Find the cheapest flights from Paris to Madrid in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Paris (CDG) → Madrid (MAD)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 2h 30m – 4h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €300 | low |
| February | €290 | low |
| March | €320 | medium |
| April | €350 | medium |
| May | €360 | medium-high |
| June | €390 | high |
| July | €440 | high |
| August | €430 | high |
| September | €370 | medium |
| October | €330 | medium |
| November | €280 | low |
| December | €350 | medium-high |
Airlines on This Route
- Iberia (direct): from €320 — Iberia often has the best direct prices. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for lowest fares. Their Basic fare is notably cheaper than other carriers on this route.
- Air France (direct): from €340 — Air France offers convenient CDG departures. Check their Flash fares section for occasional deals. Connecting flights via CDG can sometimes be cheaper than direct.
- Vueling (direct): from €290 — Vueling is often cheapest but watch add-on costs. Their Optima fare usually matches other airlines’ prices. Check both CDG and ORY departures.
- easyJet (direct): from €285 — easyJet frequently undercuts competitors by €20-40. Best for solo travelers without checked luggage. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for optimal pricing.
- Transavia France (direct): from €270 — Transavia often has the absolute lowest prices but limited schedule. Their website sometimes shows lower prices than Skyscanner. Check ORY departures.
Booking Strategy
For Paris to Madrid, the sweet spot for booking is 4-8 weeks before departure, with 6 weeks being optimal. November consistently offers the lowest prices (€260-290 for direct flights), while July and August see prices spike to €400+. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €30-50 cheaper than Friday-Sunday. For the best deals, search CDG and ORY airports separately as ORY often has cheaper Vueling and Transavia options. Morning departures (7am-10am) tend to be pricier; afternoon flights around 2-5pm offer better value. Use Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ feature to compare, but book directly through airline websites to avoid booking fees. If connecting, Barcelona and Lisbon routes are common but rarely cheaper than direct options on this short 2-hour route.
Route Tips
- Flying from Orly (ORY) instead of Charles de Gaulle (CDG) can save €20-40 on Vueling and Transavia flights—check both Paris airports in your search
- Iberia operates the most frequent schedule; if your flight is cancelled, rebooking options are plentiful unlike less frequent carriers
- Madrid Barajas Airport has four terminals; allow extra time if transferring between T1-3 and T4 as they’re not directly connected
- EU citizens need only a passport or national ID card—no visa required for this France-Spain route
- Book morning to midday flights for best weather views over the Pyrenees; afternoon flights sometimes encounter turbulence
- Combine this route with a visit to Toledo or Segovia—both are reachable from Madrid Atocha in 30-45 minutes by high-speed train
- Check airline apps for mobile boarding passes; Madrid accepts digital boarding passes at all terminals
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Paris to Madrid?
Direct flights from Paris (CDG or ORY) to Madrid (MAD) take approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. This is one of the shortest international routes in Europe. If you opt for a connecting flight with one stop (typically in Barcelona, Lisbon, or London), expect 2 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes total travel time. Air France, Iberia, and Vueling operate the most frequent direct services, with departures every 1-2 hours throughout the day. Early morning and late evening flights may occasionally have slightly shorter direct times due to air traffic patterns.
How much does it cost to fly from Paris to Madrid?
Direct flight prices range from €260 to €480 depending on season and advance booking. The absolute cheapest fares (€260-€290) are available through Vueling, easyJet, and Transavia when booked 6+ weeks in advance during low season (November-February). Full-service carriers like Iberia and Air France typically charge €320-€400 for the same route but include checked baggage. Summer peak (June-August) sees prices climb to €380-€480 for direct flights. Connecting flights rarely offer savings on this route due to the short distance.
Are there direct flights from Paris to Madrid?
Yes, direct flights are readily available with multiple airlines operating daily service. Iberia offers the most frequent departures (8-10 daily) from both CDG and ORY. Air France runs 6-8 daily direct flights primarily from CDG. Low-cost carriers Vueling, easyJet, and Transavia France operate 4-6 daily departures each, mostly from Orly airport. Flight time is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. The route is served year-round with no seasonal suspensions, making it one of the most reliable European connections.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Paris to Madrid?
November consistently offers the lowest prices, with average direct flights costing €260-€290. January and February are also affordable at €280-€320, making them ideal for budget travelers. The most expensive period is summer, particularly July (average €420-€480) and August (€400-€460), when European vacation demand peaks. Shoulder seasons like April, May, September, and October offer moderate pricing (€320-€380). Christmas and Easter periods also see elevated prices (€350-€400) due to holiday travel demand. Booking 6 weeks ahead during low season yields the best deals.
Which airlines fly from Paris to Madrid?
Five airlines operate direct flights: Iberia (flag carrier, most frequent, €320+), Air France (strong CDG presence, €340+), Vueling (low-cost, €290+, check baggage add-ons), easyJet (budget, €285+, cabin-only basic fare), and Transavia France (ultra-low-cost, €270+, limited schedule). Connecting options include British Airways (via London), Lufthansa (via Munich/Frankfurt), and Air Europa. Full-service carriers include checked baggage; budget carriers often charge extra. Iberia and Air France offer business class, while Vueling, easyJet, and Transavia are economy-only.
What airport do I fly into in Madrid?
All flights arrive at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), located 12km northeast of Madrid’s city center. Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 serve different airlines and alliances. Terminal 4 (T4) is the newest and largest, handling Iberia and other Oneworld flights. Transport into the city: Metro Line 8 connects T4-T1-T2-T3 to the city (€4.50-€5, 20 minutes to Nuevos Ministerios). Renfe train from T4 to Atocha (€2.60, 25 minutes). EMT buses 200/204/212 to Plaza Colón (€1.50, 40 minutes). Taxis cost €30-€35 to central Madrid, with surcharges for airport pickup.
How far in advance should I book Paris to Madrid flights?
For Paris-Madrid, book 4-8 weeks before departure for optimal prices. The 6-week mark tends to offer the best balance of availability and pricing. Booking too early (12+ weeks) rarely yields discounts on this route, while waiting less than 2 weeks risks paying premium prices, especially in summer. November bookings can sometimes find deals even 2-3 weeks out due to lower demand. Business travelers booking last-minute can expect to pay €150+ premium over advance purchase rates. Use fare alerts set 6 weeks out to catch price drops.
Is it cheaper to fly from Paris to Madrid on weekdays?
Yes, weekday departures are notably cheaper than weekend flights on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days to fly, with savings of €30-€60 compared to Friday or Sunday departures. Monday and Thursday offer moderate pricing, while Friday commands premium rates due to business and leisure travelers combining trips. Saturday departures are slightly cheaper than Friday but still higher than midweek. For best value, target Tuesday or Wednesday departures in the afternoon (2-5pm). The difference is most pronounced during shoulder season; summer weekends see less variation due to overall high demand.
Data updated: 2026-03
