Madrid to Lima is one of the busiest air links between Europe and South America, and it’s a comfortable non-stop: four airlines fly it directly in around 11½ hours. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in euros, and when to book to get the best price on this popular gateway to Peru.
Route: Madrid (MAD) → Lima, Jorge Chávez International (LIM)
Distance: approximately 9,530 km (5,920 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 11h 40m westbound
Direct flights: Yes — Iberia, Air Europa, LATAM and Plus Ultra all fly non-stop from Madrid on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and which one you pick matters a great deal: Plus Ultra was €729–€818, Iberia €886–€996 and Air Europa €1,227–€1,232. One-stop options exist but rarely beat the non-stops — Avianca via Bogotá was €865.
Fares from Madrid to Lima (EUR)
Peru is a year-round destination, but fares swing with both the European calendar and Peru’s dry season. The June–August window (Peru’s dry season and the European summer, plus peak Machu Picchu season) and Christmas/New Year are the priciest; the southern-hemisphere wet months of February–March and the autumn shoulder are the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high (holidays) |
| February | — | medium |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium (Semana Santa) |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | high (dry season) |
| July | — | very high (summer) |
| August | — | very high (summer) |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | very high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, a typical fair price is roughly €720–€820 — the median is €730, so that anchor holds. The floor is €729 on Plus Ultra, so a return under about €760 is a genuinely good one and there is nothing in the six hundreds to wait for. With four carriers competing non-stop it really does pay to compare all four: the gap between the cheapest and the dearest was about €500.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 11½ hours):
- Iberia — the most frequent operator, up to twice daily on the A330/787 from its Madrid Barajas hub; the widest choice of dates.
- Air Europa — daily non-stop on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner; frequently the best-value full-service fare.
- LATAM — non-stop on the 787, with strong onward connections across Peru and South America from Lima.
- Plus Ultra — a Spanish long-haul carrier flying the route several times a week; often competitive on price.
One-stop (occasionally cheaper):
- Connecting itineraries via other European or American hubs turn up in searches, but with four non-stops competing they rarely undercut the direct flights by enough to be worth the extra hours.
With Iberia, Air Europa, LATAM and Plus Ultra all flying non-stop, this is a competitive market — comparing a couple of dates across the four usually turns up a good fare.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; the June–August peak in particular sells out early.
- Travel in the shoulder months (February–March, September–October) for the lowest fares — you dodge both the European summer and Peru’s peak dry-season crowds.
- Avoid the peaks: July–August (Peru’s dry season and the European holidays) and Christmas/New Year are the busiest and most expensive.
- Compare all four non-stops: Iberia, Air Europa, LATAM and Plus Ultra price independently, so the cheapest carrier changes from month to month.
- Compare all-in prices including bags: full-service fares usually include a checked bag, but the cheapest “light” fares may not — check before you book.
Arriving in Lima
All flights land at Jorge Chávez International (LIM), about 12 km from central Lima and roughly 20 km from the popular Miraflores and Barranco districts. A brand-new terminal opened in 2025, greatly expanding capacity. There’s no train, so the usual options are the official airport taxis and ride-hailing cars (roughly €15–€25 to Miraflores, more in heavy traffic) or the Airport Express bus to Miraflores. Agree any taxi fare before you set off. Peru is on Peruvian sol; most visitors get a visa-free stay, but confirm the rules for your passport before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Madrid to Lima?
The non-stop flight takes about 11 hours 40 minutes westbound (Madrid to Lima), and a little longer eastbound on the way back. All four airlines fly the route directly, so there’s no need to add connection time unless you choose a one-stop fare.
Are there direct flights from Madrid to Lima?
Yes. Iberia, Air Europa, LATAM and Plus Ultra all fly non-stop from Madrid to Lima on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Iberia also uses the A330). With four carriers competing directly, this is one of the better-served long-haul routes out of Madrid — and one where the price you pay depends mostly on which of them you book: €729 on Plus Ultra against €1,227 on Air Europa in our sample.
How much does it cost to fly from Madrid to Lima?
A typical economy return runs about €729–€886, median €730, with the whole sample spanning €729–€1,232. Good deals start at €729 on Plus Ultra, usually in the February–March or September–October shoulder, while the July–August and Christmas peaks push past €1,000.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Madrid to Lima?
February, March and October are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns started at €729. Avoid July–August (Peru’s dry season and the European summer) and the Christmas holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Madrid to Lima?
Four carriers fly non-stop: Iberia (the most frequent), Air Europa, LATAM and Plus Ultra, all on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Their prices move independently and the spread is wide, so it really does pay to compare all four — in our fare data, cheapest first: Plus Ultra €729–€818 (most of the cheap fares), Iberia €886–€996 and Air Europa €1,227–€1,232; LATAM did not appear among the cheapest when we checked. The one connection to appear, Avianca via Bogotá at €865–€869, sits between them.
Which airport do I fly into in Lima?
You arrive at Jorge Chávez International (LIM), Lima’s single main airport, about 12 km from the city centre and around 20 km from Miraflores. A new terminal opened in 2025, so the airport is far larger and more modern than it used to be.
When is the best time to visit Peru?
Peru’s dry season runs roughly May to September, the best window for Machu Picchu and the Andes — but also the priciest for flights. The February–March wet season is cheaper for airfares, though some Inca Trail sections close in February. Lima itself is mild and grey much of the year.
How far in advance should I book?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead, and earlier for the June–August peak. Fares tend to rise as departure approaches, especially over the dry season and the Christmas holidays, so booking early almost always wins on this route.
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.
