Algarve Advice

Advice for The Algarve


Emergency Numbers 

• Police, Fire, Ambulance : 112 
• National Forest Protection: 117 

Time

The Algarve observes Greenwich Mean Time during the winter months; during the summer, from late March to late October, the time is GMT+1h


Money

The Euro (€) is the official currency of Portugal. Banknotes are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros; coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. Traveller’s Cheques and credit/debit cards are widely accepted in towns- but not in all shops.



Driving

• Drive on the right! 
• Speed limits on motorways: 120kph 
• Speed limits on main roads: 90kph or 100kph 
• Speed limits on urban roads: 60kph or 40kph 
• Seat belts must be worn at all times 
• Random breath testing! Never Drink-Drive! 

Personal Safety

• Leave your valuables in the safe 
• Don’t leave valuables in cars 
• Don’t leave unattended valuables on the beach or poolside 
• Beware of pickpockets. 

Faro Airport


Faro Airport is the main airport in The Algarve. The airport gets very busy during the summer months, namely from March to October, to the extent that the airport becomes a slot coordinated airport. A total of 5.4 million passengers used Faro in 2008. The airport became a hub for the first time in March 2010, when Ryanair decided to base seven of its aircraft there.

Faro Airport is capable of handling six million passengers a year and is (2011) near to capacity. Faro Airport consists of:

• 22 stands of which 16 are remote. 
• 60 check-in desks. 
• 36 boarding gates. 

Since its opening in 1966 Faro airport has had two major developments, the new passenger terminal building in 1989 and its enlargement in 2001.

Car Hire companies include:


Auriga Crown

(00351) 289 800 670


Auto Jardim

(00351) 289 800 881


Avis

(00351) 289 889 456


Budget

(00351) 289 889 440


Europcar

(00351) 289 889 447


Guerin

(00351) 289 800 883


Hertz

(00351) 289 818 248


Sixt

(00351) 289 818 294


You will find Expresso Coffee, Faro Airport Café and Coffee Shop serving drinks and snacks in the public and departures areas. Cafetaria Zona Pública and Terraço Bar in the public area andRestaurante Zona Pública in public area and Self Service Internacional, Restaurant Internacional andFoodCourt Restaurant in the departures area

Find a detailed map of the airport here