have heavy luggage or are travelling as a group. Agree the fare, or check the estimate in the app, before you get in.
3. Hire car. The rental desks are at the airport itself. Then follow the driving notes below.

Airport bus timetables change through the year, so check the Faro Airport and Vamus websites before you travel.

By car: the A22 and the N125

Olhão sits between the A22 (Via do Infante) motorway and the N125 main road. The A22 stopped charging tolls on 1 January 2025: according to Infraestruturas de Portugal, tolls on the Algarve concession (A22) were set to zero from that date. The N125 runs through the towns and is slower, but it is the natural route for short hops from Faro or Tavira.

Once you arrive, the old town, the waterfront avenue and the markets are best explored on foot. If you are staying in the centre, ask your host where to leave the car before you get there.

Getting around town: the CUBO bus

The CUBO (Circuito Urbano de Olhão) is the town bus run by the council. The council's page still links to a 2024 timetable PDF, so it may be out of date. CUBO also has a page on the Vamus Algarve portal with timetables and fares. Double check there, or at the stop, before relying on it.

Tips for arriving

• Save the timetable on your phone. The CP timetable PDF and the Vamus app work well; do not trust old timetables copied onto other websites.
• Mind the day of the week. Some trains and buses only run on weekdays, and Sunday services are thinner.
• Heading to the islands? Ferries to Armona, Culatra and Farol leave from the quay near the markets. See times and fares in our ferries guide.
• Still looking for a bed? Have a look at our ideas for where to stay.
• Arriving in the morning? Start at the markets on Avenida 5 de Outubro, a few minutes' walk from the quay.