Alfa Pendular
Portugal's tilting flagship: reserved seats, 1st and 2nd class, wifi.
Route guide
Faro → Lisbon
The Algarve line crosses the Alentejo plains and the Tagus by the long Vasco da Gama approach. Alfa Pendular saves 40 minutes over Intercidades for a few euros more.
Journey time3 h – 3 h 45 min
Tickets from€22.60
Frequency5–7 per day
Distance280 km
Who runs this route
Intercidades
Slightly slower than Alfa Pendular and noticeably cheaper. Reserved seats.
Check live times & fares
Compare every operator on this route in one search. Advance fares climb as seats sell.
Timetable at a glance
Services run 5–7 per day, with the first departure around 06:05 and the last around 19:00. Times shift with the seasonal timetable, so treat these as planning anchors and confirm the day before you travel.
Buying tickets: when and where
Fares on this route are largely fixed, so there is little advantage in booking months ahead. Buy the day before or on the day in the operator's app, or at a station machine. Reserved seats still apply on long-distance services, so a sold-out train is sold out.
Tickets are digital: show the QR code in the operator app or a printout. High-speed and long-distance tickets are tied to a specific train and seat; regional tickets are more flexible but do not guarantee you a place.
The stations
Departure
Faro
Central and small, five minutes from the marina and the old walled town.
Arrival
Lisboa Santa Apolónia
Long-distance trains call at Oriente first, then terminate at Santa Apolónia by the river. Oriente is better for the airport, Santa Apolónia for Alfama.
Alternatives, honestly compared
Coach: ALSA and FlixBus link Faro and Lisbon for less money and roughly double the time — the budget backstop rather than a real rival. Driving: about 280 km of autopista, plus fuel, tolls and the problem of parking in a historic centre. Flying makes no sense on this corridor: by the time you have reached the airport twice and cleared security, the train has already delivered you to the middle of the city.
Common questions
How long is the train from Faro to Lisbon?
Typically 3 h – 3 h 45 min, with services running 5–7 per day.
How much does the Faro to Lisbon train cost?
Tickets start at €22.60 and prices on this route barely move, so there is no need to book far ahead.
Which stations do Faro–Lisbon trains use?
Departures leave from Faro and arrive at Lisboa Santa Apolónia.
Do I need to book in advance?
Fares on this route are largely fixed, so there is little advantage in booking months ahead. Buy the day before or on the day in the operator's app, or at a station machine. Reserved seats still apply on long-distance services, so a sold-out train is sold out.
What are the first and last departures?
Roughly 06:05 and 19:00, varying by day of the week and season — confirm before you travel.