Why rent a car at Faro Airport for your Algarve holiday?
Faro Airport (FAO), also known as Algarve Airport, is the main gateway to the Algarve, southern Portugal’s most popular holiday region. Renting a car here is the standard choice for visitors to the Algarve: the coast stretches over 150 km from the Spanish border in the east to Sagres in the west, and beaches, clifftops, and inland villages are spread across a large area that is simply not accessible without your own transport.
Car hire at Faro Airport puts you on the A22 Via do Infante motorway within minutes, giving you direct access to the full length of the Algarve coast. Whether your destination is Albufeira, Lagos, Vilamoura, Tavira or the dramatic cliffs of Ponta da Piedade, collecting your car at the airport means you arrive at your villa or resort directly. No transfers, no waiting.
If you would like to explore the city itself first, see car rental in Faro.
Picking up your rental car at Faro Airport
About Faro Airport (FAO)
Faro Airport (IATA: FAO) is located approximately 4 km west of Faro city centre in the eastern Algarve. It is the main gateway to the Algarve and one of the busiest airports in Portugal, handling year-round traffic from across Europe with a significant peak during summer. The terminal is a single modern building. Car rental desks are in the arrivals hall and this is one of the most car rental-intensive airports in Europe; competition between providers is strong and prices are generally competitive. Vehicle collection takes place in the large rental car area a short walk or shuttle from the terminal. A rental car is the standard and most practical way to explore the Algarve, as the coastline’s beaches and villages are spread over a wide area.
Getting on the road from Faro Airport
The airport connects directly to the A22 Via do Infante motorway, which runs the full length of the Algarve coast. Heading west, Albufeira is approximately 40 km, around 30 minutes. Lagos and the western Algarve are about 80 km west, reachable in around an hour. Sagres at the southwestern tip of Portugal is approximately 110 km, around 75 minutes. Heading east, Tavira, one of the most charming towns in the Algarve, is about 30 km, around 25 minutes. The Spanish border at Vila Real de Santo Antonio is approximately 50 km east. Heading north, Seville in Spain is about 200 km via the A22 and the Spanish A49, around two hours.
Why pick up at the airport rather than in the city
Faro Airport is by far the most practical pickup point for any Algarve holiday. The airport sits in the centre of the region, equidistant from the eastern Algarve around Tavira and the western cliffs around Lagos and Sagres, making it the logical starting point in either direction. The Algarve’s best beaches, the Ria Formosa natural park, and the inland cork oak and citrus country are all best explored by car. Collecting at the airport means you can head directly to your villa or resort without any intermediate transfers. For more about driving in Portugal, see car rental in Faro and car rental in Portugal.
Car rental price at Faro Airport
The table below shows the lowest all-inclusive weekly rate for renting a car at Faro Airport, with full insurance and zero excess included. What you actually pay depends on the supplier, availability and how far ahead you book. Check the current price in the search above.
| Car type | From, 7 days |
|---|---|
| Small car (economy) | from €158 |
| Mid-size car | from €228 |
| Large car / SUV | from €273 |
Measured at 23 airports in September 2026, for a 7-day rental starting 10–17 October 2026. All-inclusive, zero excess, no credit card required. Prices vary by supplier, availability and how far ahead you book.
These prices typically include full insurance and zero excess when booking an all-inclusive rental. Prices can vary significantly between providers. If you want to avoid hidden costs, it’s worth taking a moment to compare car rental companies and rental conditions before booking. At MarSoleil, you can also find options without a credit card and no deposit.
