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 $26. ## Search Faro to Lisbon train tickets Swipe to see more → Journey time **≈ 3h** fastest Faro–Lisbon train (Alfa Pendular) ___Alfa Pendular_ 3h05 ___Intercidades_ 3h35 ___Bus_ ~4h Compare the trains → Distance **302 km** Faro to Lisboa Oriente by rail, no changes FaroLisboa See the route map → Frequency **~ 5** direct trains per day, each direction __2 Alfa Pendular __3 Intercidades Train types → Fares from **$ 26** lowest Faro–Lisbon fare, 2nd class ___Lowest fare_ $26 ___Intercidades 2nd_ $34 ___Alfa Pendular 2nd_ $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. 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. **Alfa Pendular** Fastest · ≈ 3h **Intercidades** Most departures · ≈ 3h35 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 Intercidades · Class 5600 locomotive and coaches Most departures · ≈ 3h30 to 3h45 ### Intercidades (IC): the classic intercity train The Intercidades is a traditional train: a CP Class 5600 electric locomotive (built by Siemens and Sorefame in the 1990s) pulls a set of stainless-steel Corail and modernised Sorefame coaches. It doesn't tilt, so it's a bit slower through the curves, and it calls at a few extra stations such as Grândola and Funcheira. The coaches are roomy, with generous legroom and big windows that suit the long run through the Alentejo. On the Faro Lisbon train this is the most common service and usually the cheapest flexible fare. Rolling stock Class 5600 locomotive + Corail / Sorefame coaches Top speed 200 km/h Journey ≈ 3h30 to 3h45 Faro–Lisboa Oriente Daily trains ~3 each way Classes 1st · 2nd On board Wi-Fi, power mainly in 1st, café-bar car Fares 2nd class from ≈ $34 Check Intercidades 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** ≈ 3h · ~2 trains/day **Intercidades** ≈ 3h35 · ~3 trains/day 2+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 2+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 2+1 seatingIntercidades #### 1st class Check price * Plush wide seats in a 2+1 layout * Power sockets in the 1st-class car * Big windows for the Alentejo views * Quiet car, usually the least crowded 2+2 seatingIntercidades #### 2nd class from**≈ $34** * Reclining seats in a 2+2 layout * Fold-down tables and overhead racks * Few power sockets, so charge up before you go * Cheapest flexible fare on the line Check fares for both classes ### Alfa Pendular vs Intercidades at a glance Head to head Alfa Pendular Intercidades **VS** 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. **2,277 m** total length **70 m** above the river **1966** opened **1999** rail 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? Faro → Lisbon Lisbon → Faro 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. Swipe to see more → Alfa Pendular ### Turística · 2nd class from**$35** * 2nd class**from ≈ $35** * Journey**≈ 3h05** Alfa Pendular ### Conforto · 1st class price variesCheck 1st-class price * Seats**Wider, 2+1 layout** * Journey**≈ 3h05** Intercidades ### 2nd class from**$34** * 2nd class**from ≈ $34** * Journey**≈ 3h35** Intercidades ### 1st class price variesCheck 1st-class price * Seats**Wider, 2+1 layout** * 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. Swipe to see more → 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 town**5–10 min walk** * Faro Airport**≈ 6 km · 15–20 min by bus or taxi** * Good for**Old town, Ria Formosa boats** 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. * Metro**Red line** * Lisbon Airport**3 metro stops · ≈ 10 min** * Historic center**≈ 20 min by metro** 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. * Metro**Yellow line** * Marquês de Pombal**≈ 10 min by metro** * Good for**Saldanha, 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. Swipe to see more → ### Train Best pick Time**≈ 3–4 h** Cost**from ≈ $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** Cost**Fuel + ≈ $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** Cost**Varies 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 * **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. Search Faro–Lisbon trains ## 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. Find Faro–Lisbon tickets --- Book tickets: https://highspeedtrains.com