Cheap flights from Madrid to London

When flying from Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD) to London, you have a choice of four arrival airports, London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), London Stansted (STN) and London Luton (LTN). With all the different routings, and just as many prices, it makes sense to use the Skyscanner search engine to find your flight, at the cheapest rate.

Best Time to Book a Flight to London

Airfares from Madrid to London are less expensive from September through January. June through August is high season, with higher fares and more people travelling. Find the cheapest rate by using the Skyscanner Whole Month Search. Pull up an entire month of fares and compare them. Perhaps by changing your dates a bit you'll get a cheaper rate. The key, especially in high season, is to book early, be flexible and if you find a great price, book that ticket ASAP. Flying midweek also helps you save money.

Airlines That Fly from Madrid to London

Ryanair flies from Madrid into London Stansted and has some of the cheapest fares between the two cities. Non-stop service makes it an easy trip. EasyJet flies non-stop into London Gatwick and London Luton. Some of their routes are open-jaws, meaning they fly into one airport but out of another. Skyscanner shows you which routes are open-jaws. Other airlines flying between Madrid and the various airports include Air Europa, British Airways and Iberia. Most flights leave from Terminal 1. Madrid-Barajas Airport is 12 kilometres from downtown Madrid. Taxis charge $3.50 to start and $1.50 per kilometre. The Spanish rail company RENFE provides train service between the airport and Madrid. Cost is roughly $4.00 CAD for a two-hour pass. Driving is an option but parking runs $23.00 CAD per day. Currency in Spain is the Euro.

What to Expect When Arriving in London

London Gatwick is about 62 kilometres from downtown London. The easiest, and usually fastest, way to get into town is the Gatwick Express, a 30-minute ride. London Heathrow is only 25 kilometres away. It has its own Heathrow Express Train, a 15-minute ride to the city centre. London Stansted and London City Airport are smaller and about 60 kilometres north of town. All airports have access to taxis, bus service and car rentals. Just keep in mind that driving and parking in London can be challenging. Don't forget, in London they drive on the left hand side of the road. Taxis charge roughly $5.00 CAD to start plus distance travelled.

Airport Facilities

Heathrow and London Gatwick are large, busy airports. Both have free Wi-Fi and an extensive collection of amenities and services to keep you happy. Duty-Free shops, brand-name shops, cafes, fast food outlets and mini-marts are available throughout the terminals. ATMs and currency change outlets are available. Both come in handy because the legal tender in England is the British Pound, not the Euro. Heathrow and Gatwick have hotels at the airport, great for those crack of dawn and late night flights. London Stansted and London City Airport offer similar services, but on a scaled down version.

Things to Do and See in London

Buckingham Palace, the London home of Queen Elizabeth II, is a must see. Watch the changing of the guard or even take a tour. If the Queen's flag is flying, the Monarch is home. You'll probably not see much of the great lady, but you can get a look at her Crown Jewels at the infamous Tower of London. Stop by St Paul's Cathedral and take in the architectural wonders of the nation's signature church, the site of so many Royal Weddings. Check you watch against towering Big Ben, reputed to have the most accurate time possible. Also fronting the River Thames is the London Eye, a Ferris wheel that reaches 135 metres into the sky. It's one way to get a panoramic view of the city. For a bit of laid back relaxation, head for Hyde Park. Visit the Diana Memorial Fountain or rent a boat and go paddling in Serpentine Lake. In this setting, it's hard to believe that you're just minutes away from the shops and restaurants of London's city centre.