TAP (Air Portugal), the national airline, has direct flights to Lisbon from a number of destinations, including England, France, Spain, the USA and Canada. There are also international flights to Porto and Faro. International departure tax is US$10, but this is included in the price of your ticket. Direct and regular bus services operate from France, Spain and England. Train connections from France and Spain are just as routine, with a number of scenic stops en route. You can also drive, ride, pedal or walk into Portugal, with major border posts open around the clock. If you're driving from England, the quickest route is via the Plymouth-Santander or Portsmouth-Bilbao ferries to northern Spain and then on to Portugal.

Flights inside Portugal are expensive and hardly worth considering, given the short distances involved. A domestic departure tax is levied, but it's included in the price of the ticket. Trains are much cheaper, but it's almost always quicker to go by bus - especially as a number of private companies operate express services between major cities and the Algarve. Note that bicycles are not permitted on trains. There are dozens of car-rental agencies in Portugal, though you should bear in mind that petrol is pricey. Bicycles can also be rented in some tourist areas. Local transport includes trams, buses and plentiful and cheap taxis. Lisbon has an underground metro (which is being expanded) and some stately funiculars.