Faro Airport

This is a pretty good airport with plenty of seats although I suspect in peak season it can get very crowded. A bit expensive - 1.80 euros for a small bottle of water and a very steep 3.50 euros for a 500ml bottle of coke!

Faro Airport is clean spacious and facilities are good. Check in and baggage reclaim are a doddle but it can get quite crowded in the peak season. The Winter is the best time to use this facility. Plenty of bars and eateries so a good transit point in general.

Our first time using Faro - arriving was fine it was a Monday and quiet. We were actually going to Isla Canela just over the border into Spain so got a good transfer coach at quite a cheap rate for the trip. Going home however was a different story it was a Friday and quite busy but there was only one person checking passports and the queue went for miles! Apart from that it all seemed OK as airports go.

Having not been to Portugal for 18 years until this summer I was pleasantly surprised at the efficiency of the place considering the number of passengers that it handles. Most of the flights are holiday charters of course but it is comfortable and provides what you need without any fuss.

Travelling on internal flights from Faro was a breeze. Check in was easy security swift easy to find the gate quick to load and baggage reclaim a breeze (15 minutes from plane door to exiting the terminal). My flight out of Faro was in the early morning so no shops were open and food outlets only just before the flight left however the lounge opens very early with a very good selection of drinks. Easy airport to navigate no real problems to moan about!

I've flown in and out of Faro around 50 times now. I think it is a superb airport. All the secuirtypassport etc well manned friendly and polite. The baggage reclaim is especially efficient. I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes unlike BHX and LGW where I've had 40 minutes wait at the belt! The whole place is especially spacious. Catering is very good and very cheap. A couple of euros for ham and cheese croissant. Coffee is good and very cheap. The car parks are very close by and if you avoid the major car hire companies (who bus you in) you drop you car off within 100 metres of the departure desk. Overall never had a bad experience here. Which is more than I can say of UK airports.

Faro Airport is pretty good. Even in the busy season it copes but there are queues sometimes long at security and passport control during these busy times. I agree the catering is poor and costs an arm and a leg but hey isn't that last beer in the Algarve sunshine up on the roof terrace worth a couple of euros more? It certainly is to me!! Anyone who had experienced Faro Airport before it was rebuilt would think twice about decrying the place. That I can assure you was hell on earth.

Usual chaotic scenario during peak times with travel reps running here and there to assist . Some car hire depots require a short mini-bus ride but not a problem. Best tip is to save your leftover euros for the next trip and don't use them in the hideously expensive catering facilities. Overall cleanliness is good.

Seasonal Holiday Airport for Algarve region of Portugal. Pretty efficient and functional. My experience of Car Hire provision and location is good. Rental is next to Terminal Building and Car Return is on approach road with shuttle bus to the Terminal after drop off. Some facilities may be stretched in seasonal peak toilets/seating being two to mention. Shops are very expensive. Coke in Vending machine Eu2.45. Bag of sweets in paper shop Eu4.50. Faro Airport had large extension completed in 2003 Airbridges were added and new Check-in hall opened. Most airlines still park on the tarmac and your journey to the terminal is via a large shuttle bus. Only TAP and a limited number of other airlines use the Airbridge facilities. Overall: Clean efficient and a positive experience.

Very expensive refreshments (coffee pop sandwiches) and duty free items. Alcohol was cheaper in the city stores than at the duty free!