We have done this trip a few times, Taff. It really is straightforward. You take the train, as you said, from Tavira, change in Faro and get on the train straight to Lisbon (no need to change again). You have to book your seats on the lisbon train though before you travel but you can book them online or at the station in Tavira.
Lisbon is well worth the visit. It takes about 3 hours on the train and it's nice to sit and relax and look at the scenery as you travel.
Enjoy!!!
Pat

I've done that journey several times since before the bridge opened - in those days you had to get a ferry over the Tejo but there was an early train straight through from VRSA to Barreiro that called at Tavira.

These days you have to change at Faro but then it's straight through to Lisbon, all trains stop at Entrecampos and then Oriente, odd ones go on to Porto. Entrecampos is best for the hotel district north of the Pombal roundabout. Neither are that good for the Rossio and old town - in those cases I'd get off at Entrecampos to save time but come back from Oriente because there's more time to board. For the record, Oriente is best for the airport.

As Pat says, need to reserve the main part of it. The website is http://www.cp.pt and then click the Union flag at the top right for english. Note that reservations only open 30 days in advance.

You can even buy and reserve at Multibancos from 21 days in advance.

On the Alfa trains the classes are Conforto and Turistica, the fares are reasonable but you no longer get the inclusive meal in Conforto (about €14 for 3 courses with a discount if you book it in advance). CP long distance have generally been very punctual for me.

Many thanks Pat and Steve, will definately do it this year.

I agree with Steve. I am off to Lisbon for a couple of days nest week (I hope the rain will be a different colour or something) and will get off at Entrecampos which is easier for the city centre and the hotels. Oriente is out to the east of the city and you would have to come all the way back in again. Some of the trains also stop at Sete Rios, which is close to one of the major business districts and lots of posh hotels.

Tavira to Faro will cost you 2,35€ on the local train which you can't reserve or buy on line.

Faro to Entrecampos is 18,50 (Turista) or 24,50 (Conforta) on the Inter-city trains. If you take the faster afternoon Alfa Pendular it is 21,00 and 28,00 respectively. (I'm assuming you don't want to leave Tavira at 6am but the morning Alfa is the same price.)

If you book on line and print your tickets you get 10% off.

Or as Steve said, go to Tavira station two or three days beforehand and book your tickets right through.

When booking on line, I always pick a seat on the right hand side going up and the left hand side coming back. That way you can look out of the window without being blinded by the sun.

Enjoy your trip.

Cubser, Steve, Pat.

Many thanks for your tips, we did the Lisbon trip and very enjoyable it was. We booked online and took the Alfa both ways. Picked a smashing hotel right on Pombal roundabout for our stayover night.

Our only mistake was not to take our trainers, we did a lot of walking as we always feel this is the best way to see a city / town but we didn't factor in some of the tremedous hills that run off the main avenue down to the sea and around the older parts of town.

Next time we will be prepared!!

Cheers for now

Taff.

I am pleased to hear it all worked out. And yes Lisbon can be hard on the feet, so future readers follow Taff's advice and take your sensible walking shoes!

there's a bit of a clue in what Lisbon transport call their local charge card - "The Seven Hills Card"