Madrid to Raleigh/Durham (MAD–RDU) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
While no nonstop service exists between MAD and RDU, 1-stop connecting options are available.
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Raleigh/Durham from Madrid
| Metric | MAD→RDU | VLC→RDU |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from MAD | – | 178 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | – | 1 |
| Weekly flights | – | – |
Travel Essentials
MAD: CEST · RDU: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Madrid, it's 12:00 PM in Raleigh/Durham.
Spain is part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Spanish passport holders can enter the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure. The fee is USD 21. The ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It covers multiple entries.
Your passport must be machine-readable and, for VWP travel, must be an ePassport (the kind with the chip symbol on the cover). Spanish passports issued after 2006 meet this requirement. The 90-day ESTA stay cannot be extended and cannot be changed to another visa status from inside the US. If you need more than 90 days, apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at the US Embassy in Madrid.
US border officers have wide discretion. Have your return flight, hotel address, and a general itinerary ready. ESTA approval does not guarantee entry. The CBP officer makes the final decision at the port of entry. Global Entry (USD 100, 5-year membership) speeds up arrivals significantly at US airports if you travel frequently.
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).
Uber and Lyft from RDU to downtown Raleigh cost $20–30 (20–25 min); to downtown Durham: $18–25 (15–20 min). Pickup zones are on the lower level at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Taxis are available at the curb ($30–40 to Raleigh).GoTriangle Route 100 ($2.25) is a budget option to downtown Raleigh and Durham; check hours before relying on it for evening or early-morning flights. Rental car desks are in the terminal buildings with cars in the adjacent garage. Chapel Hill is 20–25 minutes via US-15-501.
Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild but variable winters. Summer (June–August) temperatures reach 33–37°C with high humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent and can cause ground holds. The region sits in a tornado risk corridor during spring (April–May).
Winter (December–February) is generally mild at 2–12°C. The Piedmont of North Carolina experiences ice storms. Freezing rain events, common every 1–2 years, are the primary disruption risk. Snow is lighter than areas further north, but ice can be severe. Autumn (September–November) is the most operationally stable season.
MAD–RDU Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via John F. Kennedy, Boston Logan and Charlotte Douglas. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Valencia (VLC).