Cheap flights from Madrid and Barcelona: how to plan getaways and long weekends without overspending

Book holiday weekends in advance

Public holidays are when everyone wants to get away at the same time, and airlines know it. Flight prices for departures on the evening before a holiday weekend rise quickly as the date approaches, as do return flights on the last day. If you tend to search for “flight deals” the night before the holiday, you’re probably too late for the best fares.

For the most popular holiday weekends, such as December, Semana Santa or the May holidays, it’s worth starting to look two or three months in advance. Set up price alerts for two or three destinations you fancy and set yourself a budget. When the ticket drops below that amount, book it.

Another strategy that works well is to adjust your travel times. Leaving on the morning of the first holiday instead of the evening before, or coming back a day earlier than most people, can make the trip much cheaper.

Off-season weekends away

If you’re not tied to public holidays, weekend getaways in the low season are the most rewarding. Between November and March, excluding Christmas, many European cities have very cheap flights from Madrid and Barcelona, and hotels also lower their rates. Cities like Lisboa, Oporto or Roma have mild temperatures even in winter, while destinations such as Budapest, Praga or Cracovia offer Christmas markets, thermal baths, and hearty food for the cold.

Flying midweek is usually cheaper than flying on Fridays or Sundays. If you can work remotely or take a day off, a Tuesday-to-Thursday trip can cost much less.

More airports than you might think

Barajas and El Prat aren’t the only options. From Barcelona, the airports of Girona y Reus receive low-cost airline flights, especially in high season, and there are buses connecting them to the city. Sometimes the price difference makes up for the extra journey, though it’s worth adding up the cost and time of the transfer before deciding.

In Madrid, the alternative is often routes with a layover. For destinations without direct flights, combining two different airlines can be cheaper than the most obvious option. If you do this with separate tickets, leave plenty of time between flights, especially if you need to collect your luggage and check in again.

Watch out for extras

The price you see on the first screen is rarely the final one. Low-cost airlines usually only include a small bag that fits under the seat; cabin bags, checked luggage, and seat selection all cost extra. For a weekend trip, travelling with just the essentials is the most effective way to keep the price down. If you need a suitcase, add it when you book, because it’s much more expensive at the airport.

Don’t forget the journey to the airport either. In Madrid, Barajas is connected to the centre by metro (line 8), Cercanías trains, and the Exprés Aeropuerto bus, which runs 24 hours a day. In Barcelona, El Prat has the Aerobús service, the L9 Sud metro line, and the Rodalies train to terminal 2. Choosing the right transport, especially if you’re leaving at dawn, is also part of saving money.

Destinations that are usually good value

Some destinations often appear among the cheapest from both cities, thanks to competition between airlines:

Oporto and Lisboa, just over an hour’s flight from Madrid, with good food and reasonable prices.

Roma, Milán y Nápoles, with many daily flights from Barcelona and Madrid.

Marrakech, about two hours away, ideal for a change of scene in winter.

Budapest and Cracovia, with very affordable accommodation and restaurants.

Londres and París, with a huge range of flights keeping prices competitive outside peak dates.

If you have a large family, remember that on domestic flights you get a 5% discount (general category) or 10% (special) off the base fare. This doesn’t apply to international flights, but it can be useful for trips within Spain, to the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, or Galicia, for example.

Organise the trip from the destination

Before booking, think about what you want to do there. A super cheap flight that lands at midnight might mean paying for an expensive taxi or an extra night in a hotel. And one that leaves early on Sunday morning means you miss out on the last day. Sometimes, paying a few euros more for a better schedule is the smartest choice.

With a bit of planning, getaways from Madrid and Barcelona can be frequent and affordable, and the money you save on the flight can be spent on what really matters: good food, an exhibition, or simply one more night.