A Traveller’s Guide to Faro AirportFaro Airport, officially Gago Coutinho International Airport, or FAO, offers a compact and modern experience for travellers exploring Portugal’s Algarve region.
The passenger experience at FAO, handling around 9.8 million passengers annually across 87 destinations, is shaped by its single, two-level terminal, serving airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and TUI. The terminal, expanded in 2017, features clear signage and a welcoming atmosphere with palm-lined forecourts and local art, ensuring easy navigation. Its modest size keeps walking distances short, though summer peaks can create crowded conditions, particularly at check-in and security. The airport’s focus on leisure travel, with routes to London, Dublin, and seasonal long-haul flights to New York and Toronto, caters to holidaymakers seeking Algarve’s beaches and golf courses.
Accessing the airport from Faro’s city centre, 4 kilometres away, is quick and convenient. The Prَximo Line 16 bus connects to the city’s main EVA bus terminal in 20 minutes for £2, running every 30-50 minutes from 5 am. to 11 pm.
Taxis, available 24/7 outside arrivals, cost £9-£13 for a 10-minute ride, with pre-booked transfers via Welcome Pickups offering a seamless option. Car rental agencies like Avis, Europcar, and Sixt are in the arrivals hall, and parking options include P1 and P2 short-stay lots at £0.95 for 15 minutes and P3 long-stay at £5 per day, bookable online. The A22 motorway provides easy driving access, though summer traffic can slow travel.
The airport’s layout features a single terminal with arrivals and departures on the ground floor, including 60 check-in desks and baggage claim, and 36 gates on the first floor.
Security and passport control are centrally located, with Schengen flights bypassing immigration. Non-Schengen departures, especially to England, face additional gate screenings, adding time. The terminal’s 68,500-square-metre design is efficient, but bus transfers to aircraft and ongoing expansions to handle 3,000 passengers per hour by 2027 may cause minor disruptions. Fast Track security, available for £6, speeds up screening during busy periods.
Delays are common in June-August, with long queues at check-in, security, and passport control, sometimes exceeding an hour due to understaffing, as noted in traveller reviews. Winter fog can affect schedules, and baggage claim for international flights may take 30-45 minutes. Arriving three hours early for international flights and 1.5 hours for domestic is advised, with online check-in essential for low-cost carriers to avoid fees. Flight status updates via apps like Flightradar24 or airport displays help manage gate changes.
Dining options include Costa Coffee, Burger King, Subway, and Mulligan’s Irish pub airside, offering tapas, burgers, and local pastries, alongside SoHo for organic coffee and Paul for French patisserie. Most eateries close by 10 pm with vending machines available 24/7. Retail features Duty Free Store for perfumes, alcohol, and Portuguese souvenirs like wines and ceramics, plus Sunglass Hut, Parfois, and Relay for accessories and books. Prices are high, with a coffee costing £3-£4, so bringing snacks is wise.
Facilities cater to diverse needs, with free Wi-Fi via “Faro Airport Free WiFi” requiring login, though connectivity can be slow. Charging stations are limited, and travellers report few power sockets, so portable chargers are recommended. The CIP Lounge, accessible for £25, offers snacks and showers. Accessibility services include ramps, lifts, six baby-changing stations, and wheelchair assistance, bookable 48 hours in advance. A children’s play area, ATMs, currency exchange, and a first aid station with a permanent ambulance are available. Smoking areas are airside on the first floor, and luggage lockers near P5 cost £2-£4 per four hours. The City Hotel at Level 1 near Gate 3 serves layovers.
On-time performance is generally reliable, supported by a 3,300-metre runway, but peak summer congestion and additional security checks can cause delays. Connections within the single terminal are swift, taking 15-30 minutes for Schengen-to-Schengen transfers. Non-Schengen transfers, requiring passport control, may take 45-60 minutes, with a minimum two-hour layover advised for self-transfers.
Faro is a popular seasonal destination, and passengers should arrive 90 minutes before departure. While many passengers have successfully used digital passes with airlines like Ryanair and Jet2, some airlines like Aer Lingus and TUI have previously recommended or required printed passes for flights from Faro, so it’s essential to confirm with your airline directly to avoid any delays or complications.
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus operates from the Main Terminal at Faro Airport for flights to Dublin and Cork. Check-in desks are typically in the Check-in Zone 20–40 (dynamic desks; self-service kiosks available). Departures are most commonly from gates 1-36 . Check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before departure. Online check-in is available 48 hours to 2 hours prior, but Faro does not accept mobile boarding passes, so passengers must obtain a paper boarding pass at the check-in desk.
Departures are usually from Gates 1–20 (non-Schengen area; dynamic, shown on screens ~30 minutes before boarding). Specific gates are assigned close to departure and displayed on airport screens.
Ryanair
Ryanair operates from the main terminal, with check-in desks typically in the check-in area (desks 10–30). Passengers should verify desk assignments on airport screens; self-service kiosks available. Bag drop opens 2 hours prior.
Flights to Ireland (Dublin) usually depart from Schengen gates (gates 1–15, non-Schengen area; dynamic, announced ~30-40 minutes before departure).). Specific gates are confirmed on departure boards.
