Faro Airport Guide

Transport

Faro Airport (FAO) is the Algarve's sole commercial airport and the gateway for the vast majority of visitors arriving by air. Located four kilometres west of Faro city centre, the airport handles approximately 9 million passengers annually, making it Portugal's second busiest after Lisbon. It is well connected to destinations across Europe, with seasonal and year-round services operated by a mix of full-service and low-cost carriers.

The airport has two terminals, though Terminal 1 handles the overwhelming majority of flights. The terminal building is modern, functional and relatively compact, meaning that transfers between check-in, security, gates and arrivals are straightforward and quick. During peak summer months (July and August), the airport can become congested, and longer queues at check-in, security and passport control should be anticipated.

Airlines serving Faro include Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, TAP Air Portugal, British Airways, Wizz Air, Transavia, Eurowings and several other European carriers. The route network covers the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Scandinavia, Belgium, Switzerland and other European countries. TAP Air Portugal operates connections to Lisbon, providing onward links to intercontinental destinations.

Ground transport from Faro Airport to your Algarve destination involves several options. The bus service operated by Proximo (formerly Eva and Vamus) connects the airport to Faro city centre, with journey times of around 20 minutes. From Faro bus station, onward connections are available to towns across the Algarve.

Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall. Fares are metered, and typical costs are approximately 10 to 15 euros to central Faro, 50 to 60 euros to Albufeira, 70 to 80 euros to Lagos and similar to Tavira. A surcharge applies for luggage and for journeys between 21:00 and 6:00.

Private transfer services can be pre-booked online and offer door-to-door transport at fixed prices. Shared transfer services are also available, offering lower per-person costs for popular destinations.

Car hire desks for major international and local rental companies are located in the arrivals hall and in the car park area adjacent to the terminal. Pre-booking is advisable during the summer months when demand is highest. The airport is connected to the A22 motorway, providing fast access west towards Albufeira, Portimao and Lagos, and east towards Tavira and the Spanish border.

Faro's railway station, approximately 10 minutes by taxi from the airport, provides train connections along the Algarve coast from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo Antonio. There is no direct rail link to the airport itself.

Airport facilities include cafes, restaurants, shops, car hire desks, ATMs, currency exchange, tourist information and free wifi. The duty-free area in departures offers a selection of Portuguese products including port wine, Algarve spirits and cork goods.