Algarve-South-Portugal.com

The best independent guide to Tavira

Algarve-South-Portugal.com

The best independent guide to Tavira

Faro Airport to Tavira; an airport transfer guide for 2024

Tavira is a charming fishing town situated on the picturesque eastern Algarve. The main international airport of southern Portugal Faro airport, and this is 35km to the west of Tavira.

There is good public transport connecting Faro (city) and Tavira, with bus and regional train services, but first, you must travel into the city from the airport - full details of the journey by public transport are given later in this article.

The majority of visitors to Tavira take some type of taxi/car/coach transfer from the airport. These options include taxis, ride-hailing apps (such as Uber/Bolt), shared minibus transfers or - if you're organised - a pre-booked private transfer.

Note: There is a limited number of shared transfers to the eastern Algarve, and these may not be available.

This guide will detail all of your options for travelling from Faro Airport to Tavira, and help you to choose the best one.
Related articles: Tavira introduction

flight path over Faro city

The flight path into Faro Airport flies over the city of Faro

Quick overview of travel from Faro Airport to Tavira

If you're reading this guide before your holiday to Tavira, it is strongly recommended that you book a private transfer. This provides a hassle-free way to start your holiday and is particularly useful if you're travelling with children. A private transfer to Tavira can cost as little as €46.00 (2022 prices), if booked far enough in advance. Details of the best transfer companies can be found later in this article.

If you're reading this guide just before or after landing at Faro Airport, the best options are hailing an Uber/Bolt once you've collected your luggage, or taking the train from Faro train station. While passing through the arrivals hall, do enquire about a shared transfer (€12-15), but they may not be running due to demand. Be warned: There can be very high demand for Uber/Bolt services during the peak season.

The train from Faro is a good option when travelling to Tavira; the only downside is the infrequent departures during the afternoon, which means there can be a lot of waiting around. The last train departure is at 22:16, and full details and links to timetables are given later in this guide.

If you've just landed and it's night-time, then your options are limited and much more expensive. There is no public transport at past 22:16, shared transfers will have finished for the day, and ride-hailing apps (Uber/Bolt) are always in high demand at these times as people go for evening meals or nights out. Taxis at night (9pm-6am) cost 20% more than daytime rates.

Faro airport busy in the summer

Faro Airport is modern, but will be busy during the peak season

A private transfer from the airport to Tavira

A private transfer is the best and fastest method of travel from Faro Airport to Tavira. This also has the added convenience of having a driver waiting for you at the airport.

The best transfer company regarded by people who live and work in the Algarve is Yellow Fish. They are the largest transfer company in the Algarve, with a fleet of modern cars and professional drivers.

A private transfer from Faro Airport to Tavira in 2024 can cost as little as €46.00 if booked far enough in advance (but in peak season, expect it to cost up to €55). Further details can be found on the Yellow Fish website: www.yellowfishtransfers.com.

Other highly recommended transfer companies include:
Sun Line Transfers: www.sunlinetransfers.com/
Algarserra: www.algarserra.com/

Insight: There are many third-party booking websites offering private transfers, these are always more expensive to cover their costs. Hotels and travel agencies typically add 10-15% on the basic price of an airport transfer. Always book directly with a transfer company for the best price.

Insight 2: Many of the transfer companies provide prices based on demand. Booking the transfer two months in advance will ensure the lowest prices, while leaving it to the last minute will always result in higher prices. If there are higher prices, compare the three transfer companies listed above.

Yellow fish transfer to Tavira

A Yellow Fish minibus waiting at the airport drop-off point

The remainder of this article will detail how to travel from Faro airport to Tavira by public transport.

The train from Faro to Tavira

There is a regional train service that connects Faro city to Tavira. The journey takes 40 minutes and only costs €3.25

The issue with train travel is that you will need to take a Taxi/Uber/bus from Faro Airport to the Faro city train station.

For the train, there is a decent evening and night-time service with a departure every hour until 22:16. The latest timetable can be seen on the Comboios de Portugal (CP) website:
www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/horarios/regional/comboios-regionais-vila-real-s.antonio-lagos.pdf

Faro train station is located just to the north of the city centre (GPS: 37.018410, -7.939675), and tickets must be purchased before boarding the train.

Tavira train station (GPS: 37.120889, -7.655473) is to the southern side of the city and is a 700 walk to the historic centre. The walk is along cobbled streets but is all downhill, or you may wish to get a taxi for the ride to your accommodation.

Tavira train station

Tavira train station

The Algarve regional train

The Algarve regional train

The bus from Faro Airport to Faro City

The number 16 bus (operated by Proximo) connects the airport with central Faro, and there are departures every 30-50 minutes – the latest timetable is posted at the bus stop at the airport. The journey takes 20 minutes, and the fare is €2.35.

The bus stop at the airport is to the left of the main entrance when exiting it (GPS: 37.021344, -7.968876).

Insight: Often it is easier just to catch a taxi to the train station (€10-15).

The number 16 bus from the airport into Faro city centre

The number 16 bus from the airport into Faro city centre

Express bus from Faro city to Tavira

An alternative to the train is to take the bus from Faro bus station to Tavira.

There are two bus routes, route 67, with four daily departures (and five Monday to Friday) or route 66, with only three departures Monday to Friday. The journey takes one hour, a single adult ticket costs €3.85, and the latest timetable can be seen on the Vamus website:
vamusalgarve.pt/#/ pt/vamus%20algarve/schedules
Note: The Faro to Tavira routes are 66 and 67

The issue with bus travel is the same as the train; you have to travel into Faro city centre, which either means a Taxi/Uber or taking the number 16 bus.

Insight: The limited number of departures for the train and bus to Tavira in the afternoon, means it's worth comparing the times of both, and then taking the first service of either.

Faro bus station is only 200m south of Faro train station. In Tavira, the bus stops at the bus station, and this is very close to the city centre.

Faro tavira bus

The Tavira bus waiting in Tavira bus station

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