Find the cheapest flights from Madrid to Lisbon in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Madrid (MAD) → Lisbon (LIS)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 3h 30m – 6h 00m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €310 | medium |
| February | €290 | low |
| March | €320 | medium |
| April | €340 | medium |
| May | €360 | high |
| June | €410 | high |
| July | €440 | high |
| August | €450 | high |
| September | €380 | medium |
| October | €330 | medium |
| November | €300 | low |
| December | €350 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- TAP Air Portugal (direct): from €350 — TAP offers the most daily departures. Book directly on TAP website to collect Miles&Go points. Flexible tickets include free changes.
- Iberia (direct): from €320 — Iberia Express often undercuts Iberia mainline on this route. Use Avios points for redemptions – excellent value at 12,500 Avios + taxes one-way.
- Ryanair (direct): from €180 — Ryanair flies to Lisbon from Madrid-Barajas T1 (not T2 like most carriers). Checked bag prices surge closer to departure – book early if needed.
- Air Europa (direct): from €300 — Air Europa offers decent connections via Madrid to other Spanish cities if you need a multi-city itinerary.
Booking Strategy
For Madrid-Lisbon flights, the sweet spot is booking 3-6 weeks ahead for both budget and full-service carriers. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically 15-20% cheaper than Friday-Sunday. TAP Air Portugal and Iberia dominate the route with hourly connections, while Ryanair offers the lowest base fares (often under €200 round-trip if booked early). Use Google Flights to track price drops – set alerts for your specific dates. For the best deals, fly mid-week in February or November when prices dip to €120-180 one-way on Ryanair. Avoid August peak season unless booking months in advance. Skyscanner sometimes shows prices not available on airline sites – check both before booking.
Route Tips
- Ryanair operates from Madrid T1 while most other carriers use T1/T2 – double-check your terminal before heading to the airport
- Portugal is in GMT (no daylight saving), one hour behind Madrid – factor this into connection times
- EU citizens need only a valid passport or national ID – no visa required for this Spain-Portugal trip
- Book checked bags early with Ryanair (€35) rather than at the airport (€65+) – prices increase closer to departure
- If flying TAP, download their app for mobile boarding passes and real-time gate updates – useful for short connections
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Madrid to Lisbon?
The direct flight from Madrid-Barajas (MAD) to Lisbon (LIS) takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. This is one of the shortest international flights in Europe. If you book a connecting flight (via Barcelona, Paris, or Frankfurt), journey time extends to 3h30m-6h00m depending on the layover duration. TAP Air Portugal operates the most frequent direct flights (up to 10 daily), making it easy to find a convenient departure time throughout the day.
How much does it cost to fly from Madrid to Lisbon?
One-way tickets start from as low as €120-180 with Ryanair when booked well in advance. Full-service airlines like TAP and Iberia charge €200-350 for economy. Round-trip prices typically range from €180 (budget) to €500 (full-service with baggage). February and November offer the cheapest rates (€120-250 round-trip), while August sees peak pricing of €350-500. The average price across the year is approximately €300 round-trip.
Are there direct flights from Madrid to Lisbon?
Yes, direct flights are readily available with multiple daily departures. TAP Air Portugal offers the most frequent service (up to 10 flights daily), followed by Iberia (8-10 flights), Ryanair (4-6 flights), and Air Europa (2-3 flights). All direct flights operate from Madrid-Barajas Terminal 1 or 2 to Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. Flight time is just 1h30m, making this one of the easiest European city pairs to connect.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Madrid to Lisbon?
February is the cheapest month to fly, with average round-trip prices of €290 and frequent sub-€150 deals from budget carriers. November follows closely at €300 average. These shoulder-season months offer lower tourist demand in Lisbon. Avoid August (€450 average), July (€440), and the Easter period when prices surge 40-50% above average. Weekday flights in cheap months can drop to €120-180 round-trip.
Which airlines fly from Madrid to Lisbon?
Four airlines operate direct flights: TAP Air Portugal (most frequent, premium service), Iberia (good connections to Spanish network), Air Europa (solid mid-range option), and Ryanair (budget leader with low base fares). Connecting options include Vueling, Iberia Express, Air France, and Lufthansa via their respective hubs. TAP and Iberia are the only carriers offering full business class and frequent flyer redemption options on this route.
What airport do I fly into in Lisbon?
You will arrive at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), located 7km northeast of the city center. The metro (Red Line) to downtown takes 25 minutes and costs €1.80. Aerobus express coaches run to main squares (Praça do Comércio, Marquês de Pombal) every 20-30 minutes for €4-6. Taxis to the city center cost €10-15. The airport has two terminals connected by a free shuttle bus – TAP and most legacy carriers use Terminal 1.
How far in advance should I book Madrid to Lisbon flights?
For this route, booking 3-6 weeks ahead provides the best balance of availability and price. Budget carriers (Ryanair) release seats 6-9 months out at their lowest prices, so early booking (2-3 months) secures the best deals. Full-service airlines typically price dynamically – 4-6 weeks out often hits the optimal pricing window. Last-minute bookings (under 1 week) rarely offer deals on this popular route, especially summer months.
Is it cheaper to fly from Madrid to Lisbon on weekdays?
Yes, weekday flights are significantly cheaper. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically 15-25% cheaper than Friday-Sunday. A round-trip that costs €200 on Tuesday might cost €260 on Friday. The difference is most pronounced on budget carriers – Ryanair often charges €30-50 more for weekend flights versus midweek. For maximum savings, book a Tuesday-to-Thursday itinerary in February or November.
Data updated: 2026-03
