Faro Airport (FAO) Flights & Flight Status

Since 2022, Faro Airport has officially been known as Gago Coutinho International Airport, named for the Portuguese aviation pioneer and one half of the first duo to fly over the South Atlantic. Opened in 1965, its fortunes have grown in line with the popularity of the Algarve, now one of the busiest tourist destinations in Europe.

A series of expansions and refurbishments have improved its capacity to handle these larger passenger numbers. Unfortunately, there are few places anywhere that see such seasonal surges in tourism as the Algarve. And when it gets really busy, Faro Airport is absolutely incapable of handling the crowds, so you should plan your travel accordingly.

Airlines serving Faro Airport

Built to handle up to nine million people a year, 2023 saw Faro’s passenger numbers climb closer to the 10 million mark. It is consistently, heinously busy from April to October thanks to the region’s consistent warm weather and sun. It currently operates around 32 airlines flying direct to and from 88 destinations.

The British Isles are by far its most popular destination, with all five of its busiest routes to British and Irish cities. As you might have guessed, this makes Faro a budget airline base where the low-cost carrier is king. Ryanair, VistaJet, easyJet, TAP Air Portugal… It’s a long list of familiar names.

Alongside, a few higher-end carriers also operate limited and seasonal routes – Air France to Paris, British Airways to Gatwick, Lufthansa to Frankfurt. Slated to open in 2025, United Airlines will offer the first transatlantic route to Newark in the US.

Travelling to and from Faro and the Algarve

Faro is the worst connected of any major airport I’ve ever visited. The only public transport is an infrequent bus which can get you into Faro for connections to the national rail network. If that’s your plan, better just to take a taxi to the station.

The city is just under four miles from the airport but is in no way the region’s main attraction. Even if you are based there, you should definitely take the time to explore the magnificent towns and beaches beyond its city limits. For that you’ll need a rental car.

Bus

The only public transport to and from Faro Airport is the Próximo bus No. 16. It’s cheap but takes around 20 minutes to cover those four miles into Faro, stopping frequently on its way to the main bus station. The main problem here is that the Próximo runs only once an hour so if you miss the window, you’re in for a wait to catch the next one.

Two other bus services also operate, albeit seasonally. The Vamus Aerobus will ferry you past Faro to the towns of Albufeira (my favourite in the Algarve), Portimão and Lagos. The Rede Expressos takes you in the opposite direction over the border direct to beautiful Seville in Spain.

Taxis and private transfers

The lack of public transport choice has led to a big uptake in taxis and private transfers peddling direct routes to and from the Algarve’s many major resorts. Taxis hover 24/7 at the taxi rank just outside the terminal to the right, so there’ll almost always be one available. Queues are rife in high season, so consider booking a private transfer instead.

There’s a large sign showing fixed prices to a variety of destinations not only in the Algarve but into Spain as well. In my experience local taxi drivers are friendly and honest, and I’ve never had one try to argue those fixed fare prices with me.

You can, however, expect to pay extra for any toll roads you traverse and don’t be surprised to see a ‘baggage surcharge fee’ added as well. Of the many taxi and transfer firms working the Algarve, by far my favourite is Yellow Fish. Locally owned and run, its fleet and network is extensive and its reputation second to none – book online in advance for the best deals.

Car hire

Unless you’re planning to stay at a resort and not explore the region (bad idea), your best option to get around is a hire car. Faro Airport has more than its fair share of rental companies to choose from. I’ve tried many of them with very mixed results, again usually down to the time of year and sheer volume of other travellers with the same idea.

This is great because heavy competition drives prices down making it very cheap to rent a small car and more affordable to rent something a bit nicer. All of the major rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall, but head to the P4 car park right outside the terminal and you’ll find a raft of low-cost companies offering better deals.

Most admittedly involve a shuttle ride but the savings can be well worth it. As is always my mantra, avoid Goldcar and InterRent, both of which have rightfully terrible reputations. On my last trip I used Portuguese-owned Movida Rent a Car, which was a good balance of price to convenience.

The airport is close to the A22 highway that connects quickly to the rest of the Algarve, Portugal and Spain. When leaving the airport, keep an eye out at the main roundabout for Teresa Paulino’s lovely ‘Observadoras’ sculptures – 10 figures staring longingly at the sky, known in English as the plane watchers.

Navigating the Airport

Faro Airport is a very compact single terminal set over two storeys where space is always tight, especially when busy. Enter on the ground floor and you’ll find arrivals to the left and the rest of the hall dedicated to the far larger departures and check in area. When not crowded, it’s bright, light and looks and feels very modern.

Security is upstairs on the second floor. You’ll then go back down to the ground floor to access the airside shops and restaurants, which sit directly behind the landside departures and arrivals area. The gates, air bridges and departure lounge are back up on the second floor, directly above the shops and restaurants. It sounds complicated but once there, the flow makes sense and helps to clearly demarcate the different areas and thin the crowds out (a little at least).

Check in, bag drop and security

The crux of Faro Airport’s biggest problem is check in. Seemingly determined to understaff their counters at all times, it often feels like the budget airlines are trying to outdo each other to earn the longest queue. In peak season it’s an absolute nightmare with multiple queues from the 60 check-in desks and bag drops merging into one seething, sunburned mass.

Do everything you can to avoid having to check in and drop bags at the airport. In peak season, give yourself several hours and try to book the earliest possible flight. Queues and delays grow longer and tempers shorter as the day goes on.

If it’s unavoidable, make sure you have plenty to occupy yourself while you wait. For those with kids, I recommend headphones to help them escape the noise. And if there’s more than one adult, set up at the Travellers Rest café outside, enjoy the last of the glorious Algarve weather and take it in turns to queue. The fewer people in the terminal, the nicer it is.

Security isn’t great either, although as it’s the responsibility of the airport and not the airlines, it’s better run and has shorter queues than check in. If you’re travelling to a Non-Schengen destination like the UK, you’ll also have passport control to contend with. This is another choke point, as post-Brexit checks take longer and the number of control booths doesn’t meet demand.

Visit the airport on a normal day and it will take you between 30 minutes and an hour from entry to gate. But get there on a peak summer travel day between June and August and it could take you three or four hours. There are of course Fast Track options, but I’ve heard more than one passenger complain they’re sold so freely that the waiting times aren’t much better.

Shopping and eating airside

The glut of shops and eateries airside is proof positive that the majority of people passing through are in holiday mode. Mulligan’s Irish bar and the Carlsberg Sports Bar sit alongside smoking lounges and fast food joints – not exactly authentic Portuguese. There’s nowhere I would call a real restaurant.

Shopping options are better although still very limited. Best are the Portuguese stalwarts Parfois and Portfolio selling authentic, good quality souvenirs and traditional foods. Bear in mind that everything is notoriously expensive at Faro Airport, and even the duty free prices are well above those you’ll find in the supermarkets less than a mile away.

There is one lounge – the grandiosely-named CIP (aka VIP) Executive Lounge, directly to the left once you’ve traversed duty free. Offering the usual amenities, food and drinks, it’s a reasonable space that in high season becomes a sought after sanctuary worth every cent. Book way in advance.