A luxury villa in Portugal's Western Algarve

Airport

Address:

Faro Airport, Apartado 2054-EC, Aeroporto de Faro, 8001-701, Portugal

Location:

The airport is located 7km (4.5 miles) from Faro

Country code:

351

Airport code:

FAO

Telephone Number:

(0)289 800 800

Email:

faro.airport@ana-aeroportos.pt

Website:

www.ana-aeroportos.pt

Facilities:

There is a bank, bureau de change and post office.
There are number of food outlets.
There are duty-free and tax-paid shops.
Left luggage is no longer available.
There are 15 travel agencies. The airport operates a no smoking policy although specially designated smoking points are available.

Car Hire Facilities:

Auto Jardim, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Guérin/National, Rentauto, Hertz and Budget are all represented. Car hire counters are located in the Arrivals area; the information service at the meeting point can provide further information. Hire cars are located at car park 3 opposite the terminal building.

Public Transport:

Taxis can be caught from outside the terminal building.

Buses can also be caught outside the terminal building. Several town buses operate between the airport and various locations in central Faro (check the timetable posted near the information desk at the meeting point).

AEROBUS provides a shuttle service between the airport and city centre daily (except Tuesday) between 1 June and 31 October. Check with the airport beforehand to make sure the AEROBUS is operating.

For budget flights to Faro, please visit EasyJet.com.

Banks

Open Monday to Friday 08:30 - 15:00 and closed Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays. You'll need your passport to exchange travellers cheques. Look for the sign “câmbios”. Commission is charged per transaction regardless of amount.

Currency

The Portuguese currency is the Euro.

Travellers' cheques are the safest way to carry money. If lost or stolen they can be replaced. The exchange rate for traveller's cheques are more favourable than they are for cash.

Eurocheques, with card are widely accepted in hotels and good restaurants.

Automatic cash dispensers generally available.

Nearly all restaurants and shops change traveller's cheques, but the commission tends to be higher than the bank rate.

Major credit cards are accepted by larger hotels, restaurants and shops, and most petrol stations.

To calculate or compare currencies, visit expedia.com.

Language

Portuguese is the official Language of Portugal. Knowledge of Spanish or French will help to understand written Portuguese, but the pronunciation is not as easy.

On the coast English is widely spoken, but north of N125 you are likely to need at least a smattering of Portuguese.
Mastering even few key words is invaluable:

I don't speak Portuguese: Nao falo portugues

I don't understand: Nao compreendo

Yes/No: Sim/Nao

Where is?: Onde e?

When?: Quando?

How much does it cost?: Quanto custa?

Do you have a room?: Tem um quarto livre?

Good morning: Bom dia

Good afternoon: Boa tarde

Good night: Boa noite

Hello: Ola

Goodbye: Adeus

Please: Por Favor

Thank you: Oprigado/Oprigada

Transport

Driving:

EU driving licences or international driving licences are valid in Portugal. Make sure you have your documents with you.

Drive on the right-hand side of the road. Seat belts must be worn.

Car speed limits:

In build up areas - 50km/h
Side roads - 90km/h
Highways - 100km/h
Motorways - 120 km/h

Alcohol limit is 0.5 gm/l, which is lower than in UK. Any fines must be paid on the spot.

Car Hire:

Cars from reputable companies are clean, recent models.

Drivers must be at least 21 and have had a licence for at least one year.

Hire price always includes third party insurance. A government tax of 17% is a compulsory extra.

Optional extras are collision damage waiver, theft insurance and personal insurance.

Buses:

The local buses are clean, reasonably comfortable and cheap. However, local services are often infrequent by day and non-existent at night.

Avoid long, boring journeys within the Algarve by booking express regional services.

There is a good choice of Algarve-Lisbon bus companies and departure times.

The Faro-based EVA run good local and regional services, and also frequent services to Lisbon and Spain.

The Rede Nacional de Expressos run a comprehensive national service.

Trains:

Portuguese trains (Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses) are clean, efficient, comfortable, very cheap and run right on-time.

Trains are one of Portugal's secret gems, and well worth exploring. If you intend to travel from the Algarve to Lisbon, take the train. It is far cheaper and much more fun than the bus. The route pass through some spectacular scenery, particularly in the hills and valleys of the lower Alentejo, and the adventure is completed by a ferry journey across the river Tejo into the heart of Lisbon. Consider paying the little bit extra for 1º class, where you have soft reclining seats and air-conditioning.

Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses have a comprehensive on-line presence in both English and Portuguese covering national and international routes, timetables and fares.

Weather

The Algarve boasts more sunshine hours than California. Even in the winter, the Algarve is, without doubt, one of the sunniest spots in Europe.

Blue skies, sunshine and warm temperatures in spring, autumn and winter - and even more sun and high temperatures in the summer. Year round, flowers and vegetation grow in abundance, thanks to the region's sub tropical climate.

Average Weather in Algarve
	January - March	April - June	July - September	October - December
Sunshine Hours	7	11	12	7
Average Temp.	61F / 16C	72F / 22C	79F / 28C	68F / 20C

Humidity rarely causes a problem- however, coastal breezes can occasionally cause evenings to seem chilly, so pack a light jacket, particularly if you plan to eat "al fresco".The sea breeze can be also be deceptive - masking the fierce rays of the sun, so don't forget to take that vital skin protection, particularly in the summer, when temperatures have been known to hit the high 90'sF.