Airports in Spain

There are many airports in Spain- Here is a list of the best options for arriving in southern Spain and Andalucia

There are many ways to get to the south of Spain. For many, air travel is necessary to get here. It's also a desired way that many people reach the rest of the country or the very cool close by countries.

While most cities have airports, you'll want to choose your airports in Spain based on your travel needs and price. I think that your best bet when searching for flights would be to fly into Seville, Malaga or Madrid when planning to travel in southern Spain.

We often fly into Madrid and take the Ave train to Seville. It's not far and you can often get a better deal into Madrid. If you don't want to bother with taking the train after you arrive, the Seville airport serves as a great arrival destintion and is close to the city. Choose Malaga or Almeira if the beach is your desired destination.

Your Options for Airports in Spain

Madrid Barajas International Airport – While not exactly in southern Spain I am listing it because it is easy enough to get to southern Spain from here and is one of the key airports in Spain.

Because Madrid is a big airport centrally located in the country, it is often the place where you'll find the best airfare prices. It's big and has many shopping and eating options. Many signs are in english and you'll have no problem getting around.

There are a couple of options to get to the south from Madrid. You can take a bus but this is by far the cheapest and slowest way. You can rent a car which is one of the more expensive ways but offers a lot of freedom. My preferred method, you can take a train, as you save some money and the trains are clean, comfortable and a great way to see the country side.

Currently, a train from Madrid to Seville costs around 100 euros. So if your flight cheaper then that to fly into Madrid, make Madrid a stop before you come to the south.

Seville Airport – Seville is a way to get right into the heart of southern Spain and a great place to start your trip if you are continuing on to other cities. The airport is one of the bases for low cost air lines Vueling and Ryanair. Seville has regular buses that take visitors into Seville stopping at the Santa Justa train station and ending at Prado de San Sebastian. One way ticket around three Euros. Taxis are also available for easy transport right to your hotel or final destination.

Seville has a flat airport fare for all taxis between the airport and the city. Quick note on taxis, my personal experience with taxis has been overall good but I would advise to only take taxi in the cue at the airport. Also if given a choice choose the older men as I find them much more trusting and helpful. For a car rental, you can rent a car from the airport they have Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National, and Sixt.

Granada/Jaen Federico Garcia Lorca Airport – Is Granada and the Alhambra your main focus? Then maybe you’ll want to fly into the Granada airport just 6.5 miles west of Granada. It's a small and not-so-busy airports in Spain, as it only has about 15 planes flying in and out a day!

Granada like Seville has buses that take you right into the city with multiple stops along the way and for three Euros you can’t beat it. Taxis are also available at the airport for easy access to your hotel. Rental cars are also an option with Avis, Europcar, and Goldcar as your rental agencies. I will warn that if you going to visit Granada and are staying somewhere without parking which most places do not have it will be far cheaper to take a taxi. It probably would not be that much more money to have a private car pick you up than to pay to rent a car and pay to park it in the city.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso Malaga Airport – The biggest and busiest of the airports in Spain (south region, of course) due to its proximity to Costal de Sol (very touristy). Malaga airport is 5 miles southwest of Malaga.

The airport conveniently has a bus station located on spot. You are able to take a local bus into Malaga about 15 minutes, other intercity buses, or long distance coaches. Malaga airport even has a train station stop that goes to Malaga, Benalmádena, and Fuengirola. Taxis, like most airports Malaga’s has a taxi stand to quickly take you to your final destination. For car rentals, Malaga has one of the best selections of car rental for southern Spain airports from Hertz to National. If you have an amigo picking you up there is plenty of parking for him like the P2 Express Car Park or one of the many others.

Jerez de la Frontera Airport - Located just 5 miles northeast of Jerez de la Frontera this airport serves mostly national flights but now has some international connections with the U.K. and Germany. This is great way to get in to Jerez, Cadiz, and all of Costa la Luz. The airport is along a bus route that will take you right into the city of Jerez.

Taxis of course are another way to easily get into Jerez or the surrounding area. If you have a friend picking you up there is plenty of onsite parking try using P1 for more of a long term parking use P2. If renting a car is your thing no problem Jerez airport has 4 on site care rental options. Train is also another option for getting to your destination as Renfe c-1 has stops at the airport and goes on to Jerez, Puerto de Santa María, and other towns. Jerez airport offers two food options one restaurant On Time and one bar serving typical Spanish tapas.

Cordoba Airport – Mainly used for charter flights into Cordoba this is one of the airports in Spain that does not have any major carriers that use it as hub. If you have your own plane this is a great option.

Almeria Airport – Handling over three quarters of a million people in 2011 this is one of the airports in Spain that has multiple international and national carriers flying in and out on a regular basis. The airport is just outside the city of Almería and right on the coast.

Regular buses to and from the city center with tickets around two Euros. There is a taxi stand for those who chose this convenient mode of transportation. Parking is available for those leaving out of or being picked up from the airport. On site car rentals from Europcar, Goldcar, and Hertz. Almeria has two options for food Abades Air and On Time. Both are cafeteria style set ups.

After you've decided on which of the airports in Spain you might fly into, take a look at tips on getting cheap airfare to Spain.

Return to Southern Spain Travel Homepage