Flights to Madrid

Spain's vibrant and cultural capital

Madrid, which is the capital city of Spain, has the buzz and innovative architecture of a modern capital city, alongside a rich heritage and culture. The Prado is one of the world's great galleries, while Madrid's distinctive neighborhoods offer welcoming backdrops for tapas trails, fine dining and the famous city nightlife that goes on beyond dawn.

The best time to visit

Discounting Andorra, Madrid is the highest altitude capital in Europe, so the climate can tend towards extremes. In high summer temperatures can reach the 40s, while in winter they drop below freezing with occasional snowfall. Spring and autumn offer warm and mild conditions, ideal for exploring the city. The fiesta of Dos de Mayo on May 2nd features parades, bullfights and traditional music. Jazz fans congregate in Madrid in late October for the International Festival.

 

Madrid visitor facts

The sheer number of restaurants in Madrid keeps prices competitive and eating out is noticeably cheaper than in London. The famous tapas bars of the capital are a popular choice for snacking and pre-dinner drinks in the evenings. Madrid's markets are an inexpensive source of picnic foods.

Accommodation and travel in Madrid

There is a wide range of accommodation in Madrid to suit most budgets. Beds in backpacker hostels can be found for around 12 EUR per night. Rooms in an average 3 star hotel are available from about 80 EUR per person per night. The Madrid metro is the fastest and most convenient way of getting around the city. Single tickets cost around 1.50 EUR, but it is more economical to buy an all day tourist travelcard, the abono turistico, for around 8 EUR, or a ten ticket Metrobus pass which costs around 12 EUR. Metro tickets can also be used on the EMT bus services. Taxis are less expensive than in London, but the Madrid traffic can make journeys slow.

Airport Madrid-Barajas MAD

Madrid-Barajas Airport is the largest and most important airport in the south western European kingdom of Spain. Currently counting more than 50 million passengers a year, the airport is heavily used and is the fourth-largest airport in Europe, after London-Heathrow, Paris CDG and Frankfurt / Main. Madrid is also the most important hub for non-stop scheduled flights to the South American continent as well as being the hub of several Spanish air carriers such as Iberia and Spanair.

• URL: Official website
• Nearby cities: Alcobendas (9 km), Torrejón de Ardoz (9 km), Madrid (14 km), Alcalá de Henares (17 km), Getafe (25 km), Leganés (25 km), Alcorcón (28 km), Fuenlabrada (31 km), Móstoles (32 km)

Location

The airport is located about 17 km or 10 miles north west of the "Kilómetro Cero", the central geographic centre of Spain at the Puerta del Sol. Access to the terminals T1 - T3 is possible via the Autovia M-13, whereas Terminal 4 is accessible from the Motorvia M-12 at Exit No.4 or the M-110.

Those traveling by train and bus can take the metro line 8 (Nuevos Ministerios - Aeropuerto T4) which also stops at the terminals T1 - T3. The metro trains operate every day from about 6:00 am to 2:00 am and the journey takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Buses serving the terminals T1 - T3 on a regular basis are the city bus lines 101, 200, 822 and 824. T4 is served by the buses 201, 204, 827 and 828.