Tunes is a bit north of Albufeira, and is the junction of the railway from Portimao (ie. the nearest one to Carvoeiro). It is on the main line from Faro to Lisbon. There is only one train each way each day. See http://www.cp.pt/horarios/alfa_ic/e_horarios.html for more information (in English or Por...

Many thanks for the information. It's good to hear that the Portuguese railways are good, and so cheap! E12.50 from Tunes to Lisbon (I presume the meal is not included)! Unfortunately, having found out the cost of the overland trip from the UK, we certainly can't afford it. We'll do the Algarve-Lisb...

Does anyone have any experience of travelling on the Portuguese railway system, or of travelling overland by rail from Paris on the TGV to Irun, then sleeper train to Lisbon?