Cheap flights to Spain

Spain needs no introduction. It’s the country of the green North and the sunny costas, the flamenco and tapas, the solemn church processions and the joyous fiestas, the bucket-and-spade holiday and the cultural city break, the siesta and late-night partying.

Britain’s love affair with the country is going strong; almost every week an airline introduces more cheap flights to Spain and its holiday islands (Canary Islands – Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura – and Balearic Islands – Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza).

The Costa del Sol is the family-holiday favourite taking in the resort towns of Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Mijas and Marbella. The Costa Brava in northeastern Spain is fantastic for family hols too while the big, sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz, running from the Straits of Gibraltar to Portugal, are becoming more popular.

Madrid is the capital, an elegant city with three world-class treasure-packed galleries within a few minutes’ walk of each other. Barcelona is cool with wonderfully preserved medieval streets and those world-famous Gaudi buildings.

Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol, and Seville, further west, is a vibrant city that comes to life in springtime with the Semana Santa and Feria de Abril.

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Spain climate

For most of the year, Spain is warm in the south and temperate in the north, but gets very hot in July in August – peak tourist season. Spring and autumn are the nicest times to visit, although the Atlantic coast gets heavy rains in October and November. Winters can get very cold in Madrid and the country’s central highlands.

When is the best time to fly to Spain?

May, June and September are the best months to visit Spain although the country is blessed with sunny weather almost all year round.

In the south, add April and October to the list. At these times you can expect sunshine, but not overbearing heat. An added bonus is that, by avoiding July and August, you will miss the hordes of tourists.

Peak season:

July and August are the height of the tourist season and Spain flights and holidays can be expensive. Early summer and into autumn are also popular. Spain is very popular with families so prices will be higher during school holidays and half-term breaks.

Off season:

There really isn’t a bad time to visit Spain, but the winter months (November to February) can be cold and rainy and the country gets its share of snow too.

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Getting around Spain

The official Spain tourist site calls bus travel “comfortable and efficient”, and has a handy list of related bus company websites.

The national rail network is called RENFE. There are high-speed and long-distance services. The AVE, for example, runs on the Madrid-Cordoba-Seville route. Madrid to Seville takes two-and-a-half hours.

Flying around Spain is a good option too, and the tourist website states that Air Europa, Iberia and Spanair offer air passes or coupon programmes for some travellers.

Other Spanish airlines include:
Air Nostrum, Binter Canarias and Vueling, a cheery low-cost with regular promotions.

Renting a car gives you the freedom to see as much of Spain as you like. All the major car rental companies have desks at the major airports. Check your airline website to see if it offers preferential rental rates. Booking in advance can offer great savings.

How long is the flight to Spain?

Spain is among the world’s most popular countries and attracts many visitors from many countries, including Singapore, thus there are a number of flights to Spain from Singapore. The flying time from Singapore depends on the city you are planning to travel to. A popular city for tourists is Barcelona; the travel duration of Changi Airport, Singapore, to El Prat Airport, Barcelona, takes around 16-17h. There are flights to Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, from Changi Airport with a flight time between 17 and 23h, depending on the flight deals. There are no flights to Spain from the other major airport in Singapore, Seletar Airport, as it is in close proximity to Changi airport.

Where can you get direct flights to Spain from?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Spain from Singapore airports, most of the flights have at least one stop. If you are travelling from Changi Airport to El Prat Airport, there is a minimum of one stop; depending on the airline, the stopover airports can be Dubai, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Paris, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Zurich. Cheap flights to Spain have a longer duration as there may be multiple stopovers with a longer wait to board flights.

What is the best way to travel around Spain?

Public transport with bus services, speed trains and domestic flights are some of the ways to get around the country. To reach faraway places and islands, domestic flights are ideal as there are over 40 airports with internal flights. If you want to move around between major cities, high-speed trains, known as the AVE, run between them. Barcelona to Madrid can be covered in about 2h 40min and trains from Madrid to Seville take around the same. Book tickets in advance as seats need to be reserved, and booking online makes it cheaper. If you are travelling around Barcelona city, then the metro, trams and FGC are convenient ways to get around. For example, trams connect to major shopping centres, tourist spots and more. Taxis are also available in Barcelona and their availability can be identified by a green light on the top.

What are some things to do in Spain?

Visiting Spain is commonly one of the things on people’s bucket list as there are many experiences and sights. In Barcelona are the Park Guell, Casa Batllo and the La Sagrada Familia, they have good architecture and artwork. Soccer fan or not, a visit to the famous soccer stadium in Barcelona is warranted as it is huge. Madrid is another popular city to visit, and among the top things to see is the Flamenco Show. If you are into adventure, then Spain is the place to be with some popular diving centres in Empuriabrava, where you can feel the thrill of skydiving. For a party lover, Ibiza is the place to be where you can enjoy some happening parties. A music buff should not miss the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim, a music festival where artists from around the world come and perform; you could also attend La Tomatina, which is another popular festival. And ensure you check out the Spanish food, especially the tapas.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Spain?

Singaporeans do not need a visa for entry within the Schengen region. They can visit Spain for up to 180 days but should have a passport with them at all times for identification.

What is good to know if travelling to Spain?

• On the Costa Blanca, stop at Torrevieja. The town, popular with ex-pat Europeans, is about 30 kilometres south of Alicante. Torrevieja takes its name from the Old Tower and is famous for the area’s salt lakes. The town has a salt museum, lively fish market and working harbour.
• Barcelona – in late winter and early spring the Catalans enjoy calcotades – a different kind of BBQ. Calcots are a kind of spring onion that ripens at this time of year. After grilling, peel off the burnt skin, dip in romesco sauce and eat. Rumour has it that part of the fun is rubbing the black ash into your neighbor’s face.
• Fuerteventura – for a day away from the beach chair, the Islote de Lobos Nature Reserve offers the chance to see birds and plants not found anywhere else in the world. The reserve is a short boat trip from Corralejo.
• Majorca – Palma. The Coves del Drac (the Dragon Caves) on the edge of Porto Cristo is one of Majorca’s largest tourist attractions. The caves were discovered in 1896 and have bizarre stalactite formations. After the tour, visitors can return by boat across the lake to the exit.
• A 1950s art colony and 1960s hippie haven, Ibiza is known for its hedonistic resorts, fine beaches, and electric nightlife. The crowd is cosmopolitan — chic, gay, and middle class visitors, mostly from Europe, the US, and Australia. The town and inner island are interesting and have some quiet corners, but most visitors are here for the anything-goes nightlife.
• Valencia may appear modern and industrial, but look again. The heart of the city has renowned museums, art collections, and beaches. Valencia is where paella was created, El Cid fought the Moors, and the wild spring festival Las Fallas is held. The nightlife in summer is a beach party at open-air discos and in winter bar crawling in the historic district.
• Trivago is a useful website for user recommendations of accommodation in Spain. The site includes information on all the main cities and resorts, including hotels in Barcelona, the Costa Blanca and Palma de Majorca.
• Thinking of buying a holiday home in Spain? Read our Buying Homes Abroad guide before making your big decision.