Flights from Madrid to United Kingdom from 38GBP*

Flights to the UK from Madrid

From Madrid, Vueling flies direct to London and Manchester. The London flight takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the Manchester flight, a little further north, takes slightly longer.

Each airport opens up a different trip. London is the capital that has it all, with rail links to the rest of the country. Manchester is the gateway to the north of England, with the Peak District close by and far fewer international tourists.

What documents you need to travel to the UK

The UK is no longer part of the European Union or the Schengen Area, so a passport is compulsory and the Spanish ID card (DNI) is not accepted, and that includes children.

As well as a passport valid for the whole of their stay, Spanish citizens need an electronic travel authorisation, applied for online before boarding. It is the requirement most people find out about too late, and without it you will not be allowed to board. No visa is needed for short tourist stays.

If you are travelling with children without both parents, it is advisable to carry the relevant authorisation. Entry requirements are changing, so check the current conditions on the travel documents page before you book.

As this is a flight outside the Schengen Area, you will go through passport control. Allow for that extra time at the airport.

What to know when you land in the UK

From the airport into town. In London it depends on which airport you land at, and the journey can take anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour by train or Underground, so it is worth checking before you book somewhere to stay. Manchester has a direct train from the terminal itself, and the airport is closer to the city.

Plug sockets. The UK uses type G plugs, with three rectangular pins, at 230V.

The pound. The currency is the pound sterling. Cards and contactless payments work almost everywhere, buses and the Underground included. Scotland prints its own banknotes, which are valid throughout the UK.

Getting around by train. Trains link London with Manchester and the rest of the country from stations right in the centre, so you can take in several cities without going back to the airport.

The weather is changeable and wet all year round, with mild summers. A light waterproof layer will see you through the whole trip, July included.

What to do in the UK

London

In London, the British Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern are all free to visit. Westminster, the Tower of London and the Thames cover the obvious sights, while Shoreditch, Notting Hill and the streets around Borough Market feel like three different cities within one.

Manchester and the north of England

Manchester brings together music, football and industrial buildings turned into cultural spaces, with the Science and Industry Museum and the Northern Quarter. The Peak District is less than an hour away and adds hills to a city break.

Scotland and the north, by train from London

Edinburgh is around 4 and a half hours from London by train, with its castle perched on volcanic rock and the Fringe festival every August. Further north, the Highlands offer lochs, castles and a welcome sense of solitude. Hiring a car gives you far more freedom to explore the area.

The Lake District and Liverpool, from Manchester

The Lake District, a World Heritage Site, is one of the best-known walking destinations in the country and lies 90 minutes from Manchester. Liverpool, birthplace of the Beatles, is less than an hour away by train and has a waterfront that is also a World Heritage Site.

Luggage for your flight to the UK

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

For a weekend away, cabin luggage is usually enough. If you are travelling as a family or planning to hike with your own gear, which has its own specific conditions, it is worth checking in advance. See the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.