Flying from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO): what you need to know
11 hours 10 minutes is the average time for a direct flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport. San Jose is 7 hours behind Madrid and is in the UTC-6 timezone.
For the earliest departure, take the 11:30 flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport. If you'd like to go later, the last flight is at 20:50. With 92 weekly flights from MAD to SJO, you can pick the timing that suits you best.
Flying over a peak time like July? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Getting to San Jose (and discovering more of Costa Rica!) is simple with Iberia. This popular carrier has direct flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see the options for flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers between MAD and SJO are:
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
El Dorado International Airport
El Salvador International Airport
Before reserving your cheap ticket from MAD to SJO, check if you need a visa to enter Costa Rica. Travel document and visa requirements may differ and are updated often. To get the most up-to-date information, contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the country you're travelling to.
Arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Book a hotel near SJO if you have a late flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Handy information about Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
The journey from central Madrid to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport takes approximately 37 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 26 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Searching for a handy hotel close to MAD? If you're boarding an early flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
More about San Jose
Start your San Jose trip right by finding the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from MAD to SJO, have a look at our range of hotel options including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Teatro Nacional Costa Rica, National Park (Parque Nacional) and Plaza de la Cultura are popular attractions which should be on any good San Jose itinerary.
Getting from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to central San Jose
Juan Santamaria International Airport to central San Jose takes about 21 minutes by car. It's approximately 18 kilometres away. See what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing.
Getting there by public transport typically takes 2 hours and 22 minutes.
Complete your San Jose trip with hotels and a car rental
After you've secured your cheap ticket to Juan Santamaria International Airport, check out our low prices and exclusive rates for hotels. You can also compare hundreds of car rental companies in one go to get the best car rental price for your San Jose trip.
How to find the cheapest flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
$583 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Return flights start from $738. These fares may change based on availability.
To get your hands on cheap tickets from MAD to SJO, book your journey 8 months ahead of your planned departure.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport. If you have flexibility with your dates, try out the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest airfare across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll get in touch straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from checking for cheap tickets from MAD to SJO every day.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
When to fly to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
The quietest month for a flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport is May, while July is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to San Jose based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Juan Santamaria International Airport, consider the kind of weather you like. March is the warmest month in San Jose, with the temperature ranging from 12ºC to 29ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from MAD to SJO in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 12ºC and 26ºC on average.