How to travel from London to Madrid

Wed, Sep 30
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for London to Madrid

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from London to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $145 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 47m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the bus is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 1.3 - 3.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $145, while a flight costs an average of $448.

Distance: 785 miles (1264 km)

Compare flight with

Most popular
Flight
Bus
Driving

$448

Average price

$145

Average price

Cheapest

$258

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 47m

Average total duration

Fastest

4h 47m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

28h 22m

Average total duration

27h 52m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

19h 7m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

3.8 - 7.6kg

CO2 emissions

1.3 - 3.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

KLM

Most popular airline

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from London to Madrid is a bus with an average price of $145 (€120).

This is compared to other travel options from London to Madrid:

A bus is $303 (€251) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to Madrid costing on average $448 (€371).

The fastest way to travel from London to Madrid is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 47m.

Other travel options to Madrid take longer:

Bus takes on average 28h 22m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between London and Madrid including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from London to Madrid among Omio's users.
Take the flight. It's the quicker way to make this trip, and the time saved usually justifies the slightly higher cost.

You'll arrive about 14h 20m sooner (4h 47m by flight vs 19h 7m by car). Tickets start at around $448 (€371) compared to roughly $258 (€214) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you get time back and avoid a long drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group, want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.

Travel options
from London to Madrid

How to get from London to Madrid by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

flight

The best way to travel from London to Madrid is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • RyanairFR 347
    8:20 AM2h30
    London Stansted Airport
    11:50 AMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $541One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • RyanairFR 347
    8:20 AM2h30
    London Stansted Airport
    11:50 AMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $541One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Iberia ExpressIB1864
    8:40 PM2h19
    London Gatwick Airport
    11:59 PMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $1011One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    9:30 PM33h25
    London, Victoria Coach Station
    7:55 AMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses
    $1791One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    8:30 AM27h50
    London, Victoria Coach Station
    1:20 PMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses
    $1801One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
    11:59 PM33h16
    London, Victoria Coach Station
    10:15 AMMadrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses
    $1921One-way
    2 transfers
  • RyanairFR 5994
    9:30 PM2h30
    London Stansted Airport
    1:00 AMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $631One-way
    0 transfers
  • easyJetU28019
    6:00 AM2h30
    London Gatwick Airport
    9:30 AMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $851One-way
    0 transfers
  • wizz air ukW95355
    8:00 AM2h40
    London Luton Airport
    11:40 AMMadrid Barajas Airport
    $921One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

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How to Travel from London to Madrid

Passengers making the 1265-kilometer journey from London to Madrid can choose to travel by bus, train or plane. A direct flight is by far the fastest option taking around two and a half hours. Bus journeys are overnight and train journeys require changes in Paris or Lyon and Barcelona.

What is the best way to travel from London to Madrid?

Cheapest way to travel from London to Madrid

The cheapest way to travel from London to Madrid is by flying with budget airlines. The cheapest tickets are offered by Ryanair, Air Europa, Norwegian and easyJet.

Fastest way to travel from London to Madrid

Flights are the quickest way to travel from London to Madrid. Passengers have a choice of over 26 flights a day for the two hour and twenty five minute direct flight to Madrid from London. Services are offered by national carriers Iberia and British Airways as well as by low-cost airlines including Ryanair and easyJet. Flights depart from Heathrow Gatwick or Stansted with most carriers offering daily departures.

Most popular way to travel from London to Madrid

The most popular way to get from London to Madrid is by plane. Flights on this route are both significantly cheaper and quicker than taking the bus or figuring out a route on the train between the two cities.

How to get from London to Madrid

The Best Way According to our Users

When it comes to choosing a method of transportation from London to Madrid, 94,33% of our customers do not hesitate to choose the flight as their preferred way to travel. Nowadays, passengers who want to fly around Europe have more options than ever before. With dozens of budget airlines covering several routes which connect to virtually all European countries, taking a flight to reach your desired destination is easy and inexpensive. The low fares and the short flight time are, among others, some of the reasons why our users choose the airplane as the best way to get from London to Madrid, even if they have to face baggage limitations and long lines at check-in and security control. You can book your flights with Omio to make sure you are always taking the fastest route or getting the best deal. You can also add extra luggage and book securely with several methods of payment such as Apple Pay, PayPal and more.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from London to Madrid. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from London to Madrid

Travel to Madrid easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from London to Madrid.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between London and Madrid including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from London to Madrid is a bus with an average price of $145 (€120).

This is compared to other travel options from London to Madrid:

A bus is $303 (€251) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to Madrid costing on average $448 (€371).

The fastest way to travel from London to Madrid is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 47m.

Other travel options to Madrid take longer:

Bus takes on average 28h 22m.

The distance from London to Madrid is approximately 785 miles (1264 km).
The average frequency per day from London to Madrid is:
  • Around 117 flights per day.
  • Around 6 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between London and Madrid as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from London to Madrid:
  • Flights mostly depart from London Heathrow Airport and arrive in Madrid Barajas Airport.
  • Buses mostly depart from London, Victoria Coach Station and arrive in Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from London to Madrid, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus, Alsa, BlaBlaCar Bus to go to Madrid by bus.
  • Travel with Lufthansa Cityline, KLM Cityhopper, BA Cityflyer, Brussels Airlines, Qatar Airways, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Air Baltic, Helvetic Airways, Malta Air, British Airways, Ryanair, Edelweiss Air, Iberia, Air Europa, Swiss, Iberia Express, Lufthansa City Airlines, Air France, KLM, Luxair, Lufthansa, Air Serbia, Vueling, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, ITA, TAP Portugal, Buzz, easyJet to go to Madrid by flight.
Yes, there is a direct route available from London to Madrid:
  • 39 direct flights per day with BA Cityflyer, Malta Air, British Airways, Ryanair, Iberia, Air Europa, Iberia Express, Buzz, easyJet.
Omio customers who travel from London to Madrid often also extend their vacation to go to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Paris. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Madrid and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Madrid to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Madrid, you can explore Puerta del Sol, a bustling public square known for its iconic clock and vibrant atmosphere, and savor gourmet foods at Mercado de San Miguel. Discover the vibrant nightlife in the Malasaña district, enjoy a traditional flamenco show, or visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid. For cultural sights, visit the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace of Madrid, and Retiro Park. Don't miss Plaza Mayor and the lively Gran Vía for shopping and theaters.
For a well-rounded experience in Madrid, plan to spend at least 3 to 4 days. This allows time to explore major attractions like the Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and enjoy the local cuisine and vibrant neighborhoods.
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