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Original poster

Faro airport

23 replies

AnnaBanana99 · 25/05/2025 08:14

I keep seeing videos on TikTok about how horrendous Faro airport is with very long queues to get through security when travelling both in and out. Of course the algorithm is showing me more and more of the same videos now, and I don’t know if it really is that bad all the time or there was just a particular issue on certain dates. Does anyone have first hand experience? We’re not going until September (flying in on a Saturday morning) but feeling a bit worried now! Thank you.

OP posts:
NellieShoe · 25/05/2025 08:16

I went through Faro last September and there was a queue but probably about 20 mins no longer.

Mumblechum0 · 25/05/2025 08:16

I’ve been through Faro a couple of times in the last year, April and September. Don’t remember any issues at all.

Scorpion84 · 25/05/2025 08:21

I did experience this in July 2023 on an early morning flight in.

it was horrendous, youngest was one at the time and we had pushchair in the hold which was a mistake as we really needed it during the queue . 🤦🏻‍♀️

my friend went in Aug that year on a slightly later flight and was fine 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think early morning flights you are more likely to hit the queues as they are the most popular flight times .

top tip if queues are bad get the lift down and don't use the steps that will cut some of it out

wonderingwhatsnext · 25/05/2025 08:22

We travelled through at the beginning of the month. The queue looked long but took about 30 minutes. Nothing compared to some of the queues we've stood in in the US!

isitoverforus · 25/05/2025 08:35

I travel through Faro quite a lot and it's hit and miss. In April we sailed through in five minutes after landing, however it took over an hour on our homeward journey.

SnakesAndArrows · 25/05/2025 08:45

No problems at midday on Saturday 3 May. There was a queue, but it was quick. Electronics stay in bags now.

Clearinguptheclutter · 25/05/2025 10:59

I would not be worrying about this now if you are going in September!

Faro airport is definitely my least favorite part of Portugal however it’s not as bad as all that. Everyone gets through without missing their planes. Prices for coffee etc are jaw dropping.

Original poster
AnnaBanana99 · 25/05/2025 14:09

Great, thanks everyone! Fingers crossed it will be fine.

OP posts:
Weelegs29 · 25/05/2025 14:11

I'm going this Saturday, will update! Been through Faro airport a good few times and don't ever remember any queues so hoping that's a positive sign and I'll be lucky again this time

Sandsie10 · 25/05/2025 22:38

I just came back this afternoon from Faro and never seen anything like it and have flown in and out of Faro for many years, the queue in departures was back to security, however it was moving and took about an hour to get through passport. An elderly lady fainted in the queue and it wasn't pleasant for families with young children. I would suggest giving yourselves extra time, I was prepared for it so allowed for this. I also flew into Lisbon on Thursday and that was worse, it took passengers 2 hours to get through passport in arrivals, not sure what is going on in Portugal right now, but hopefully it will be resolved by the summer season.

Stygimoloch · 25/05/2025 23:24

Faro airport was awful last August. It took forever to get through the queue and by the time we did, our private transfer had left without us!

HappyHermit2025 · 26/05/2025 00:06

I go to Portugal twice a year and there is typically a queue to get though security both way. It’s not as horrendous as it looks, with a number of flights landing at the same time. They also prioritise young families and filter them into a different queue.

rosyvalentine · 26/05/2025 08:15

We go over and back quite a bit and Faro can be fairly bad for non EU arrivals (I'm EU) during the summer months and at times like Easter. It's usually ok in September though. Likewise, getting through Security when leaving can take a while too. I would definitely recommend buying Fast Track passes (about €10 each) for departure if travelling June - August. I went through it twice last September and don't recall it being madly busy.

Anonymous2029 · 30/05/2025 21:57

Came last week and it’s horrific, worst airport experience I’ve ever had. We queued for 3.5 hours to get through passport control the kids struggled so much. I am absolutely dreading the way back as it seems lots of people are missing flights! I would actually consider moving a holiday based on the airport experience!

SurvivingaNarc · 30/05/2025 22:27

Came through yesterday, passport queue was ok but suitcases took nearly an hour

Longhotsummers · 30/05/2025 22:46

We went through last week and it took 2.5 hours to get through passport control and was horrific. We missed our transfer, as a result.
EasyJet warned us to get to the airport early on the return leg but that was quick, with no delay.

June2008 · 30/05/2025 23:30

It's very much hit and miss. Last year when we went into Faro in August there was hardly any queue for passport control, but my parents who went through the day before, had to wait over an hour. The previous year we both had big queues to contend with.

But much worse was on the way home. (Although this was the first time this had happened in 8 years of doing the trip.) Check in took an absolute age, over two hours, meaning the flight was boarding before we even got to security. We just ran past the queues waving our boarding cards with a few other passengers hoping to get on the same plane.
We did manage to get on the flight - but it was a crazy afternoon! This year we will be getting there very early for the return flight!!

StarlightLady · 31/05/2025 08:13

I visit a friend several times a year traveling via Faro. Due to other commitments I’ve yet to go this year. To be honest, there is little benefit in people posting about their experiences last or in previous years as that is unlikely to reflect on the current situation.

Bettaboo · 03/06/2025 21:38

Just back from Faro. Check in…and check out! really awful. Waited for 3 hours when we arrived. Only slightly better on journey home in spite of giving ourselves plenty of time. Seemed short staffed; felt a bit sorry for those behind the desks….loads of complaints. Make sure everyone has water; very warm and stuffy and give yourselves plenty of time on return leg. In spite of this lovely holiday and lovely people!

userxx · 03/06/2025 21:53

Boyfriend just back from Portugal, said passport control at their end was horrendous, took about two hours to get through, as mentioned already it was understaffed.

Anjikanji · 05/07/2025 08:43

Returned from Faro on 3rd June 2025. Utter traumatising nightmare at passport control. Couple with 3 year old in buggy let through in our group but other children in queue. We made it by skin of our teeth but it was a heart in the mouth nightmare for me and my adult daughter who was in tears. Definitely get to airport at least 3 hours in advance not 2.

WonderingWanda · 05/07/2025 08:58

I would imagine it could get very busy if there are lots of flights at once but you can also get lucky and just breeze through as we did.

Wowzel · 20/07/2025 21:22

We easily waited an hour in passport queue at Faro this week - both ways

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