Flying from London to Madrid
The London to Madrid route covers around 775 miles and takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes in the air — short enough to feel like a commute, long enough to justify a proper seat and a glass of something Spanish. It's one of Europe's busiest city pairs, which works in your favour: heavy competition between carriers keeps prices honest, and departures run throughout the day from multiple London airports. Heathrow (LHR) is the flagship departure point, with British Airways and Iberia operating the bulk of their services there, but a significant chunk of London's Madrid traffic flows through Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), and Luton (LTN) on budget carriers. All flights land at Madrid Barajas (MAD), the Spanish capital's only commercial airport.
If you're looking at cheap flights to Madrid from London, the good news is that you have genuine options across the price spectrum — from no-frills Ryanair departures out of Stansted to flat-bed business class on British Airways from Heathrow. The route is well-served year-round, so even last-minute travellers usually find something, though the prices rise steeply in summer and around Spanish public holidays. Plan ahead and you can do this trip for very little money. Leave it to the week before and you'll pay a premium.
Airlines on This Route
This is a crowded route, which is exactly what you want as a passenger. Iberia leads on frequency with around 70 flights per week, predominantly from Heathrow Terminal 3, where they share a transatlantic hub setup. British Airways operates roughly 54 weekly departures from Heathrow Terminal 5, making this one of the most frequently flown short-haul routes in BA's European network. Both airlines are oneworld partners, so frequent flyers can earn and redeem Avios across either carrier.
On the budget side, easyJet flies from Gatwick, Luton, and occasionally other London airports, offering solid reliability and reasonable fares. Ryanair departs from Stansted and sometimes Luton, often with the lowest base fares on the route but with the usual add-on costs for bags and seat selection — factor those in before assuming you've found the cheapest deal. Iberia Express, the low-cost subsidiary of Iberia, also competes on price while flying into the main Barajas terminals. Air Europa connects Gatwick to Madrid Barajas and is worth checking when the mainline carriers are expensive. Vueling, Norwegian, and Wizz Air UK round out the options, though their schedules can be more limited or seasonal.
Flight Prices: London to Madrid
Flights from London to Madrid range from genuinely bargain territory to surprisingly expensive depending on how and when you book. Ryanair regularly advertises one-way fares from around £15–£65 from Stansted, though realistically a return with a checked bag lands closer to £80–£130. easyJet round-trips typically sit in the £55–£150 range. British Airways and Iberia charge more — expect £95–£280 return in economy, with business class running £400–£800 depending on the season. Iberia Express tends to slot in the middle ground at around £150–£200 return on average.
To find the best London to Madrid flight deals, book at least 6–8 weeks out for leisure travel. For travel during July, August, or over Easter week (Semana Santa), you'll want to be looking 3–4 months ahead — Madrid fills up fast and airlines price accordingly. Flying midweek, particularly Tuesday and Wednesday departures, consistently produces lower fares than Friday or Sunday. Early morning and late evening flights also tend to be cheaper than the popular mid-morning slots.
Best Time to Book London to Madrid Flights
Madrid has good weather most of the year, which means demand never completely bottoms out — but there are clear windows where fares drop. January and February are the quietest months, with Madrid flight deals from London often hitting their annual low. You'll get cold but clear days in the city and very little competition for hotel rooms. March and November are the sweet spots for value combined with decent weather — shoulder season pricing, fewer tourists, and Madrid's cultural calendar in full swing. October is increasingly popular as autumn in Madrid is genuinely lovely, but prices reflect that.
Summer — June through August — is peak season and priced accordingly. August in particular is when the whole of Europe seems to want to be in Spain, and fares from London to Madrid can double or triple compared to winter. Easter week is a domestic travel surge within Spain, which affects accommodation more than flights, but prices still climb. If you're flexible, aim for late January through mid-March or October through mid-November for the best combination of price and experience.
Madrid Airport Guide
Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD) is a large, well-organised airport about 12 kilometres northeast of the city centre. It has four terminals — T1, T2, T3, and T4 — with T4 being the most modern and handling Iberia, British Airways, and most oneworld traffic. Budget carriers including easyJet and Ryanair typically use T1 or T2. Check your terminal before you travel as T4 and T4S are a separate satellite complex connected by a free automated transit train.
Getting into central Madrid from the airport is straightforward and cheap. The Metro Line 8 runs directly from all terminals to Nuevos Ministerios (change for central lines) in around 25–30 minutes, costing approximately €5 including the airport supplement. The Cercanías train (Line C1) connects T4 to Atocha and Chamartín stations in about 25 minutes for around €2.60 — the best value option if you're heading to the south or centre. Taxis from the airport to the city centre are a flat rate of €33, which is reasonable if you're travelling with luggage or in a group. The journey takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.
FAQ — London to Madrid Flights
How long is the flight from London to Madrid?
Direct flights from London to Madrid take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. This applies whether you're departing from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton — the flight time varies by only a few minutes depending on exact routing and winds. There are no connecting flight options worth considering on this route given how frequent and affordable the directs are.
What is the cheapest time to fly from London to Madrid?
January and February consistently offer the lowest fares on this route. If you can't travel in winter, look at November and early March. Midweek departures (Tuesday, Wednesday) are almost always cheaper than weekend flights, and early morning or late-night slots tend to undercut the popular daytime services. Booking 6–8 weeks in advance hits the sweet spot for most travellers.
Which airlines fly from London to Madrid?
British Airways, Iberia, Iberia Express, easyJet, Ryanair, Air Europa, Vueling, Norwegian, Wizz Air UK, and ITA Airways all operate on this route. British Airways and Iberia are the main full-service carriers, both operating primarily from Heathrow. Budget options depart from Stansted, Gatwick, and Luton.
How much do London to Madrid flights cost?
Budget carriers like Ryanair and easyJet can get you there and back for as little as £55–£130 return when booked in advance. British Airways and Iberia economy fares typically run £95–£280 return. Prices spike significantly during summer and around Spanish public holidays. Flying from secondary London airports — Stansted or Luton — rather than Heathrow usually produces the lowest fares on any given date.