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There are a number of ways to travel from Lisbon to Lagos, however the common factor of all of these is that you should book in advance if you are planning to travel during the peak season (summer). However, this holds true regardless of season to get the best rates and ensure availability on your preferred route.
This guide will break down all of the different ways to travel between Lisbon and Lagos, and the pros and cons of each. But before you go to the article, here is a list of the most popular tours and excursions in Lagos:
Top-5 popular tours in Lagos
- 🌊Take a seaside cruise to Benagil cave on this tour
- ⛵️ Discover Ponta da Piedade on this boat tour and enjoy breathtaking views of the cliffs from the water
- 🛶 Enjoy a kayak tour into the caves of Ponta da Piedade
- 🐬 Enjoy dolphin spotting in Marina de Lagos
- 🐟 If you want to experience the food of Lagos – this classic food tour is the best choice
Getting from Lisbon to Lagos, Portugal
By car
By far the fastest and easiest way to get from Lisbon to Lagos is by car. Car rentals in Portugal are quite affordable, if booked in advance or during the low-season. If you’re planning to visit during the summer months, make sure to book your car in advance.
Additionally, make sure to check the transmission type as the majority of rental cars are manual transmission. Automatic cars are available as well, but tend to book out faster and cost as much as double the price.
By bus
Traveling by bus is an easy and affordable way to get from Lisbon to Lagos safely. There is a direct bus between Lisbon and Lagos that takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes. Make sure to book the fastest route, because some routes take close to 5 hours.
Tickets can be booked directly through Rede Expressos, and should be booked in advance. You will also find a seasonal timetable on the same website. Tickets are typically around 20 Euro for a one way ticket to Lagos, and 35 Euro when purchasing a roundtrip ticket.
The buses leave from a number of stations in Lisbon, the main station being Lisboa Sete Rios. Make sure you double check your ticket to confirm which station your bus is departing from.
By train
While there is no direct route from Lisbon to Lagos, traveling between the two cities by train is still affordable and easy to do. Total travel time ranges from 3 hours and 45 minutes to 4 hours and 30 minutes. Choosing between traveling by bus and train will really just come down to personal preference between the two modes of transportation.
When traveling by train from Lisbon to Lagos you will need to transfer in Tunes. Tickets typically range from 22 Euro to 24 Euro for a 2nd class fare, so only slightly more expensive than the bus.
Tickets, which should be booked ahead of time, can be purchased directly through the Comboios de Portugal website.
There are assigned seats on the route from Lisbon to Tunes, but not from Tune to Lagos.
By flight
There is no airport in Lagos, so if you want to fly from Lisbon to Lagos you will need to fly into Faro International Airport, which is a 45 minute direct flight. From the airport to Lagos it is a 1 hour drive, or as long as 2 hours by bus. This is not the most convenient or fastest way to get to Lagos, but may be a good option if you’re coming from further north or outside of Portugal.
Prepare for your trip to Portugal
- ✈️ Find cheap flights here
- 🚙 Book your rental car here
- 🚂 Book your accommodations ahead of time
- 💛 Stay safe with travel insurance in case of any accidents
- 🧳 Pick up travel essentials before you go
