Whether you’re travelling to Faro to discover its natural wonders, or using the city as a jumping-off point to the Algarve, there are plenty of transport options for getting around Faro. Home to the Algarve’s only airport, Faro greets thousands of tourists journeying through the region.
If you’re staying in Faro, it’s easy to explore the city on foot or by bicycle, while the well-oiled public transport options will take you to further destinations. A highlight of Faro is its incredible coastline and the Ria Formosa National Park. Formosamar specialises in Faro Boat Tours to Ria Formosa as well as ferry services, ensuring you can see the best of Faro with ease.
To help you on your travels, we’ve put together this transportation guide to Faro. If you have any questions about our boat tours, feel free to contact us for more information.
Getting from Faro International Airport
If you are arriving in Faro by flight, there are multiple options for transferring from the airport to the city. Faro International Airport is easily accessible by bus or taxi, with services operating both to and from the city. The airport is located approximately 8 kilometres from Faro, with a drive taking just 15 minutes on average. If you wish, you can also take a bus or taxi to the Faro train station to continue your travels.
If you want to learn more about your travel options in the Algarve, read our blog on Getting Around in the Algarve: The #1 Transportation Guide.
Buses in Faro
There are numerous bus companies operating in and around Faro, including Proximo, Rede Expressos, and Vamus. Proximo has multiple lines in the city of Faro, while Vamos offers lines in Faro and the Algarve. Rede Expressos offers more services across Portugal, connecting Faro with destinations like Porto and Lisbon. The main bus station is located at Av. da República 5, where you can find the terminals of all major bus companies.
Faro Car Rentals and Taxi Services
If you’d prefer not to be restricted by pre-scheduled transport times, you can either rent your own car or make use of the taxi services in Faro. It’s easy to rent a car on arrival at the airport, with numerous companies such as Avis and Europcar available. Should you wish to avoid navigating unfamiliar roads, taxis and Ubers give you more freedom and flexibility than public transport. You can also choose to use private transfers for organised services for just you and your travel companions.
Trains in Faro
The Faro train station offers easy access to the rest of the Algarve region and wider Portugal thanks to the well-connected railway network. The train operator is Comboios de Portugal, which provides high-speed train services for quick and seamless transport. You can find the Faro train station at Largo da Estação, which is just a five-minute walk from the bus terminals.
Walking and Cycling in Faro
The city of Faro is pedestrian-friendly and easy to explore on foot. Many of the main attractions in the Old Town are within walking distance, such as the historic Faro Cathedral and the picturesque Arco da Vila. If you’d like to give your feet a break, you can instead rent a bike to enjoy a leisurely cycle around the city. Formosamar offers bikes and e-bikes for rent, allowing you to see more of Faro in a shorter amount of time. Check out our Equipment Rentals in Faro for more information.
Boat Tours and Ferry Services in Faro
The main attraction in Faro is arguably its coastline. The Ria Formosa Natural Park defines Faro’s shores, with its breathtaking lagoons, marshes, beaches, and islands. This is a natural haven, abounding with birds and marine life. The park stretches for 60 kilometres along the coast and is best explored by boat.
Faro Boat Trips to Ria Formosa provide the optimal way of navigating the numerous water channels and reaching secluded islands. Our boat tours offer an exciting and informative experience of the park, as you can learn more about the local flora and fauna and make stops at the beaches. You can also combine visits to two islands on our Boat Tour to Deserta and Farol Islands in Ria Formosa, giving you a comprehensive journey through the park.
If you’d prefer to explore on your own, we also offer shuttle services to the islands, including Farol Island, Desert Island, Culatra Island, and Faro Beach. These services operate both to and from Faro and you can book a return trip for ease of travel.
For more information on your boat tour options, read our blog on How to Choose the Perfect Algarve Boat Trip.
Explore Faro with Formosamar
Travelling in and around Faro is easy thanks to the number of transport options available. There is so much to see and do here and we can’t recommend enough our Outdoor Activities in Faro for a truly adventurous journey. If you want to explore more of the region on your own terms, our Private Boat Charter in the Algarve gives you the opportunity to discover Faro and its surrounds in a more personal way. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team for more information on our services. We can’t wait to show you Faro!
