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Algarve → Lisbon · Portugal

Faro to Lisbon Train — three hours from the Algarve coast to the Tagus

Around five direct trains a day link Faro and Lisbon. The fast Alfa Pendular makes it in about 3 hours, the Intercidades in about 3½, and both cross the 25 de Abril Bridge right before you pull into the city. Fares start at around $26.

Search Faro to Lisbon train tickets

Journey time
≈3h fastest Faro–Lisbon train (Alfa Pendular)
Alfa Pendular3h05
Intercidades3h35
Bus~4h
Compare the trains →
Distance
302 km Faro to Lisboa Oriente by rail, no changes See the route map →
Frequency
~5 direct trains per day, each direction
2 Alfa Pendular3 Intercidades
Train types →
Fares from
$26 2nd class, depending on date and train
Lowest faresfrom $26
Intercidades≈ $34
Alfa Pendular≈ $35
All fares →
The line north

The Faro Lisbon Train Route, Stop by Stop

The Faro to Lisbon train runs up Portugal's Linha do Sul. It leaves the Algarve coast, climbs through the cork-oak hills of the Alentejo, and crosses the Tagus estuary into Lisbon. There are no changes on the way, since every Alfa Pendular and Intercidades service runs direct.

Atlantic Ocean SPAIN PORTUGAL PortoCoimbraAlentejoAlgarve CoimbraLeiriaÉvora 25 de AbrilBridge Tavira Lagos Faro Loulé Albufeira Tunes Pinhal Novo Entrecampos Lisboa Oriente
The Faro–Lisbon line (blue) and regional Algarve connections (dashed). Simplified; some Intercidades trains also stop at smaller stations such as Grândola and Funcheira.
  • Faro: the terminus, on the waterfront edge of the old town and a short walk from the Ria Formosa lagoon.
  • Loulé: the station sits outside town and serves Loulé, Quarteira and the Vilamoura area.
  • Albufeira-Ferreiras: about 6 km inland from Albufeira. Buses and taxis wait outside for the beach resorts.
  • Tunes: the Algarve's rail junction. Change here for the regional line west to Portimão and Lagos.
  • Pinhal Novo: the first stop south of the Tagus, and the connection point for Setúbal.
  • Lisboa Entrecampos: central-north Lisbon, on the yellow metro line. It's handy for Avenidas Novas and Saldanha.
  • Lisboa Oriente: the main Lisbon terminal in Parque das Nações. It's on the red metro line, a few stops from the airport.

Most of the time between Tunes and Pinhal Novo goes to the long, quiet run through the Alentejo. Expect rolling wheat fields, cork oaks and hardly a town in sight. The train makes up time on this stretch, and the Alfa Pendular can reach 200 km/h in places.

Two ways to ride

Faro Lisbon Train Types: Alfa Pendular vs Intercidades

Portugal's national railway, CP (Comboios de Portugal), runs every train on this line with two very different trains. Both are direct, air-conditioned and have 1st and 2nd class, and every ticket comes with a reserved seat. The Alfa Pendular is the faster, more modern option. The Intercidades is a classic locomotive-hauled train with more departures and slightly lower fares.

Silver Alfa Pendular tilting train running through golden Alentejo hills dotted with cork oaks
Alfa Pendular · CP Class 4000
Fastest option · ≈ 3h to 3h10

Alfa Pendular (AP): Portugal's tilting express

The Alfa Pendular is CP's flagship train, a six-car electric Pendolino built in the same family as Italy's tilting trains. Its bodies lean into curves, so it can keep speed through the winding Alentejo hills where an ordinary train has to slow down. It's designed for up to 220 km/h, making it the closest thing Portugal has to a high-speed train on this route, and it saves about half an hour over the Intercidades. Some Alfa Pendular trains continue beyond Lisbon to Coimbra and Porto.

All ten trains were refurbished by 2019, with new interiors in both classes, a new bar car and toilets, faster Wi-Fi, and a power socket at every seat. The new paint scheme is silver.

Rolling stock
CP Class 4000 tilting EMU, 6 cars, about 300 seats
Top speed
220 km/h design (around 200 km/h on this line)
Journey
≈ 3h to 3h10 Faro–Lisboa Oriente
Daily trains
~2 each way
Classes
Conforto (1st) · Turística (2nd)
On board
Wi-Fi, power at every seat, bar car, accessible toilet
Fares
2nd class from ≈ $35
Check Alfa Pendular fares

Faro Lisbon Train Classes: 1st vs 2nd

Both trains have 1st and 2nd class, but the seats and extras differ. Pick a train to see its classes.

Alfa Pendular first class: wide grey leather seats in a 2+1 layout with a window table2+1 seatingAlfa Pendular

1st class · Conforto

Check price
  • Wide leather seats, one single and one pair per row
  • Power socket and reading light at every seat
  • Quieter car, more legroom and luggage space
  • Fastest trip: ≈ 3h to 3h10
Alfa Pendular second class: modern grey and teal seats in a 2+2 layout2+2 seatingAlfa Pendular

2nd class · Turística

from≈ $35
  • Modern reclining seats in a 2+2 layout
  • Power socket at every seat (refurbished 2019)
  • Fold-down seat-back table
  • Bar car a short walk away
Check fares for both classes

Alfa Pendular vs Intercidades at a glance

Head to head
Alfa Pendular
Intercidades
Train
Tilting electric multiple unit
Locomotive + coaches
Faro–Lisbon time
≈ 3h to 3h10✓ Better
≈ 3h30 to 3h45
Departures per day
~2 each way
~3 each way✓ Better
Intermediate stops
Fewer✓ Better
A few more (e.g. Grândola, Funcheira)
Power sockets
Every seat✓ Better
Mainly 1st class
Food & drink
Bar car
Café-bar car
2nd class fare
from ≈ $35
from ≈ $34✓ Better
Best for
Saving time, working on board
More departure times, slightly lower fares

Every ticket on both trains includes a reserved seat, so you won't have to stand, even on busy summer Fridays.

The finale

Crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge on the Faro to Lisbon Train

After three hours of cork oaks and wheat fields, the best moment comes right at the end. The train climbs onto the Ponte 25 de Abril, Lisbon's red suspension bridge, and for about two minutes you glide some 70 metres above the Tagus, with the whole city spread along the far bank.

The red 25 de Abril suspension bridge over the Tagus at sunset, with a train crossing on the lower rail deck and Lisbon on the far bank
2,277 mtotal length
70 mabove the river
1966opened
1999rail deck added

Three things to know about the bridge

It looks like the Golden Gate, on purpose. It was built by the American Bridge Company, which also worked on the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, and it's painted a similar red. It's often called Lisbon's Golden Gate.
Its name is a date. It opened in 1966 as the Salazar Bridge. After the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974 ended the dictatorship, it was renamed after the day itself.
The trains ride underneath. For more than 30 years only cars used it. In 1999 a rail deck was added below the road, and that's what finally gave Faro and the south a direct rail link into central Lisbon.

Which side should you sit on?

Sit on the right-hand side. You'll look upriver toward the Baixa, the Alfama hills and the Cristo Rei statue on the south bank.

You choose your car and seat when you book, and window seats go first in summer. The bridge comes roughly 15 minutes before Lisboa Oriente, just after Pinhal Novo, so have your camera ready.

Choose your seat and book
What it costs

Faro to Lisbon Train Tickets and Prices

Fares below are what you'll typically see when booking online for a direct Faro to Lisbon train. They vary by date, train and how full it is: the lowest fares start at around $26, while most direct 2nd-class seats cost about $34–$35. Fares are the same for the Lisbon to Faro train.

Alfa Pendular

Turística · 2nd class

from$35
  • 2nd classfrom ≈ $35
  • Journey≈ 3h05
Alfa Pendular

Conforto · 1st class

price variesCheck 1st-class price
  • SeatsWider, 2+1 layout
  • Journey≈ 3h05
Intercidades

2nd class

from$34
  • 2nd classfrom ≈ $34
  • Journey≈ 3h35
See today's Faro–Lisbon fares
Where you board

Faro Lisbon Train Stations

You board in Faro and can get off at either of two Lisbon stations. Pick the one closest to where you're staying. Note that Faro trains don't run to Santa Apolónia, Lisbon's older riverside station near Alfama, which mainly serves trains to the north.

Whitewashed Faro railway station with yellow trim, azulejo tile panels and palm trees
Algarve end

Faro station

A small, whitewashed station decorated with azulejo tiles, right on the edge of town. You can walk to the marina and the walled Cidade Velha, and arriving by plane is easy too.

  • Old town5–10 min walk
  • Faro Airport≈ 6 km · 15–20 min by bus or taxi
  • Good forOld town, Ria Formosa boats
Lisboa Oriente station with its forest of white steel tree-like columns over the platforms
Lisbon · main terminal

Lisboa Oriente

Santiago Calatrava's glass-and-steel "forest" in Parque das Nações, built for Expo 98. Most Faro trains end here, and it's one of the best-connected spots in the city.

  • MetroRed line
  • Lisbon Airport3 metro stops · ≈ 10 min
  • Historic center≈ 20 min by metro
Lisboa Entrecampos station with covered platforms and city apartment blocks behind
Lisbon · central stop

Lisboa Entrecampos

The first Lisbon stop after the bridge, and closer to the center than Oriente. Get off here for Saldanha and Avenidas Novas, or take the metro straight downtown.

  • MetroYellow line
  • Marquês de Pombal≈ 10 min by metro
  • Good forSaldanha, Avenidas Novas
Other ways

Faro to Lisbon: Train vs Bus, Car or Flight

There are four ways to cover the roughly 280 km between the Algarve and Lisbon. Here's how they compare on time, cost and comfort. Times are door to door from central Faro to central Lisbon, and prices are approximate in USD.

Train

Best pick
Time≈ 3–4 h
Costfrom ≈ $26

Direct trains link central Faro with central Lisbon. You get a reserved seat, a bar car and the 25 de Abril Bridge crossing at the end.

  • Arrives at city stations on the Lisbon metro
  • No traffic, no airport security, no parking
  • Wi-Fi and room to work, read or nap
  • Only around 5 departures a day
  • Cheapest fares sell out in summer
Check train fares

Bus

Time≈ 3h30–4h30
Cost≈ $10–$25

Express coaches run along the A2 motorway between Faro and Lisbon's Sete Rios and Oriente bus stations throughout the day.

  • More departures than the train
  • Usually a little cheaper than the train
  • Slower, especially in summer traffic
  • Less legroom, nowhere to walk around

Car

Time≈ 2h45–3h30
CostFuel + ≈ $25 tolls

The A2 motorway runs about 280 km from the Algarve to Lisbon. It's the fastest option on an empty road and handy if you have stops to make.

  • Flexible: stop anywhere in the Alentejo
  • Good value for a group of 3–4
  • Tolls, fuel and one-way rental fees add up
  • Lisbon traffic and parking are hard work

Flight

Time≈ 3h+ with airports
CostVaries widely

Flights between Faro and Lisbon take about 45 minutes in the air, but they mostly make sense as part of a longer connecting trip.

  • Short time in the air
  • Useful when connecting to an onward flight
  • Airport transfers and check-in add hours
  • Usually the most expensive way to go

For most travelers the Faro Lisbon train is the best mix of time, price and comfort. You skip the airport security line and step off onto the Lisbon metro.

Before you go

Faro Lisbon Train Travel Tips

Traveler with a suitcase and coffee on a sunny platform at a whitewashed Algarve station decorated with blue azulejo tiles
  • Book early in summer. July–August and holiday weekends fill up, and the cheapest advance fares go first.
  • Luggage is easy. There's no weight limit. Carry your bags on and use the racks above seats or at car ends.
  • Mind the timetable. With only about five trains a day, there are gaps of several hours. Plan around a specific departure.
  • Check which Lisbon stop suits you. Oriente is best for the airport and Parque das Nações. Entrecampos is closer to the center.
  • Bring a snack or use the café-bar. Both train types have a bar car with coffee, sandwiches and drinks.
  • Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Stations are small and there are no security checks, but trains leave on the dot.
Questions

Faro to Lisbon Train FAQ

How long is the train from Faro to Lisbon?

The train from Faro to Lisbon takes about 3 hours on the fast Alfa Pendular and about 3 hours 30 to 3 hours 45 minutes on the Intercidades. Both run direct from Faro to Lisboa Oriente with no changes.

Is there a direct train from Faro to Lisbon?

Yes. Every Alfa Pendular and Intercidades train from Faro runs direct to Lisbon, stopping at Loulé, Albufeira-Ferreiras, Tunes, Pinhal Novo and Lisboa Entrecampos before ending at Lisboa Oriente. Every ticket includes a reserved seat.

Is there a high-speed train from Faro to Lisbon?

The fastest option is the Alfa Pendular, a tilting train designed for up to 220 km/h that covers Faro to Lisbon in about 3 hours. Portugal has no dedicated high-speed line to the Algarve, so the Alfa Pendular is the closest thing to a high-speed train on this route.

How far is Faro from Lisbon by train?

Faro is about 302 km (188 miles) from Lisboa Oriente by rail. The line runs north through the Algarve and the Alentejo plains, then crosses the Tagus River into Lisbon on the 25 de Abril Bridge.

How many trains run between Faro and Lisbon each day?

There are usually around five direct trains a day in each direction: about two Alfa Pendular and three Intercidades services. Timings vary by season, so check the search above for your date.

How much does the Faro to Lisbon train cost?

Faro to Lisbon train tickets start at around $26 in 2nd class, and most direct 2nd-class seats cost about $34–$35 depending on the train and date. 1st class costs more. Children under 4 travel free, and children under 12 usually pay about half.

Is the Lisbon to Faro train the same as the Faro to Lisbon train?

Yes. The same Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains run in both directions, with similar journey times of about 3 to 3¾ hours and the same fares. From Lisbon you can board at Lisboa Oriente or Lisboa Entrecampos.

What is the difference between the Alfa Pendular and the Intercidades?

The Alfa Pendular is a modern tilting train that takes about 3 hours and has a power socket at every seat. The Intercidades is a locomotive-hauled train that takes about 3 hours 35 minutes, runs more often and is usually slightly cheaper. Both have 1st and 2nd class.

Which Lisbon station does the train from Faro arrive at?

Trains from Faro call at Lisboa Entrecampos and end at Lisboa Oriente. Entrecampos is closer to central Lisbon, while Oriente is best for the airport and Parque das Nações. Faro trains don't use Santa Apolónia station.

How far in advance should I book Faro to Lisbon train tickets?

Tickets usually go on sale about 60 days before travel, and the cheapest advance fares sell out first. Book a few weeks ahead for the best prices, especially for July, August and holiday weekends.

Is the train from Faro to Lisbon scenic?

Yes. The route crosses the rolling cork-oak hills and wheat fields of the Alentejo and ends with a spectacular crossing of the 25 de Abril Bridge over the Tagus, with views of downtown Lisbon. Portugal's most famous scenic ride is the Douro Valley line near Porto, but Faro to Lisbon has a memorable finale.

Is there Wi-Fi and food on the Faro to Lisbon train?

Yes. Both the Alfa Pendular and the Intercidades have free Wi-Fi and a bar car selling coffee, drinks, sandwiches and snacks. The Alfa Pendular also has a power socket at every seat.

How do I get from Faro Airport to Faro train station?

Faro train station is about 6 km from Faro Airport. Local buses and taxis cover the trip in about 15–20 minutes, which makes it easy to fly into Faro and continue to Lisbon by train.

Can I get from Lisbon to Lagos or Albufeira by train?

Yes. For Albufeira, get off at Albufeira-Ferreiras and take a short bus or taxi. For Portimão and Lagos, change at Tunes to the regional Algarve line heading west.

What does CP mean in Portugal?

CP stands for Comboios de Portugal, the national railway company. CP operates every Alfa Pendular and Intercidades train between Faro and Lisbon, as well as regional trains in the Algarve.

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Ready for the Faro to Lisbon Train?

Compare today's Alfa Pendular and Intercidades departures, pick your seat, and swap the Algarve beaches for Lisbon's hills in about three hours. Heading the other way? The same search works for the Lisbon to Faro train.

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