$537 Cheap Flights from San José (SJO) to Madrid (MAD)

Popular airlines from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)

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

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $537 for one-way flights and $536 for roundtrip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.
Flights from San José (SJO) to Madrid (MAD)
Origin airport
Juan Santamaría Intl.
Destination airport
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Airlines serving
Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Europa, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Copa, Delta, Iberia, Iberojet Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, United, avianca
Roundtrip price
$535
Distance
5280 mi
Average flight time
18 hours 15 mins

San José to Madrid Flights

The cheapest times to fly from San José to Madrid

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from San José to Madrid are during the month of July. You can find some of the cheapest flights from San José to Madrid with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from San José to Madrid

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from San José to Madrid: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from San José to Madrid

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from San José to Madrid in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $537 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap San José to Madrid flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your San José to Madrid airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) cost?
Cheap return fares from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) start from $536. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Iberia flight leaving SJO on June 7 2025 and touching down at MAD. The price was last updated on June 5 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SJO to MAD?
The cheapest flights from SJO to MAD are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)?
You can fly nonstop from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) on an Iberia flight.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SJO to MAD?
Right now, the cheapest carrier operating one-way flights from SJO to MAD is Iberia. You can jet off on this route from $841. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SJO on August 10 2025. Prices were last updated on June 5 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)?
On average, Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) only offers 1 direct flight to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) daily. To explore more options, try Expedia’s easy-to-use filter tool. Enter your details, then select “1 Stop” or “2+ Stops” to discover flights offering layovers.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)?
More passengers fly between SJO and MAD at 6 PM than at any other point in the day. Prefer a quieter experience? Travel outside of rush hours and you’re likely to save on your ticket as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from SJO to MAD?
If you jet off on a Tuesday, you’ll get the widest range of choices for flights from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).
What is the earliest flight from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)?
Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO)’s first flight to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) takes off at approximately 6:10PM UTC-6. With a travel time of 10h 20m, you’ll land at around 11:30AM UTC+1.
How long does it take to fly from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)?
It takes roughly 9 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 5,300 mi from SJO to MAD.
What airline has the least delays from SJO to MAD?
With 82% of flights generally arriving as scheduled, Iberia has the best on-time performance for direct flights from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). To monitor your flight status and get notifications if anything changes, simply head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)?
Opt for a flight from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the likelihood of delays. Later departures are on average 22% more likely to be canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Madrid from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO)?
If you’re boarding a direct flight from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Madrid, Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is the only airport you can touch down at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) last-minute?
Waiting until just before your departure to book your flight from SJO to MAD generally means paying more. Although you may find some last-minute discounts, they aren’t always guaranteed. Allow some flexibility in your schedule for the best chance of snagging a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SJO to MAD flight and hotel package?
You’ll generally save money by booking a SJO to MAD flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, travelers could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it’s simple to manage it all in one convenient place. Once you’ve selected your preferred flights and accommodations, consider other add-ons like tours, car rentals and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)?
In most cases, you can cancel or reschedule your SJO to MAD flight. However, there may be additional fees, especially if you booked over 24 hours ago. Check your itinerary for the airline’s rules and fees on flight changes, or if you want further information, visit our Customer Service portal.

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