Flying from Madrid to Amsterdam
The Madrid to Amsterdam route covers roughly 1,760 kilometres, connecting two of Europe's most visited capitals in just under three hours. Most flights depart from Madrid Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) and land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), which sits about 17 kilometres southwest of the city centre. With 9 to 11 nonstop departures every single day and around 70 flights a week, this is one of the busiest short-haul corridors in western Europe — so you're rarely stuck with poor timing or limited options.
Average block time sits between 2 hours 36 minutes and 2 hours 50 minutes depending on the carrier and wind conditions. Schiphol is a single-terminal airport despite its enormous size, which makes connections and arrivals straightforward compared to multi-terminal hubs. Whether you're flying Madrid to Amsterdam for a long weekend in the Jordaan, a business trip to the Zuid financial district, or onward travel deeper into the Netherlands, the sheer volume of flights gives you real flexibility on departure times throughout the day.
Airlines on This Route
Five carriers operate nonstop flights from Madrid (MAD) to Amsterdam (AMS): Iberia, Iberia Express, Air Europa, KLM, and Vueling. Between them, Iberia and KLM each run 28 flights per week — roughly four daily departures each — making them the backbone of the route. Air Europa adds 14 weekly departures, and Vueling fills in additional slots, particularly during peak travel periods.
In terms of product, KLM is the full-service option here. Flying out of Terminal 4 at Barajas, KLM offers a proper business class cabin, meal service in economy on most departures, and solid frequent-flyer earning through the Flying Blue programme. Iberia operates from Terminal 4 as well and offers a comparable full-service experience for its mainline flights. Iberia Express and Vueling are the low-cost arms — basic fares come with a seat and a small personal item only, so factor in hold luggage and seat selection fees before assuming the headline price is your final price. That said, Iberia Express holds the best punctuality record on this route at 83.52%, which matters on a corridor where a delay can derail tight European connections at Schiphol.
Flight Prices: Madrid to Amsterdam
One-way fares on cheap flights to Amsterdam from Madrid can start as low as €38–€50 on Vueling or Iberia Express during off-peak windows, while round-trip tickets generally sit in the €140–€190 range for economy. Iberia Express historically offers the lowest average round-trip prices, often coming in around €148 when booked three to six weeks out. KLM and mainline Iberia run higher — expect to pay €180–€280 round-trip for a flexible or full-service ticket — but the difference in comfort and baggage allowance can justify the premium on longer stays.
To find genuinely cheap Madrid to Amsterdam flight deals, set a price alert on Google Flights or Skyscanner for the MAD–AMS route and watch for midweek flash sales, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday departures. Avoid booking Sunday evening or Friday afternoon flights — those slots attract premium pricing year-round from business travellers. Booking 4–8 weeks ahead tends to hit the sweet spot between availability and price; leaving it to two weeks before departure rarely pays off on this popular route.
Best Time to Book Madrid to Amsterdam Flights
January and February are consistently the cheapest months for flights from Madrid to Amsterdam — the post-Christmas lull means airlines discount heavily to fill seats, and Amsterdam in winter has its own charm with fewer tourist crowds. March and early April offer reasonable prices before the Easter spike kicks in. July and August are peak season in both cities, and fares reflect that — expect to pay 40–60% more than the January baseline. September is a sweet spot: Amsterdam's summer crowds thin out, the weather remains pleasant, and fares drop noticeably after the school-holiday rush. October and November are solid shoulder months for budget-conscious travellers, while December prices climb again around Christmas markets and the New Year period. If flexibility is your priority, January, February, March, and November are the months most likely to deliver the lowest fares on this route.
Amsterdam Airport Guide
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) operates as a single main terminal building divided into three departure halls, which keeps the arrivals process relatively painless. After landing, EU passport holders typically clear border control in under 15 minutes; non-EU travellers should allow 30–45 minutes during busy periods. The airport sits directly on the national rail network, and that is by far the fastest and cheapest way into the city. Intercity trains run every 10–15 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal, the journey takes approximately 17 minutes, and a single ticket costs around €5.40. Taxis to the city centre cost €40–€55 depending on traffic and time of day. The Connexxion hotel shuttle serves several central hotels for roughly €17 per person. For most travellers, the train is the obvious choice — fast, frequent, and cheap.
FAQ — Madrid to Amsterdam Flights
How long is the flight from Madrid to Amsterdam?
Nonstop flights from Madrid (MAD) to Amsterdam (AMS) take between 2 hours 36 minutes and 2 hours 50 minutes on average. Actual flight time can vary slightly depending on the airline, routing, and wind conditions on the day.
What is the cheapest time to fly from Madrid to Amsterdam?
January, February, and November consistently offer the lowest fares on this route. Midweek departures — particularly Tuesday and Wednesday — are cheaper than weekend flights year-round. Booking 4–8 weeks in advance generally delivers the best combination of price and seat availability.
Which airlines fly from Madrid to Amsterdam?
Five airlines operate nonstop flights on this route: Iberia, Iberia Express, KLM, Air Europa, and Vueling. KLM and Iberia are full-service carriers; Iberia Express and Vueling operate as low-cost carriers with basic fares that exclude checked luggage.
How much do Madrid to Amsterdam flights cost?
One-way fares start from around €38–€50 on budget carriers in off-peak months. Round-trip tickets typically range from €140 to €190 for economy, with full-service options on KLM or Iberia running €180–€280. Prices rise significantly in July, August, and around major holidays.