Getting to Madrid: plane

Transport

There are many options to arrive to Madrid. Plane is the fastest and most comfortable one, especially if you are traveling from far away.

In addition to this, Madrid is a very well connected city thanks to its international airport, a large complex that links the Spanish capital with cities across Europe and the rest of the world.

Search your plane tickets to Madrid

Booking your flights should be the first thing to do as soon as you start planning your trip.

You should do it even before booking your hotel or apartment.

Are there really cheap airline tickets to Madrid?

Madrid is a paradise for budget aviation. Most major cities in Western or Central Europe can be reached for an incredibly low fare.

So the question is: are there really cheap airline tickets to Madrid?

You bet!

You only need to learn a few tricks and hacks on how to find very cheap international flights.

Once you have become a master (which is not as hard as it seems, it’s only a matter of time), look for cheap air flights to Spain.

How far in advance should you book your flight to Madrid?

Part of the math involved when you book airline tickets is knowing how many days in advance you should be checking on fares. And, as you may have guessed, there are plenty of opinions on this topic…

In my opinion, the best time to book

A domestic flight is 1-3 months out.
An international flight is 2-8 months out.

However, I strongly recommend you booking earlier if you need to travel on specific dates or if your trip is during peak travel times like Easter, Christmas, New Year’s, and any other Spanish national holiday.

You can book flights up to a year in advance, but that doesn’t necessarily equal the best deal. If you have less flexibility or are traveling during peak times, start tracking flights early so you know the standard price, and can identify a good deal when you see one.

Use Madrid as a hub to reach your final destination

As the busiest airport in Spain, Madrid Barajas Airport is a hub for cheap flights from Madrid to locations all around the country.

Moreover, Madrid is particularly well-placed if you’re planning to visit the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands or Morocco as well.

Iberia, Spain’s major airline, maintains an extensive network of regional flights within Spain, although for many domestic destinations you’ll find high-speed rail to be faster and better priced if you’re traveling with luggage.

Nowadays there’s a lot of competition in Spain both between airlines and railway operators. So your choice of plane or train will basically depend on your budget (how much you want to spend) and your travel comfort (how much hassle you can bear).

In case you’re considering traveling by train from Madrid to another destination in Spain, have a look at this complete guide about train travel from Madrid.

A complete Madrid Airport guide

Madrid Airport is known as Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas, which is also the name of the town in the outskirts of Madrid where it is located. The international code of the airport is MAD.

Madrid has Spain’s biggest and most important airport both for its size (five terminals and three control towers) and for the number of passengers that use it (40+ million per year). Almost 80 airlines operate here and more than 250 routes are served. It’s a major center for connections arriving and departing from the European continent.

So all flights, whether low-cost or standard carriers, fly into this airport, which is extremely well connected and close to the city center.

When planning a trip to an unknown (or even a familiar) destination, there’s one part of the equation that’s often overlooked: the airport.

Thus, I suggest you have a look at some practical information related to Madrid Airport transfers:

If you have an early morning flight, where you stay the night before makes a huge difference in your day. Or, if you have a late arrival, you might like to stay at the airport for a night instead of trying to figure out trains the moment you touch down. Madrid Airport hotels are perfect for times like this.

This article is part of a complete tutorial on how to fly to Madrid where you can read all the information you need to organize your flights.

Here is a complete summary of all the guide:

1. How to find very cheap international flights
2. Looking for cheap air flights to Spain?
3. Getting to Madrid by plane
4. Madrid Airport guide: Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas
5. Guide on Madrid Airport transfers
6. Arriving at Madrid Airport: exit the airport after landing
7. Getting to Madrid Airport: go to the airport from the city center
8. Madrid Airport hotels