Private jet to the Algarve

The Algarve is Portugal's southern coast, which runs for about 150 km from the Spanish border on the Guadiana to Cape St Vincent. Its airport at Faro sits in the middle of the coast, 4 km west of the city, beside the Ria Formosa lagoon, and the A22 motorway behind the coast puts most resorts within an hour. Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo are 20-25 minutes from the aircraft, Vilamoura about half an hour.

Private flyers come for golf from autumn to spring, for villas and family holidays in summer, and for long stays in second homes. Faro has a 2,490 m runway that takes everything from a turboprop to a long-range jet, separate stands for business aviation and passport control at any hour. Two local rules shape the trip: flights operate from 06:00 to midnight, and aircraft based elsewhere may stay no longer than 72 hours. As a broker we compare operators across Europe, including aircraft already in Lisbon or southern Spain, and quote the flights, the parking or the return legs, and the transfer together.

Send the route, the dates and the number of passengers and golf bags through the form, and we will reply with aircraft and prices.

Why the south coast of Portugal suits a private flight

Flying time to Faro

Times for a Phenom 300 from the price tables, including taxi, climb and descent:

This is the far south-west corner of Europe, so routes from Germany and Austria take over three hours: Frankfurt 3:07 h, Munich 3:13 h and Vienna 3:37 h in a light jet. From Copenhagen a Pilatus PC-24 needs 4:05 h, and Stockholm, about 3,100 km away, is flown in a Praetor 500 or larger. On sectors this long many groups prefer a stand-up cabin; the smallest jets would need a fuel stop and are not used here.

Prices for private flights to the Algarve

All prices are for the whole aircraft, one way, with an aircraft available near the departure airport. Handling, parking and passenger taxes of the departure country are added in the quote. The flight time is for the first aircraft in each row.

From the European hubs to Faro

The closest hub is Madrid, with a Phenom 300 at EUR 11,000. Nice, Geneva and Paris cost EUR 15,000-15,500 and London EUR 16,000. Larnaca, about 3,700 km away, is only within non-stop reach of the Challenger 350.

From Portugal, Spain, Madeira and Morocco

For Lisbon, Seville and Malaga a turboprop is the cheapest choice and loses only 7-14 minutes; for the longer hops, including Funchal on Madeira, a jet saves about 20-45 minutes:

From the UK regions, Ireland and the north

Stockholm, at about 3,100 km, is beyond the practical range of the Pilatus PC-24, so the Praetor 500 and the Gulfstream G280 are priced.

Long-haul

Turboprop to Portimão

The aerodrome at Portimão, close to Lagos and Alvor, has an 860 m runway that rules out jets. A Pilatus PC-12 can use it once the operator has checked performance, which makes it an option for a villa in the western Algarve on a flight from Lisbon, Seville or Madrid. Whether border checks can be arranged there is confirmed per flight, so we plan it for departures from Schengen countries:

Prices rise in July and August and in the main golf months, when aircraft are busy along the whole Iberian coast. The 72-hour parking limit also changes the bill: for a stay of a week or more the aircraft flies home empty and comes back, so four sectors are flown and two are occupied. Portugal charges a carbon tax on departing flights, which is listed in the quote. Departures from France pay about EUR 420 per passenger on a jet, flights from Milan or Rome EUR 200 per passenger because the distance exceeds 1,500 km (Italy charges on flights departing from or arriving in the country), and departures from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands their own taxes.

Business jet price per flight hour

Heavy Jets from EUR 8,300 / hour

Light Jets from EUR 3,200 / hour

Ultra Long Range Jets from EUR 12,000 / hour

Super Midsize Jets from EUR 6,300 / hour

Very Light Jets from EUR 2,500 / hour

Long Range Jets from EUR 9,800 / hour

Midsize Jets from EUR 4,500 / hour

Turboprops from EUR 2,000 / hour

How the bill adds up

Cost per seat

The price is for the whole aircraft, so the share per person falls with each passenger. Departure taxes are added per head where they apply:

Calculate a route

Pick the departure airport, the date and the number of passengers, and the calculator sends an indicative price for the suitable aircraft by e-mail.

Airports of the Algarve and nearby

Faro Airport, formally Gago Coutinho (FAO, LPFR), is run by ANA and lies almost at sea level, about 7 m. Its runway 10/28 is 2,490 m long with an instrument landing system, enough for every business jet. Business aircraft park on their own stands away from the passenger piers, and their passengers are not counted against the terminal capacity limits that apply on the busiest summer weekends. Handling by an appointed agent is compulsory; the agents listed for general and business aviation include Sky Valet, Elitesky, OMNI and Safeport.

The airport operates from 06:00 to midnight local time. An extension to 01:00 can be considered only in cases of force majeure if it is requested before 23:30 through the duty manager, so a late return is planned to land well before midnight. Fuel is available from 08:00 to midnight, at other times on request and with a surcharge. Customs and border police work 24 hours. The airport is slot-coordinated, and a visiting aircraft based elsewhere may stay no longer than 72 hours; the airport director can grant exceptions if they are coordinated at least 72 hours ahead, and in summer they are hard to get. There are no hangars for visiting aircraft.

Portimão, Lisbon, Seville and Beja

Faro is the airport for almost every trip. The others serve specific cases:

When the aircraft must stay close for a long holiday, it can drop the passengers at Faro and wait in Lisbon or Seville, which is often cheaper than flying back to its base in northern Europe. We price both options when the stay is longer than 72 hours.

Which aircraft to choose

A golf bag takes as much room in the hold as a large suitcase. In a light jet, four players with bags and a week's luggage is the sensible limit; for six or eight, choose one of the midsize jets with a larger hold. Tell us the number of bags and suitcases with the request.

Want advice on the aircraft, the 72-hour rule or the transfer? Leave your number and a consultant will call you.

Golf season, beach season: when to go

The coast has two high seasons for two kinds of traveller. A month-by-month guide:

For golf, March, April, October and November give warm weather without the summer heat; families often choose June or September. In July and August reserve the car and driver early, because they run out on this coast sooner than slots do.

From Faro to the resorts

The A22 runs fast behind the coast, so a car reaches most places within the hour, and the times above are for clear roads. A helicopter saves real time in two cases: a day with rounds at the eastern and the western end of the coast, and the far west around Sagres. A landing outside a licensed helipad needs the estate's agreement beforehand.

Empty Legs on Algarve routes

Because aircraft not based at Faro cannot stay longer than 72 hours, many leave empty after dropping their passengers. Operators sell these legs at a discount. Directions that recur:

The departure time follows the original trip, so Empty Legs suit travellers with flexible dates. Send your direction and dates to empty-legs@jets.flights and we will forward suitable offers.

Bringing your dog or cat

Pets travel in the cabin with you. Each operator sets its own rules, some requiring a carrier or charging for cleaning, so give us the species, breed and weight when booking. Entry to Portugal follows the EU rules:

• Microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
• Rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel when it is the first one.
• EU pet passport; pets from Great Britain need an animal health certificate issued by a government-authorised vet.
• Up to five dogs, cats or ferrets per person.
• No tapeworm treatment needed to enter Portugal.

Back to the UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland or Norway, a dog needs tapeworm treatment by a vet 1-5 days before arrival, and the UK admits pets only through approved routes and handlers. A flight of three to four hours is long for an animal: plan a walk just before departure and water on board. In July and August the apron at Faro gets very hot, so we fly early or late and bring the car to the aircraft. Check with the villa owner that a dog is welcome.

Documents, customs and taxes

Before the flight

• Valid passport or ID card for every passenger.
• Names and document numbers, sent no later than the day before.
• Length of stay, so we can plan within 72 hours or price the return legs.
• Arrival time before midnight, keeping in mind the hour difference with central Europe.
• Number of golf bags, suitcases and pushchairs.
• Villa or resort address, and tee times if the car should go straight to the course.
• Pet documents and the villa owner's consent.
• Invoice details.

Booking in five steps

1. Send the departure airport, the dates, the passengers, golf bags and the address on the coast.
2. We check aircraft nearby, the slots at Faro and whether the stay fits within 72 hours or needs return legs or parking in Lisbon or Seville.
3. You receive two to four options with operator, model, cabin photos and the full price, including transfer by car or helicopter.
4. You sign the contract with the operator and pay; the handler confirms slots, stands and the car.
5. You land at Faro, walk from the aircraft to the car and are at the resort within about half an hour.

Our team

Charlotte McKinney

Commercial Director

charlotte.m@jets.flights

Henry Richter

Head of Aviation Department and Data Protection Officer

henry.r@jets.flights

Emma Miller

Director of Development

emma.m@jets.flights

Liam Bishop

Senior Aviation Consultant

liam.b@jets.flights

Oliver Davis

Aviation Consultant

oliver.d@jets.flights

Anna Laurent

Aviation Consultant

anna.l@jets.flights

Algarve flights: what clients ask

• • How much does a private jet to the Algarve cost?

  • For the whole aircraft, a Phenom 300 to Faro costs EUR 11,000 one way from Madrid, from Geneva or Paris EUR 15,500 and from London EUR 16,000. A turboprop from Lisbon or Seville starts at EUR 6,500.

• • Which airport do private jets use?

  • Faro, which takes every business jet on its 2,490 m runway. Portimão in the west has only an 860 m runway and suits turboprops such as the Pilatus PC-12 at most.

• • How long is the flight from London?

  • About 2:45 h from Farnborough in a Phenom 300 and 2:36 h in a Challenger 350. The Algarve keeps London time, so the clock does not change.

• • Can the aircraft wait for us during the holiday?

  • Only up to 72 hours if it is not based at Faro. For longer stays it flies home and returns, or waits in Lisbon or Seville; we price both.

• • Can we land late at night?

  • The airport closes at midnight, and an extension to 01:00 is possible only for force majeure. We plan the arrival with a margin before midnight.

• • How far are the golf courses?

  • Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo are 20-25 minutes from Faro by car and Vilamoura 25-30 minutes. Monte Rei lies further east near the Spanish border.

• • How many golf bags fit?

  • In a light jet, four players with bags and a week's luggage is a sensible limit. For six or eight players a midsize jet with a larger hold is better.

• • Is there a time difference?

  • None with the UK and Ireland. Central Europe is one hour ahead all year.

• • Can my dog come?

  • Yes, in the cabin, with a microchip, rabies vaccination and EU pet passport. Breeds listed as potentially dangerous must wear a muzzle in public in Portugal.

• • When is the best time for golf?

  • March, April, October and November are warm without the summer heat. The courses are open all year, and winter is quiet at the airport.

• • Are there Empty Legs from Faro?

  • Often, because aircraft cannot park for long and leave empty after drop-offs, mainly towards the UK, northern Europe and Lisbon. Write to empty-legs@jets.flights.