Portimão Travel Forum

We'll be visiting Portimao on a cruise ship on 4/13/09. We'll be there for about 9 hours. What is the most efficient way to get from Portimao to Silves? How close to the cruise port are the transportation (bus, train, taxi) facilities? Are taxis available? If so, what is the approximate taxi far for the trip from Portimao to Silves?

The cruise dock is about 1/2 mile from the city centre. I don't know if taxis meet the cruise ships (hardly worth it for such a short distance I would have thought) but buses and taxis are readily available in the city centre at the Largo do Dique.

It's about 10 miles direct from Portimao to Silves. A taxi will cost you maybe 20 - 25 Euros each way and take maybe 20 minutes. Undoubtedly the most efficient but costly.

There are buses from Portimao (Av Guarane, by the Repsol gas station) to Silves at these times:

0730, 0830, 1045 taking 45 minutes. Buses are for S B Messines; Silves is en route.

Return journeys Silves - Portimao at 1500, 1630 and 1810 (last one)

One way fare is 2.45 Euro.

I can't recommend the train, as the train station in Portimao is about 1 mile from the cruise dock and the station at Silves is also about a mile from town with a very steep hill to negotiate on the way back!

However for the record there are morning trains Portimao - Silves at 0713, 0849 and 1055, journey is 15 - 20 minutes but don't forget the 1 mile walk at Silves! You do get a nice view over the town as you come down the hill.

Return afternoon trains Silves - Portimao at 1410, 1723 and 1834. You could take a taxi Silves - Station and Portimao Station to ship of course.

Hope that helps; enjoy your short stay here in the Algarve.

Hi,

Sounds like you are on the Noordam as we are. I am trying to find out what is best in each port and best way to see it. As there are 4 of us, in several ports it looks best to rent a van with a guide.

Have you got any good tips for the other ports?