The information has been obtained from printed
timetables and other local sources (like taking the bus) and is
given in good faith.
Page checked and some parts updated 23rd April 2024
I have to say, unfortunately, some of the buses and all trains in the Algarve are not very disabled-person friendly.
Many of the buses have high steps in and out. You will sometimes see what you in the UK would call a ‘coach’ being used on local buses. These of course have steep steps in and out. Most newer buses are accessible, some of the older ones are not. It is impossible to say for some routes at which times which type of vehicle will be used.
Some good news is that the GIRO (local) buses
normally used in Albufeira have only one step and should be
suitable for the majority of travellers. They have a ramp to
permit wheelchair and baby buggy access. The mini-buses on other
urban networks (Faro, Lagos, Portimão etc) are also
accessible. These too have ramps for wheelchair users.
On the trains, the combination (in some places) of
low station platforms and steep steps into and out of the train
will make it very difficult for some. Wheelchair access is out of
the question; it seems just not to be catered for. Newer trains
are now in service, but these also require steps to board/alight.
For more information about the stations and trains, click here.
These are personal opinions (I am able-bodied) but based on observations and frequent use of buses and trains!
Many thanks to the Administrator at www.albufeira.com for an
improved French translation:
VERSION FRANÇAISE
Je dois dire, malheureusement, que nombreuses
autobus et trains en Algarve ne sont pas pratiques pour les
handicapés. Certains des bus ont des marches élevées a
l’entrée et à la sortie. Vous verrez souvent ce que nous
appelons un ‘autocar’ (autobus de long parcours) étant utilisés
sur les parcours locaux; ceux-ci naturellement ont des
marches raides. Par contre, les autobus du «GIRO» à Albufeira et
aussi de 'Vai e Vem' en Portimão et les autobus 'A Onda' á Lagos,
n’ont qu’une seule marche et devraient être accessible à la
majorité des voyageurs. Ils existentent accès pour fauteils
roulants et poussettes.
Pour les trains, la combinaison de quais de gare
(plateformes) abaissés et de hautes marches aux portes des trains
rendra l’accès très difficile pour certains. Le passage de
fauteuils roulants est impossible; il ne me semble pas avoir
été prévu. Ceux-ci peuvent être plus faciles à utiliser pour
les personnes à mobilité restreinte.
And, to the same source, for a much improved Portuguese version.
VERSÃO PORTUGUESE
Tenho que dizer, infelizmente, que muitos dos
autocarros e dos comboios no Algarve não são muito amigáveis para
pessoas com deficiência motora. A maioria dos autocarros têm
degraus altos à entrada e à saída. Irá encontrar com
frequência o que nós, no Reino Unido, chamamos um 'coach'
(autocarro de longo trajecto tipo Renex ou Rede Expressos)
utilizado em percursos locais; os quais naturalmente
têm degraus bastante íngremes.
Os autocarros do rede GIRO em Albufeira e 'Vai e
Vem' em Portimão e A Onda em Lagos, no entanto, têm apenas um
degrau e deverão ser apropriados para a maioria dos viajantes.
Eles têm uma rampa para permitir o acesso de cadeiras de rodas e
carrinhos de bebê
Nos combois, a combinação das plataformas da
estação baixa e íngremes degraus dentro tornará muito difícil para
alguns. Acesso para deficientes está quase fora de questão, que
parece só não ter servido.
Thanks to Markus Frühauf for this German
translation:
DEUTSCHE VERSION
Ich muß leider sagen, daß viele Busse und auch
Züge an der Algarve nicht unbedingt für Behinderte geeignet sind.
Die meisten Busse haben hohe Stufen an den Ein- und Ausgangstüren.
Fernreisebusse (wie in Großbritannien die "Coach") werden häufig
auch auf lokalen Linien verwendet; gerade diese haben steile
Stufen an den Türen. Eine gute Nachricht für Albufeira: Die
stadt Busse des liniens GIRO in Albufeira, 'Vai e Vem' Portimão
und 'Onda' Busse im stadt Lagos haben nur eine kleine Stufe und
sollten für die meisten Reisenden passierbar sein. Sie verfügen
über eine Rampe, die den Zugang für Rollstuhlfahrer und
Kinderwagen ermöglicht
Die Kombination von niedrigen Bahnsteigen und
hohen Einstiegen verhindert bei den Zügen einen
behindertenfreundlichen Zugang, besonders Rollstuhlfahrer werden
hier Schwierigkeiten haben.
Several stations on the Algarve line are being
rebuilt to improve access for the less mobile. Work is in
progress or soon will be at Estombar - Lagoa; Poço Barreto,
Alcantarilha; Mexilhoeira Grande; Luz; Tavira; Castro Marim and
Monte Gordo. Some further modifications are being made on the
eastern section of the line in tandem with the electrification
works. I have not yet been able to check on progress in all
areas.
I must emphasise that there is currently NO STEP
FREE ACCESS at any Algarve station to any train while it is in
the platform. All trains in use have steps up into the carriage.
Some platforms are very low making it difficult for some. Things
will be easier at those very few stations with modern high
platforms, but access with a wheelchair is still not possible
without assistance. Only those stations named in BOLD
have staff present (not necessarily all day) but none are
normally visible on platforms.
For details of ticket office opening times and
other information about stations, go to https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/Stations
If boarding at an unstaffed station, buy tickets
for local journeys on board the train. Payment can be made in
cash only. Tickets for regional trains can be purchased at https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets
or you can download their smartphone 'app'.
Tickets for trains to Lisbon cannot be purchased
on board. Purchase at one of the staffed stations or go to https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets
for on line long distance tickets, up to 60 days in advance.
Reservation is COMPULSORY on all trains between the Algarve and
Lisbon stations.
Assistance for those with mobility issues can be
booked via this page - https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/how-to-travel/Special-needs-customers
Station name |
Access to station
and platforms |
---|---|
**
reconstruction work is under way at these stations.
Temporary platforms may be in use. Care must be taken when
boarding or alighting. This work is expected to be
complete in June 2024. |
|
LAGOS |
Flat access to the station
and all platforms. Modern high platforms. |
MEIA PRAIA** |
Flat access to the single
platform. 19th March - a new high level platform is almost
complete. |
MEXILHOEIRA
GRANDE** |
19th March - new high level
platforms under construction, Flat crossing over the
tracks to the westbound platform. Access to station is
along a badly maintained road and there is / was a kerb of
about 12cm / 5" at the station entrance. Unable to check. |
PORTIMÃO |
Flat access to the
westbound platform. For access to the eastbound platform
use the flat crossing over the tracks, where there is a
fairly steep ramp and small step. |
FERRAGUDO** |
Flat access to the single low platform. |
ESTOMBAR
LAGOA** |
19th March - new hig level
platforms under construction. Take care when boarding or
alighting. Step free access to both platforms via a foot
crossing over the tracks. Approach to the station is up a
short (50 metres approx.) hill. |
SILVES |
Step free access to the
station area now is only via a gate beside the old station
office building. Access to the westbound platform is via a
foot crossing over the tracks. High platforms on both
sides. Picture of the railway station taken from the level
crossing at the end of the platforms here. |
POÇO
BARRETO** |
19th March - new high level
platform substantially complete. |
ALCANTARILHA** |
Step free access the
station entrance. Step free access to both platforms via a
foot crossing over the tracks.19th March - New high
level platforms under construction, almost complete.
Picture here. |
ALGOZ** |
Flat access to the station
and the single platform. 19th March - New high level
platform under construction, almost complete. Picture here. |
MESSINES - ALTE |
Step free access to the
platform normally used - Platform 2 - is via a flat
crossing over the tracks. The station is on an embankment
high above town and access is by way of a steep hill. |
TUNES |
Modern high platforms
except on platform 1, which is used only occasionally.
There is a bridge over the tracks with a lift / elevator
for those unable to use the steps. Picture of the station
here. |
ALBUFEIRA |
Ramp into station and main platform, lift / elevator available to cross tracks to second platform. Modern high platforms (mostly) but regional trains sometimes stop partly on the old low section! |
BOLIQUEIME** |
There is a ramp to the left
of the station building onto the main platform used by
nearly all trains. On the other side is a temporary
platform in use while a permanent new platform is under
construction. Access for those less able could be a
problem. I was unable to see the full picture. Updated
27.02.24 |
LOULÉ |
Flat access to main platform. Access to second platform via a foot crossing at the end of the main platform. Modern high platforms. |
ALMANCIL |
Flat access to the single low platform. |
PARQUE DAS CIDADES |
Station is on an elevated
section of track.There is a steep ramp up to the platform
used by most trains, but not to the other. |
FARO |
Easy access to the station, step free access to all platforms. Modern high platforms. |
BOM JOÃO |
A fairly steep ramp leads
down to the single platform. No steps. |
OLHÃO |
Modern high platforms are
on both sides, with a step free ramp and flat crossing
between them. |
FUZETA - A |
Flat access to the single
high platform. |
FUZETA
- MONCARAPACHO** |
Main platform is
accessible. Access via a flat crossing over the tracks and
a ramp to the 'other' platform sometimes used. Both
platforms are high level but considerable construction
work seen December 2023 |
LIVRAMENTO |
Flat access to the single high platform |
LUZ DE TAVIRA |
Flat access to the single
high platform |
TAVIRA |
Flat access to station
building and both platforms via ramps and a crossing over
the tracks. Both are modern high platforms. |
PORTA NOVA |
Flat access to the single
low platform. No sign of any improvements February 2024. |
CONCEIÇÃO | Flat access to the single
low platform by two steep ramps adjacent to the old
station building. The path most people can use is badly
surfaced. Picture of the station here
and here.
One of the ramps can be seen at the far end. |
CACELA |
Step free access to the
station. High platforms with a step free ramp and crossing
between. |
CASTRO
MARIM** |
Flat access to the single
platform beside the old station building. The platform is
still of the low variety. A new high level platform is
under construction. |
MONTE
GORDO** |
Flat access to the single low platform. |
VILA REAL DE SANTO
ANTÓNIO |
Flat access to station
building and platform 1, normally used for all trains.Step
free access via a flat crossing to the other platform,
which is only used occasionally. |
Doors of an Alfa Pendular train (Porto - Lisbon - Faro route) showing why those less able have problems! Click to see in full size.
These trains have a
wheelchair lift in carriage 4. If you wish to take an unfolded
chair on board, obtain a reservation with a seat in that car.
Check with the railway that the lift is suitable. The older
'Inter-City' trains have similar steps but no wheelchair lift
etc. Same for regional trains in the Algarve.
For a list of all the timetables on the site,
click here
For an alphabetical list of places in the Algarve, click here
For some important general notes about buses in the Algarve,
click here
Back to the main page here