How to get to the Algarve
There are a number of ways to get to the Algarve! Typically, your journey starts with flying into either Faro or Lisbon.
Fly into Faro Airport
The easiest way to get to the Algarve is to fly directly into Faro Airport. It’s possible to fly direct to Faro from the UK and mainland Europe. For those arriving from the US, you will need a layover in order to fly into Faro.
If you have time, we recommend spending a day or two in Faro! Faro played an important role during Roman, Moorish and Portuguese rule. For ideas on where to stay, what to do and where to eat, check out our recommendations here.
Car Rentals from Faro
There are plenty of car rental options at Faro Airport. We have always had a good experience with Sixt Car Rentals but there are of the ‘big-name’ companies are there. It takes approximately one hour to drive from Faro to our wedding location.
Trains from Faro
For those who prefer not to rent a car, you can get a train from Faro to the western Algarve. The train station is in the city center of Faro. If you have flown into Faro airport, you can get a taxi/Uber or take a bus to Faro train station. A one-way ticket from Faro to Portimão costs between 7-15€. We recommend booking train tickets via Omio.com.
Fly into Lisbon Airport
For those coming from the US or those who have a bit of time to spend in Portugal before the wedding, a good option can be to fly into Lisbon (Humberto Delgado Airport). We have found that flights into Lisbon can be more affordable than Faro, even when adding in the additional costs to get down to the Algarve.
Lisbon is one of our favorite cities in the world! You could easily spend several days there - not only is there plenty to see and do in the city but there are also a number of great day trips in the area. We’ve listed our recommendations for what to see, do and (most importantly) eat here.
Drive to the Algarve
When you are ready to leave Lisbon, it is easy to rent a car to drive down to the Algarve. We recommend renting from a car rental company near the airport. While many companies have locations elsewhere in Lisbon, we do not recommend driving in Lisbon itself (maybe visit a church first if you want to try this?). We recommend Sixt Car Rentals but there are plenty of companies to choose from. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Lisbon to Portimão. Be sure to ask your car rental company about an electronic toll pass.
Trains from Lisbon
It’s also possible to get to the train from Lisbon to the Algarve. You will likely need to transfer at least once during the journey - the total travel time can range from 3.5-5 hours depending on transfers. We recommend upgrading to first class for a train trip - usually the price difference is fairly small and it can be easier to fit all of your luggage on board. Tickets can be booked via Omio.com.