How to get from London to Madrid
- 1266 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: flight, 2h 30m
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
2h 25m
direct
Flight
€145
Cheapest
12h 25m
1 transfer
Flight + Bus
€48
Ground only
24h 10m
1 transfer
Bus
€77
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 13 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from London to Madrid. The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes 2h 30m, not counting the trip to and from the airports. The two cities are about 1266 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €44, on Thu, Oct 8.
1266 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €80Checked Oct 13 | 2h 30mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Bus | €77Omio catalogue, Oct 13 | 24h 10m1 transfer | See Bus details |
- Flight€80Checked Oct 132h 30m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Bus€77Omio catalogue, Oct 1324h 10m · 1 transferSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
London to Madrid: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1London Heathrow → Madrid–Barajasflight
Vueling·2h 30m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Which date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
Omio last refreshed these on Tue, Oct 13
Operators seen on these journeys
VuelingLondon Heathrow-Madrid–BarajasSee live options and dates →
RyanairLondon Stansted-Lisbon Humberto DelgadoSee live options and dates →
FlixBusLisbon-Madrid Barajas, Paris-Madrid BarajasBook →
IberiaLondon Heathrow-Madrid–BarajasSee live options and dates →SindbadLondon-ParisBook →On this route you travel with Vueling, Ryanair, FlixBus, Iberia, Sindbad; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from London to Madrid works
Start with a Vueling flight from London to Madrid, about 2h 30m. In total it's roughly €80 over 2h 30m, direct, no transfers.
London to Madrid: common questions
How long does it take to get from London to Madrid?
The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes about 2h 30m. Getting to and from the airports is on top of that.
How far is Madrid from London?
About 1266 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does London to Madrid cost?
On the upcoming dates we checked, the cheapest fare ranged from €44 to €96. Run a live search for your own date to see today's price.
Are there direct flights from London to Madrid?
Yes. The best option we found flies without a transfer and takes about 2h 30m.
How long is the flight from London to Madrid?
About 2h 30m, and that is the flight itself. Getting to and from the airports is on top of it.
What are the airport codes for London and Madrid?
London is LHR and Madrid is MAD, so this route is usually written LHR to MAD.
Which operators run London to Madrid?
On this route you travel with Vueling, Ryanair, FlixBus, Iberia, Sindbad.
Can you get from London to Madrid without flying?
Yes. A ground route by train takes about 20h 04m.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Madrid?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Where to next
Other ways people search London to Madrid
- how to get from London to Madrid
- London to Madrid travel time
- London to Madrid distance
- cheapest way from London to Madrid
- London to Madrid flight time
- flights from London to Madrid
- London Madrid direct flights
- LHR to MAD
- London to Madrid by bus
Sources and method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables, and prices are the most recent observation, not a guarantee.
Operators: Vueling
Route calculated: 13 Oct 2026
Prices checked: 13 Oct 2026