23 October 2026
Faro is one of the best-connected holiday airports in Europe, with direct flights from London and a long list of regional airports across the UK. The flight takes around three hours, and once you land, villas in Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Dunas Douradas are only about 15 to 20 minutes away. Here is our guide to the routes, and some advice on when to book. From London Gatwick: the widest choice, with British Airways, easyJet, Jet2 and Wizz Air. Jet2 now has a Gatwick base and includes Faro in its winter 2026/27 programme, with up to three flights a week. Heathrow and London City: British Airways, on a seasonal basis. Luton: easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air. Stansted: Ryanair. Southend: easyJet, seasonal. From the rest of England AirportAirlines ManchestereasyJet, Ryanair BirminghameasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair BristoleasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair LiverpooleasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair East MidlandsJet2, Ryanair; TUI in season Leeds BradfordRyanair NewcastleRyanair; easyJet in season BournemouthRyanair; Jet2 in season Southampton, Exeter, Newquay, Norwich, TeessideSeasonal flights (easyJet or Ryanair) From Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Edinburgh: Ryanair. Glasgow: easyJet from Glasgow, and seasonal Ryanair flights from Prestwick. Aberdeen: Ryanair, seasonal. Cardiff: seasonal flights with Ryanair and TUI. Belfast International: easyJet and Ryanair, plus Jet2 in season. Flying from the Republic? See our guide to flights to Faro from Ireland. Seasonal routes mostly run in the airlines' summer timetable, from late March to late October, and the line-up changes from year to year. Check the airline's own website before you plan around a route. When to book There is no magic date for a cheap fare, but a few patterns are worth knowing. Book as soon as the schedule opens for peak dates Airlines release their timetables a long way ahead. easyJet put its peak summer 2027 flights, from mid-June to late September 2027, on sale in July 2026, and Jet2 had its winter 2026/27 programme on sale more than a year in advance. For the school holidays, Easter and the summer peak, booking early gives you the best choice of days and times, which matters most from regional airports with only a few flights a week. Golf and the shoulder seasons Spring and autumn are the busiest times for golf groups, and flights with space for golf bags can fill well before the beaches get busy. If you are planning a golf week, book flights, villa and tee times together. Our guide to golf in the Golden Triangle has more. Winter sun From November to March there are fewer routes, but the main airports, including Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham, keep flying. Winter can be a lovely, quieter time to visit; see our Algarve weather by month. Practical tips Fly in the morning if you can, so you arrive in daylight with time to settle in, shop and enjoy the pool. Check what your fare includes: on most of these airlines, hold bags and golf clubs are extras. Portugal and the UK share a time zone, so there is no jet lag to worry about. Getting to your villa: see our guide from Faro Airport to Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Dunas Douradas. Once your flights are sorted, browse villas in Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, or ask our team to suggest a villa that suits your dates.