Taxi and transfer from Faro airport to Albufeira

Albufeira is roughly 40 to 45 km west of Faro Airport. Drivers take the A22 motorway, or the N125, which runs through several Algarve towns and takes longer. Albufeira spreads over a wide area, so the exact distance varies, since the marina, the old town and the Oura strip are all several kilometres apart from one another.

Transfer options from Faro Airport include private transfers, shared transfers, the Vamus Aerobus public coach service, and licensed taxis. Private transfers take you directly to your address in one vehicle. Shared transfers cost less per person with stops along the way. Licensed taxis wait outside arrivals and run on a published fare structure.

Yes, but by bus only. The Aerobus runs from outside the terminal to Albufeira bus station a handful of times a day in summer, with fewer departures in winter, plus one other evening coach service. Albufeira bus station sits around 1.6 km from the centre, so a local bus or taxi is still needed for the last leg. There's no train station at the airport and no tram or metro in the Algarve.

Expect to pay between €45 and €60 for a metered taxi from the rank outside arrivals to Albufeira, depending on the time of day, luggage, and vehicle size. Fares run on the interurban tariff for this distance, with higher rates at night, at weekends and on public holidays, plus a charge per item of luggage. By contrast, a private transfer is one fixed price, and your pickup is adjusted if your flight is delayed.

Around 45 minutes via the A22 in normal traffic. The free N125 takes closer to 50 minutes or more, since it passes through built-up areas with junctions and local traffic. Journey times stretch on summer changeover days, particularly Saturday afternoons in July and August, and vary depending on whether you're heading for the old town, the marina or the Oura area.

Yes, Suntransfers runs two shuttle services to Albufeira. The shuttle bus carries more passengers and makes more stops along the way, keeping the price lowest. The express shuttle is capped at four stops for a quicker journey at a slightly higher fare. Both are booked in advance at a fixed price with your pickup held if the flight is delayed.

Yes, private airport transfers run to any address in Albufeira, including resort hotels like the Jupiter Albufeira Hotel and the Hotel do Cerro, as well as apartments and villas in the surrounding hills. Albufeira's old town has steep, narrow streets, so on some central addresses the driver will stop at the closest accessible point.

A pre-booked transfer or taxi is the quickest and most direct option, running door to door in around 45 minutes. If you're travelling on a budget, shared shuttles or public transport with additional stops become your best options. Albufeira's bus terminal also sits some distance north of the old town, so arriving by coach usually means a second journey to reach your accommodation.