# Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport (FAO) > Faro, PT · 4 km (2 mi) west of Faro Web: https://airport.flights/airport/fao JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/fao.json ## Facts - **IATA**: FAO - **ICAO**: LPFR - **Timezone**: Europe/Lisbon - **Runways**: 1 - **Terminals**: 1 - **Passengers**: 9.6M/yr - **Official site**: https://www.faroairport.pt/en/fao/home ## Overview ## Welcome Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport (FAO), positioned just 4 km west of Faro, is distinctly a 'holiday airport.' As the main gateway to the Algarve, it's geared toward short-haul leisure traffic. Think more about travelers in flip-flops heading to the beach than suit-clad frequent flyers. In summer, especially Saturdays, it channels a charter feel, hosting northern European holidaymakers en masse. With its compact size, walking distances are manageable, but peak times can feel chaotic. ## At a glance Handling 9.6 million passengers per year and functioning primarily with Terminal 1, FAO is a seasonal airport with pronounced peaks in demand. Located close to town, it's a hub for Ryanair, EasyJet, and Jet2.com, catering primarily to budget-conscious holiday goers. While peak periods can be busy, travelers benefit from good last-minute food selections and considerable car rental options. ## Terminals & layout Terminal 1 serves all flights through its 36 gates. The layout keeps things simple — ideal for last-minute shopping or grabbing a bite. Airside delights include the Avocado Cafe, offering healthier breakfast options and Paul for a French pastry and coffee fix. The spacious airside area is a relief from the crowded landside, though all facilities are contained within T1, emphasizing convenience and ease of navigation. ## Getting to and from the city Travelers seeking budget-friendly options are well-served by the Proximo buses 14 and 16, with fares of just a few euros to central Faro. Alternatively, taxis provide a quick and relatively inexpensive ride to the city, averaging 15 minutes and costing around €10. For those venturing further, the Faro train station offers connections along the Algarve, a strong choice for regional travels. ## Traveller essentials Thanks to free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, digital connectivity is straightforward, although expect slower speeds during peak hours around the main gates. Car rental services frequent off-site depots, necessitating a shuttle ride; this often delays proceedings during high season, so plan for extra time here. For a quieter pre-flight work session, seating near the far Schengen gates is usually less crowded. ## Dining & shopping highlights Food choices range from international chains like Burger King and Subway to local flavors at O Sagres, where you can enjoy a Portuguese snack with airport views. Shopping leans heavily on duty-free, housing global brands and local specialties like Algarve wines. Duty-free can be busy, so smaller kiosks near the gates might offer a quicker alternative for those pressed for time. ## Lounges For a more exclusive respite, business travelers can choose from several lounges in T1, including the ABC Business Lounge, accessible for a €40 fee. TAP Portugal and SATA Azores lounges cater to their specific travelers, providing a quieter environment away from the bustling general terminal. ## Insider tips - **Insider:** At Avocado Café, tucked away in airside departures, enjoy a less frenetic breakfast experience compared to larger cafés. - **Time:** Summer Saturdays require extra arrival buffers; 2.5-3 hours early is wise as queues for UK and Ireland flights can swell fast. - **Avoid:** The landside food court is cramped; pass through security to access a broader range of dining options airside. - **Local:** Bus routes 14 and 16 provide a budget-friendly fare of a few euros straight into Faro, avoiding taxi costs. - **Quiet:** The far Schengen gates offer decently quiet workspace opportunities, a contrast to the crowded central areas. - **Money:** Taxis into Faro from the airport cost approximately €10, a budget-friendly choice compared to other major Portuguese hubs. - **Time:** If renting a car, low-cost companies often operate off-site, so allow an extra 20-30 minutes for shuttles. ## Terminals (1) - **Passenger Terminal** — 36 gates · Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2.com, TAP Air Portugal The terminal offers a range of amenities for travelers. ## Dining (14) - **Avocado Cafe** - **Burger King** — $$ - **Café Central** — $$ - **Carlsberg Sports Bar** — $$ - **Cockpit Bar** - **Costa Coffee** — $$ - **Delta Cafe Central** - **Food Court Restaurant** — $$ - **Mövenpick Cafe** — $$ - **O Sagres** - **Pans & Company** - **Paul** - **Subway** — $$ - **Upper Crust** — $$ ## Lounges (4) - **ABC Business Lounge** — T1 · Departures, airside · €40 - **Priority Pass Lounge** — T1 · Departures, airside · €40 - **SATA Azores Lounge** — T1 · Departures, airside - **TAP Portugal Lounge** — T1 · Departures, airside ## Shops (13) - **Accessorize** - **Ale-Hop** - **Currency Exchange Kiosk** - **Duty Free Store** — T1 - **Local Products Store** - **Multiópticas** - **Parfois** - **Pharmacy** - **Relay** - **Sunglass Hut** - **Travel & Business Shop** - **Vodafone** - **Wines of Portugal** ## Parking (6) - **P1 Low Cost** — Short stay · /name//name//day, /name//name//hr - **P2 Low Cost Plus** — Short stay · /name//name//day, /name//name//hr - **P3 Low Cost** — Long stay · /name//name//day, /name//name//hr - **P4 Classic** — Long stay · /name//name//day, /name//name//hr - **P5 Premium** — Covered · /name//name//day, /name//name//hr - **P6 Rent a Car** — Car rental parking · /name//name//day, /name//name//hr ## Ground transport (10) - **Aerobus Faro** — Bus shuttle - **Airport Private Transfer Services** — Prebooked car - **Bolt Faro Airport** — Rideshare - **Bus 14 Proximo** — City bus - **Bus 16 Proximo** — City bus - **CP Regional Train Faro** — Rail connection - **EVA Clipper Buses** — Intercity coach - **Rede Expressos Faro** — Intercity coach - **Taxi Rank Faro Airport** — Taxi - **Uber Faro Airport** — Rideshare ## Insider tips - _Insider_: At Avocado Café, tucked away in airside departures, enjoy a less frenetic breakfast experience compared to larger cafés. - _Time_: Summer Saturdays require extra arrival buffers; 2.5-3 hours early is wise as queues for UK and Ireland flights can swell fast. - _Avoid_: The landside food court is cramped; pass through security to access a broader range of dining options airside. - _Local_: Bus routes 14 and 16 provide a budget-friendly fare of a few euros straight into Faro, avoiding taxi costs. - _Quiet_: The far Schengen gates offer decently quiet workspace opportunities, a contrast to the crowded central areas. - _Money_: Taxis into Faro from the airport cost approximately €10, a budget-friendly choice compared to other major Portuguese hubs. - _Time_: If renting a car, low-cost companies often operate off-site, so allow an extra 20-30 minutes for shuttles.