$426 Find Cheap Flights from San José to Madrid - Compare and Save

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

• Earliest: departs at 4:10 pm and lands at 2:20 am
• Latest: departs at 10:40 pm and lands at 8:50 am.

The flight takes about 10h 10m.

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

• Economy Class
• Premium Economy Class
• Business Class

A nonstop flight from San José to Madrid takes 10h 10m, covering 5,278 miles.

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.

Round-trip flights from San José to Madrid range from $678 to $1,022, with an average of $807 over the past 12 months. Anything below $678 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 6% above the route average of $807. Book 16 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $690 round-trip via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), compared to $796 for nonstop.

There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $29–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

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.

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

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

One-way fares from San José to Madrid are currently in line with typical prices for this route. Average one-way fares are about $514.

Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $2 for economy cars. Top options include:
• Record go
• Goldcar Rental SP
• CLICK RENT
• Alamo
• Centauro

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

Night flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

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 San José to Madrid route, 27% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 20 minutes.

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

• Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) - 53% of one-stop connections
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - 16% of one-stop connections
• San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) - 10% of one-stop connections
• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 5% of one-stop connections

Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 28% on the San José to Madrid route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $721 round-trip on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $993, a difference of $272. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

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

• Iberia
• Iberojet

Flying via Cancun (CUN) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 14h 35m, compared with 14h 38m via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) and 14h 58m via Bogotá El Dorado (BOG).

Madrid is 8 hours ahead of San José (Central European Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Some of the most popular sights in Madrid are Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Estado Santiago Bernabéu. These are among the most viewed places in Madrid on KAYAK.

Among airlines operating San José to Madrid flights:

• Iberia: offers free seat selection

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.