Day trip to Madrid.
From Edinburgh, back by 21:55.
Time in the city
6.9 hours
after transfersAfter transfers and airport time
Airport distance
13km
to the centreFrom Madrid centre (MAD)
Daylight
9.8 hours
08:07 to 17:53Sunrise 08:07, sunset 17:53
05:50
Leave Edinburgh
Ryanair, direct
10:35
In the city
Lands 09:45, 20min immigration, 30min from the airport. First EU trip since 2025? Allow 25min more
17:30
Leave the city
30min back, 120min at the airport incl. immigration
21:55
Back in Edinburgh
Flies 20:00
- Leave EdinburghRyanair, direct05:50
- Land in Madrid2h 55min09:45
- In the city20min immigration, 30min from the airport10:35
- Leave the city30min back, 120min at the airport incl. immigration17:30
- Fly home2h 55min20:00
- Back in Edinburgh21:55
Last bus or train to the airport leaves at about 02:00.
Best day for your flights
Open up the maps to see full detail.
Also on in Madrid
Coming up in Madrid: Cabalgata de Reyes Magos de Madrid, 5 Jan
Things to do in MadridShowHide
Royal Palace of MadridTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Santiago Bernabéu StadiumTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Prado MuseumTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Parque de Atracciones MadridTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Museum of Illusions MadridTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Zoo Aquarium MadridTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Madrid Museum PassesTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Teatro Flamenco MadridTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
All things to do in Madrid · Tiqets, affiliate link
With kids in MadridShowHide
Getting to the airportShowHide
Getting to Edinburgh
Per person. Not in the total above. Prices checked 21 Oct 2026.
Free
- Free drop-offFree
Long Stay car park, free for 0-30 minutes, then £14 (30min-1hr), but no shuttle bus, 10-min walk to terminal Source
Train
- From Edinburgh city centre (via Edinburgh Trams, no direct rail link)£7.50 each way30 min
Advance single; On the day £7.50. First train 06:30, last train 22:52 Source
First train too late for this flight. It gets you to Edinburgh less than 90 min before take-off.
Coach
- Lothian Buses Airlink 100 from Edinburgh£6.00 each way
Cheapest advertised single. Source
Taxi
- From Edinburgh city centre£24-£29 one way~8 miles
Estimate, not a quote.
Parking at the airport
Madrid on a budgetShowHide
A day in Madrid costs £18.68 per person on the ground on a budget, before the flight, eating and drinking at the cheaper end of what places charge. At typical prices it is £19.31, and a day that does not watch the pennies runs to £28.61. The food and drink prices are real menu prices we read in Madrid on 22 Oct and 27 Oct, turned into pounds at the day's exchange rate, not guesses.
Best day for your flights
Open up the maps to see full detail.
What a day in Madrid costs
Flights and on-the-ground spend, per person.
£103.60/ all in, per person
Entry fees
Opening days vary, so check before you go.
Prices checked 3 Oct 2026
Google Flights price. Checked 26 Oct, 14:50.
Estimated cost. Fares last checked 26 Oct, 14:50. Prices and availability change and are set by the airline or agent when you book.
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Day Trip Flight Details
Return flights are about 430 kg CO2e per person (UK government 2026 factors), about the same as driving 1,620 miles in an average UK car. How we work this out
Costs people forgetShowHide
Costs people forget
Not in the total above. Worth a minute before you go.
- Phone data. EE, Vodafone and Three charge about £2.75 a day to use your allowance in Europe. O2, Tesco Mobile and giffgaff include it free.
- Card fees. Many cards add a foreign-exchange fee to every payment abroad. Check yours before you go, or take one that doesn't charge it.
- Ryanair airport check-in. £55 per person, per flight, if you don't check in online. Without a paid seat, online check-in opens 24 hours before and closes 2 hours before. Ryanair, fees
- Ryanair bags. One small bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) under the seat is free. A 10kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) needs Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, £12.49 to £36 when booked. An oversize bag at the gate is refused or put in the hold for £70 to £75. Ryanair, fees
Ask about Madrid
Your hours, your budget, what you like. Answered from real costs and tips from people who have been.
Comments on MadridShowHide
Comments
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