The Algarve is about 150 kilometres from end to end, threaded by a railway, two parallel roads and, along its southern shore, an improbable number of boats. Match the transport to the day you want.
The coastal train
The regional line hugs the shore between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António, calling at Portimão, Albufeira, Loulé, Faro, Olhão and Tavira. It is inexpensive, unhurried and drops many travellers closer to their beach than any car park could.
Roads: A22 versus N125
The motorway (A22, tolled electronically) moves traffic fast between the ends of the region, while the old EN125 remains the scenic local artery lined with bakeries and tile shops. Hire cars use transponder tolls arranged through rental companies.
Buses and ride apps
Regional coaches connect towns the rail bypasses — including Sagres and the airports' beach suburbs. Ride-hailing apps operate across the major towns and are usually cheaper than street taxis for cross-town hops.
Boats and bikes
Along the eastern lagoon, ferries and water taxis are simply how locals commute to the beach; in the west, boat trips double as transport to otherwise unreachable coves. The flat coastal Ecovia cycle route strings together many of the southern resorts for two-wheeled days.
