Flying from Paris to Madrid
The Paris to Madrid route is one of Europe's busiest short-haul corridors, connecting two of the continent's great capitals across roughly 1,270 kilometres. From Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) — the main hub for most scheduled flights — you're looking at a flight time of around 2 hours and 15 minutes to Madrid Barajas Adolfo Suárez International Airport (MAD). It's a comfortable, well-serviced route with multiple daily departures, so you're rarely locked into a single inconvenient slot. Budget travellers also have the option of flying from Paris Beauvais (BVA), about 85 km north of the city centre, primarily via Ryanair, though the airport transfer time eats into any savings you make on the fare itself.
Because the distance is manageable by both air and high-speed rail — the Renfe-SNCF TGV takes around 9 to 10 hours — flying genuinely wins on time. For most travellers, flights from Paris to Madrid remain the obvious choice, and competition among carriers on this route keeps prices relatively honest. Whether you're heading to Madrid's Malasaña neighbourhood for a long weekend or connecting onward through Barajas, this route has options at almost every price point.
Airlines on This Route
Five main carriers cover the Paris to Madrid route. Iberia dominates with 73 flights per week — roughly 10 daily departures — operating out of CDG Terminal 2. It's the flag carrier option, with full-service Economy and Business class, and tends to appeal to business travellers and those who value schedule reliability. Air France runs 35 weekly flights, also from Terminal 2 at CDG, often code-sharing with Iberia on certain services. Both are solid full-service choices, though fares reflect that positioning.
On the budget side, Transavia France operates 25 weekly flights from CDG and is consistently one of the cheaper options on this route. Air Europa provides another low-to-mid-cost alternative, while Ryanair flies from Paris Beauvais rather than CDG — worth considering only if you're comfortable with the Beauvais transfer and have light luggage. If you're hunting genuine cheap flights to Madrid from Paris, Transavia and Ryanair are your starting points.
Flight Prices: Paris to Madrid
Prices on this route vary significantly depending on how far in advance you book and which carrier you choose. One-way fares with Ryanair can drop as low as €20–25 during sales, while Transavia France regularly offers round trips from around €90–100. Air Europa sits in a similar bracket. Iberia round trips start from roughly €100 but can easily reach €200+ on popular dates. Air France averages higher, often €240–280 return in Economy, though their flash sales are worth watching.
For the best Madrid flight deals from Paris, book at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead for leisure travel. Last-minute fares do occasionally appear, but on a route this busy, the inventory dries up fast. Use Google Flights' price calendar to identify the cheapest days — mid-week departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) consistently undercut Friday and Sunday options by 20 to 30 percent.
Best Time to Book Paris to Madrid Flights
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) offer the best combination of reasonable fares and good weather in Madrid. July and August are peak season — prices spike, Barajas gets congested, and Madrid is genuinely hot. Expect to pay a premium of 40 to 60 percent above off-peak rates during summer. The Christmas and New Year period is similarly expensive. February, early March, October, and November are the sweet spots for cheaper flights and manageable crowds. Semana Santa (Holy Week) in April is a major travel period for both French and Spanish travellers — prices spike for that specific window, so book early or avoid it entirely.
Madrid Airport Guide
Madrid Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD) is a large, well-organised airport with four terminals. Most flights from Paris arrive at Terminal 4 (T4), which handles Iberia, Iberia Express, and oneworld alliance partners. Ryanair uses Terminal 1. The terminals are connected by a free internal shuttle. Getting into central Madrid is straightforward: the Metro Line 8 runs directly from T2 and T4 to Nuevos Ministerios, where you can connect to the city centre. Journey time is around 25 to 30 minutes and costs approximately €5 (including the airport supplement). Taxis from Barajas to central Madrid run a flat rate of €33 to most points within the M-30 ring road — simple and predictable if you're travelling with luggage.
FAQ — Paris to Madrid Flights
How long is the flight from Paris to Madrid?
Direct flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Madrid Barajas take approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Flights from Paris Beauvais are similar in duration, but factor in at least 90 minutes of ground transfer time to reach Beauvais from central Paris.
What is the cheapest time to fly from Paris to Madrid?
The cheapest months for Paris to Madrid flights are generally February, October, and November. Mid-week departures — particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays — tend to be cheaper than weekend travel regardless of the month. Booking 6 to 8 weeks in advance gives you the best chance of securing low fares.
Which airlines fly from Paris to Madrid?
The main airlines on this route are Iberia, Air France, Transavia France, Air Europa, and Ryanair. Iberia has the highest frequency at 73 flights per week. Ryanair operates from Paris Beauvais rather than CDG. All other carriers fly from Charles de Gaulle.
How much do Paris to Madrid flights cost?
One-way fares start from around €20–25 with Ryanair on sale. Transavia France and Air Europa typically offer round trips from €90–110. Iberia round trips start near €100 but average higher. Air France is generally the priciest option, averaging around €240–260 return. Prices vary considerably based on season and booking lead time.