Flying from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to San Diego: what you need to know
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport is located in Madrid. Based in the UTC-7 timezone, San Diego is eight hours behind Madrid.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your MAD to San Diego flight.
Delays at security and check-in are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing room. A good rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for flight tickets from MAD to San Diego, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Located around 13 kilometres from the centre of Madrid, MAD can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
In search of a hotel near MAD? If you're catching an early flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
Of all flights departing from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, 78.23% arrive on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to San Diego
The best price we've seen for a one-way Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego flight is R 5,789. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 10,215. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from MAD to San Diego, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
Scoring cheap tickets from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego is more likely if you're flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to access the lowest fares throughout the month and land a fantastic deal.
Picking up a cheap flight from MAD to San Diego is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when a cheaper option becomes available.
Snag an affordable flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is around 5 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 10 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 20 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel close to SAN if you're coming in on a late flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a San Diego International Airport rental car and discover San Diego and beyond with your own set of wheels. Thrifty, Dollar and Budget are top providers you can book with here.
Reserving your vehicle from San Diego International Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from MAD to San Diego can help you lock in the lowest rate.
SAN is located at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is around 56 kilometres from central San Diego. Once you've hopped off your flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego, it'll take you around 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
Public transport will get you there in around 2 hours 15 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to CLD. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your MAD to San Diego flight:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Budget, Hertz or Avis and set off in the blink of an eye.
Typically, the sooner you book, the better the deals and selection of vehicles. Secure your ride from CLD once your travel dates are set.
Best time to go to San Diego
Travel to San Diego during the high season if you like a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are usually higher. Alternatively, book flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego during low season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Lock in an Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego flight ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 17ºC (63ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
February sees average temperatures of between 7ºC (45ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from MAD to San Diego around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Diego
After booking your flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to San Diego, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Diego:
USS Midway Museum and San Diego Zoo are just a couple of the leading attractions to put on your San Diego to-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at SeaWorld San Diego.
Explore more of United States
Los Angeles is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen San Diego. Around 177 kilometres away to the north-west, its best attractions include Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Around 483 kilometres east of San Diego, Phoenix is another essential stop in United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park.
