Spain's vibrant and cultural capital

Madrid 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 neighbourhoods 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, while getting around the capital is also more economical than in London. Madrid time is an hour ahead of London at Central European time.

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.

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
Best option London Gatwick Madrid	Outbound 24/02/25 direct U28021 02h 35min	Return 26/02/25 direct U28018 02h 20min	easyJet	?	£78
London Gatwick Madrid	Outbound 24/02/25 direct UX1014 02h 30min	Return 26/02/25 direct UX1013 02h 25min	Air Europa Lineas Aereas	?	£83
London Gatwick Madrid	Outbound 01/03/25 direct U28019 02h 30min	Return 18/03/25 direct IB1863 02h 20min	easyJet	?	£81

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Price
Best option London Heathrow Madrid	Outbound 24/02/25 direct BA7067 02h 25min	Return 26/02/25 direct BA0467 02h 30min	British Airways	£79
London Heathrow Madrid	Outbound 24/02/25 direct IB0726 02h 25min	Return 26/02/25 direct IB3652 02h 30min	Iberia	£80
London Heathrow Madrid	Outbound 24/02/25 direct BA7067 02h 25min	Return 26/02/25 direct BA0467 02h 30min	British Airways	£80

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
Best option London Madrid	Outbound 01/03/25 direct FR5998 02h 30min	Return 18/03/25 direct FR5993 02h 30min	Ryanair		£52
London Madrid	Outbound 01/03/25 direct FR5998 02h 30min	Return 18/03/25 direct FR2629 02h 30min	Ryanair	?	£57
London Madrid	Outbound 01/03/25 direct FR5996 02h 30min	Return 18/03/25 direct FR5993 02h 30min	Ryanair		£55

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
Best option Liverpool Madrid	Outbound 01/03/25 direct FR2440 02h 30min	Return 18/03/25 1 Stopover (RAK) FR6791, EC3498 20h 15min	Ryanair	?	£93
Liverpool Madrid	Outbound 18/02/25 1 Stopover (DUB) FR0441, IB1882 17h 10min	Return 25/02/25 1 Stopover (BCN) IB0427, U23372 15h 40min	Ryanair, Iberia	?	£131
Liverpool Madrid Pay attention to transfer at connecting flight	Outbound 01/03/25 direct FR2440 02h 30min	Return 18/03/25 1 Stopover (PMI) I21651, U23360 07h 00min	Ryanair		£106

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
Best option Manchester Madrid	Outbound 24/02/25 direct IB1892 02h 35min	Return 26/02/25 direct IB1891 02h 35min	Iberia		£81
Manchester Madrid	Outbound 24/02/25 direct IB1892 02h 35min	Return 26/02/25 direct IB1891 02h 35min	Iberia	?	£86
Manchester Madrid	Outbound 24/02/25 direct I21892 02h 35min	Return 26/02/25 direct I21891 02h 35min	Iberia Express		£84

Flights to Madrid

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Madrid Barajas

Madrid travel tips

Spain's vibrant and cultural capital

The best time to visit

Madrid visitor facts

Accommodation and travel in Madrid

Most frequent connection from Madrid

Alternative routes to Spain

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
London City Madrid	Outbound 17/01/25 1 Stopover (ZRH) LX0467, LX2026 12h 55min	Return 11/02/25 1 Stopover (ZRH) LX2033, LX0460 14h 05min	Swiss International Air Lines	?	£184
London City Madrid	Outbound 01/03/25 1 Stopover (ZRH) LX0461, LX2026 23h 45min	Return 18/03/25 1 Stopover (ZRH) LX2033, LX0456 18h 15min	Swiss International Air Lines		£189
London City Madrid	Outbound 01/03/25 1 Stopover (ZRH) LX0461, LX2026 23h 45min	Return 18/03/25 1 Stopover (ZRH) LX2027, LX0464 08h 00min	Swiss International Air Lines	?	£188