Compare Faro flights

Faro Airport (FAO) is the only one in the Algarve, and the average direct flight time from the UK is just under three hours. The further you book in advance, the higher your chances of bagging a cheap flight to Faro.

The cheapest Faro flights are to be found in low season, which lasts from November through to February and is a great option if you’re looking for some quieter winter sun.

High competition and a short flight time help to keep Faro flight prices relatively cheap, even at peak times. There's plenty of choice, particularly from London airports during the summer season – but inevitably, flight prices go up as the temperatures rise and the schools break up in July and August.

Come here in spring and autumn, when the weather is still warm and welcoming, for a cheaper, quieter trip. The low-cost airlines come into their own in off-season, with easyJet offering some really cheap Faro flights from Liverpool and London Luton.

Direct flights to Faro take between 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 25 minutes, and are shorter from airports further south. Some deals involve a stop on the outward or return leg, or even both; this can add on several hours, and doesn't usually have a significant impact on price, so direct options are usually best. Indirect routes include Brussels Airlines via Brussels, TAP via Lisbon and SAS via Stockholm.

There’s only one airport in Faro, and the good news is that you can reach the city centre in no time at all. If you’re picking up a rental car, it’s only about 10 minutes' drives into central Faro and the same distance in the other direction to the beach at Praia de Faro.

Two public bus lines run from the airport into town, and if you've booked a Faro holiday package your operator might offer a transfer to your hotel (though this isn't always the case, so check before you book).

People travelling to Faro tend to come for one of two holiday types. The first is the classic Algarve beach getaway, complete with golf, sunbathing and lazy lunches by the sea. The second is a city break – and on that score, we think Faro is underappreciated. Wander around the Cidade Velha (Old Town), contained within medieval city walls, for cobbled streets dotted with chapels, cathedrals and museums. You can do serene beach days from here too; just hop on a boat to Ilha de Faro and Ilha da Barreta.

Hire a car to travel further afield during your trip to Faro. The resort town of Albufeira, famed for its stunning beaches, is just 45 minutes away. Or head inland to Estoi to discover Roman ruins and a marvellous, azulejo-covered palace dating to the 19th century.