A22 Motorway and Tolls

Transport

The A22 (Via do Infante) is the Algarve's motorway, running approximately 130 kilometres from Lagos in the west to the Spanish border at Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Opened in stages between 2000 and 2003, and converted from a free road to a toll road in 2011, the A22 provides the fastest east-west route across the region and is the road most used by visitors travelling between Faro Airport and destinations across the Algarve.

The A22 is a modern dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction for most of its length. Speed limits are 120 km/h on the open motorway and 80 to 100 km/h at junctions and interchanges. The road surface is generally excellent, and the route passes through the Algarve's hinterland, offering views of the Barrocal countryside and the Serra de Monchique.

Junctions along the A22 provide access to all the Algarve's main towns, though the motorway runs several kilometres inland from the coast. Typical journey times on the A22 are approximately 35 minutes from Faro to Albufeira, 55 minutes from Faro to Lagos and 40 minutes from Faro to Tavira.

The toll system on the A22 is entirely electronic, with no toll booths or barriers. This means there is no opportunity to pay with cash or card at the point of use. The tolls are recorded by overhead gantries that photograph number plates as vehicles pass beneath them. This system causes considerable confusion for visitors, particularly those arriving in hire cars.

There are several ways to pay A22 tolls. For hire cars, the rental company will typically offer a toll payment device (Via Verde or similar electronic tag) as an optional extra when you collect the vehicle. This is the simplest solution and is strongly recommended. Without a device, tolls are recorded against the vehicle's registration and the rental company will charge them to your credit card after your trip, often with an additional administration fee.

For visitors in their own vehicles or without a hire car toll device, other options include: purchasing a prepaid toll card at a post office (CTT) or Payshop outlet, registering the vehicle online at the Via Verde or Toll Card websites before travelling, or paying at Payshop kiosks after using the road. The online registration options require advance planning.

Toll costs on the A22 are relatively modest. A full-length crossing from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo Antonio costs approximately 7 to 8 euros. Individual section tolls range from approximately 0.50 to 2.50 euros depending on distance.

The alternative to the A22 is the EN125, the old national road that passes through the region's towns. While slower, the EN125 is toll-free and provides access to towns and attractions without the detour to motorway junctions. Many regular Algarve visitors use a combination of both roads: the A22 for longer journeys and the EN125 for local exploration.