London to Madrid (LGW–MAD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter Spain visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period under Schengen rules. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least two blank pages. UK passports are stamped on entry and exit since Brexit. ID cards are no longer accepted for UK nationals.

No supporting documents are mandatory, but border officers can request proof of accommodation, onward travel, and sufficient funds (EUR 113.40 per person per day, minimum EUR 1,020.60 for any stay, as set by Spanish authorities). The 90-day limit is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. ETIAS pre-travel authorization (EUR 7, valid 3 years) is expected to become mandatory in late 2026. The Canary Islands and Balearic Islands are part of the Schengen zone and count toward the same 90 days.

Direct flights from London to Madrid run 2 hours 25 minutes, to Barcelona 2 hours 15 minutes, to Malaga 2 hours 50 minutes. Budget carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Wizz Air) serve dozens of UK-Spain routes from regional airports. Spain uses the euro. No vaccination requirements. UK driving licenses are valid for short visits but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is technically required for car rental, though most rental agencies accept the UK license alone.

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.

Metro Line 8 from T1/T2/T3 to Nuevos Ministerios takes 12–15 minutes (€6 with airport supplement). T4 travelers take the free inter-terminal shuttle to T2 first. Cercanías C-1 from T4 to Atocha (€2.60, 25 min) is cheaper. Taxis to the city centre have a €30 fixed tariff.

Rental car agencies are at T4. Express Aeropuerto buses run 24 hours to Avenida de América (€5, 25–40 min). Ride-hail apps (Cabify, Uber) typically cost €25–40 depending on destination.

Hot semi-arid climate at 600m altitude. Summers are hot and dry (30–38°C) with almost no rain and very low humidity. Heat rarely disrupts flights but ground crews work in extreme heat. Winters are cold for a southern European capital (1–9°C) with occasional snow. MAD handles light snow well but heavy falls can close runways.

Spring and autumn are pleasant (12–20°C) and offer the most stable weather. Dust storms from the Sahara occasionally reduce visibility in spring. No fog risk comparable to northern European airports.