MAD - SJO

$482 Find Cheap Flights from Madrid to San José - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$701
Typical prices: $764-$1,198
Avianca
Mon 3/12Mon 3/26
MAD - SJO • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$790
Typical prices: $809-$1,226
Iberojet
Mon 11/19Mon 12/3
MAD - SJO • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Iberia and Iberojet. Average duration is 11h 13m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 75% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 17 weeks in advance save around 22% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 24% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $737 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 14h 31m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San José!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Madrid to San José (MAD-SJO)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Madrid to San José

Fri, Mar 12 - Fri, Mar 26
Avianca Logo
8:10 am - 6:50 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
17h 40m2 stops Bogotá El Dorado San Salvador El Salvador Intl
Avianca Logo
5:35 am - 6:10 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
17h 35m2 stops Guatemala City La Aurora Bogotá El Dorado
$701Avianca
Wed, Jan 27 - Thu, Feb 18
Avianca Logo
8:10 am - 6:50 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
17h 40m2 stops Bogotá El Dorado San Salvador El Salvador Intl
Avianca Logo
9:30 am - 8:10 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
15h 40m1 stop Bogotá El Dorado
$702Avianca
Fri, Jan 15 - Mon, Feb 1
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:50 am - 9:52 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
18h 02m2 stops Amsterdam Schiphol Panama City Tocumen Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:30 pm - 5:45 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
14h 15m1 stop Paris Charles de Gaulle
$703Multiple Airlines
Tue, Jan 26 - Tue, Feb 2
KLM Logo
10:50 am - 9:52 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
18h 02m2 stops Amsterdam Schiphol Panama City Tocumen Intl
KLM Logo
8:30 pm - 11:35 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
20h 05m2 stops Paris Charles de Gaulle Amsterdam Schiphol
$703KLM
Wed, Nov 18 - Sun, Nov 22
Air France Logo
10:00 am - 9:52 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
18h 52m2 stops Paris Charles de Gaulle Panama City Tocumen Intl
Air France Logo
5:55 pm - 5:45 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
16h 50m2 stops Panama City Tocumen Intl Paris Charles de Gaulle
$769Air France
Wed, Nov 18 - Mon, Nov 23
Air France Logo
10:00 am - 9:52 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
18h 52m2 stops Paris Charles de Gaulle Panama City Tocumen Intl
Air France Logo
5:55 pm - 7:10 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
18h 15m2 stops Panama City Tocumen Intl Paris Charles de Gaulle
$769Air France
Thu, Nov 19 - Thu, Dec 3
Iberojet Logo
1:00 pm - 5:30 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
11h 30mnonstop
Iberojet Logo
8:00 pm - 1:00 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
10h 00mnonstop
$790Iberojet
Thu, Nov 19 - Thu, Nov 19
Iberojet Logo
1:00 pm - 5:30 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
11h 30mnonstop
Iberojet Logo
8:00 pm - 1:00 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
10h 00mnonstop
$810Iberojet
Thu, Apr 15 - Thu, Apr 29
Iberia Logo
11:30 am - 3:00 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
11h 30mnonstop
Iberia Logo
6:30 am - 12:50 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
22h 20m1 stop Miami
$901Iberia
Thu, Apr 22 - Sat, May 1
Iberia Logo
11:30 am - 3:00 pmMAD  Madrid Barajas-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
11h 30mnonstop
Iberia Logo
6:30 am - 7:50 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-MAD Madrid Barajas
17h 20m1 stop Miami
$901Iberia
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Madrid to San José flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Madrid to San José?

Round-trip flights from Madrid to San José typically range from $764 to $1,198. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $701, on Avianca.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Madrid to San José?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Madrid to San José. It’s 6% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 14% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Madrid to San José?

•February is the cheapest month to fly from Madrid to San José at $720 round-trip.
•August ($1,249) and December ($1,219) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 73% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Madrid to San José the cheapest?

Flights from Madrid to San José are cheapest 17 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 22% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Madrid to San José

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on MAD

An avid traveler and aviation expert who has visited 173 countries, all 50 states and seven continents, Ramsey Qubein flies nearly 400,000 miles a year. As a North Carolina-based freelance journalist for publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, USA Today and Bloomberg among others, he explores the latest trends in aviation, hospitality, cruises and business.

Mark Chesnut

Mark Chesnut

Expert on SJO

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The 2019 winner of the NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book “Prepare for Departure” and has covered air travel for multiple top consumer and trade media outlets.

Key details for Madrid to San José flights

Low season

October

Cheapest flight

$482
Beat the crowds with an average 42% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 27% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Madrid to San José

When to book flights from Madrid to San José

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Madrid to San José based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Madrid to San José flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Madrid to San José?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Madrid to San José:

    • Earliest: departs at 11:30 am and lands at 10:43 pm
    • Latest: departs at 5:20 pm and lands at 4:33 am.

    The flight takes about 11h 13m.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Madrid to San José?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Madrid to San José:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class

  • How long is a flight from Madrid to San José?

    A nonstop flight from Madrid to San José takes 11h 13m, covering 5,278 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Madrid to San José?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Madrid to San José flight?

    Round-trip flights from Madrid to San José range from $764 to $1,198, with an average of $949 over the past 12 months. Anything below $764 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Madrid to San José flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 7% above the $949 route average. Book 17 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Madrid to San José?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $737 round-trip via Bogotá El Dorado (BOG), compared to $992 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Madrid to San José?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $50–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Madrid to San José?

    The Airbus A350-900 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Iberia and Iberojet. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A330-200 variants.

  • How are flight departures from Madrid to San José spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Madrid to San José flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 0%, evening flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Madrid to San José flights?

    Iberia is the only airline on the Madrid to San José route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

  • How are flight prices from Madrid to San José looking right now?

    One-way fares from Madrid to San José are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $502, which is 16% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO)?

    San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $1 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Priceless
    • Avis
    • Budget
    • Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    • Payless

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Madrid to San José?

    Flights from Madrid to San José usually depart from Madrid Barajas (MAD) and arrive at San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from Madrid to San José?

    Evening flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Madrid to San José?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Madrid to San José route, 29% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 33m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Madrid to San José pass through?

    One-stop flights from Madrid to San José most commonly connect through:

    • Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) - 66% of one-stop connections
    • Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - 18% of one-stop connections
    • San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) - 4% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 3% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Madrid to San José?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 18% on flights from Madrid to San José. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $899 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $1,088, a difference of $189.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What airlines fly from Madrid to San José?

    2 airlines operate flights between Madrid and San José. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • Iberia
    • Iberojet

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Madrid to San José?

    Flying via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 14h 31m, compared with 14h 52m via Cancun (CUN) and 14h 54m via Bogotá El Dorado (BOG).

  • What is the time difference between Madrid and San José?

    San José is 7 hours behind Madrid (Central Time vs Central European Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in San José?

    Some of the most popular sights in San José are Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica and Museo de Oro. These are among the most viewed places in San José on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Madrid to San José flights?

    Among airlines operating Madrid to San José flights:

    • Iberia: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Madrid to San José flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Iberia: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Iberojet: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking Madrid to San José flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Thursday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Thursday flights average $899, about $189 less than Sunday fares (17% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 17 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 22% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Madrid to San José trip for February. Fares historically average $720 round-trip in that month - typically $529 less than the most expensive month, which is August (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Iberia. Over the past three months, 75% of Iberia flights from Madrid to San José arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 71%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 2h 33m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Bogotá El Dorado Airport (BOG) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $737 round-trip on this route - about $255 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).

Prefer to fly direct from Madrid to San José?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Madrid Barajas Airport to San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Madrid Barajas to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

Iberia

Iberia

Tuesday

Iberia,Iberojet

Iberia,Iberojet

Wednesday

Iberia

Iberia

Thursday

Iberia,Iberojet

Iberia,Iberojet

Friday

Iberia

Iberia

Saturday

Iberia,Iberojet

Iberia,Iberojet

Sunday

Iberia

Iberia

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Madrid Barajas

Monday

Iberia

Iberia

Tuesday

Iberia,Iberojet

Iberia,Iberojet

Wednesday

Iberia

Iberia

Thursday

Iberia,Iberojet

Iberia,Iberojet

Friday

Iberia

Iberia

Saturday

Iberia,Iberojet

Iberia,Iberojet

Sunday

Iberia

Iberia

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Madrid to San José

Complete your trip to San José with a hotel stay or car rental