Sleeping in Airports

Faro Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Faro Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

We stayed in the airport for about 12 hours, find ways to entertain ourselves, such as using the HUGE floor space to play catch. -Barlow

FAO Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Faro Airport.

What to Expect

The terminal at Faro Airport (code: FAO) was expanded and modernized in 2017. The airport handles a lot of low-cost airlines and gets particularly busy in summer with dozens of seasonal routes. Security queues can be slow, so arrive early for peace of mind.

Eateries and shops are reportedly very expensive and close overnight, so bring snacks or check out the grocery store a 10-minute walk from the airport. The good news is that WiFi is free. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to enter one of the airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.

Faro Airport Guide
(Photo courtesy of a Guest Traveller / November 2019)

Sleeping in Faro Airport

Overnight sleepers have no problem here, as long as you’re prepared to sleep landside (the airside closes nightly). While four-seat benches without armrests are scattered throughout, a sleeping bag or travel mat provides extra comfort. Keep your luggage nearby as homeless folks and sketchy characters may wander the terminal (this may be changing of late). Noise and cold temperatures are common complaints, so bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones and an extra layer. For uninterrupted sleep, hotels are nearby. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info, or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.

For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Faro Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Faro Airport:

  • Sleep & Go Faro Airport Guest House – No airport shuttle.  »Check Rates
  • Hotel 3K Faro Aeroporto – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
  • Hotel Aeromar – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Faro Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

  • CIP Lounges –  Location: Airside (Schengen and non-Schengen). Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass •  Lounge membership programs.

Related Pages: Faro Airport Lounges

Drinking Water

Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.

Food & Drinks

Food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. The Costa Coffee (Landside) operates from 4:00 AM until the last flight. Vending machines are available landside.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage lockers are available for rent for €2.00 – €4.00 per item per 4-hour storage period. Rates vary depending on the size of locker needed. Location: landside, near Car Park P5. Hours: 24 hours.

Mobile Charging

Available.

Showers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

Unlimited free WiFi is available at Faro Airport. Connect to the “VINCI Airports wifi” network.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside, Floor 1.

Baby Care Facilities – Baby-changing stations in the airport offer changing table, sink, and work area in a comfortable and private setting. There are six of these stations located throughout the airport, both landside and airside. ANA strollers are available free of charge in the airport. Pick one up after you clear security, and leave it at your boarding gate when you’re done.

Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available free of charge.

Currency Exchange – Unicâmbio offers foreign currency exchange landside. Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

Duty-Free & Shopping – Three duty-free stores are available. Airside – Departures zone (4:00 AM – 12:00 AM) and Arrivals and Schengen zones (7:00 AM – 12:00 AM). A small variety of boutiques and retail shops is also available.

Fast Track Service – As a premium service, customers with Fast Track security passes will be given priority service to keep waiting to a minimum. Book through the ANA app or upon ticket issuance to the airline or travel agent. Cost: 9.00€

Information Desk – Need help finding your way? Information desks can be found in landside and airside locations operating 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM.

Luggage Wrapping – Safe Bag luggage wrapping is available in the Check-In area. Fee: unknown. Hours: 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Mon – Fri) and 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Sat and Sun).

Medical Services – The Portuguese Red Cross operates a first aid station onsite.

Post Office – Before you clear security, purchase stamps (from a stamp vending machine) and send off those postcards in the airport mailbox. Location: Landslide, Floor 1.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Faro and need local arrangements or help planning a last-minute trip abroad, several travel agencies with offices at the airport can probably be of assistance. Best Transfer 4U, Buzz Travel Agency, Eco Viagens, Escudo Tours, GreenBus, MTS (Mediterranean Travel Service), Tourist Information Desk. All agencies are located Landside, except Buzz Travel, where you will find Airside.

Airlines
Faro Airport is served by the following airlines: Aer Lingus • Air Nostrum • Air France • Air Transat • BA CityFlyer • British Airways • Brussels Airlines • Corendon • EasyJet • Edelweiss Air • Enter Air • Eurowings • Flyr • Finnair • Jet Time • Jet2 • Jetairfly • Lufthansa • Luxair • Norwegian Air • Ryanair • SAS • Smartwings • TAP Portugal • Transavia • TUI • Volotea • Vueling • Wizz Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Two city bus lines access the airport: Linha 14 and Linha 16. Both lines travel between Faro Beach and the city center via the airport, with many stops in between. For timetables, stops and fares, go to the Próximo website.

Car Rentals

Car rental desks are available in the public area of the Arrivals Hall. On-site car rental agencies include: Avis/Budget/Payless • Europcar • Goldcar/Interrent • Guerin/Enterprise • Hertz • Sixt.

Hotel Shuttles

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available for hire 24 hours a day from taxi ranks at the airport, out on the street or by phone. Taxis can fit up to 4 people, and many are wheelchair-accessible. A surcharge applies for oversized luggage; any highway tolls are added to the final fare. At the time of this update, the average fare between the airport and the city of Faro is €10.00.

Last updated: 2024-08-26

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.