For many tourists, Lagos is the main destination after a stay in Faro. The Algarve’s largest city is the hub of the region, and it has a bus station in the center with connections to the major towns. The buses to Lagos are numbers 56 and 57, operated by Vamus. The 56 stops at the airport and continues to Albufeira, Lagoa and Portimão, before terminating in Lagos about 2 hours and 20 minutes later. It runs five times a day between May and October, and only twice between November and April, seven days a week. The 57 stops in Albufeira, Armação de Pêra, Lagoa and Portimão, and also ends its journey at the Lagos bus station 2 hours and 20 minutes later. It runs six times a day on weekdays throughout the year, and only twice on weekends.
Tickets must be purchased at the ticket office, not from the driver. Keep in mind that there can be long queues in the summer, so be sure to arrive at the station some time in advance. Each passenger is given a seat number, which is printed on the ticket. If you’re taking large or bulky luggage, you must place it in the compartment beneath the bus.
The bus station in Lagos is by Avenida dos Descobrimentos, which is the main central avenue on the waterfront, leading to the Old Town. You can walk from there to just about anywhere in central Lagos, but if your accommodation is outside the center or far enough, you’ll want to take a taxi. Unfortunately, the nearest taxi rank is about a 10-minute walk away, but is easy to find -- it’s on Avenida dos Descobrimentos, a few feet from the Mercado Municipal building.
If you’re heading to Lagos straight from Faro’s airport, take a look here: Faro Airport to Lagos by Train, Bus, Taxi or Transfer