Flying from Amsterdam to Madrid
The route from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Madrid Barajas (MAD) covers roughly 910 miles, making it a genuinely short hop at under three hours in the air. Non-stop flights clock in at around 2 hours 38 to 40 minutes, which means you can leave Amsterdam at breakfast and be sitting on a terrace in Malasaña by lunchtime. Both airports are major international hubs, so connections are smooth, departures are frequent, and you have a decent spread of carriers to choose from across the budget and full-service spectrum.
Almost every flight on this route operates exclusively between AMS and MAD Adolfo Suárez, with no intermediate stops on the non-stop options. If you do end up on a connecting itinerary — routed through Lisbon, London, or Frankfurt — expect total journey times to jump to five hours or more. For this particular city pair, there is very little reason to book a connection. Direct flights from Amsterdam to Madrid are plentiful, competitively priced, and available most days of the week throughout the year.
Airlines on This Route
Five airlines operate non-stop flights from Amsterdam to Madrid: KLM, Iberia, Iberia Express, Air Europa, and Vueling. Between them they cover the full range from full-service legacy carriers to stripped-back low-cost operators. KLM flies out of its home hub at Schiphol and typically offers multiple frequencies per day, operating from the main terminal. Iberia and its budget subsidiary Iberia Express both serve the route, giving you the choice of a full-service product with meals or a cheaper no-frills ticket on the same basic network. Air Europa adds another solid mid-tier option, while Vueling — part of the IAG group alongside Iberia — often turns up the lowest headline fares of the bunch.
Other carriers including easyJet and Ryanair appear on searches for flights from Amsterdam to Madrid but frequently involve a stop or operate from secondary airports. TAP Portugal, Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways also show up with connecting itineraries. For a straightforward non-stop trip, focus on the five carriers listed above. At Madrid's end, most flights arrive at Terminal 4 (T4), which is the main hub for Iberia and affiliated airlines, while other carriers may use T1, T2, or T3 — worth double-checking before you head to the airport.
Flight Prices: Amsterdam to Madrid
Cheap flights to Madrid from Amsterdam are genuinely achievable if you time it right. One-way fares on non-stop routes start from around €60–€70 with Vueling or Iberia Express in the low season, while full-service options on KLM or Iberia tend to sit in the €90–€160 range for economy. Round-trip fares can come in from around €80–€160 depending on the season and how far ahead you book. Prices spike noticeably during Spanish national holidays, Easter week (Semana Santa), and the summer peak of July and August, when return fares can push well above €200 in economy.
For Amsterdam to Madrid flight deals, the standard advice applies: book four to eight weeks out for the best balance of availability and price. Last-minute fares on this route are unpredictable — sometimes cheap, often not. Setting up price alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner is the most practical way to catch a fare drop without having to check manually every few days.
Best Time to Book Amsterdam to Madrid Flights
January, February, and early March are consistently the cheapest months to fly this route. Demand is low after the Christmas period, Spanish cities are quieter, and airlines drop prices to fill seats. You can often find return tickets in the €80–€110 range during this window. November is another solid off-peak option — post-summer crowds have thinned out and the weather in Madrid is still mild enough to enjoy the city comfortably.
Prices start climbing from mid-March as Easter approaches, and by June they are firmly in mid-season territory — expect to pay around €100–€140 one-way on average. July and August represent peak pricing, particularly on the outbound leg from Amsterdam, when a lot of Northern Europeans head south. If you must travel in summer, book at least two to three months ahead. September and October sit in a sweet spot: good weather in Madrid, post-summer price relief, and fewer crowds — arguably the best overall time to visit if budget and experience are both priorities.
Madrid Airport Guide
Madrid Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport (MAD) is one of Europe's larger hubs, with four terminals spread across a sizeable site. Most flights from Amsterdam land at Terminal 4 (T4) if you are flying Iberia, Iberia Express, Air Europa, or Vueling. KLM arrivals are also typically routed to T4 given its SkyTeam partnership with Air Europa. T4 is connected to T4S by an internal shuttle, so check your specific gate before committing to an exit route.
Getting into central Madrid from the airport is straightforward and cheap. The Metro Line 8 runs from T2 and T4 directly to Nuevos Ministerios, where you can connect to Lines 6 and 10 to reach most central neighborhoods. The journey takes around 30 to 40 minutes and costs approximately €5 including the airport supplement. Taxis are widely available and run on a flat rate of €33 to the city centre, regardless of traffic — a reasonable option if you are travelling with luggage or arriving late at night. The Exprés Aeropuerto bus is another option at around €5, running 24 hours to Atocha and Cibeles.
FAQ — Amsterdam to Madrid Flights
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Madrid?
Non-stop flights from Amsterdam Schiphol to Madrid Barajas take approximately 2 hours 38 to 40 minutes. The route covers around 910 miles. Connecting flights via Lisbon, London, or Frankfurt will add several hours to the total journey time, so a direct flight is almost always the better choice on this route.
What is the cheapest time to fly from Amsterdam to Madrid?
The cheapest months for Amsterdam to Madrid flights are typically January, February, and early March, followed by November. Fares drop significantly in these periods compared to summer or Easter. Midweek departures — particularly Tuesday and Wednesday — also tend to be cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights across most carriers on this route.
Which airlines fly from Amsterdam to Madrid?
Five airlines operate non-stop services: KLM, Iberia, Iberia Express, Air Europa, and Vueling. KLM is the full-service option flying from its Schiphol home base. Iberia offers traditional full service, while Iberia Express and Vueling are the budget-friendly subsidiaries within the IAG group. Air Europa sits in the mid-tier. EasyJet and Ryanair appear on some searches but may involve stops or alternative departure points.
How much do Amsterdam to Madrid flights cost?
One-way fares start from around €60–€70 with low-cost carriers in the off-peak season. Full-service tickets on KLM or Iberia typically range from €90 to €160 one-way in economy. Round-trip fares can be found from €80 to €170 in low season, rising to €200 or more during summer and Easter. Booking four to eight weeks in advance generally yields the best prices for most travel dates.