Cheap flights from East Midlands to Madrid Barajas
Updated 2026-06-21
1385 km great-circle distance, typically flown in 2h 08m with 3 airlines operating direct service from East Midlands (EMA) to Madrid Barajas (MAD). Fares on this corridor stay relatively stable across the year — booking 4–8 weeks ahead and choosing a midweek departure typically secures the best price.
Flying from East Midlands
East Midlands Airport is a regional hub between Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, dominated by Ryanair and Jet2 with TUI adding charter and package routes. The terminal sits 15 miles southwest of Nottingham and 13 miles west of Derby, with Skylink bus services connecting both. The route network is short-haul-only and skews holiday-leisure — Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy are the strongest corridors. Long-haul travellers usually drive to Manchester or Birmingham for a wider choice.
Arriving in Madrid
Madrid Barajas is the largest airport in Spain and Iberia's main hub. T4 handles long-haul and Iberia operations; T1–T3 handle most other carriers. Metro Line 8 reaches Nuevos Ministerios in 16 minutes. Fares from the UK are very competitive thanks to Iberia and Ryanair both running heavy schedules; weekday afternoons typically have the cheapest one-way slots.
Who flies EMA to MAD?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| Ryanair | FR | 2h 08m | Economy |
| Jet2.com | LS | 2h 08m | Economy |
| TUI Airways | BY | 2h 08m | Economy |
3 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Nottingham to Madrid FAQs
Direct flights from East Midlands (EMA) to Madrid Barajas (MAD) take approximately 2h 08m for the 1385 km journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
3 carriers operate direct service from East Midlands (EMA) to Madrid Barajas (MAD): Ryanair, Jet2.com and TUI Airways. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — Ryanair typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
UK passport holders generally do not need a visa for short stays in Spain (Schengen-area members allow 90 days in any 180-day window). ETIAS pre-authorisation will apply once live for European destinations. Always check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain before booking.
Madrid Barajas (MAD) is the primary international airport for Madrid. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus or taxi, depending on traffic and time of day. Most European hub airports sit 10–25 km from their host city centre. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.