San José (Alajuela) to Madrid (SJO–MAD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SJO–MAD is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. British Airways, Iberia and Iberojet lead the route. The flight covers 5,282 miles in approximately 7h 50m. Beyond nonstop, 31 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA British Airways | 7 | 359 | 9h50 | – | Oneworld | – |
| IB Iberia | 7 | 350 | 9h08 | – | Oneworld | – |
| E9 Iberojet | 3 | 359 | 7h50 | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
SJO: CST · MAD: CET
When it's 6:00 PM in San José (Alajuela), it's 1:00 AM (next day) in Madrid.
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.
SJO–MAD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SJO to MAD
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) are connected by nonstop service from British Airways, Iberojet and Iberia. With 17 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
SJO to MAD Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SJO to MAD ranges from 7 hours 50 minutes to 9 hours 50 minutes. The route covers a distance of 5,282 miles (8,499 km). There are approximately 17 weekly flights outbound and 17 return, totaling 34 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
31 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 7 hours via FLL. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.