Madrid to Buenos Aires is one of the busiest long-haul links between Europe and South America, and Madrid is the natural gateway — four airlines fly it non-stop, with up to seven departures a day in peak season. This guide covers who operates the route, what a fair return fare looks like in euros, and when to book for the best price.
Route: Madrid (MAD) → Buenos Aires, Ministro Pistarini/Ezeiza (EZE)
Distance: approximately 10,050 km (6,245 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 12h 35m southbound — the non-stops we track run 11h 35m to 12h 40m
Direct flights: Yes — Iberia, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air Europa and Plus Ultra all fly non-stop from Madrid-Barajas to Ezeiza, and the non-stops are also the cheaper option here. Plus Ultra supplies most of the lowest fares we track, from €729. Note that some connecting itineraries land at Aeroparque (AEP), close to the city centre, rather than Ezeiza.
Fares from Madrid to Buenos Aires (EUR)
Argentina’s seasons are the mirror of Europe’s, so demand peaks over the December–February southern summer and the European summer holidays (July–August), when the diaspora travels. The shoulder months of spring and autumn are the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros; competition between four carriers keeps this route better value than most South American long-hauls.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | very high (peak summer) |
| February | — | high |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | low-medium |
| June | — | medium |
| July | — | high (summer holidays) |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | low-medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | very high (holidays + summer) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write: the cheapest is €729 on a Plus Ultra non-stop to Ezeiza, and Plus Ultra — which supplies nearly half of the lowest fares — sits at that level. The non-stop market medians €730; Iberia runs €921 and up. Connections are dearer, not cheaper: €868–€946 on Avianca, LATAM or Aerolíneas, medianing €927. So a non-stop near €730 is the going rate and worth taking; there is no point holding out for a sub-€700 fare, because nothing on sale is below €729. Peak-season fares in December, January and July push well past €1,000.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 11h 35m – 12h 40m):
- Iberia — the most frequent operator, with roughly 22 non-stop flights a week on the A350/A330; a strong European connecting network feeding Madrid.
- Aerolíneas Argentinas — Argentina’s flag carrier, daily non-stops on the A330; convenient onward domestic connections within Argentina.
- Air Europa — non-stop on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, usually among the more competitively priced full-service options.
- Plus Ultra — a smaller Spanish carrier with non-stop service; fewer frequencies but often keen fares.
One-stop (occasionally cheaper):
- LATAM via São Paulo or Santiago, and other South American carriers, sometimes undercut the non-stops when they run sales.
- European connections via other hubs exist but rarely beat the four Madrid non-stops on either price or time, so the direct flights are almost always the better choice here.
Because four airlines compete on the non-stop, Madrid–Buenos Aires is unusually well served for a 13-hour route. Only look at a one-stop itinerary if a sale makes it clearly cheaper — otherwise the direct flight wins on both price and convenience.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the shoulder seasons; for December, January and July departures aim for 4–6 months out, as those peaks sell early and rarely soften.
- Travel in the shoulder months — March–May and September–October offer the lowest fares and pleasant weather at both ends.
- Compare all four non-stop carriers: Air Europa and Plus Ultra often price under Iberia and Aerolíneas, but check the baggage allowance before deciding.
- Check checked-bag rules: full-service fares to Buenos Aires usually include 23 kg, but the cheapest “light” fares may not — compare the all-in price.
- Watch the calendar: Argentine long weekends and the mid-December holiday rush spike demand; a few days’ flexibility can save €100 or more.
Arriving in Buenos Aires
Long-haul flights land at Ministro Pistarini International (EZE), commonly called Ezeiza, about 35 km southwest of the city. There’s no train, so the usual options are the official Manuel Tienda León shuttle bus to the centre (around €10–€15, roughly 45–60 minutes) or a metered/booked taxi or transfer (roughly €25–€35 to the central barrios). Agree the fare or use an app-based ride first. Note that domestic and some regional flights use the smaller Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) right by the city — check which airport any onward flight uses.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Madrid to Buenos Aires?
Non-stop flights take about 11 hours 35 minutes to 12 hours 40 minutes southbound from Madrid to Buenos Aires, and a similar time on the return. Because the route runs mostly north–south, there’s little jet-stream effect, so the two directions are close in length.
Are there direct flights from Madrid to Buenos Aires?
Yes. Iberia, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air Europa and Plus Ultra all fly non-stop from Madrid-Barajas to Buenos Aires Ezeiza, with up to seven departures a day combined in peak season. Non-stop is almost always the best option on this route.
How much does it cost to fly from Madrid to Buenos Aires?
The cheapest fare on sale is €729 on a Plus Ultra non-stop, and the non-stop market medians €730, with Iberia from €921. Connections are dearer at €868–€946. The December–February southern summer and the July peak push fares past €1,000.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Madrid to Buenos Aires?
May, September and October are the quietest months to travel. In the dates we could price, the cheapest non-stop was €729 on Plus Ultra. Avoid December, January and July–August, which combine the southern summer, European holidays and the highest fares.
Which airlines fly from Madrid to Buenos Aires?
Non-stop: Plus Ultra is the cheapest and most common in our fare data, from €729 to Ezeiza, alongside Iberia (€921 and up), Aerolíneas Argentinas and Air Europa. One-stop alternatives such as LATAM via São Paulo or Santiago and Avianca via Bogotá run €868–€946 — confirming that they rarely beat the direct services on price or time, though some do land at the more central Aeroparque.
Which airport do I fly into in Buenos Aires?
You arrive at Ministro Pistarini International (EZE), known as Ezeiza, Buenos Aires’s main international gateway about 35 km from the centre. Domestic and some regional flights use the closer Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) instead, so check your ticket if you have an onward connection.
How far in advance should I book Madrid to Buenos Aires flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead for shoulder-season travel, and 4 to 6 months for the December, January and July peaks. Fares on this route tend to climb as departure nears, so early booking almost always wins.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays can save €50–€120 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to trim the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
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