Flights from Birmingham to Madrid

An energised city with intense cultural, artistic and intellectual activity, Madrid is the perfect place to explore.

Approximate flight time: 2 hours 20 minutes (total distance 832 miles)

Number of flights per week: 3

Airlines that fly direct: Ryanair 

Airports in Madrid: Madrid-Barajas 

Seasons: High: May - July : Low: November - March 

Currency: Euro (€)

Departing from Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport is a great choice for anyone flying from the UK. With a great selection of shops and restaurants, as well as a wide range of amenities, we’ve got all the facilities to ensure your airport experience is an enjoyable one.

Need currency for your trip abroad?  Whether you’re looking to top up your Euros before you fly, or withdraw a few UK pounds for your return, head over to our Travelex stores conveniently located in the Arrivals area of the terminal building and Departures Lounge.  If you prefer, you can pre-order your currency and get next day collection if you order before 3pm at Birmingham Airport. 

Many people enjoy browsing airport shops before they fly, so it’s a good job we’ve got plenty to choose from. Whether you want to buy something new for your wardrobe or you forgot to pack an adapter plug, we’ve got it covered. Boots has all your last-minute health and beauty essentials, and you’ll find everything electronic at InMotion. We’ve got fashion stores like Superdry and Kurt Geiger, and you can even get your nails done at Aerospa. Don’t forget to check out great savings at World Duty Free on liquor and perfumes.

All that shopping might leave you feeling peckish, so we’ve got a selection of great cafés, bars and restaurants for you enjoy. If you’ve booked an early morning flight, you’ll find plenty of coffee shops like Costa and Caffé Nero. If you’d like a sit-down meal, Factory Bar and Kitchen has great variety, or Giraffe has cuisines from all over the world. If you’d prefer to grab something for the plane, Wrapchic serve authentic Indian Grab & Go options, Pret a Manger has everything from sandwiches to soups, and Burger King is your fast food go-to.

We’ve got five airport lounges , where you can enjoy complimentary food and drinks, unlimited WIFI and great runway views before you fly. If you’re travelling on business, book into the Regus Express Lounge, which includes workstations (ThinkPods), comfy seating, laptop stands, secure Wi-Fi and printers and scanners. 

The airport’s convenient location makes it very accessible by every mode of transportation. If you’re driving, you’ll find a choice of 7 car parks, which are all easily accessible from the terminal by foot or via a free courtesy shuttle bus. Book a car park space online in advance and save up to 50%.

If you prefer to take public transport, you will find bus services running directly to the airport or regular trains to Birmingham International train station. There is a free and frequent Air-Rail from the station which takes you to the terminal in just minutes.

To find out about our other services, head to our terminal facilities page.

Arriving at Madrid Airport

Madrid Airport, also known as Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, is located 13 km northeast of the city’s central Puerto del Sol square. There are four terminals at the airport. Ryanair and Norwegian Air arrive to Terminal 1. Iberia Express and Iberia arrive to Terminal 4.

Both Terminal 1 and 4 have arrival halls on the ground floor of the building and offer a currency exchange, cash machines and food and drink options.

There are several options for onwards travel from the airport. The metro line 8 stops at all airport terminals and takes around 15 minutes to Nuevos Ministerios in the city centre. If you’d like to take the train, you can do so from Terminal 4; it’s a slightly quicker journey than the metro (around 11 minutes) but you will pay a bit more. Local buses and intercity buses also depart from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 4.

There is also a taxi rank outside the terminals, or, if you’d prefer to drive yourself, there are car hire options too.

Pre-book your transfer with HolidayTaxis and avoid the queues when you arrive.

What to expect in Madrid

Whether you’re looking for a culture-rich long weekend or an exciting city break, Madrid is a top choice destination. With rich history, great food and a lively atmosphere that goes long into the night, you’ll be spoilt rotten for things to do.

Spanish is the main language in Madrid, but English is widely spoken and understood, particularly in the main tourist areas. That doesn’t mean learning a few Spanish phrases isn’t recommendable though; ‘hola’ (hello), ‘gracias’ (thank you) and ‘por favor’ (please) will do to start.

Madrid enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. If you’re visiting during the summer, you can expect hot temperatures and dry skies, whilst winters are generally mild. May and June are the best months to visit with pleasant highs in the 20s, perfect for exploring all that the city has to offer. July and August are very hot, with temperatures sometimes reaching up to 40 degrees. Rainfall for the year peaks in October and November but, generally, the city is dry.

Culture in Madrid

Madrid offers its visitors a complex and beautiful mixture of old Spain and modern life. A city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks alongside streets lined with restaurants, cafés and bars. Equally famous for its rich repositories of European art and its pumping nightlife, Madrid is a wonder in the daytime and a city that never sleeps.

You’ll find that day-to-day living in Madrid may seem less ‘Spanish’ than other smaller towns and cities in Spain and a bit more like you’re used to at home. The Spanish siesta, or midday nap, is gradually diminishing, so you will find most shops and restaurants remain open all day.

With more bars per capita than any other country in the EU, Spain is a treasure trove of possibilities when it comes to delicious food. As the capital city, the sheer number of options in Madrid can be a little overwhelming, but you can’t leave the city without sampling some tasty tapas or fresh seafood paella.

For more information on what to do in this enticing city, check out our handy Madrid travel guide. You’ll also want to read our article on the top things to do in Madrid.