Flights

Your Algarve week starts with the flight. For most people that means Faro (FAO), though Lisbon or a Spanish airport sometimes wins on price once you add trains, bags, and the drive south.

Faro Airport (FAO) – why it's usually your best bet

Faro sits in the eastern Algarve, with fast roads running toward Tavira, Vilamoura, Albufeira, Lagos and the cliffs out west. For most trips the drive stays reasonable, especially if your base sits along the main motorway rather than making you double back every day.

For terminal layout, arrival queues, and resort drive times in one place, read our Faro Airport (FAO) guide.

Fares jump around in summer, over UK school holidays, and on long Portuguese weekends. Flexible dates really help: flying out midweek, or shifting a day either way, often gets you a better mix of price and baggage.

When another airport is worth a look

• Lisbon (LIS) – the widest choice of airlines, and handy if you're already visiting Lisbon or Porto. Just add the time it takes to get south by train, coach, or a short connecting flight.
• Porto (OPO) – fine if you want to travel the length of Portugal north to south. It's rarely the quickest way if the Algarve is all you're seeing.
• Seville (SVQ, Spain) – can work well for a trip built around Lagos or Sagres, as long as the fare, your car hire, and the drive all stack up.

Compare the full door-to-door time, bag fees, and ground transport before you chase the cheapest-looking ticket.

Before you pay: a quick checklist

• Do your arrival and departure times leave room for getting out of the airport (late landings, Sunday returns, ferry connections)?
• Check the rules for cabin bags, hold luggage, and sports gear. A beach week usually needs more than one small carry-on.
• Read the change, refund, and credit rules, especially if you can't cancel your accommodation for a refund.
• Book your UK parking or train connection early in the school-holiday rush.
• Save your boarding passes and insurance documents to your phone so you can open them offline.

After you land: transfers or your own wheels

Decide how you will leave the terminal before you confirm your flight: compare airport transfers for a simple meet-and-greet, or line up car hire if you want the freedom to beach-hop every day. Then shortlist towns and areas so the drive times still feel relaxed.

Turn dates into a real week

Once your tickets are booked, our trip guides help you shape an easy day-by-day rhythm: where to eat, which beach to pick if the wind turns, and how far you can drive without ruining dinner.