Bus and Train Information
There is lots of information below to help you get around. A car is not necessary. Cabanas is small and all walk able so this should help if you are thinking of seeing other parts of the Algarve.
This intended as a guide only, therefore you should check the latest timetables, as schedules do change.
The websites covering the train and bus schedules are mostly Portuguese - if you can read Spanish, you can
probably read Portuguese.
Some key words:
Destino = TO;
Origem = FROM
Partida = DEPARTS;
Chegada = ARRIVES
Horarios = TIMETABLE;
ida = OUTBOUND;
volta = RETURN
Train info is available from Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses at www.cp.pt available in Portuguese and English.
Bus info from www.rede-expressos.pt or www.eva-bus.com both available in Portuguese and English.
Taxis are normally beige coloured
Buses
In general, bus services in the Algarve start around 7am on weekdays and finish by 8.30pm,
which means that, in most places, last buses are on their way around
7.30 at the latest. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays there are a lot
fewer buses than on weekdays. However most larger places are served by bus at least three or four times on a Sunday or holiday. There are often long gaps in service on Saturday afternoons
and on Sundays. Buses do not usually run at regular intervals i.e. at so many minutes past each hour. Buses heading inland - i.e. away from the main coastal tourist areas - are few and far between. You are
strongly advised to double-check the times of last buses back if you
are off hiking in the hills.
Buses run between Faro Airport and both the bus station and train station.
If you are unlucky with the bus times, there is a taxi rank at the Bus Station.
Going from Faro to the Airport buses also stop outside the Railway Station about 1 minute after leaving the bus station. The stop at the station is across the square to the right as you exit the station.
Going from the Airport into Faro buses stop near the railway station about 1 minute before the time at the Bus Station. Ask the driver to tell you when you reach that stop as it is not all that obvious; the first time you might see a train you are in fact some distance from the station entrance.
Local buses around Cabanas.
Cabanas' bus service is still developing but the main service is to Tavira via Conceicao (con-say-sow).
Buses leave Tavira bus station arriving 7 minutes later in Conceicao (con-say-sow) and 5 minutes after that on the waterfront at Cabanas. 3 minutes later they turn and make the return trip.
You can get a bus between Faro and Vila Real de San Antonio, which stops at Conceicao, but you are likely to find the train quicker.
Buses further afield
If you are going any distance, you are likely to have to change at Tavira
E.g. there are 9 buses a day to Lisbon from Tavira taking 4 hrs 15. Buses also run across the border, so if you wanted to go to Seville , or flew in there.
You must buy a ticket in advance.
REDE tend to be longer distance buses
Trains
Remember the local train station is called CONCEICAO (con-say-sow).
North of the station is the village of Conceicao, South of it is Cabanas.
Trains cost about the same as buses and are generally faster. Over 65s get 50% off tickets with production of passport.
Trains between Faro and the Eastern Algarve
At the Eastern end of the line is Vila Real de San Antonio (VRSA). It is about 10 minutes walk to the ferry that goes across to Ayamonte in Spain. You cannot take a train straight through to Spain as the lines do not cross the border.
You would be better to go by bus (or even better to drive as it is only 90 minutes on one straight motorway all the way through to Seville).
It is just a 5 to 8 minute journey into Tavira and the trains are about once an hour.
Most trains go straight through to Faro, taking 45-55 minutes.
If you wanted to go out in Tavira in the evening it is possible to get one of the last trains going to Tavira and return on one of the last trains coming back to Conceicao, however do check the timetables. If you are stuck you can always get a taxi back at around €8-9.