All you need to know about booking flights to Spain in 2015
Getting to Spain in 2015
Unless you're coming overland from Portugal or France, or taking the Ferry from Morocco, you'll probably be flying into Spain.
Most people's first port of call these days is to head straight to a price comparison site like Hipmunk. But hold your horses! Not all flights are the same: airlines have different hidden fares, some airports are better than others and there might even be an airport outside of Spain that could suit you better.
Read on for advice on how to book flights to Spain.
Pages in this series
See also:
How to Get the Best Transatlantic Flights to Spain
Winner: Whoever has a good deal at the time. Be careful with Norwegian, Wow Air and Aeroflot
Transatlantic flights are a tricky business and it's getting trickier, with a lot of airlines taking on some of the practices of budget airlines (think Ryanair). This can include having to pay to check baggage or for a meal. And in 2015, Norwegian charges for both. So a flight that is listed as $522 will end up as $740 as they add on $67 per bag per flight and $42 per flight for meals.
(There's also a seat selection fee of up to $42 per flight, which they don't tell you is optional - just skip it and you won't need to pay). Wow Air, based in Iceland, also has a big baggage fee which might make the flight price no longer as attractive.
Aeroflot has a different problem - the 'slight' detour via Moscow, which will double your time jammed in those tiny seats and can almost triple tour journey time (when factoring in time at the airport).
Tips for Getting a Good Transatlantic Flight to Spain
Direct Flights from the US to Spain
There are direct flights from the US to Spain on the following routes. Note that in all cases, it will be cheaper (often much cheaper) to get an indirect flight and change somewhere else in Europe.
See also: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Madrid
See also: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Barcelona
Which are the Best Airports in Spain?
Price comparison sites like Skyscanner and Vayama are pretty much all you need today to find the best flights, right?
But if you're not familiar with Spain, which airports should you consider? Do you have good public transport connections from some of the lesser known cities or is it even worth considering a short stay at the city closest to the airport. This guide to the major and not-so-major airports of Spain should help you.
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
Bus and Train Connections Directly from Spanish Airports
You often don't need to stay in the city that you fly to...
By Bus
There are often buses straight from the airport to other cities around Spain. For example, from Malaga you can take a bus straight to Seville or Granada. To find out which bus connections are possible, check out Movelia.es.
By Train
This is a little trickier. There aren't national train services from Spain's airports. However, in both Barcelona and Madrid you can connect quickly to Sants and Atocha stations, respectively, for high-speed AVE train services and other national routes.
See also:
Major Airports in Spain
Madrid
Fly Here For: Visiting Madrid and good land transport over the entire country
This is the big one. Madrid is a big draw in itself, as are the nearby cities of Toledo and Segovia. And with the high-speed AVE train departing from Madrid, you can get to many cities in Spain's south and east without the need to get back on another plane.
Barcelona
Fly Here For: Barcelona and good flight connections to the rest of the country.
Spain's second biggest airport and second biggest city. For many visitors to the country, it's Spain's best city. And though it is tucked up in the north-east of the country, there are some great internal flights from Barcelona to all over the country, connecting you to far-off cities like Seville and Malaga in a way that land transport never could.
Malaga
Fly Here For: Visiting Granada, Seville and the Costa del Sol
Malaga has Spain's third largest airport, but don't let that trick you into thinking that Malaga is Spain's third city. Nearby cities Granada and Seville are far more interesting. Luckily, there are buses straight from Malaga airport to both of these cities, so you don't even need to go into the city itself.
Seville
Fly Here For: Visiting Seville and the rest of Andalusia
Seville is the finest city in Andalusia, Spain's most southerly region. The AVE train connects it to Madrid, via Cordoba, and there are buses and trains to Granada too.
Bilbao
Fly Here For: San Sebastian, Bilbao and the La Rioja wine region
Bilbao airport is the nearest to San Sebastian. The two cities are less than an hour apart, making them a perfect Two-City Break in Spain.
Valencia and Alicante
Fly Here For: Valencia and the Costa Blanca
Spain's third city has a small town feel despite its (relative) size. The home of paella has good access to the Costa Blanca, but you might need to fly into Alicante instead.
A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela
Fly Here For: Visiting green, green Galicia
The two main cities of Spain's most north-westerly region, Galicia. Ryanair and easyjet both fly out of Santiago de Compostela, but nearby A Coruña might have a flight for you too.
Oviedo
Fly Here For: Asturias, Spain's most renowned cider region
Oviedo is near Spain's north coast, serving Asturias and the Picos de Europa mountain range. Also a good arrival point for reaching Leon.
Minor Airports
These are 'minor' largely because there are bigger, better cities nearby or because there are few flights there.
Girona
Fly Here For: The Dali Museum in Figueres, Girona itself, Barcelona, the Costa Brava and for access to southern Spain
Catalonia's other airport, I recommend flying here for your second trip to Catalonia, if you're not planning on visiting Barcelona. There is plenty to do in northern Catalonia, and you can get to Barcelona, but remember the extra travel time involved.
Reus
Fly Here For: Tarragona, the Costa Dorada (south-west Catalonia's beach towns) and Barcelona
Barcelona itself is a far better option if you want to visit Spain's second biggest city, but if there's a cheap flight it's worth considering. Just bear in mind the extra travel time for getting to Barcelona, particularly when taking public transport. Read more about Things to Do in Reus.
Jerez
Fly Here For: Seville, Jerez itself and for exploring Andalusia
It's far more likely you'll have flights to Seville than to here, but if you do get a deal, it's an ideal gateway to Andalusia.
Granada
Fly Here For: Granada, Cordoba and the rest of Andalusia
This isn't a minor city but it is a minor airport. Flights from Madrid and Barcelona are handy, particularly as Granada isn't on the AVE high-speed train.
Almeria
Fly Here For: Quieter beaches away from the maddening crowds of the Costa del Sol, Mojacar, Cabo de Gata nature park, 'mini Hollywood'.
Almeria is at the far east of Andalusia and so is not as busy as Malaga and the Costa del Sol. Many Wild West movies, Indiana Jones, and a Doctor Who episode were filmed nearby.
Santander
Fly Here For: Access to the north coast of Spain
Santander doesn't have a lot to offer the tourist, so fly to Oviedo or Bilbao if you get the chance.
Valladolid
Fly Here For: The Ribera del Duero wine region
This is wine country! Valladolid can also be a good jump-off point for visiting Salamanca, Leon and Burgos.
Zaragoza
Fly Here For: High-speed train to Madrid and Barcelona
Zaragoza has a few sights, but its location on the AVE train from Madrid to Barcelona is its biggest draw.
Murcia
Fly Here For: Beach resorts, Alicante
There's not a lot to see in Murcia, but it's close enough to Alicante.
Best Flights from UK and Ireland to Spain
Best Airline: easyJet (and Ryanair)
There was a time when your choice was: get a stress-free flight with easyJet or risk being ripped off by Ryanair. But Ryanair has cleaned up its act and now both airlines are viable options.
There are still things to watch out for with Ryanair: they still have a lower weight allowance for hand luggage than most other airlines (though they do now allow a handbag or laptop bag in addition, which even easyJet doesn't) and they still make people jump through hoops (such as forcing non-EU passport holders to get their boarding pass stamped by the Ryanair Visa/Document Check Desk, something which no other airline requires).
Still, their website is a thousand times easier to use than it used to be and their flights are the equal of easyJet in terms of value, so they deserve to be on this page.
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
Major Routes to Spain Not Covered by Ryanair or easyJet
But the big two airlines aren't the only budget carriers in Europe. Here are a few other routes you might want to consider, not on easyJet or Ryanair's route map:
Best Airline: easyJet for flights to Barcelona, Ryanair for visiting the Costas via Girona and Reus airports.
Which 'Barcelona' Airport to Use?
There are three airports in Catalonia: Barcelona airport, Girona airport and Reus airport. If you're staying in Barcelona, you are far better off using the main Barcelona (El Prat) airport. Only Ryanair calls Girona and Reus 'Barcelona' airports.
Traveling Barcelona and Reus or Girona airports can add a couple of hours to your travel time.
So if you're visiting Barcelona, look for alternative routes where possible that avoid Reus and Girona
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
When to Use Girona Airport Instead of Barcelona
Not every visit to Catalonia is about Barcelona. Girona airport is your best option for visiting:
See also: How to Get from Girona Airport to Barcelona
Main Girona Routes and Their Equivalents
If Barcelona is your destination, here are your alternatives to flying Girona.
When to Use Reus Airport Instead of Barcelona
Reus airport can be a useful place to arrive at when you want to visit:
Main Reus Routes and Their Equivalents
Airlines Outside Spain That You Could Consider
There are airports outside of Spain that can get you quickly to Spain.
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
Tangiers, Morocco
Fly Here For: Visit the souqs, take a ferry to Andalusia.
It takes under an hour to get from Tangiers to Tarifa in Spain by ferry.
Faro
Fly Here For: The Algarve and bus connections to Seville.
Faro airport is the main gateway to Portugal's Algarve region.
The bus from Faro to Seville takes two hours.
Porto, Portugal
Fly Here For: Porto, Port wine tasting, Douro valley, Galicia in Spain.
Portugal's second city is one of the country's highlights. There are trains north to Galicia, Spain's most north-western region.
Gibraltar, UK
Fly Here For: Monkeys, Andalusia, ferries to Morocco
Gibraltar is a tiny British enclave surrounded by the Mediterranean and Andalusia. You can walk across the border and you'll be in Spain, but you still have a bit of a drive until you reach one of Spain's real sights. Jerez is a little over an hour away, Seville is two hours away and Ronda is an hour-and-a-half away.
Lisbon
Fly Here For: Lisbon, the rest of Portugal, Madrid
Portugal's capital is about as far from Spain as you can be in Portugal, but there is an overnight train to Madrid.
Biarritz
Fly Here For: Biarritz, Bayonne, San Sebastian and the rest of the Basque Country
Lourdes
Fly Here For: The Sanctuary of Lourdes, access to the Pyrenees
Lourdes isn't really so close to any prominent Spanish city, but the Pyrenees are close.
Perpignan
Fly Here For: South of France beaches, access to northern Catalonia, the Dali Museum in Figueres and then on to Barcelona.
Good connections to Catalonia make this a good arrival point if you can't get a flight directly to Spain.
Unless you're coming overland from Portugal or France, or taking the Ferry from Morocco, you'll probably be flying into Spain.
Most people's first port of call these days is to head straight to a price comparison site like Hipmunk. But hold your horses! Not all flights are the same: airlines have different hidden fares, some airports are better than others and there might even be an airport outside of Spain that could suit you better.
Read on for advice on how to book flights to Spain.
Pages in this series
- How to Get the Best Transatlantic Flights to Spain
- Which are the Best Airports in Spain?
- Best Flights from UK and Ireland to Spain
- Flying to Barcelona and Catalonia
- Airports Outside Spain That You Should Consider
See also:
- Internal Flights in Spain
- Ryanair & easyJet Hand Baggage Allowance and Ideal Bags
- European Airlines Baggage Allowances
How to Get the Best Transatlantic Flights to Spain
Winner: Whoever has a good deal at the time. Be careful with Norwegian, Wow Air and Aeroflot
Transatlantic flights are a tricky business and it's getting trickier, with a lot of airlines taking on some of the practices of budget airlines (think Ryanair). This can include having to pay to check baggage or for a meal. And in 2015, Norwegian charges for both. So a flight that is listed as $522 will end up as $740 as they add on $67 per bag per flight and $42 per flight for meals.
(There's also a seat selection fee of up to $42 per flight, which they don't tell you is optional - just skip it and you won't need to pay). Wow Air, based in Iceland, also has a big baggage fee which might make the flight price no longer as attractive.
Aeroflot has a different problem - the 'slight' detour via Moscow, which will double your time jammed in those tiny seats and can almost triple tour journey time (when factoring in time at the airport).
Tips for Getting a Good Transatlantic Flight to Spain
- Compare Prices on Flights to Spain with a good price comparison site.
- You're not necessarily tied to landing in Barcelona and Madrid. There are seasonal flights to Malaga (with Delta). At times there have also been flights to Valencia, but no routes seem to be planned at the moment.
- Always check flight times and total journey time. Sometimes just a few more bucks will get you a much more convenient flight, avoiding lengthy stopovers that necessitate spending money at expensive airports, as well as minimising the effects of jet lag.
- If flying with Norwegian, skip the seat selection page (it'll only cost you money)! Just hit 'Continue'.
- Consider a direct flight to elsewhere in Europe and then take a budget airline from there. These connections won't show up on a price comparison site as they're not technically connecting flights - you'll still need to pick up your bag between legs.
- Be careful about connecting in London - there are seven London airports, so it can be hard to get a convenient connecting flight if booking your legs separately. If landing in Heathrow, Vueling is the only budget airline with flights from Heathrow to Spain.
Direct Flights from the US to Spain
There are direct flights from the US to Spain on the following routes. Note that in all cases, it will be cheaper (often much cheaper) to get an indirect flight and change somewhere else in Europe.
- New York to Madrid
- Miami to Madrid
- L.A. to Madrid
- Boston to Madrid
- Philadelphia to Madrid
- Dallas to Madrid
- Chicago to Madrid
- Atlanta to Madrid
See also: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Madrid
- ?New York to Barcelona
- Miami to Barcelona
- Philadelphia to Barcelona
See also: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Barcelona
Which are the Best Airports in Spain?
Price comparison sites like Skyscanner and Vayama are pretty much all you need today to find the best flights, right?
But if you're not familiar with Spain, which airports should you consider? Do you have good public transport connections from some of the lesser known cities or is it even worth considering a short stay at the city closest to the airport. This guide to the major and not-so-major airports of Spain should help you.
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
Bus and Train Connections Directly from Spanish Airports
You often don't need to stay in the city that you fly to...
By Bus
There are often buses straight from the airport to other cities around Spain. For example, from Malaga you can take a bus straight to Seville or Granada. To find out which bus connections are possible, check out Movelia.es.
By Train
This is a little trickier. There aren't national train services from Spain's airports. However, in both Barcelona and Madrid you can connect quickly to Sants and Atocha stations, respectively, for high-speed AVE train services and other national routes.
See also:
Major Airports in Spain
Madrid
Fly Here For: Visiting Madrid and good land transport over the entire country
This is the big one. Madrid is a big draw in itself, as are the nearby cities of Toledo and Segovia. And with the high-speed AVE train departing from Madrid, you can get to many cities in Spain's south and east without the need to get back on another plane.
Barcelona
Fly Here For: Barcelona and good flight connections to the rest of the country.
Spain's second biggest airport and second biggest city. For many visitors to the country, it's Spain's best city. And though it is tucked up in the north-east of the country, there are some great internal flights from Barcelona to all over the country, connecting you to far-off cities like Seville and Malaga in a way that land transport never could.
Malaga
Fly Here For: Visiting Granada, Seville and the Costa del Sol
Malaga has Spain's third largest airport, but don't let that trick you into thinking that Malaga is Spain's third city. Nearby cities Granada and Seville are far more interesting. Luckily, there are buses straight from Malaga airport to both of these cities, so you don't even need to go into the city itself.
Seville
Fly Here For: Visiting Seville and the rest of Andalusia
Seville is the finest city in Andalusia, Spain's most southerly region. The AVE train connects it to Madrid, via Cordoba, and there are buses and trains to Granada too.
Bilbao
Fly Here For: San Sebastian, Bilbao and the La Rioja wine region
Bilbao airport is the nearest to San Sebastian. The two cities are less than an hour apart, making them a perfect Two-City Break in Spain.
Valencia and Alicante
Fly Here For: Valencia and the Costa Blanca
Spain's third city has a small town feel despite its (relative) size. The home of paella has good access to the Costa Blanca, but you might need to fly into Alicante instead.
A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela
Fly Here For: Visiting green, green Galicia
The two main cities of Spain's most north-westerly region, Galicia. Ryanair and easyjet both fly out of Santiago de Compostela, but nearby A Coruña might have a flight for you too.
Oviedo
Fly Here For: Asturias, Spain's most renowned cider region
Oviedo is near Spain's north coast, serving Asturias and the Picos de Europa mountain range. Also a good arrival point for reaching Leon.
Minor Airports
These are 'minor' largely because there are bigger, better cities nearby or because there are few flights there.
Girona
Fly Here For: The Dali Museum in Figueres, Girona itself, Barcelona, the Costa Brava and for access to southern Spain
Catalonia's other airport, I recommend flying here for your second trip to Catalonia, if you're not planning on visiting Barcelona. There is plenty to do in northern Catalonia, and you can get to Barcelona, but remember the extra travel time involved.
Reus
Fly Here For: Tarragona, the Costa Dorada (south-west Catalonia's beach towns) and Barcelona
Barcelona itself is a far better option if you want to visit Spain's second biggest city, but if there's a cheap flight it's worth considering. Just bear in mind the extra travel time for getting to Barcelona, particularly when taking public transport. Read more about Things to Do in Reus.
Jerez
Fly Here For: Seville, Jerez itself and for exploring Andalusia
It's far more likely you'll have flights to Seville than to here, but if you do get a deal, it's an ideal gateway to Andalusia.
Granada
Fly Here For: Granada, Cordoba and the rest of Andalusia
This isn't a minor city but it is a minor airport. Flights from Madrid and Barcelona are handy, particularly as Granada isn't on the AVE high-speed train.
Almeria
Fly Here For: Quieter beaches away from the maddening crowds of the Costa del Sol, Mojacar, Cabo de Gata nature park, 'mini Hollywood'.
Almeria is at the far east of Andalusia and so is not as busy as Malaga and the Costa del Sol. Many Wild West movies, Indiana Jones, and a Doctor Who episode were filmed nearby.
Santander
Fly Here For: Access to the north coast of Spain
Santander doesn't have a lot to offer the tourist, so fly to Oviedo or Bilbao if you get the chance.
Valladolid
Fly Here For: The Ribera del Duero wine region
This is wine country! Valladolid can also be a good jump-off point for visiting Salamanca, Leon and Burgos.
Zaragoza
Fly Here For: High-speed train to Madrid and Barcelona
Zaragoza has a few sights, but its location on the AVE train from Madrid to Barcelona is its biggest draw.
Murcia
Fly Here For: Beach resorts, Alicante
There's not a lot to see in Murcia, but it's close enough to Alicante.
Best Flights from UK and Ireland to Spain
Best Airline: easyJet (and Ryanair)
There was a time when your choice was: get a stress-free flight with easyJet or risk being ripped off by Ryanair. But Ryanair has cleaned up its act and now both airlines are viable options.
There are still things to watch out for with Ryanair: they still have a lower weight allowance for hand luggage than most other airlines (though they do now allow a handbag or laptop bag in addition, which even easyJet doesn't) and they still make people jump through hoops (such as forcing non-EU passport holders to get their boarding pass stamped by the Ryanair Visa/Document Check Desk, something which no other airline requires).
Still, their website is a thousand times easier to use than it used to be and their flights are the equal of easyJet in terms of value, so they deserve to be on this page.
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
Major Routes to Spain Not Covered by Ryanair or easyJet
But the big two airlines aren't the only budget carriers in Europe. Here are a few other routes you might want to consider, not on easyJet or Ryanair's route map:
- Manchester to Malaga Thomson
- Manchester to Alicante Thomson
- Manchester to Bilbao Vueling
- London (Heathrow and Gatwick) to Bilbao Vueling
- London (Heathrow) to Barcelona British Airways (BA's prices here are comparable to budget airline prices)
- Cardiff to Barcelona Vueling
- Cardiff to Madrid Vueling
- Cardiff to Malaga Vueling
- Glasgow to Barcelona Jet2
- Glasgow to Alicante Thomson
- Birmingham to Madrid Norwegian
- Birmingham to Malaga Thomson
- Edinburgh to Madrid Iberia
- Edinburgh to Malaga Norwegian
Best Airline: easyJet for flights to Barcelona, Ryanair for visiting the Costas via Girona and Reus airports.
Which 'Barcelona' Airport to Use?
There are three airports in Catalonia: Barcelona airport, Girona airport and Reus airport. If you're staying in Barcelona, you are far better off using the main Barcelona (El Prat) airport. Only Ryanair calls Girona and Reus 'Barcelona' airports.
Traveling Barcelona and Reus or Girona airports can add a couple of hours to your travel time.
So if you're visiting Barcelona, look for alternative routes where possible that avoid Reus and Girona
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
When to Use Girona Airport Instead of Barcelona
Not every visit to Catalonia is about Barcelona. Girona airport is your best option for visiting:
- Girona Girona is a fine city that makes a nice, quiet weekend break
- The Dali Museum in Figueres You don't need to be an art fan to enjoy the quirky art of Salvador Dali. His museum in Figueres is just 15 minutes from Girona by train.
- The Costa Brava Popular resort towns Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar, Blanes and Llafranc are all close to Girona airport.
- Perpignan and the South of France Though Perpignan has its own airport, a flight to Girona, perhaps taking in the Dali museum on the way, could be a good alternative to flying direct.
See also: How to Get from Girona Airport to Barcelona
Main Girona Routes and Their Equivalents
If Barcelona is your destination, here are your alternatives to flying Girona.
- Birmingham (Thomson)
Barcelona Alternative: Monarch, Ryanair, Vueling all fly Birmingham to Barcelona
- Bristol (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: easyJet flies Bristol to Barcelona - Dublin (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: Aer Lingus, Vueling and Ryanair themselves all fly Dublin to Barcelona - London-Luton (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: easyJet flies London-Luton to Barcelona - London-Stansted (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: Ryanair themselves fly London-Stansted to Barcelona - Manchester (Ryanair, Thomson)
Barcelona Alternative: Jet2, Monarch and Ryanair themselves all fly Manchester to Barcelona. - Prague (Smartwings)
Barcelona Alternative: Czech Airlines, Vueling and and Smartwings themselves fly to Barcelona.
When to Use Reus Airport Instead of Barcelona
Reus airport can be a useful place to arrive at when you want to visit:
- Tarragona The Roman ruins of Tarragona make this a great place to visit. And it's very close to Reus airport.
- Costa Dorada Resort towns such as Pineda and Salou are close to Reus and Tarragona.
- Benicassim The music festival is held in the town of the same name. It is a closer to Valencia airport than Reus, but Reus could still be a good option for you.
Main Reus Routes and Their Equivalents
- Birmingham (Thomson, Thomas Cook)
Barcelona Alternative: Monarch, Ryanair, Vueling all fly Birmingham to Barcelona - Bristol (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: easyJet flies Bristol to Barcelona - Dublin (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: Aer Lingus, Vueling and Ryanair themselves all fly Dublin to Barcelona - Edinburgh (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: Vueling and Ryanair themselves fly Edinburgh to Barcelona - Glasgow (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: British Airways and Jet2 fly Glasgow to Barcelona - London-Gatwick (Ryanair)
Barcelona Alternative: easyJet, British Airways, Monarch, Norwegian and Vueling all fly London-Gatwick to Barcelona - Manchester (Ryanair, Thomson)
Barcelona Alternative: Jet2, Monarch and Ryanair themselves all fly Manchester to Barcelona.
Airlines Outside Spain That You Could Consider
There are airports outside of Spain that can get you quickly to Spain.
Compare Prices on Flights to Spain
Tangiers, Morocco
Fly Here For: Visit the souqs, take a ferry to Andalusia.
It takes under an hour to get from Tangiers to Tarifa in Spain by ferry.
Faro
Fly Here For: The Algarve and bus connections to Seville.
Faro airport is the main gateway to Portugal's Algarve region.
The bus from Faro to Seville takes two hours.
Porto, Portugal
Fly Here For: Porto, Port wine tasting, Douro valley, Galicia in Spain.
Portugal's second city is one of the country's highlights. There are trains north to Galicia, Spain's most north-western region.
Gibraltar, UK
Fly Here For: Monkeys, Andalusia, ferries to Morocco
Gibraltar is a tiny British enclave surrounded by the Mediterranean and Andalusia. You can walk across the border and you'll be in Spain, but you still have a bit of a drive until you reach one of Spain's real sights. Jerez is a little over an hour away, Seville is two hours away and Ronda is an hour-and-a-half away.
Lisbon
Fly Here For: Lisbon, the rest of Portugal, Madrid
Portugal's capital is about as far from Spain as you can be in Portugal, but there is an overnight train to Madrid.
Biarritz
Fly Here For: Biarritz, Bayonne, San Sebastian and the rest of the Basque Country
Lourdes
Fly Here For: The Sanctuary of Lourdes, access to the Pyrenees
Lourdes isn't really so close to any prominent Spanish city, but the Pyrenees are close.
Perpignan
Fly Here For: South of France beaches, access to northern Catalonia, the Dali Museum in Figueres and then on to Barcelona.
Good connections to Catalonia make this a good arrival point if you can't get a flight directly to Spain.
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