The arrivals area at Faro airport is currently under renovation and it not looking it's best. Be assured, this first contact with the Algarve does not reflect the rest of the region.

Faro airport is located just 4 kms from the town of Faro. It serves the entire Algarve region and southern Spain.

From Faro airport you can travel across the region by taxi, airport transfer, car hire or public transport.

Access to and from the airport couldn't be easier. Within minutes of leaving the terminal you can be on the main highway, the A22 (also called the Via do Infante). This highway runs East to West across the Algarve and over to the Spanish border. Electonic Tolls have been introduced on this road (since Dec. 2011) are there are several (overly complicated! ) ways to pay these. Alternatively, stay on the EN 125, which also runs right across the Aglarve and is toll free.

Faro airport is airy, colourful and easy to figure out. After landing you pass through passport control. The most important thing you need to know about passport control is that if you are travelling with a minor (younger than 18) who is not your child, you need written and signed authorization from this child's parents and the local (point of origin) authorities. So if your son or daughter wants to bring a friend on holiday, please come prepared with written authorization.

Once you have retrieved your luggage, you come out into the arrivals hall. If you have arranged a hire car, a representative of the company will be there to meet you and take care of the transaction (faro airport car hire info). If you have booked a shuttle or private transfer to your accommodation look out for your name on a placard. All the main tour operators are also well represented at the airport.

For your return journey, once you enter the departures terminal you can see the large information boards with up to the minute information on check-in desks and departure times. All members of a group travelling must be present at check-in (That means one can't drop off the hire car while another does the check-in). There are plenty of trolleys (no coin needed) and there is a porter service, if required.

If you can't find a flight to Faro or if you fancy travelling around Portugal then you can always fly into Lisbon Airport. Lisbon is the Capital of Portugal and is around 250 kms to the north of The Algarve. Driving time from Lisbon to The Algarve is around 2.5 / 3 hours.

Faro airport has all the facilities one would expect – baggage protection, currency exchange, pharmacy, first aid post, cafés, snack bars and restaurants (be warned – prices are greatly inflated!). Good to know if you did hire a car, is that there is a petrol station about 200 m from the departure terminal, so that you can top up the tank before returning the car. Airside there are plenty of shops and a small food-court and a play area for children.

Faro airport telephone number: 289 800800 Flight enquiries: 289 818982 Lost luggage : 289 818302