When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Madrid?
January and February, followed by March and April, are the best months to look for bargain Madrid flights. In addition to these four months, you should also be on the lookout for cheap last-minute flights during September, October and November. Flights to Madrid are more expensive in the summer months and over the Christmas holidays when tourism is at its peak. With Netflights, you can compare deals on a month-by-month basis to find the best return flights for both your schedule and your budget.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Madrid?
The best time to book your flights to Madrid is around six to eight weeks prior to travel. This is especially true if you’d like to travel during peak tourism times, like the summer or major holidays. Avoid travelling on a Friday to save some money. If you can be flexible with your dates, keep an eye out for last-minute flights popping up of Netflights throughout the year.
Flying to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD)
Along with Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is one of the largest airports in Europe (by size) and the sixth busiest on the continent. It’s located within the city’s limits and is only six miles (under 10 kilometres) from the central financial district. As Spain’s busiest airport, it welcomes direct flights from the United Kingdom daily. Compare UK-Madrid flights from British Airways (depart from London-Heathrow), Air Europa (check-in at London-Gatwick), Iberia (leaves from London-Heathrow) and Norwegian Air (departing from London-Gatwick). Additional direct flights to Madrid may be added seasonally by airlines to meet demand. Search for return flights from airports such as Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and more to find the best deals on flights to Madrid.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
There are four passenger terminals at Madrid–Barajas Airport. Terminals T1, T2 and T3 have six boarding areas between them, A - F, which are connected to the terminals. A free transit bus links all the terminals to each other 24 hours a day. Terminal 4 and its satellite terminal (T4S) are located just over a mile (two kilometres) apart. They are connected by an automated people mover, the longest one in Europe. Each terminal building has its own shops, restaurants, bars and ATMs.
Getting to the City from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Madrid’s metro system, via line 8, connects all four terminals to the city and runs from 6:05 to 1:30. Travellers can connect to Madrid centre and Spain’s RENFE train network by taking the C1 line of the Cercanías (the local rail service). The journey to the main station, Atocha, takes around 25 minutes. Public buses also connect the airport to the city centre, main rail stations, neighbouring towns and provincial capitals. Departing from Terminals T1, T2 and T4, Bus 203, the Exprés Aeropuerto, runs to Atocha Station 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are also taxis, car hires and private shuttle buses available upon arrival.
Why visit Madrid?
Madrid has inherited a cultural legacy of epic proportions, but is too busy striding into the future to rest on its laurels. A hot-spot for big-name artists, its illustrious museums, like El Prado and La Reina Sofia showcase some of the best European painters of the last centuries. But any trip to Madrid will prove that it’s also an important centre for contemporary art. The city’s Hapsburg centre is Plaza Mayor, a grand and beautiful cobblestone square. Narrow streets lined with bars, cafes and galleries spread out in all directions from the plaza, just waiting to be explored.
Don’t miss the baroque Royal Palace and Armoury, which displays historic weaponry, or the serene, manicured gardens of El Retiro. Though Madrid is packed with tourist attractions, just wandering through its colourful and grand streets is an attraction all on its own. Contemporary architecture and medieval mansion houses are interspersed with Mudéjar churches and spires. After dark, these streets come alive with locals determined to dance until dawn. If that’s your thing, then make sure to join in the fun; the nightlife in Madrid is legendary.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
British passport holders don’t need a visa to travel to any country in the EU – you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You just need to make sure that your passport has at least six months validity left, on the day you travel. It is advisable to have enough euros on your person for your onward travel in case of any emergencies or other issues you may encounter upon arrival.
