Madrid to Porto is a quick, well-served short hop — a little over an hour in the air, with several non-stop flights a day. It’s one of the easiest and cheapest international routes out of Madrid, so with a bit of flexibility you can pick up a very low fare. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return costs in euros, and how to book smart.
Route: Madrid (MAD) → Porto (OPO)
Distance: approximately 420 km (261 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 15m – 1h 25m
Direct flights: Yes — Iberia, Air Europa and Ryanair fly non-stop from Madrid to Porto. (TAP and easyJet route via Lisbon, so they’re not direct on this pair.)
Fares from Madrid to Porto (EUR)
This is a short-haul route where fares swing more with demand and how early you book than with the calendar. Summer and the run-up to Christmas are busiest and dearest; late winter and autumn shoulders are cheapest. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | low |
| February | low |
| March | medium |
| April | medium (Easter) |
| May | medium |
| June | high |
| July | high (summer) |
| August | high (summer) |
| September | medium |
| October | medium |
| November | low |
| December | high (holidays) |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1h 20m):
- Iberia — the most frequent operator, with multiple daily flights and easy connections through Madrid.
- Ryanair — usually the cheapest fares; watch the bag rules, as the lowest prices are hand-baggage only.
- Air Europa — additional non-stop service, useful for connections onto its longer network.
One-stop (rarely worth it on such a short route):
- TAP Air Portugal — connects via Lisbon; handy only if you’re continuing on TAP’s network, otherwise slower for no saving.
- easyJet — also routes via Lisbon rather than flying MAD–OPO non-stop.
On a route this short there’s almost never a reason to connect — pick the non-stop that fits your time and bag needs.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–8 weeks ahead for the best short-haul fares; prices climb in the final fortnight, especially in summer.
- Be flexible by a day or two — midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) departures are usually the cheapest, weekends the dearest.
- Mind the bags on Ryanair: the headline fare is cabin-bag only; if you need a checked bag or a larger cabin bag, add it when booking — it’s cheaper than at the airport.
- Compare all-in prices: once a bag is added, Ryanair and Iberia can land close, so check the total, not just the headline.
- Avoid peak summer and Christmas week if you can — late winter and the October shoulder are the cheapest times to fly.
Arriving in Porto
You land at Porto – Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), about 11 km north of the city. The easiest way in is the Metro do Porto Line E (violet) straight from the terminal to the centre in around 30 minutes for a couple of euros (about €2–€3 including the reusable card). A taxi or ride-hail to downtown is roughly €20–€30 and takes 20–25 minutes outside rush hour. Portugal uses the euro, so no currency change is needed from Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from Madrid to Porto?
Yes. Iberia, Air Europa and Ryanair all fly non-stop from Madrid to Porto, with several departures a day. TAP Air Portugal and easyJet route via Lisbon, so they aren’t direct on this specific pair.
How long is the flight from Madrid to Porto?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes. With airport time either side, allow around three hours door-to-door if you’re travelling light.
How much does it cost to fly from Madrid to Porto?
A typical economy return runs about €60–€140. Good deals land around €40–€60, and one-way Ryanair fares can drop into the teens if you travel with hand baggage only and book ahead.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Madrid to Porto?
January, February and November are usually the cheapest months to fly. The dearest times are peak summer (July–August) and the Christmas week, when demand is highest.
Which airlines fly from Madrid to Porto?
Non-stop: Iberia (the most frequent), Ryanair (usually cheapest) and Air Europa. If you need a connection onto a wider network, TAP Air Portugal also serves the pair via Lisbon.
Which airport do I fly into in Porto?
You arrive at Porto – Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), about 11 km north of the city. The Metro Line E connects the terminal to the centre in around 30 minutes for a couple of euros.
How far in advance should I book?
Aim for 3 to 8 weeks ahead on this short-haul route. Fares are usually lowest a month or two out and climb in the final two weeks, particularly over summer and holiday periods.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are typically cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays save a little on a return. Shifting your dates by a day or two is the easiest way to cut the fare.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
