Faro Airport (FAO)
Travel and Ground Transport

(Faro, Portugal)

Even if you don't hire a car, there are several options for getting to Faro and the many Algarve resorts from Faro Airport (FAO).

Public buses, an airport shuttle and taxis all run direct from the airport, while trains run the length of the Algarve throughout the day from near the airport.

Buses

For public bus times, check the timetable at the information desk for services. Travelling to Faro by public bus is the cheapest transfer option for getting to central Faro and they leave from outside the terminal building. Once at the bus station in Faro, other services run to the various resorts and towns on the coast and farther afield.

Shuttle Buses

There is also an efficient airport shuttle bus that runs to central Faro from Faro Airport. The Aerobus is faster than the public bus, although it only runs from June 1 to October 31 and not on Tuesdays.

Hotel Coaches

Those who have hotels pre-booked or are on package holidays (the norm) will more than likely have airport transfers thrown in with the deal and can make use of the associated coach service that will be allocated on arrival at Faro Airport. A sample of transfer times to some Algarve resorts from the airport are: Almancil - 20 minutes; Vilamoura - 30 minutes; Albuferia - 45 minutes and Portimao about one hour.

Trains

There is also the option of taking the train, whereby the nearest station is located in between the airport and Faro and only takes a few minutes to get to by bus or taxi. However, if your destination is Faro, you are better off just taking buses or taxis. The train line runs from Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the east (near the Spanish border) all the way to Lagos in the west.

Taxi Cabs

Taxis offer the fastest option for getting to Faro and the outlying Algarve resorts and they depart from outside the terminal building. Fares should be negotiated beforehand for distant destinations.