These Are the 9 Cheapest Airports to Fly Into Spain in 2026

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I’ve flown into Spain more times than I can count, and I’m still finding new ways to save on flights. 2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for deals. United is launching the first ever US nonstop to Santiago de Compostela, Delta and JetBlue are adding new routes to Barcelona, and the budget carriers are fighting harder than ever on European corridors.

I’ve put together the 9 airports that consistently offer the best value for travelers heading to Spain. Some of these surprised even me! We’re talking €30 roundtrips from London and $400 fares from New York when you know the right time to book and which carriers to check.

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1. 🇪🇸 Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN)

• 📍 Location: 9 miles southwest of central Barcelona
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Vueling, LEVEL, Iberia, Delta, JetBlue
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $450 to $620 from the East Coast
• 🎯 Best For: First timers, beach lovers, anyone wanting maximum flight options
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: JetBlue daily Boston nonstops (April 16), Delta Seattle nonstops (May 7), Aeromexico Mexico City returns (March 28)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Fly midweek in March, May, or October for the sweet spot of lower fares and perfect weather

Barcelona consistently offers some of the cheapest flights into Spain, and it comes down to competition. With over 120 airlines flying here, including budget carriers like Vueling, LEVEL, and Ryanair, you’ll almost always find a deal if you’re flexible with dates. I’ve seen roundtrip fares from the East Coast dip below $400 during shoulder season.

The big news for 2026 is the wave of new US routes. As a Boston local, I’ve been waiting for JetBlue to add Barcelona for years, and they’re finally launching daily nonstops on April 16. Delta is also starting Seattle service on May 7, which gives the Pacific Northwest a direct link to Spain. When airlines compete head to head like this, fare sales usually follow.

Getting into the city is easy and cheap. The Aerobus runs every 5 to 10 minutes and drops you at Plaça Catalunya in 35 minutes for €7.45, or you can take the RENFE train for around €5 to Passeig de Gràcia if you’re staying near the Gothic Quarter. I’d skip the taxi unless you’re arriving late or hauling heavy luggage.

• Read next: How to Find €20 Flights on Europe’s Cheapest Budget Airlines
• Find your flight: I Flew 12 Airlines to Barcelona and Ranked Them for 2026
• Plan your visit: My 3-Day Barcelona Itinerary (How to See It All in One Weekend)

2. 🇪🇸 Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)

• 📍 Location: 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) northeast of central Madrid
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Iberia, American, Delta, United, Air Europa
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $470 to $640 from the East Coast
• 🎯 Best For: Connecting to the rest of Spain, business travelers, those heading south or west
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: Delta daily Boston nonstops (May 16), Iberia Newark service (March 29), Iberia Toronto launch (June 13)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book in January or February when prices drop and the city is blissfully crowd free

Madrid isn’t the absolute cheapest way into Spain, but it’s the smartest entry point if you’re not just staying in one place. Iberia’s hub operation here means you can land from the US in the morning and be in Seville, Granada, or San Sebastián by lunch without doubling back. That kind of flexibility is worth the extra $50 over Barcelona for a lot of travelers.

Delta finally adding daily Boston service in May 2026 is big news for New England. We’ve had Iberia and JetBlue for a while, but more options means better leverage when fare shopping. Iberia is also pushing hard into North America right now. They’re launching Newark and Toronto routes on their new long range A321s.

Transport wise, the Metro is dead simple. Line 8 runs from both terminal clusters and gets you downtown in 25 minutes for about €5. There’s also a 24 hour express bus to Atocha for the same price, which is clutch for red eye arrivals. Taxis charge a flat €33 anywhere inside the city ring road, so don’t let anyone try to run the meter on you.

• Plan your trip: Top 10 Airlines to Fly to Madrid This Year (From the US)
• Extending your visit? These 13 Cheap Flights from Madrid Will Blow Your Mind

3. 🇪🇸 Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP)

• 📍 Location: 8 kilometers southwest of Málaga, right on the coast
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, United, Norwegian
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $550 to $750 from the East Coast, €30 to €80 from UK
• 🎯 Best For: Beach seekers, Costa del Sol towns, day trips to Granada
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: Ryanair adding 9 new routes including Bratislava and Stockholm, Wizz Air expanding from London Gatwick
• 💡 Pro Tip: Rent a car if you’re heading to Marbella or beyond; the train only goes as far as Fuengirola

If all you want is sun, sangria, and a beach chair, Málaga is the only airport in southern Spain with a direct US flight. United runs seasonal Newark service, so you can be on a Costa del Sol beach roughly 8 hours after takeoff. From Europe, budget options are plentiful. Ryanair alone operates 83 routes out of here, and easyJet, Wizz Air, and Jet2 all compete heavily for UK travelers. You can find fares for less than €20!

The real selling point is how easily you can hop between beach towns. The Cercanías C1 train runs directly from the terminal to Torremolinos, Benalmádena, and Fuengirola every 20 minutes for €1.80. I’d honestly suggest basing yourself in one of those smaller towns rather than Málaga city if you’re after beach time and a slower pace.

Getting into Málaga itself takes 12 minutes on that same train line, dropping you at Centro Alameda station. There’s also an express bus running until midnight for €4 if you’ve got heavy bags. If Marbella or Puerto Banús is your destination, you’ll need a bus or rental car since the train line ends at Fuengirola.

• Find accommodation: AMAZING Airbnbs in Spain: Villas + Beach Houses
• Read my guide: Costa del Sol Guide 2026 (Nerja Caves & White Villages)

4. 🇪🇸 Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)

• 📍 Location: 8 kilometers east of Palma, on the island of Mallorca
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Eurowings, Jet2, United (seasonal)
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $400 to $600 from the East Coast, £17 to £100 from UK
• 🎯 Best For: Island escapes, beach clubs, upscale Mediterranean vibes
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: Air Canada Montreal nonstops (June 17), Etihad Abu Dhabi service (June 12), first direct links from Canada and Asia
• 💡 Pro Tip: Visit May, June, or September to dodge the absolute madness of peak summer

Mallorca sounds expensive, but getting there really isn’t. Nearly 60 airlines fly into Palma, and I’ve personally booked €35 roundtrips from London on easyJet more than once. Ryanair, Eurowings, and Jet2 all compete hard on European routes, so deals pop up constantly if you’re flexible. From the US, United runs seasonal Newark nonstops, but I usually connect through Madrid on Iberia instead. It saves around $150 and the layover is barely an hour.

Air Canada launches Montreal to Palma in June 2026, the first direct from Canada ever. Etihad starts Abu Dhabi flights the same week, finally connecting Mallorca to Asia and the Gulf. If you’ve been waiting for easier options from those regions, this is a big deal.

The A1 bus into Palma runs every 15 minutes, costs €5, and takes 20 minutes. Taxis run €28 to €37. If you’re staying in Magaluf, Alcúdia, or anywhere outside Palma, I recommend taking a direct AEROTIB bus from the terminal instead. It saves you dragging your bags across the city to catch another connection.

• See why I adore this island: 12 Magical Spots in Mallorca to Visit in 2026

5. 🇪🇸 Valencia Airport (VLC)

• 📍 Location: 8 kilometers west of the city center
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Air Transat, Wizz Air
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $400 to $550 from the East Coast, €25 to €70 from Europe
• 🎯 Best For: Foodies, architecture lovers, beach plus city combo
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: Air Transat doubling Montreal service to twice weekly (June), Norwegian summer Oslo route
• 💡 Pro Tip: The Valencia Tourist Card (€15 to €25) covers unlimited metro rides including the airport, plus museum entry

Valencia is my pick if you want an authentic Spanish city without the Barcelona crowds or Madrid prices. Ryanair runs 59 routes here, so cheap flights from Europe are everywhere. The city itself is affordable once you land too. From the US, there’s no direct option, but I’ve had good luck routing through Lisbon on TAP. It’s often cheaper than connecting through Madrid, and a two hour Lisbon layover beats sprinting through Barajas.

Air Transat launched Valencia’s first transatlantic flight in over a decade last year, connecting Montreal direct. They’re doubling to twice weekly for summer 2026, which is great news if you’re Canadian or sitting on Aeroplan points. This route finally gives Spain’s east coast a North American link that doesn’t involve backtracking through Madrid.

I recommend purchasing the Valencia Tourist Card before you leave the airport. It’s €15 to €25 depending on duration. You get unlimited metro rides including your airport transfer, plus free entry to most museums. I did the math on my last trip and it paid for itself by lunch on day one. The metro takes about 20 minutes to the center and drops you right near the old town.

• Read next: 15 Best Things to Do in Valencia, Spain (My Second Home)
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6. 🇪🇸 Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC)

• 📍 Location: 9 kilometers southwest of the city center
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, Norwegian, Vueling
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $370 to $550 from the East Coast, £17 to £100 from the UK
• 🎯 Best For: Costa Blanca beaches, golf resorts, smaller coastal towns
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: easyJet launching Nantes and Nice, Air Baltic adding Riga, €1.1 billion airport expansion underway
• 💡 Pro Tip: The TRAM north to towns like Altea and Dénia is one of Spain’s most scenic coastal rides. It’s slow, but worth it.

Alicante is one of Spain’s busiest airports, handling over 18 million passengers a year. Ryanair dominates with 84 routes, but easyJet, Jet2, and Norwegian all fly many of the same corridors. I’ve booked UK roundtrips to Alicante for under £25 just by checking all four carriers before committing.

From the US, you’ll need to connect through a European hub. Madrid on Iberia or Lisbon on TAP are the most common options, with fares typically running $370 to $550. If you’re flexible, I recommend booking your transatlantic and European legs separately. A cheap Ryanair hop from London or Paris often beats a pricier codeshare connection.

The Costa Blanca stretches 120 miles along the Mediterranean, and this airport puts all of it within reach. Benidorm and Torrevieja are the big resort towns, but quieter spots like Altea, Jávea, and Dénia are just as accessible. The C6 bus reaches Alicante city in 25 minutes for €4.60. From there, the TRAM connects the whole northern coast. ALSA coaches head south to Torrevieja and Murcia if that’s your direction.

• Read next: 12 Hidden Gems in Spain Only Locals Know About

7. 🇪🇸 Seville Airport (SVQ)

• 📍 Location: 10 kilometers east of the city center
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, British Airways, Transavia
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $400 to $600 from the East Coast, £30 to £100 from the UK
• 🎯 Best For: Flamenco, tapas, day trips to Córdoba and Granada
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: Vueling launching daily London Heathrow service (March 29), Turkish Airlines now flying daily to Istanbul, Ryanair adding Warsaw and Wrocław
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re connecting from Madrid, check train prices first. The AVE high-speed rail takes 2.5 hours and often costs less than flying.

Ryanair operates 53 routes from Seville, more than double any other carrier here. I’ve seen UK roundtrips drop below £30 during sales, and similar deals pop up from Germany, France, and the Netherlands. easyJet and Transavia also compete on many of the same routes, so it pays to check all three before booking.

There’s no nonstop flight to Seville from the US. I usually route through Lisbon on TAP, which tends to have the lowest fares at $400 to $500 roundtrip. The Lisbon airport is small and easy to navigate, and layovers are often shorter than connecting through Madrid. If you’re already planning to visit Madrid anyway, the AVE high-speed train to Seville takes just 2.5 hours and can be cheaper than a flight.

The EA bus runs every 15 to 20 minutes from the terminal to the city center for €5. It takes about 35 minutes and stops at Santa Justa train station along the way. Taxis are fixed at €24 to €30. One suggestion if you’re planning a wider Andalusia trip: fly into Málaga instead. It has far more routes and generally cheaper fares, and Seville is just two hours away by bus or car.

• Read next: 28 Tips To Save You Money on Your Next Vacation 
• Plan your trip: 12 Awesome Things to Do in Seville

8. 🇪🇸 Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)

• 📍 Location: 15 kilometers northeast of the city center
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia Express, easyJet, United (from May 2026)
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $450 to $650 from the East Coast, €30 to €80 from Europe
• 🎯 Best For: Camino de Santiago pilgrims, Galician cuisine, green coastal Spain
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: United launching Newark nonstop 3x weekly (May 22), the first ever scheduled US service to this airport
• 💡 Pro Tip: The Line 6A bus costs just €1 and takes 30 minutes to the center. Taxis are €21 flat rate if you’d rather not wait.

This is the big news for 2026. United is launching the first ever US nonstop to Santiago de Compostela, with three weekly flights from Newark starting May 22. For anyone planning to walk the Camino de Santiago, this changes everything. Previously you’d connect through Madrid or Lisbon, adding hours and cost to your journey. Now you can land directly in the city where the pilgrimage ends.

The route operates seasonally on a Boeing 737 MAX 8, so don’t expect lie-flat seats or a full premium cabin. United is marketing the forward section as premium economy rather than business class. For a seven-hour flight, that’s worth knowing before you book. If flat beds matter to you, connect through Madrid on Iberia instead, though you’ll pay more for the privilege.

Ryanair and Vueling handle most European traffic here, with cheap connections from Madrid, Barcelona, London, and Dublin. I’d keep an eye on Ryanair sales if you’re coming from the UK or Ireland. They often drop fares below €30 roundtrip on routes to Galicia. The Line 6A bus runs every 30 minutes and costs just €1 to reach the old town.

• More flights: 8 Insanely Cheap Ryanair Routes Right Now (for Under $20)

9. 🇪🇸 Ibiza Airport (IBZ)

• 📍 Location: 7 kilometers southwest of Ibiza Town
• ✈️ Best Airlines: Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Jet2, Iberia
• 💰 Typical Roundtrip: $430 to $600 from the East Coast, £19 to £100 from the UK
• 🎯 Best For: Club scene, beach clubs, sunset chasers, quieter north coast villages
• 🆕 What’s New in 2026: Ryanair expanding UK routes from Stansted, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh with fares from £37
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book flights for May or October. You’ll still get warm weather and open clubs, but fares drop significantly outside peak summer.

Ibiza is almost entirely seasonal, which works in your favor if you’re flexible. The island transforms from May to October when 36 airlines flood in with direct routes from across Europe. Ryanair alone covers 33 cities, with UK roundtrips regularly dropping below £40 during sales. Outside those months, your options shrink dramatically and you’ll likely connect through Madrid or Barcelona.

There’s no US nonstop, so you’ll route through a European hub. I’d suggest flying into Barcelona or Madrid first, then grabbing a separate cheap flight to Ibiza. Vueling runs multiple daily flights from both cities for as little as €15 each way if you book early. It sounds like extra hassle, but splitting the journey usually saves money compared to booking a single connecting ticket through an alliance carrier.

The L10 bus runs from the airport to Ibiza Town every 20 to 30 minutes for €3.60, taking about 25 minutes. If you’re staying in San Antonio, the L9 bus costs €4 and takes 45 minutes, though it only operates from June to October. Taxis to Ibiza Town run around €30, or €45 to San Antonio. One thing worth knowing: the Discobus runs all night during summer between the main club areas, so you won’t be stuck paying surge prices at 4am.

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