Do I need a car in the Algarve?
In most cases, yes. The Algarve is a large region (around 150 km of coast) and its best beaches, towns and attractions are spread out. Public transport exists (the train on the Algarve line, buses), but it is slow and does not reach many cliff beaches. With a car, you gain the freedom to switch beaches, go to the supermarket and explore at your own pace.
The exception is a holiday in a single town with a pedestrian centre and a beach nearby — such as Lagos, Albufeira or Tavira —, where you can spend the week without a car and use the occasional taxi or transfer. For everything else, hire one. See also how to get to and around the Algarve.
Where and how to hire a car in the Algarve
The main hire hub is Faro airport, where nearly all the companies are (international and local). There are also desks in Portimão, Albufeira and Lagos. The practical rules: book online ahead (especially from June to September, when prices rise and there are shortages), check the minimum age (generally 21, with a surcharge for young drivers) and bring a driving licence and a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
Mind the insurance: the base rate comes with a high excess. Consider reducing the excess (with the company or with separate excess insurance) and photograph the car on pick-up and return. Check the fuel policy (ideally «full to full») and whether the tolls are included or charged separately with a service fee.
The A22 (Via do Infante) tolls: how they work
This is the biggest question for visitors to the Algarve. The A22 motorway, also known as the Via do Infante, crosses the region from west to east and is fully electronic: there are no booths and nowhere to stop and pay. The gantries read the number plate and payment is made by a previously linked method. Driving without registering the plate incurs a fine.
| Situation | Solution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hire car | Company device (Via Verde) | Tolls + service fee on the invoice; confirm on pick-up |
| Foreign number plate | Easytoll | Links the plate to a card at a point near the border; valid 30 days |
| No card / pre-paid | TollCard or TollService | Pre-paid cards sold at CTT and service areas |
| Portuguese car | Via Verde or Pay as you go | Via Verde tag or later payment at CTT |
In practice, for the tourist the simplest is to let the hire company handle the tolls (on-board device) or, with your own foreign car, do the Easytoll right at the entry. The full journey along the A22, from one end of the Algarve to the other, typically costs a few euros. Confirm rates and methods on the official portal.
A22 or N125? The free alternative
Alongside the A22 runs the N125, the free national road that links the coast from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António. It is slower (it goes through towns, with traffic lights and roundabouts), but it has no tolls and is, on many stretches, more scenic and practical for hopping between nearby towns and beaches.
The simple rule: for long distances (e.g. from the airport to Lagos or Sagres), the A22 saves a lot of time; for short hops between neighbouring towns, the N125 does the job and saves the toll. An up-to-date GPS lets you choose for each trip.
Parking and tips for driving in the Algarve
Parking is free in most towns and beside many beaches outside season. In summer, however, the old towns (Lagos, Tavira, Albufeira) and the most popular beach car parks turn paid and fill up early — arrive in the morning. Many rental houses include their own space; confirm on the listing.
At the wheel, the Algarve is easy and safe. Points to remember: an alcohol limit of 0.5 g/l (0.2 for drivers with less than 3 years’ licence), compulsory seatbelt use, and attention to the roundabouts (very common) and to pedestrians in the tourist areas. The roads to some beaches on the Costa Vicentina are narrow — drive calmly.
Distances and times between the main towns
The Algarve is compact: by car, you cross the region in a little over an hour on the A22. These are average driving times between popular destinations, useful for planning the day and deciding how far it is worth going from your base.
| Route | Distance | Time (A22) |
|---|---|---|
| Faro → Albufeira | 37 km | ~30 min |
| Albufeira → Lagos | 52 km | ~40 min |
| Albufeira → Tavira | 55 km | ~45 min |
| Lagos → Sagres | 33 km | ~35 min |
| Faro → Tavira | 35 km | ~30 min |
| Vilamoura → Carvoeiro | 45 km | ~35 min |
| Tavira → Vila Real de S. António | 25 km | ~20 min |
To choose the ideal base and see the distances from the airport to each destination, see the guide on where to stay in the Algarve.
Sources and references
- Infraestruturas de Portugal — Tolls — https://www.portagens.pt/
- Via Verde Portugal — https://www.viaverde.pt/
- Algarve Tourism (Visit Algarve) — https://www.visitalgarve.pt/
Original editorial article by Maré Algarve, based on official sources (ICNF, ABAAE/Blue Flag, public climate data) and on our experience of holiday rentals in the Algarve. Prices and availability vary — always check each property's page.