Albufeira is the closest of the big resorts to the airport, about 35 to 40 minutes by car. A rental car or a Bolt is the quickest way there. The Aerobus costs €11 and takes about 40 minutes to Albufeira bus station, but in winter it leaves the airport only twice a day, plus one evening bus on weekdays.
Albufeira is one of the easiest places in the Algarve to reach from Faro Airport. The town is roughly 40 km to the west, and almost every transport option is reasonably quick. The catch is that Albufeira is spread out: the bus station and the railway station are both outside the centre, so think about where your hotel actually is before you choose.
| Option | Journey time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car | 35 to 40 minutes | rental plus fuel, no tolls | stays of more than a few days |
| Aerobus (line 56) | about 40 to 45 minutes to the bus station | €11 | daytime arrivals on a budget |
| Bolt or Uber | 35 to 40 minutes | from about €25 | couples and small groups |
| Taxi | 35 to 40 minutes | roughly €45 to €70 | late arrivals and families |
| Bus 16 plus train | well over an hour | about €6 plus a taxi | not recommended |
By rental car
From the airport, follow signs for the A22 and head west towards Portimão, then take one of the Albufeira exits. Outside the summer rush hour the drive takes 35 to 40 minutes. The A22 has been free of charge since 1 January 2025, even though the old toll gantries are still standing; see our guide to toll roads in the Algarve.
Parking in central Albufeira and around the Oura strip is tight in summer, so ask your hotel or apartment about parking before you arrive. If you are staying more than a few days and want to see more than the town beaches, a car makes a big difference. Our guide Do you need a car in the Algarve? explains why.
By Aerobus (line 56) and the evening line 57
The Aerobus stop is outside the arrivals hall. The fare from the airport to Albufeira is €11, paid in cash to the driver, at the ticket machine at the airport stop, or through the Vamus website or app.
Summer, 1 May to 31 October 2026: departures from the airport at 08:30, 09:30, 11:15, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00 and 18:15, arriving at Albufeira bus station about 40 to 45 minutes later.
Winter, 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027: only the 11:15 and 18:15 departures run, arriving at 12:00 and 19:00.
There is one more bus that many visitors never find. Line 57, the Transrápido between Faro and Portimão, leaves the airport at 20:15 and reaches Albufeira bus station at 20:55. It runs daily from May to October, but in winter only on weekdays. It is also cheaper than the Aerobus.
Albufeira bus station is about 1.6 km from the town centre. Local buses run into town, and there are usually taxis at the station.
By taxi, Bolt or Uber
Taxis wait outside arrivals and use a meter, with a higher rate at night, at weekends and on public holidays. For Albufeira, expect roughly €45 to €70, depending on the time and whether you are going to the old town, the Oura strip or one of the resorts outside town.
Bolt and Uber both pick up at the airport. Outside peak times a standard car to Albufeira usually costs from about €25 to €35, with larger cars and busy periods costing more. For two or three people this is often cheaper than the bus once you add a taxi from the bus station.
By train: why we do not recommend it
There is no railway station at the airport. You would need bus 16 or a taxi to Faro station, then a regional train to Albufeira-Ferreiras for €3.80. The problem is at the other end: Albufeira-Ferreiras station is about 6 km from the town centre, so you need another bus or a taxi. With waiting times, the whole trip easily takes longer than an hour and a half, and it saves very little money.
Arriving in the evening
- The last Aerobus leaves the airport at 18:15 all year round.
- Line 57 leaves the airport at 20:15: daily from May to October, weekdays only in winter.
- After that, use a taxi, Bolt, Uber or a pre-booked transfer.
Which option we would choose
For a beach holiday of a week, we would rent a car at the airport, because many of the best beaches around Albufeira and Lagoa are much easier to reach by car. For a short stay in the old town, Bolt is quick and fairly priced. The Aerobus is a good budget choice in summer, when it runs often, and line 57 is worth remembering if you land in the early evening.
Questions people ask
Is there a bus from Faro Airport to Albufeira?
Yes. The Vamus line 56 Aerobus stops at Albufeira bus station and costs €11. In winter, from 1 November to 30 April, it leaves the airport at 11:15 and 18:15. Line 57 adds an evening departure from the airport at 20:15, on weekdays only in winter and daily from May to October.
How far is Albufeira bus station from the town centre?
About 1.6 km. Local buses and taxis connect the bus station with the old town and the Oura strip.
Can I take the train from Faro Airport to Albufeira?
You can, but it is rarely worth it. There is no station at the airport, and Albufeira-Ferreiras station is about 6 km from the town centre, so you need a bus or taxi at both ends.
How much is a taxi from Faro Airport to Albufeira?
Roughly €45 to €70 depending on the time of day, your exact destination in Albufeira and the size of the car. Bolt and Uber are usually cheaper, from about €25 to €45 outside peak times.
How long is the drive from Faro Airport to Albufeira?
About 35 to 40 minutes on the A22 motorway, which has been toll-free since 1 January 2025.