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

Spanish passport holders enter the UK visa-free for up to 6 months as tourists or business visitors. Since Brexit, you must use a passport. Spanish national ID cards are no longer accepted for entry. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. No minimum validity period beyond that is required.

You will pass through UK Border Force on arrival. Have your return ticket and accommodation details ready. The officer may ask about your purpose and funds. For visits under 6 months, no advance application is needed. You cannot work on a tourist entry, even unpaid volunteering in most cases.

The UK is rolling out an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. As of 2025, EU nationals including Spanish citizens do not yet need an ETA, but this is expected to change. Check gov.uk before booking. If you had pre-settled or settled status from living in the UK before Brexit, you enter under those rights instead of as a visitor.

Metro Line 8 runs from Nuevos Ministerios (central Madrid) to T1/T2/T3 in 12–15 minutes (€6, including the airport supplement). T4 requires an additional free shuttle from T2; add 10 minutes. The Cercanías commuter train (Line C-1) reaches T4 from Atocha station in 25 minutes (€2.60, no supplement).Taxis have a fixed fare of €30 from central Madrid zones. The ride is typically 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. Avenida de América bus hub serves several airport bus routes (€5).

The Gatwick Express departs the South Terminal every 15 minutes to London Victoria (30 min, from £21.50). Thameslink services are cheaper and provide direct access to Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, and London Bridge; useful for destinations in the City and East London. Both terminal buildings are connected by a free inter-terminal monorail shuttle (2 min).Taxis from arrivals queue outside; metered fares to central London typically run £70–100 and can exceed this during peak hours. Uber and other ride-shares operate from a designated zone. Rental car desks are in both terminal buildings.

Temperate maritime climate. Winters (November–February) are cool and grey at 3–9°C, with fog, low cloud, and occasional light snow causing moderate delay risks. Summers (June–August) are mild at 18–25°C. Heat waves are increasingly common and can affect ramp operations. Rain falls year-round with no dry season.

Wind is a more frequent disruption factor than snow at Gatwick. The airport has a single active runway and is sensitive to crosswinds. Autumn storms (October–November) occasionally cause significant delays.