Xiamen to Madrid (XMN–MAD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Chinese passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Spain. Apply at the Spanish embassy or a BLS International visa centre in China. The short-stay visa costs EUR 80 and allows stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Processing takes 10 to 15 calendar days.

Required documents include a completed application form, two recent passport photos, travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 minimum coverage, flight reservation, hotel bookings or invitation letter, and proof of financial means. Bank statements from the last 3 months are required. Employment verification with salary details is expected for employed applicants. Passport must have at least 3 months validity beyond the planned Schengen departure date and 2 blank pages.

Xiamen Metro Line 3 connects the airport to the city centre and Xiamen North Railway Station in 30–40 minutes for CNY 6–8. Airport shuttle buses also serve the ferry terminal and major hotels for CNY 20. The airport is on Xiamen Island, about 12 km from the city centre.DiDi and taxis from downtown cost CNY 40–70 depending on traffic and origin. Driving via Huli Avenue to the airport takes 20–35 minutes. Note that Xiamen Island has limited road capacity on key arteries; evening peak hours can add significant time.

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.