Translate
Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport
Faro, Portugal
Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport
Gateway to the Algarve, Portugal's sunny southern coast.
- ›Named after Portuguese naval officer and aviator Carlos Viegas Gago Coutinho, who co-piloted the first South Atlantic crossing in 1922.
- ›One of the busiest airports in Portugal, consistently ranking third nationally after Lisbon and Porto.
- ›The airport handles pronounced seasonal traffic, with passenger numbers peaking heavily in July and August.
- ›Operated by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, which is owned by the French infrastructure group VINCI Airports.
- ›Has a single runway designated 10/28, oriented roughly east–west.
Faro – Gago Coutinho International Airport, named after the pioneering Portuguese aviator, has served as the primary entry point to the Algarve region since 1965. Handling over 10 million passengers annually at peak years, it is one of Portugal's busiest airports, driven largely by leisure traffic from northern Europe. Its compact but efficient layout makes it well suited to the seasonal charter and low-cost flights that define its traffic mix.
- Terminal 1 — The sole passenger terminal handling all arrivals and departures, with distinct Schengen and non-Schengen processing areas.
- Bus: Linha 14 and 16 Próximo city buses connect the airport to Faro city centre
- Eva/Rede Expressos long-distance coaches to Lisbon, Portimão and other Algarve towns
- Taxi: Licensed taxis available at the designated rank outside arrivals
- Rideshare: Uber and Bolt operate at the airport
- Car rental: Major desks including Hertz, Europcar, Sixt and local operators on-site
- Train: A short taxi or bus ride reaches Faro railway station with regional Algarve line connections
- Hotel Eva Senses (Faro waterfront)
- Faro Boutique Hotel
- Tune Hotel Faro
- Hotel Sol Algarve
- Residencial Meia Lua
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a mix of cafés, a sit-down restaurant, and grab-and-go options serving Portuguese pastries, sandwiches and light meals alongside international fast-food outlets. The selection expands noticeably past security in the departures lounge. For a more authentic Algarve dining experience, the restaurants along Faro's old town harbour, a short taxi ride away, are well worth the trip if time allows.
- Pre-book car hire well in advance during summer months — July and August see intense demand and prices spike sharply.
- The airport has limited seating during peak season; arrive early and head airside promptly to find a comfortable spot.
- Currency exchange rates inside the terminal are unfavourable — use ATMs (Multibanco) for better rates.
- Faro city centre is only about 6 km away; a city bus is far cheaper than a taxi for budget-conscious travellers.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (62 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via FAO? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Portugal from official government sources.
