By The Golf Planet Holidays Team · Golf-travel specialists since 1981 · Published 1 June 2026 The Algarve is more reachable from the US than most American golfers think. Here is the practical guide. The airport You fly into Faro (FAO), the Algarve’s own airport — not Lisbon. Almost every resort is a 25–45 minute […]
The Algarve is more reachable from the US than most American golfers think. Here is the practical guide.
The airport
You fly into Faro (FAO), the Algarve’s own airport — not Lisbon. Almost every resort is a 25–45 minute transfer from the terminal.
The best routes from the East Coast
- Via Lisbon: TAP Air Portugal flies non-stop from New York, Newark, Boston, Washington and Miami to Lisbon (about 7 hours), then a 45-minute hop to Faro.
- Via London or Madrid: connect through a European hub onto a short Faro flight — often the most flexible option.
- Seasonal direct: some summer charters serve Faro directly.
Time difference & on-the-ground
The Algarve runs on GMT/WET — five hours ahead of US Eastern time, so an overnight flight lands you mid-morning, ready to settle in. Once you arrive, you do nothing: we arrange your private transfer, your tee times and your buggies, so the golf starts the moment you do.
Flights can be added to any holiday as an ATOL-protected option, or you book your own and we handle everything on the ground. Either way you are quoted and billed in GBP.
What our golfers say
4.997 reviewsHappy to praise Golf Planet Holidays for arranging a great 7 day trip to the Algarve, staying at the excellent Quinta Da Lago hotel. Transport arranged to and from the airport to the hotel and to golf was always …
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Where to stay & play in Western Algarve
Tailor your Western Algarve golf trip →
What our golfers say
4.997 reviewsHappy to praise Golf Planet Holidays for arranging a great 7 day trip to the Algarve, staying at the excellent Quinta Da Lago hotel. Transport arranged to and from the airport to the hotel and to golf was always …
Frequently asked questions
How much does a golf holiday in Western Algarve cost?
Tailor-made golf breaks in Western Algarve start from
Do you arrange flights to Western Algarve?
Flights can be added as an ATOL-protected option, or you book your own and we handle everything on the ground — private transfers, tee times and buggies.
Is my money protected?
Yes. Every booking is financially protected through Protected Trust Services (PTS) — your money is held safely in trust until you have travelled. Flight-inclusive trips are also ATOL protected.
Can I tailor the trip?
Always. We don’t sell off-the-shelf packages — every Western Algarve break is built personally around your group, your preferred courses and your dates.
Come and play with us
Wherever you're travelling from, you're welcome on a Golf Planet hosted tour — a small group, a host with you from the first tee to the last, and every round, transfer and dinner taken care of. You just bring the clubs.
