SJO - MAD

$407 Find Cheap Flights from San José to Madrid

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San José to Madrid departing on 2/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Madrid

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San José to Madrid.
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San José to Madrid.
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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$548
Overall average: $795
Multiple Airlines
Wed 6/3Thu 6/11
SJO - MAD • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$577
Typical prices: $655-$903
Iberia
Tue 4/14Tue 4/28
SJO - MAD • Non-stop
Our travelers' advice
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
SJO offers free WiFi and self-check-in kiosks.
Use Madrid's metro line for a quick city center ride.
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Top airlines
KLM
Cheapest • from $560 (round-trip)
KLM
Best reviews • 7.7 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
When to book
8 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 8 weeks in advance save around 19% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
February
Cheapest • 24% price drop
October
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
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Flight Deals

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

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from San José to Madrid that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from San José to Madrid

Wed, Jun 3 - Thu, Jun 11
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:05 pm - 11:25 pm
SJO
-
MAD
20h 20m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm
MAD
-
SJO
32h 20m
1 stop
$548Multiple Airlines
Tue, Jun 9 - Tue, Jun 30
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:25 pm - 9:30 am
SJO
-
MAD
31h 05m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:20 pm - 9:47 pm
MAD
-
SJO
17h 27m
2 stops
$552Multiple Airlines
Tue, Jun 9 - Thu, Jun 18
KLM Logo
6:25 pm - 4:25 pm
SJO
-
MAD
14h 00m
1 stop
KLM Logo
7:05 am - 4:20 pm
MAD
-
SJO
17h 15m
1 stop
$560KLM
Thu, May 21 - Sat, Jun 6
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:25 pm - 1:40 pm
SJO
-
MAD
35h 15m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 5:00 pm
MAD
-
SJO
19h 00m
1 stop
$564Multiple Airlines
Thu, May 21 - Sun, May 31
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:25 pm - 1:40 pm
SJO
-
MAD
35h 15m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:20 pm - 5:00 pm
MAD
-
SJO
36h 40m
1 stop
$572Multiple Airlines
Thu, May 21 - Sun, Jun 7
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:25 pm - 1:40 pm
SJO
-
MAD
35h 15m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:15 pm - 5:00 pm
MAD
-
SJO
28h 45m
1 stop
$577Multiple Airlines
Wed, Jun 3 - Sat, Jun 13
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:05 pm - 11:25 pm
SJO
-
MAD
20h 20m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:45 pm - 5:00 pm
MAD
-
SJO
31h 15m
1 stop
$580Multiple Airlines
Wed, Jun 3 - Thu, Jun 11
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:05 pm - 11:25 pm
SJO
-
MAD
20h 20m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:20 pm - 9:47 pm
MAD
-
SJO
17h 27m
2 stops
$585Multiple Airlines
Thu, May 21 - Sun, May 31
KLM Logo
6:25 pm - 1:40 pm
SJO
-
MAD
35h 15m
1 stop
KLM Logo
6:00 am - 5:10 pm
MAD
-
SJO
19h 10m
2 stops
$591KLM
Tue, Mar 3 - Tue, Mar 17
Iberia Logo
6:15 pm - 11:05 am
SJO
-
MAD
9h 50mnonstop
Iberia Logo
12:25 pm - 4:35 pm
MAD
-
SJO
11h 10mnonstop
$592Iberia
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for San José to Madrid flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from San José to Madrid to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

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

The average price of all round-trip flights from San José to Madrid clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from San José to Madrid, look for departures on Tuesdays and avoid leaving on a Friday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from Madrid, Saturday is the cheapest day to fly and Friday is the most expensive.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San José to Madrid?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from San José to Madrid, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from San José to Madrid is February, where tickets cost $608 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $1,026 and $1,003 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from San José to Madrid?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $690 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from San José to Madrid?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from San José to Madrid, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from San José to Madrid, you should book around 8 weeks before departure, which saves you about 19% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 19 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from San José to Madrid

 
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
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.

Good to know

Low seasonAugust
Cheapest flight$355
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 6% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 14% lower on average.
Flight from San José to Madrid

When to book flights from San José to Madrid

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San José to Madrid based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from San José to Madrid

  • What is the best way to get to San Jose Airport?

    Go by shuttle service, public bus, or by taxi. The bus is the cheapest at around $1.00, but expect frequent stops. Shuttle is another option, great for small groups. Prices vary. A taxi is the most direct way, the prices here also vary; expect a minimum of around $17.00.

  • What’s the best way to get from Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD) to town?

    The Metro (subway) system in Madrid is very popular and user-friendly. It will cost around €6-7 ($7-8.00) one-way. It may not be the quickest but the bus is a budget-friendly €2.5 ($3.00), and there are routes to a variety of destinations. Taxis are an option too but the cost varies quite a bit.

  • Is it easy to navigate Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD)?

    Though it’s a large facility, it’s generally easy to get around with clearly marked directions for baggage claim and immigration. If mobility assistance is required, it’s available in Barajas but you’ll need to arrange it with your airline. Claiming bags can sometimes take a while at Barajas Airport; be prepared for at least a little wait.

  • Is there anything to do at San Jose International Airport (SJO)?

    If it makes sense for you to arrive with lots of time to spare, there are a few things to keep you occupied in San Jose Airport. Get some work done in a Power Suite. With plenty of desk space, electrical outlets, and a calm vibe, it’s easy to be productive. Relax in one of the massage chairs located throughout the facility. Wonderful art is everywhere here, just take a stroll and look around.

  • Does Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD) have a hotel or place to freshen up?

    Rent an Air Room for an hour, up to six hours, or overnight, depending on your needs. They offer shower kits and slippers, a 24-hour catering service, comfortable and efficient rooms, even a computer room and of course Wi-Fi. Should you require any business services like a copier, fax machine, or courier, these are all available through Air Rooms, too.

  • What is the cheapest flight from San José to Madrid?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San José to Madrid was $407 for a one-way ticket and $548 for a round-trip.

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

    Yes, you'll most likely have to show a valid passport before boarding the plane in San José and on arrival in Madrid.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from San José to Madrid?

    On your way to Madrid, you’ll fly out from San José Juan Santamaria Intl. You’ll be landing at Madrid Barajas.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San José to Madrid?

    All the following airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the San José to Madrid flight route: Iberia, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Finnair.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San José to Madrid?

    The Airbus A350-900 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the San José to Madrid flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from San José to Madrid?

    SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and oneworld are the airline alliances operating flights between San José and Madrid, with SkyTeam being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from San José to Madrid?

    There are nonstop flights from San José to Madrid on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from San José to Madrid, KLM or Air France?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from San José to Madrid are KLM and Air France. With an average price for the route of $819 and an overall rating of 7.7, KLM is the most popular choice. Air France is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $693 and an overall rating of 7.4.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San José to Madrid?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from San José to Madrid.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San José to Madrid?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Madrid from San José is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San José to Madrid?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Madrid with an airline and back to San José with another airline. Booking your flights between San José and MAD can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San José to Madrid?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Madrid from San José up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San José to Madrid

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $408 or less one-way and $687 or less round-trip.
  • The largest airport in Spain is Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD), so it makes sense that it also has the most traffic. Most people just call it “Barajas”. This airport is the hub for Iberia Airlines.
  • San Jose International Airport acts as a focus city for Copa Airlines, and a hub for several other airlines: Avianca, Costa Rica Green Airways, Sansa and Volaris Airlines.
  • If you need to get re-connected with folks back home, that’s no trouble at all. Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD) has free, unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the facility so you can log in right when you land.
  • The public bus runs between San Jose Airport (SJO) and downtown San Jose, for only about $1.00. It runs every 10min or so, or every 15min during off-peak hours.
  • Book an off-peak fare, save some cash, and utilize one of the great lounges at San Jose Airport (SJO). You can shower, surf the web, enjoy a meal, and get in the travel headspace no matter what time of day you depart.

Prefer to fly direct from San José to Madrid?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Madrid Barajas.
Find which airlines fly direct from San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport to Madrid Barajas Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Madrid Barajas

Monday

Iberia

Iberia

Tuesday

Iberia, Iberojet

Iberia, Iberojet

Wednesday

Iberia

Iberia

Thursday

Iberia

Iberia

Friday

Iberia

Iberia

Saturday

Iberia, Iberojet

Iberia, Iberojet

Sunday

Iberia

Iberia

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Madrid Barajas to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

Iberia

Iberia

Tuesday

Iberia, Iberojet

Iberia, Iberojet

Wednesday

Iberia

Iberia

Thursday

Iberia

Iberia

Friday

Iberia

Iberia

Saturday

Iberia, Iberojet

Iberia, Iberojet

Sunday

Iberia

Iberia

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from San José to Madrid

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from San José to Madrid. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San José to Madrid? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.7
KLMOverall score based on 1448 reviews
7.8Boarding
7.6Comfort
7.3Food
7.1Entertainment
8.4Crew
Airline reviews

Empty seats next to me - wish it had been for a longer flight!!

8.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Feb 2026
AMS - NCL
Read more KLM reviews

Empty seats next to me - wish it had been for a longer flight!!

I’m grateful for the KLM Air France shuttle bus service to Ottawa. However due to construction and other issues related to the chaotic Uber pickup system at YUL, it’s a challenge to find the Kelios bus service to Ottawa. The signs are not clear or even available. No staff to guide passengers. It’s a stressful experience.

Terrible last row seats many seats available but no offer to move to better seat

Delay on my previous leg, had to run to catch my flight. But that happens. Overall ok.

Delay and had to run between flight to get my connection due to this delay but besides that the overall experience was ok. I arrived with just an hour of delay.

At the airport, terrible, I do not want to even remember it. It was too humiliating for a business class passenger.

Flight was ok but lack of communication cost me to literally beg to be put on another flight as connecting flight had departed

Couldn’t get boarding pass in SLC even with help from a redcoat, so had to find a desk in AMS to get boarding pass. Technical problems so not sure why. Very inconvenient. The KLM app is not as user friendly as most apps. Also had to wait almost an hour on the tarmac for a fuel truck, which caused us to miss a connecting bus in LUX.

The immigration hall in Amsterdam was understaffed, so passport checking was slower than it should be for a major airport. They need to get the automatic readers up and running for non EU passport holders. Waiting in line after a long flight feels a bit abusive.

Over 1 Hr delay. No APU so no AC on ground. Plane was hot during boarding and then they closed the doors over 20 minutes before engine start so interior of plane was steamy hot and stuffy. Could have been helped by opening doors until ready to depart.

Safe and stable made me sleepy and I slept and dreamt 😂😂😂😂

Food was really mediocre for premium economy in comparison to other airlines… the crew was nowhere to be found… 14 hour flight…

Worst airlines either. First leg was delayed because of crew not available. My connection was missed so they booked me automatically the next day! But, impossible to get anyone on site, web site does not let me access my reservation anymore, confirmed by useless agents over the phone. My 2-leg trip with part in business class arriving at 4:10pm ends up in an awful 3-leg arriving at 9pm the next day with no way to even choose the seats and of course at the very end of the plane. I can understand problems arrive but the way Air France handle it is just unacceptable. You are on your own. Apparently getting you to your destination is the only thing they consider their duty. The customer experience and fatigue is none of their concern. And I have a status with them. I will reconsider my priorities when flying with Air France and encourage everyone to do the same.

Our flight crew were terrific. And they handle a difficult passenger with finesse.

3 hour delay but out of their control. App said I get vouchers but when I applied for them, they were nowhere to be found in my account

I bought business class tickets but the seats are exactly like economy with no comfort seats nor an empty seat next to me provided. Very poor, low quality airline.

I don't understand the concept of paying to get your personal luggage onboard and then asked to check it in.... either sell the space or don't, its a hassle to carry those all through the airport just to make a check in at the last minute.

The food was great and the service and attitude was amazing!!

It was a great experience. The only thing I would have changed was that the bathrooms were never cleaned and they got very dirty.

Old airplanes small seats expensive tickets, not as expected overall and not comfortable according to the price

It is what you pay for a basic economy class. No screens for entertainment was hard.

Χρεώνουν πολύ ακριβά τη βαλίτσα .Λιγότερο από 15 κιλά πλήρωσα 150 ευρώ .μόνο για την επιστροφή. Επίσης δε σε αφήνουν να κάνεις online ,πρόσθεση βαλίτσας μια μέρα νωρίτερα από την πτήση . Δε θα ξαναπεταξω με αυτή την εταιρεία

The pilot was professional and very good. The flight crew, very young and often looked flustered and overwhelmed. The seats were among the most uncomfortable in the air. The boarding somewhat chaotic. The price reasonable. Overall it was an average budget airline experience...although Iberia is not a budget airline. I fear if Iberia doesn't up it's game customers like us will go elsewhere.

It was fine, older plane with limited entertainment, otherwise fine.

the seats were so cramped you could barely move. it was difficult to eat when passengers would recline their seats. the seats were so flimsy and unstable that whenever someone got in and out of their seat, it bounced like a spring back in your face. the movies were nice. the food was terrible. even though the conditions were terrible, they tried to pressure passengers to relocate their seats to accommodate adults who were related and wanted to sit next to each other, even after the passengers expressed that they did not want to move for that purpose. on the connecting flight, the “service” consisted of items for purchase. even though the flight was only 45 minutes, once again passengers (including me) were pressured to relocate for people to sit next to each other. they couldn’t be apart for 45 minutes? this was much less compelling than being apart for an 8 hour flight.

Everything went smoothly, and we even arrived 40min earlier than scheduled, on an Orland-Madrid route.

The staff was very nice and helpful. Some of the best crew I have met.

Bad experience. The seat room are very tight. The food is not good and the breakfast has no hot drink.

Excellent. Thanks to United Star Alliance, since economy was overbooked, I’m grateful to have been upgraded to Business Class.

Good plane, excellent food, crew and entertainment. Seats in business could use an upgrade

Disaster. Downgraded. Zero apology. No effort or coordination between gate and crew. Awful seat blocked by door emergency slide box. Iberia is a mess. App never works. Avoid this airline.

We departed late but made up most of the time in flight. Our ticket was pure economy, so it wasn’t anything fancy; however, I heard that we arrived in Madrid at the exact same time that First Class passengers arrived! Overall, our experience was similar to what we had on other American Airlines transatlantic flights - good value at a reasonable price. We were even able to get our carry-on baggage onto the plane without needing to gate check it.

Horrible experience with Avianca, they delayed their flight and when we arrived to NYC, AVIANCA took 1 hr y 30 mins to park the airplane and all passenger get off the plane, it made me lost all my trains to get back home and I came back to my place at 3 am instead of 12 am. On the top of that their plane seat are so uncomfortable and is not enough space and killed my legs and knees, Avianca used to be good when it was a Colombian company, now after Brasilian company bought them, their service quality is bad and their flights are delayed and oversold.

It was delayed and I lost my connection flight to Cali and I missed my Mom's funeral and avianca lost my check in luggage

only a bag of chips and a bottle of water in business class was served

Provide free food and drinks on an international flight. Add updated head rests

We found the chairs to be really uncomfortable. It’s also really unacceptable that no form of food or drink is included in a 6+ hour flight

Not good, tried to purchase a first class upgrade and they couldn’t get it done. Was super uncomfortable the whole time.

I handed in my suitcase in perfect condition at SAL Airport. And in MIA Airport I received it with one corner broken and the wheels bent.

No free snacks nor drinks on very short 30min flight. Entertainment system is over wifi to your own phone or tablet, which is good but often a show or movie just stops and refuses to continue

This low cost airline looks and fells more like a local bus. In a 6 hour flight not being able to recline a seat is torture. The only thing available with no charge is a glass of water provided by, mostly, rude staff. Our luggage didn’t arrive

6 hour flight and have to pay for everything 100 dollars to add a carry-on bag is insane

Everything you need to know for your flight from San José to Madrid

Information on your arrival and departure airports