Country guide
Flights to Spain
Two very different gateways, and a high-speed network between them
Spain gives American travellers a genuine choice of arrival, which most European countries do not. Madrid and Barcelona both have substantial transatlantic service, they are about two and a half hours apart by high-speed train, and they offer quite different trips.
That makes an open-jaw itinerary unusually attractive here. Flying into one and out of the other costs little more than a return to either, and removes the backtrack that otherwise eats a day.
Cities we have guides for
Where to go beyond the obvious
Andalucía
Seville, Granada and Córdoba, reachable from Madrid by high-speed rail in two to three hours. The Alhambra requires tickets booked well ahead. Summer here is genuinely extreme.
The Basque Country
San Sebastián and Bilbao in the green north, cooler and wetter than the rest of the country and among the best places to eat in Europe. A different Spain entirely.
Valencia and the east coast
Under two hours from Madrid by rail, with a well-preserved old town, good beaches and the origin of paella. Considerably less visited than Barcelona.
The islands
Mallorca, Ibiza and the Canaries all need a domestic flight. The Canaries have their own climate and are a viable winter sun destination when the mainland is cold.
When to go
April to early June and September to October are the best windows across most of the country. Warm without the extremes, and the cities are fully open.
July and August are very hot inland — Madrid, Seville and Córdoba regularly exceed 35°C — and busiest on the coast. Andalucía in high summer is difficult for sightseeing on foot.
November to March is quiet and cool on the mainland, with the Canaries as the exception. Winter in Madrid is colder than most visitors expect.
Getting around
The AVE high-speed network is excellent and connects Madrid to Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Málaga quickly. Book ahead for the cheapest fares.
Madrid works as the hub because the network radiates from it. Barcelona to Andalucía usually means going through or around Madrid.
A car helps in Andalucía's white villages, rural Basque Country and Mallorca, and is unnecessary in any of the major cities.
The basics
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Spanish, plus Catalan, Basque and Galician regionally
- Time zone
- CET, or CEST from late March to late October; the Canaries are an hour behind
- Power
- Type F plug, 230V
- Driving
- On the right
- Entry for US passports
- Short visits are visa-free, but the EU is introducing an electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. Confirm the current requirement with Spanish or EU authorities.
Before you book
Fly into Madrid, out of Barcelona
Both have transatlantic service and they are two and a half hours apart by train. An open-jaw itinerary saves a day of backtracking for little extra cost.
Meals run very late
Lunch from 14:00 and dinner from 21:00 is normal. Turning up at 19:00 for dinner means an empty room, and this catches out more visitors to Spain than anything else.
Book the Alhambra long before you go
Granada's Alhambra sells out weeks ahead in season, and there is no way around it on the day. If it is on your list, book it before the flights if necessary.
Inland summer is harsher than coastal
Madrid and Seville sit inland with no sea to moderate them. The coast in August is hot; the interior is a different order of heat.
Routes to Spain
Flight times are non-stop estimates from great-circle distance. Actual schedules and whether a non-stop exists on your dates come from a live search.
Airport guides
FAQ
Flights to Spain — common questions
If yours isn't here, just call — we're happy to explain.
Should I fly into Madrid or Barcelona?
Both have good transatlantic service and they suit different trips. Madrid is the better base for the rail network and for Andalucía, and it is a working Spanish city rather than a resort. Barcelona pairs architecture with a beach. Since they are two and a half hours apart by high-speed train, the best answer for a longer trip is often to fly into one and out of the other.
When is the best time to visit Spain?
April to early June and September to October. The weather is warm without being extreme and the cities are fully open. July and August are very hot inland — Madrid, Seville and Córdoba routinely pass 35°C — and busiest on the coast, which makes sightseeing on foot genuinely hard work.
Is the train good in Spain?
The AVE high-speed network is among the best in Europe and connects Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Málaga quickly and reliably. Book in advance for the cheapest fares. The network radiates from Madrid, so journeys that do not touch the capital can be slower than the map suggests.
Still have a question? We're happy to explain — just call.
Call now — +1 (888) 410-4445 →