Car Rental at Faro Airport

Airport travel guide

Located near the sizable city of the same name, Faro Airport is the main gateway to the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region. Known for its beautiful beaches and scenic coastal towns, but also fascinating history, the Algarve is one of the gems of this part of Europe. These are four of the most popular attractions of the region:

• Albufeira. The Algarve might have the highest proportion of picturesque and laid back beach towns anywhere in Europe, and among them, Albufeira Albufeira is one of the most popular. Incredible Atlantic beaches along the entire coastline give you ample choice of where to soak up the sun, or take up water sports. Albufeira has a twin personality split between its nightlife mecca strip and ‘new town’ and its slightly more llaid-backhistoric old town. Hidden in its old town, you’ll find traditional fish restaurants, churches, and the Archaeological Museum sharing the history of Albufeira’s Roman and Moorish past. 
• Lagos. Not to be confused with the Nigerian megalopolis that shares its name, this Lagos is one of the quintest and prettiest towns on the Algarve coast. Home to instantly recognizable natural formations like the Ponta de Piedade, or Point of Mercy, cliffs, Lagos also boasts a fascinating human history and various cultural landmarks as it has been inhabited since antiquity. During the summer months, the town gets very busy with visitors, so a shoulder season of spring or early to mid-autumn might be the best time to come and explore. A car frip from Faro Airport to Lagos takes about an hour.
• Inland. Much more sparsely populated and less explored than the coastal part, the Algarve’s inland is usually overlooked by travelers. But give it a chance and you’ll find a fascinating destination that offers everything from majestic (yet accessible) peaks to traditional villages, spas dating back for millennia and stunning views of the ocean below. Unfortunately, during the recent decade the Algarve’s forested laid-backinterior has suffered from sporadic wildfires in its eucalyptus forests, so make sure to check the wildfire forecast if you’re visiting during the warmer half of the year.
• Portimão. The second-largest city of the Algarve, Portimão is also something of the region’s culinary capital, especially when it comes to seafood coming straight out of the Atlantic. The prime attraction of Portimão is its beach resort of Praia da Rocha, offering the biggest and most expensive stretches of sand in this part of the Algarve. In Portimão’s harbour, you’ll find boat trips to go dolphin watching or explore the caves and coves of the rocky coastline. Portimão is on the way from Faro to Albufeira and Lagos.
• Sagres. Located right next to the southwesternmost point of Europe, Sagres is known not just for its extreme location – nor only for the famous Portuguese beer brand which is named after the town – but as one of the quaintest coastal destinations of Algarve. A place with lighthouses, forts, and long, pristine beaches, the town offers access to some of the best hiking trails in Portugal. The drive from the Faro Airport to Sagres takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Top international routes

• London
• Dublin
• Manchester
• Bristol
• Paris
• Birmingham
• Belfast
• Porto

Main airlines

easyJet, Ryanair, Norwegian Air, British Airways, Eurowings, and Transavia

Terminals

There is one terminal divided into two sections—one for arrivals, one for departures.

Location

Faro Airport is about 4 km (2.5 miles) west of Faro. The N125-10 Faro Bypass and IC4 Motorway are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $11 per day
• Medium cars - from $15 per day
• SUVs - from $12 per day
• Convertibles - from $19 per day
• Station wagons - from $18 per day
• Large cars - from $22 per day
• Premium cars - from $46 per day
• Vans - from $46 per day

Car rental desks

Car rental desks can be found in several places at the airport. Several suppliers are located directly in the arrivals hall, some are a short walk away, and more are located in a small office building in P4 of the long-term parking. Find out which are the easiest to find and more in our list of the best rental companies in Faro.

Services and facilities

You’ll find bars, cafés, and restaurants, a number of shops, internet hotspots where mobile devices can be charged, a kids area, an ATM, a help desk, and several areas to store luggage. All airport facilities are disabled friendly. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Estación de servicio Cepsa is next to the airport, at Apt. 2068, Aeroporto Faro. The station is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations nearby and in the city of Faro.

Popular one-way rentals

• Lisbon (278 km / 172 mi). The capital of Portugal is considered by many to be one of the greatest travel destinations in Europe, and for a good reason - it is a picturesque city full of landmarks, great restaurants, active nightlife, and fun things to do.
• Porto (549 km / 341 mi). Located in the northernmost region of Portugal near the border with Spain, Porto is a historic riverside city with a deep connection to Portuguese history. There are many beautiful churches, palaces, and bridges to marvel at, but Porto’s number one attraction is simply roaming through the labyrinth of its mazy streets.
• Malaga (408 km / 253 mi). Located in neighboring Spain, Malaga is a fun travel destination. The city is best known for its beautiful beaches, nightlife, and the surrounding Costa del Sol region, but a number of amazing inland national parks are also nearby. To travel from Faro to Malaga or any other city in Spain, you’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
• Lagos (90 km / 56 mi). Located in the western Algarve region a one-hour drive from Faro, Lagos is a great place to visit. The town is famous for its stunning beaches and coves surrounded by golden cliffs, but also its lively and historic center with a number of well-preserved buildings.
• Tavira (41 km / 25 mi). A historic riverside town in the Algarve, Tavira is just east of Faro. A small town of only about 25,000 inhabitants, it punches way above its weight when it comes to things to see and do. These include a large protected nature area that is great for bird watching, an olive tree that is more than 2,000 years old, and the Tuna Fishing Museum dedicated to the historic industry of the region.
• Alvor (75 km / 46 mi) This former fishing village is now a popular resort on the doorstep of a lagoon. The lagoon offers calm bathing waters and an exceptional place to practice wind and water sports. In its small harbour, you’ll find tour operators offering thrilling powerboat rides, or relaxing trips exploring the Algarve coastline. With a rich fishing heritage that continues to this day, you’ll find some of the best fish restaurants in the Algarve!
• Armacao de Pera (52 km / 32 mi). A historic fishing village, Armacao attracts thousands of visitors every summer thanks to its beautiful coastline and accessible beaches. Many quality seaside restaurants are open every summer.
• Portimao (71 km / 44 mi). The second city of Algarve, Portimao is a fun travel destination. Like other places in the region, it is home to beautiful beaches, some well-preserved architecture, and laid back atmosphere. From Portimao, you can also easily access Monchique, one of the most interesting inland destinations of Algarve.