Getting around in the Algarve: car, tolls, and Faro Airport

The Algarve is best explored by car, but two or three local specificities are worth knowing before you arrive.

Faro Airport Faro (FAO) is the gateway to the region. Allow 35 to 45 minutes to Albufeira, 20 minutes to Faro city center, 1 hour to Lagos. Rental counters are in a separate building, a few minutes' walk or shuttle ride from the terminal. In July-August, expect delays: book your car in advance and arrive with your license, the main driver's credit card, and your voucher.

Car rental: points of vigilance - A credit card in the main driver's name is almost always required for the deposit. - Check the fuel policy (full/full is the most reasonable) and the excess amount. - A small car is more comfortable in village alleys and beach parking lots. - Child seats must be reserved in advance; it's often cheaper to bring your own.

The A22 (Via do Infante) is now toll-free Since 1 January 2025, the A22 motorway running along the Algarve has been completely toll-free. No tolls, no mandatory transponder, no license-plate registration: just drive on and off without paying anything.

Watch out for hidden rental fees: some rental desks still offer a 'toll service' or transponder for a few euros per day. If you stay on the A22 and do not leave the Algarve, you can decline this option. Check your rental agreement at pickup to avoid paying for an unnecessary service.

Alternative still worth considering: the N125, the parallel national road, slower but prettier, with speed cameras and village crossings.

Parking Most beach parking lots are free but small. In towns (Albufeira, Lagos, Faro), paid zones operate with parking meters, often free on Sundays. Avoid Albufeira's historic center by car in summer: park on the outskirts and walk down.

Trains and buses The Lagos-Faro-Vila Real de Santo António railway line is economical and picturesque, but stations are sometimes far from centers (Albufeira notably). Regional buses connect coastal towns; the interior is poorly served. Without a car, stay on the coast and supplement with taxis or Uber/Bolt, available in tourist areas.

What about transfers? For a car-free stay, a private transfer from Faro is comfortable and predictable. If you rent a villa inland, a car remains essential for daily use.

A final tip: download your maps offline. Dirt roads leading to some villas or Paderne Castle are not always well signposted.