Travelling from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) to Madrid Airport (MAD): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport is 9 hours 45 minutes.
Madrid is four hours ahead of Rio de Janeiro and is in the UTC+1 timezone.
Flights from GIG to MAD start at 19:05 — the first with Iberia. The last departure is at 20:15 with Iberia. In total, you can take your pick of four weekly Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport flights.
To ensure you get on your GIG to MAD flight, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months such as December. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
Iberia is your ticket to exploring Madrid (and perhaps some other exciting corners of Spain!). Check out the direct flights from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport offered by this popular airline.
Most travellers choose to fly with Iberia on this route.
Among carriers operating GIG to MAD flights, Iberia is the most consistent for on-time landings.
If you want to add a stop to your trip, just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport. These are the top stopovers between GIG and MAD:
London Heathrow Airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Rome Fiumicino Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) to Madrid Airport (MAD)
Rs98,547 is currently the best price for a one-way Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport flight. Return flights start at Rs197,287. These fares may change depending on demand and availability.
To score cheap tickets from GIG to MAD, reserve your trip six months ahead of your planned departure.
November is the cheapest month for flights from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport. If you prefer to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from GIG to MAD by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a special offer becomes available.
Lock in the ideal flight for you with the help of the filters. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Handy information about Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG)
Of all flights departing from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport, 79% land on schedule at their destination.
Central Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport is approximately 19 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 30 minutes to get there if you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving.
The journey on public transport takes about 1 hour.
Catching an early flight from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to GIG:
Arriving at Madrid Airport (MAD)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport flight. Reserve one of these accommodation options near MAD instead:
Hit the road running by picking up a Madrid Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Record Go, Goldcar or Click and Rent to explore Madrid and beyond.
Booking your ride from Madrid Airport about one week in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Getting from Madrid Airport (MAD) to central Madrid
From Madrid Airport, Madrid is approximately 13 kilometres away. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre on public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
When to fly to Madrid Airport (MAD)
The quietest month for a flight from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport is March, while July is the most popular. Choose the best time to go to Madrid based on whether you prefer a faster pace or a more relaxed vibe.
Lock in your flight from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to Madrid Airport for July if you want to explore Madrid during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 18ºC and 37ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 0ºC and 12ºC. Look for cheap tickets from GIG to MAD sometime around then if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
Explore more of Spain
You've seen Madrid, now it's time to discover more of Spain. Journey around 274 kilometres north-east to Zaragoza to check off its top attractions. From Plaza del Pilar to La Seo del Salvador and Basílica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
If there's time to check out another side of Spain, consider Salamanca, roughly 177 kilometres west of Madrid. Catedral de Salamanca, Salamanca, Casco Historico and Plaza Mayor are highlights.
