Faro Airport FAO
Faro Airport is the gateway to the Algarve region in the south of Portugal. It is a relatively small airport containing a single terminal. In 2022 over 8 Million passengers used Faro Airport. The airport is especially busy during summer. This is because of the increase in tourists who throng the area to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery. Majority of the Faro Airport traffic uses the airport between the months of May and October.
Faro Airport Overview
As you prepare for your upcoming trip through Faro Airport in 2024, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the details you need for a smooth journey. With information on navigating the modernized terminal, transportation options, and tips on where to eat, shop, and relax during your layover, you'll feel informed and ready to take on this bustling airport. We'll cover everything from check-in and security to boarding your flight, all written clearly and concisely so you can quickly find the information you need. Let this guide be your travel companion and make your airport experience hassle-free. Whether you're a first-time or frequent flier, you'll find this overview of Faro Airport invaluable.
An Overview of Faro Airport
Faro Airport is the main international airport in Portugal’s Algarve region. The airport served over 9 million passengers, cementing its position as the third busiest airport in Portugal.
Infrastructure and Facilities
The airport has one runway and one main passenger terminal with 16 gates. The terminal was renovated and expanded between 2017 and 2021 to increase capacity and improve facilities. It now features spacious check-in and arrivals areas, over 30 check-in desks and 10 baggage claim belts. Passengers have access to various amenities like currency exchange bureaus, ATMs, prayer rooms, showers and a post office.
Airlines and Destinations
Faro Airport was served by over 50 airlines connecting to major European cities and holiday destinations. The top carriers were Ryanair, easyJet, TAP Portugal and Jet2.com. The most popular routes were London, Dublin, Manchester, Amsterdam and Paris. Seasonal charter flights also operated to Egypt, Morocco and Turkey.
Access and Transportation
Faro Airport is located 7 kilometers west of Faro city center. It is easily reached by bus, taxi or rental car. The airport bus service operates 24 hours a day, connecting the airport to Faro bus station in around 15 minutes. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available for door-to-door transfers to destinations within the Algarve region. On-site car rentals allow visitors flexibility to explore the Algarve at their own pace.
With excellent facilities, a wide range of destinations and convenient access options, Faro Airport provides an efficient gateway to southern Portugal’s Algarve coast. The airport’s ongoing expansion and route development make it an attractive hub for airlines and passengers alike.
Navigating Faro Airport: Arrivals, Departures, Terminals and More
Arrivals Upon arriving at Faro Airport (FAO) on an international flight, you will go through immigration and customs before collecting your luggage and exiting the restricted area. The arrivals hall has currency exchange offices, ATMs, car rental agencies, and a tourist information desk to help you get oriented.
Departures
For departing flights, you will check in at the departures hall at least two hours before scheduled departure for international flights and one hour for domestic flights within Portugal. The departures hall has various shops, restaurants, lounges, and services to make your travel experience comfortable while waiting to board.
Terminals
Faro Airport has one main passenger terminal building with two concourses - Concourse A for flights within the Schengen area and Concourse B for non-Schengen flights. The airport is not too large, so arriving at the correct concourse and gate is usually quite straightforward. However, for passengers with mobility impairments, Faro Airport does provide special assistance upon request.
Ground Transport
Traveling to and from Faro Airport is possible through various ground transport options like taxis, buses, hotel shuttles and car rentals. The airport is located around 7 km from Faro city center, connected via regular bus and Faro airport taxi services. Many hotels, resorts and rental car companies also offer direct shuttle services to transport passengers to their destinations.
With an easy to navigate setup and multiple facilities and services, transiting through Faro Airport should be a seamless experience. By planning ahead and arriving at the airport with ample time, you can start your Algarve holiday relaxed and enjoy all this region has to offer.
Top Tips for Flying Through Faro Airport
To ensure a smooth experience flying in and out of Faro Airport in 2024, follow these tips:
Check-in online and arrive early
Check-in for your flight on the airline's website at least 24 hours before departure to avoid potential delays at the airport. Even with online check-in completed, passengers should arrive at Faro Airport at least two hours before scheduled departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. This provides ample time to navigate the airport, drop off any checked baggage, proceed through security and passport control (for international flights), and find your gate.
Know the layout
Faro Airport has two terminals connected by a walkway - Terminal 1 handles arrivals and Terminal 2 handles departures. All check-in and security screening takes place in Terminal 2. Once through security, the departure lounge features many shops, restaurants, and lounges. Expect to walk between 15 to 20 minutes from check-in to your departure gate, so wear comfortable shoes and allow enough connection time if you have a connecting flight.
Prepare for security
Security screening at Faro Airport follows standard EU regulations. Remove laptops, belts, and liquids from your carry-on and place them in a bin for X-ray scanning. Be prepared to remove your shoes if requested. Only bring liquids in bottles 100ml/3.4oz or less that fit in a single, clear, sealable plastic bag. Place all electronics, keys, and loose change from your pockets into your carry-on to speed up the screening process.
Following these tips will help ensure you breeze through the airport with confidence and ease. With proper planning and preparation, Faro Airport can be navigated efficiently. Have a great trip!
Conclusion
With its modern terminal, affordable amenities, and convenient location, Faro Airport offers an excellent starting point for your Algarve adventure. Whether you're catching a flight to explore more of Portugal or arriving for a seaside holiday, navigating this user-friendly airport is a breeze. After reviewing transportation options, dining choices, and tips to make your airport experience smooth, you're ready to take off from Faro full of excitement for the journey ahead. With this comprehensive guide, you can feel informed and prepared when traveling through Faro Airport.
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Faro Airport (FAO)
Historic landmarks, outstanding restaurants and bars, enticing beaches and enviable warm weather throughout the year – these are just some of the many reasons for visiting Faro, which is part of southern Portugal’s Algarve reason. Many visitors to this area will arrive by taking a flight to Gago Coutinho Airport, which is more commonly known also as Faro Airport or sometimes referred to by its International Air Transportation Association code of FAO
Transport to and from Faro Airport consists of airport shuttles, taxis, car hire and public buses. Due to the proximity of the airport to the town, the trip to the center of the town is very short. Many of the hotels around Faro Airport offer free transport to and from the airport for people who have booked in them. Taxis are available to take you to various locations within and around Faro. There are car hire companies within the airport terminal where one can rent a car and use it to move around the area. Unfortunately there is no train service from Faro Airport and these services can only be obtained from Faro town center.
Construction work on Faro Airport started in the 1960s and the terminal was officially opened to passenger travel by 1965, when it was under the ownership of Portugal’s government. The airport became privately owned in the 2010s but is operated by Portugal’s airport agency. In order to cope with increasing tourist demand for visiting Faro and a rise in flights to and from the airport, a new terminal for passenger flights was opened in 1986, and then expanded by 2001 to handle further growth in the number of people using the airport each year.
Faro Airport is the third busiest airport Portugal with nearly 8.5 million passengers.
Faro Airport opened in 1965 and is located 4 km from Faro.
Known for many decades as simply Faro Airport, it took on the formal name Gago Coutinho Airport in 2022. The title is a tribute to Carlos Viegas Gago Coutinho, who lived from 1869 to 1959 and was a Portuguese aviator and geographer who made the first successful voyage by air across the South Atlantic in 1922 along with fellow aviator Artur de Sacadura Freire Cabral. Also announced in 2022, the airport said that it would commission the use of a solar-powered facility to generate up to 30 percent of the facility’s require electricity.
FAO Airport Information
IATA airport code: FAO
ICAO airport code: LPFR
Opened: 1965
Owner: Public, operated by Vinci Group
Operator: ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
Elevation AMSL: 7 m / 24 ft
Hub for:
- EasyJet
- Ryanair
Serves: Faro, Algarve, Portugal
Location: Faro, Portugal
Faro Airport Facilities
Faro Airport contains several facilities aimed at increasing the comfort of the passenger. These include a bank, ATM machines and bureau de changes in case you require financial services. There are also bars and restaurants where one can get a snack or drink. Shops and duty free outlets are available in case you would like to purchase something. For business, Faro Airport has conference facilities where you can hold meetings.
Top facts about Faro Airport
The airport is situated roughly 4 kilometers (or just under 2.5 miles) from Faro, and it has a single passenger terminal for all flights whether they are domestic or international.
With at least 60 desks for passengers to check in for their flights and currently 36 different gates where flights can be boarded, the airport is able to process more than 9 million travelers a year.
Tourists from across Portugal and the world are able to enjoy visiting Faro thanks to the many airlines that operate flights from the airport, including Aer Lingus, Air France, Air Transat, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Chair Airlines, Condor, Corendon Dutch Airlines, easyJet, Edelweiss Air, Eurowings, Iberia, Jet2.com, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Scandinavian Airlines, Smartwings, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, Transavia, TUI Airways, TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air.
These flights and more all use a single asphalt runway at Faro Airport, which measures exactly 2,490 meters (or 8,169 feet) in length and has a direction of 10/28.
Transportation
Once your flight has landed at Faro Airport, you will need to decide which transportation method you would like to use to get from the terminal to your hotel or other destination in Faro or elsewhere in the Algarve region. Your options are taking a bus, paying for a rental car, taking a taxi or connecting to a train, and there are pros and cons associated with each choice.
Taking a taxi: Taxis also offer some degree of security and privacy, because your bags will be secured in the trunk of the vehicle and it will only be you, the driver and your travel companions in the car. Another benefit is that the Faro Airport Taxi will take you to the front door of your accommodation in Faro.
You might find that there is a slight waiting time for getting a taxi from Faro Airport, so you should plan on this as part of your travel schedule. Even with a brief wait, the total travel time to get from the airport to the center of the city should typically be about 10 minutes. Taxis are charged based on distance traveled, but the average ride to Faro will cost about €15.
Riding a bus: Buses can be uncomfortable to travel on because it might be hard to find seats or enough space to store your luggage during the journey. Also, buses will have a specific route that they follow and the nearest stop to your accommodation could be a very long walk or taxi ride away.
But taking a bus is by far the cheapest option, because it should only cost a few Euros for a one-way ride, making it the ideal choice for those tourists who are traveling on a tight budget.
Renting a car: This approach would give you the most freedom and privacy, because you could drive at your leisure and use the car to go directly to anywhere you’d like. It can also help to reduce your anxiety about your luggage, because you will know that it is locked safely in the trunk.
However, renting a car is also the most expensive of all the transportation selections, and the exact cost will depend on how long you need the car and which type of vehicle you want.
Connecting to a train: Unfortunately, there is no train station located at Faro Airport, so if you need to make a connection to a railway to continue your journey after your flight, it can get complicated.
Your best option would be getting on a bus or taking a taxi to Estação de Faro, which is the main train station in Faro, and you can then get on whatever rail service you might need.
Contact
- Phone: +351 289 800 800
- web: aeroportofaro.pt/