Madrid to Tangier is a short, easy hop across the Strait of Gibraltar — a non-stop flight of well under two hours that puts northern Morocco within an afternoon of the Spanish capital. Several airlines fly it, from low-cost carriers to full-service Moroccan and Spanish operators, so fares stay low and choice stays wide. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return costs in euros, and when to book.
Route: Madrid (MAD, Adolfo Suárez Barajas) → Tangier (TNG, Ibn Battouta)
Distance: approximately 740 km (460 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 25m – 1h 35m
Direct flights: Yes — Ryanair, Iberia, Air Arabia Maroc, Air Europa and Royal Air Maroc all fly Madrid to Tangier non-stop, with roughly 25–30 departures a week between them.
Fares from Madrid to Tangier (EUR)
This is a competitive short-haul route, so fares are low most of the year. The busiest and priciest weeks are summer (July–August) and the Easter/Semana Santa break, plus periods around Moroccan holidays when the diaspora travels. Winter and the shoulder months are the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros; the lowest are low-cost carriers on hand-baggage-only tickets.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium-high (Easter) |
| May | — | medium |
| June | — | medium-high |
| July | — | high (summer) |
| August | — | high (summer) |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | medium (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, this is one of the cheapest international hops in Europe: Ryanair runs €34–€49 return, and the median across the whole route is €34. So a hand-baggage return in the mid-thirties is the going rate, not a sale, and under about €36 is as good as it gets. The full-service fares that include a checked bag are €70–€80 on Iberia and Royal Air Maroc — roughly double, but still modest, so on a 90-minute hop it is worth comparing the all-in price rather than assuming the low-cost fare wins.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1½ hours):
- Ryanair — the most frequent operator, lowest headline fares, hand-baggage-only unless you add a bag.
- Iberia — full-service Spanish flag carrier, convenient Barajas schedule and connections.
- Air Arabia Maroc — Moroccan low-cost carrier, good value and a solid choice for onward Moroccan connections.
- Air Europa — Spanish full-service operator, useful if you want a checked bag included.
- Royal Air Maroc — Morocco’s flag carrier, handy for connections onward through Casablanca.
One-stop: with this many non-stops, a connecting itinerary rarely makes sense — the main reason to take one is an onward Royal Air Maroc connection via Casablanca. For a straightforward Madrid–Tangier trip, book the non-stop.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–8 weeks ahead for short-haul; fares are cheapest well before the busy summer and Easter weeks.
- Avoid July, August and Semana Santa if you want the lowest prices — these are the peak weeks in both directions.
- Travel in winter or the shoulder months (November–February, late spring) for the best fares and quieter flights.
- Watch the bag rules: Ryanair and Air Arabia headline fares are hand-baggage-only; Iberia and Air Europa often include a checked bag, so compare the all-in price rather than the sticker fare.
- Be flexible by a day or two — midweek departures are usually cheaper than Friday–Sunday on this route.
Arriving in Tangier
Flights land at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG), about 12 km southwest of the city centre. There is no rail link, so the usual options are a taxi or a bus. A metered grand taxi into town costs roughly 150–200 dirhams (about €14–19); agree the fare before you set off. Local bus 9 runs to the centre for a few dirhams but is slower and less frequent. The medina and port are 15–20 minutes away by car.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Madrid to Tangier?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes. It is a short hop across the Strait of Gibraltar, so even with boarding and taxiing you are typically door-to-door in Tangier within a few hours of leaving central Madrid.
Are there direct flights from Madrid to Tangier?
Yes. Ryanair, Iberia, Air Arabia Maroc, Air Europa and Royal Air Maroc all fly Madrid to Tangier non-stop, with roughly 25–30 flights a week between them. There is no need to connect — a one-stop routing only makes sense for onward Moroccan destinations.
How much does it cost to fly from Madrid to Tangier?
A typical economy return runs about €34–€80 depending on the carrier and whether you add a checked bag, with a median of €34. The cheapest hand-baggage-only fares sit at €34–€49 on Ryanair; the full-service fares with a bag are €70–€80. Summer returns and Easter push the low-cost fares above their usual band.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Madrid to Tangier?
January, February and November are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns started at €34. Avoid July, August and the Easter week (Semana Santa), which are the busiest and most expensive periods on this cross-strait route.
Which airlines fly from Madrid to Tangier?
Ryanair carried about four in five of the cheap fares we found, at €34–€49, with Air Arabia Maroc at about €49. Iberia (€70–€80) and Royal Air Maroc (€72–€79) offer full-service fares that often include a checked bag, and Air Europa also flies the route but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. All fly non-stop from Madrid-Barajas.
Which airport do I fly into in Tangier?
All flights use Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG), about 12 km southwest of the city. It is Tangier’s only commercial airport, so there is no risk of landing at the wrong one — just arrange a taxi or bus for the short ride into town.
How far in advance should I book Madrid to Tangier flights?
For the best short-haul prices, book 3 to 8 weeks ahead. Fares are lowest well before summer and Easter; last-minute seats on this popular route can be pricey, especially on Friday and Sunday departures during peak weeks.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be cheaper than Friday–Sunday, when weekend and diaspora travel pushes fares up. Shifting your dates by a day or two can save a useful chunk on an already low-cost return.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
