Skip to content
Airport Transportation

Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport

Also known as: Faro Airport, Faro International Airport, Algarve Airport, FAO Airport, Aeroporto de Faro.

FAO · LPFR · Faro

Airport facts

Name
Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport
IATA code
FAO
ICAO code
LPFR
City
Faro
Country
Portugal
Coordinates
37.0166, -7.9706
Time zone
Europe/Lisbon
Terminals
One passenger terminal handling all scheduled and charter flights

About Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport

Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport (FAO) serves Faro and the whole Algarve region in southern Portugal. It handled about 10.4 million passengers in 2025, most of them on flights from elsewhere in Europe.

Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.com fly to many cities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while Transavia, Eurowings, Lufthansa, Condor, Aer Lingus, Wizz Air and Norwegian connect Faro with the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Scandinavia. TAP Air Portugal flies to Lisbon and Funchal, Azores Airlines to Ponta Delgada, and Air Transat and United Airlines link the Algarve with Toronto and Newark.

All flights use a single passenger terminal. The airport sits about 4 km west of Faro city center, close to the A22 motorway that runs the length of the Algarve. Vilamoura is about 25 km away and Albufeira about 36 km, roughly 40 to 50 minutes by road.

From the airport, travelers head to Faro, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos and Tavira, and east toward Seville in Spain.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

ANA Aeroportos de Portugal (VINCI Airports)

Passengers per year

About 10.4 million in 2025

Runway

One runway, 10/28, 2,490 m long

Location

About 4 km west of Faro city center

Name

Named after aviator Gago Coutinho since 2022

Arrival tips for Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport

If you arrive from outside the Schengen Area, including from the United Kingdom, you go through passport control before baggage claim. Non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026; the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation.

After collecting your bags and passing customs, you come out into the arrivals hall of the single terminal.

Pre-booked drivers usually wait in the arrivals hall holding a name sign. Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals hall; use the rank rather than offers made inside the building. For the city bus, turn left outside toward the short-stay car park, where the stop is just beyond the drop-off area. Uber and Bolt pickups use the Kiss and Fly drop-off area nearby, though waits can be long in peak season.

Summers in the Algarve are hot and dry and winters are mild. The time zone is Western European Time (UTC+0, UTC+1 in summer) and the currency is the euro.

Ground transportation

Most travelers heading to resorts such as Albufeira, Vilamoura or Lagos use a taxi, rideshare or private transfer, since there is no direct train and few direct buses.

  • Taxi from Faro airport

    Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals hall. Faro city center is about 10 minutes away, and Albufeira about 40 to 50 minutes via the A22.

  • Private transfer

    Pre-booked drivers meet passengers in the arrivals hall with a name sign. This is the most direct option for resorts further west such as Lagos, about 65 to 75 minutes by the A22.

  • Rideshare (Uber, Bolt)

    Uber and Bolt pick up at the Kiss and Fly drop-off area near the bus stop. In peak summer, driver shortages can mean long waits or no car found.

  • Bus to Faro city

    Proximo city bus 16 runs from the stop to the left of the terminal exit to Faro's bus station in about 20 minutes, looping through Montenegro. It runs more often in summer than at weekends and in the low season.

  • Bus or train onward to the Algarve

    From Faro's bus station, regional coaches run to Albufeira, Vilamoura and Lagos, and Faro train station is about 200 m away. Connections take longer than driving and services are thinner in winter.

Compare providers for your exact address

Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.

Book a transfer from FAO

Terminals

Main Terminal

The single terminal handles all scheduled and charter flights, with separate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen passengers such as those from the United Kingdom.

Airlines and destinations

The main airlines at Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport.

Aer Lingus Main Terminal

Dublin, Cork

Airline guide

Air France Main Terminal

Paris–Charles de Gaulle (seasonal)

Airline guide

Air Transat Main Terminal

Toronto

Airline guide

airBaltic Main Terminal

Riga

Airline guide

Azores Airlines Main Terminal

Ponta Delgada

Airline guide

British Airways Main Terminal

London–Gatwick, London–Heathrow (seasonal), London City (seasonal)

Airline guide

Brussels Airlines Main Terminal

Brussels

Airline guide

Condor Main Terminal

Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich (all seasonal)

Airline guide

easyJet Main Terminal

London–Gatwick, London–Luton, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast, Amsterdam, Paris–Orly, Geneva, Basel/Mulhouse, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux

Airline guide

Edelweiss Air Main Terminal

Zurich

Airline guide

Eurowings Main Terminal

Berlin, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Hannover (seasonal)

Airline guide

Finnair Main Terminal

Helsinki

Airline guide

Icelandair Main Terminal

Reykjavík (seasonal)

Airline guide

Jet2.com Main Terminal

Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool, London–Gatwick, Belfast (seasonal), Bournemouth (seasonal)

LOT Polish Airlines Main Terminal

Warsaw

Airline guide

Lufthansa Main Terminal

Frankfurt, Munich

Airline guide

Luxair Main Terminal

Luxembourg

Airline guide

Norwegian Main Terminal

Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm

Airline guide

Ryanair Main Terminal

London–Stansted, London–Luton, Dublin, Cork, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, East Midlands, Brussels–Charleroi, Paris–Beauvais, Eindhoven, Vienna, Kraków

Airline guide

Scandinavian Airlines Main Terminal

Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gothenburg (seasonal), Oslo (seasonal)

TAP Air Portugal Main Terminal

Lisbon, Funchal

Airline guide

Transavia Main Terminal

Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Brussels, Paris–Orly, Lyon (seasonal), Nantes (seasonal), Nice (seasonal)

Airline guide

TUI Airways Main Terminal

Cardiff (seasonal), East Midlands (seasonal)

Airline guide

United Airlines Main Terminal

Newark (seasonal)

Airline guide

Volotea Main Terminal

Brest, Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Strasbourg (all seasonal)

Airline guide

Wizz Air Main Terminal

London–Gatwick, London–Luton, Bucharest (seasonal), Katowice (seasonal), Warsaw (seasonal)

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

How far is Faro airport from Faro city center?

Faro airport is about 4 km west of Faro city center, roughly a 10-minute taxi ride. Proximo city bus 16 links the terminal with Faro's bus station in about 20 minutes, with a loop through the village of Montenegro. From the bus station, the old town, marina and train station are all within a short walk.

How far is Faro airport from Albufeira?

Albufeira is about 36 km west of Faro airport. By taxi, rideshare or car the trip takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes via the A22 motorway in normal traffic. There is no direct train to the airport, and bus journeys involve a change or limited direct services, so most visitors travel by road.

How far is Faro airport from Vilamoura?

Vilamoura is about 25 km from Faro airport, making it one of the closest resort areas. By taxi or private transfer the drive is short and direct. Reaching Vilamoura by public transport requires the airport bus to Faro bus station and then a regional bus, which runs less often at weekends.

How do I get from Faro airport to Lagos?

Lagos is in the western Algarve, about 65 to 75 minutes from Faro airport via the A22 motorway in normal traffic. There is no direct bus or train from the airport. Using public transport, you first go to Faro's bus or train station and then take a coach or train to Lagos, which takes around two hours.

How many terminals does Faro airport have?

Faro airport has one passenger terminal. It handles all scheduled and charter flights, with separate areas for Schengen passengers and non-Schengen passengers such as those from the United Kingdom. The taxi rank, bus stop and rideshare pickup area are all just outside the arrivals hall, so there is no need to change terminals.

Which airlines fly to Faro airport?

Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.com run many routes, especially to the United Kingdom and Ireland. Transavia, Eurowings, Lufthansa, Condor, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Wizz Air, Norwegian and SAS also serve Faro, along with TAP Air Portugal to Lisbon and Funchal. Air Transat flies to Toronto and United Airlines seasonally to Newark.

Are there taxis at Faro airport?

Yes. Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals hall of the terminal. The ride to Faro city center takes about 10 minutes, and to Albufeira around 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure the meter is running or the fare is agreed before leaving, and note that night, weekend and holiday trips can carry surcharges.

Is there a bus from Faro airport?

Yes. Proximo city bus 16 runs from a stop to the left of the terminal exit, near the short-stay car park, to Faro's bus station in about 20 minutes. Services are frequent in summer and less frequent at weekends and in the low season. Regional coaches to other Algarve towns leave from Faro's bus station.

Can I use Uber or Bolt at Faro airport?

Yes. Uber and Bolt both operate at Faro airport, with pickups at the Kiss and Fly drop-off area close to the bus stop. You need mobile data to book. In peak summer, high demand and driver shortages can lead to long waits or the app failing to find a car, so have a backup plan.

Is there a train from Faro airport?

No. The airport has no rail station. The nearest is Faro station, near the city center bus station and about 10 minutes away by taxi or a short ride on bus 16. From Faro, trains run along the Algarve line toward Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António in the east and Tunes and Lagos in the west.

What do I need to enter Portugal at Faro airport?

Portugal is in the Schengen Area, so travelers from outside it, including from the United Kingdom, pass passport control on arrival. Non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026; the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation. Check passport validity and any visa needs before you fly.

What time zone and currency does the Algarve use?

The Algarve uses Western European Time, UTC+0, moving to UTC+1 for daylight saving time from late March to late October. The currency is the euro, and cards are widely accepted. Summers are hot and dry and winters are mild, which makes the region a year-round destination for many European travelers.

Who operates Faro airport and how busy is it?

Faro airport is operated by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, part of VINCI Airports. It handled about 10.4 million passengers in 2025, up from about 9.8 million in 2024. It has one runway, 2,490 m long, and has carried the name of aviator Gago Coutinho since 2022.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from FAO