Frequently asked questions about Faro Airport

Faro Airport (FAO) is 4 km west of Faro, in the Algarve, southern Portugal. It is linked to the city by the line 16 bus and the A22 motorway. GPS coordinates: 37.0159, -7.9709.

The IATA code of Faro Airport is FAO and the ICAO code is LPFR. FAO is the code to remember for tickets, car rental and transfers to the Algarve.

Faro Airport handled over 10 million passengers in 2025, up on the previous year. It is Portugal's third-busiest airport after Lisbon and Porto. Traffic peaks sharply in July and August with charter and low-cost flights.

Faro Airport has a single passenger terminal over two levels, grouping check-in, security, gates and baggage reclaim. It is run by ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal, part of Vinci Airports.

A taxi from Faro Airport to the city centre costs about EUR 11 for an 8-minute ride. The Proximo line 16 bus runs the same route in about 20 minutes for around EUR 2.45, cash only. Car rental is ideal to explore the Algarve.

No, Faro Airport is not served by train or metro. Public transport is the Proximo line 16 bus to Faro city, plus taxis, private transfers and rental cars. The regional train and Vamus coaches leave from central Faro.

A taxi from Faro Airport to the city centre costs about EUR 11 on the meter for an 8-minute ride, more at night and on holidays. A fixed-price private transfer starts from EUR 12.

Yes, nine rental companies have desks at Faro Airport, in the arrivals hall. Rates start from about EUR 15/day in low season, with no-deposit options and unlimited mileage. In summer it is best to book ahead.

Yes, Faro Airport has official ANA car parks P1 and P2 by the terminal, a free 10-minute kiss and fly drop-off, and low-cost private lots with shuttle. The daily rate is capped around EUR 10, cheaper booking a private lot online.

Yes, Faro Airport offers free VINCI Airports WiFi throughout the terminal. The connection lets you check flights, arrange a transfer or download your boarding pass before security.

For a flight from Faro Airport, arrive 2 hours ahead for a Schengen flight and 3 hours for a UK or non-Schengen flight, when peak-season queues at security and passport control are longest.

Faro Airport is served by Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, TAP Air Portugal, British Airways, Wizz Air, Eurowings and many more, mainly to the UK, Ireland and Germany. The offer is seasonal and widest in summer.

From Faro Airport the most frequent links serve London (Gatwick, Stansted, Luton), Dublin, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Paris, Amsterdam and Lisbon. Traffic is strongly seasonal.

Yes, Faro Airport has two lounges, with the main one on the first floor between the food court and the gates. Access is via certain cards, loyalty programmes or a pay-at-door fee, useful during a peak-season wait.

The Faro Airport terminal has duty-free shops, cafes, restaurants, ATMs, currency exchange, an information desk and assistance for reduced mobility. Car rental desks are grouped in the arrivals hall.

Yes, Faro Airport offers assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, to request in advance through your airline. Step-free routes and meeting points ease movement through the single-level terminal.

May, June and September offer the best mix of pleasant weather, reasonable fares and moderate crowds at Faro Airport. July and August are the hottest and most expensive, while winter is quiet with fewer flights.

Yes, the currency at Faro Airport and across Portugal is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in the terminal, and ATMs let you withdraw cash. Note that the line 16 bus and many taxis are cash only.

No, Faro Airport is close to many resorts: Faro beach is a few minutes away, Vilamoura is 26 km, Albufeira 45 km and Lagos 91 km. A rental car or private transfer makes reaching the coast easy.

Yes, since Brexit UK travellers use the non-EU passport lanes at Faro Airport, which adds queue time at passport control. Arriving 3 hours before a UK flight in summer is strongly recommended.