What carry-on weight limit do Vueling, Iberia, and Air Europa allow?

Vueling, Iberia, and Air Europa all allow a 10 kg carry-on cabin bag. Vueling's size limit is 55 × 35 × 25 cm. Iberia allows 56 × 45 × 25 cm. Air Europa sets 55 × 35 × 25 cm. All three are based in Spain and operate the majority of domestic routes alongside Ryanair and easyJet.

Which terminal does Ryanair use at Barcelona Airport?

Ryanair uses Terminal B (T1B) at Barcelona El Prat Airport. Terminal B is a separate, more basic facility compared to the main Terminal 1. Allow slightly more time when departing from Terminal B, and note that the facilities and food options are more limited than the main terminal.

Are there stricter carry-on limits on flights to Spanish islands?

Flights to the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza) and the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura) may use smaller regional aircraft on some routes, particularly from smaller Spanish cities. These aircraft can have stricter overhead bin space. The published airline limits still apply, but if your bag is borderline on size it may be gate-checked. Fly with airlines that enforce 10 kg limits and pack to the lower end.

Can I bring 100 ml sunscreen in my carry-on to Spain?

Yes. The EU liquids rule applies at Spanish airports — each liquid, gel, cream, or paste must be in a container of 100 ml or less, all fitting in a single resealable 1-litre bag. Sunscreen in a 100 ml tube is permitted. Buy larger sun protection bottles at a Spanish pharmacy or supermarket after you arrive — Mercadona, El Corte Inglés, and most pharmacies stock good quality sunscreen at reasonable prices.

What is Madrid Airport Terminal 4 like?

Terminal 4 at Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) is an architectural landmark designed by Richard Rogers. It is bright, spacious, and one of the most efficient terminals in Europe. Iberia, British Airways, and oneworld partners operate from T4. The terminal has a satellite building (T4S) connected by an underground train for some gates. The older terminals T1, T2, and T3 handle other carriers and feel more dated but are perfectly functional.

Carry-On Only for Spain: Airlines, Airports, and Packing Light

Spain is ideal for carry-on only travel. The weather in most regions from April through October is hot and predictable, which means lightweight clothing dominates your packing list. The main Spanish airlines all allow a 10 kg carry-on, and the country's internal flight network is supplemented by an excellent high-speed rail network that handles the Madrid-Barcelona route faster than flying door-to-door.

Spanish Airline Carry-On Allowances

The three main Spanish carriers converge around 10 kg, making planning straightforward:

Vueling (based in Barcelona): 10 kg cabin bag, 55 × 35 × 25 cm. Vueling dominates routes out of Barcelona and operates a large domestic network. It enforces bag size at busy Barcelona and Madrid gates.

Iberia: 10 kg cabin bag, 56 × 45 × 25 cm. Iberia is Spain's flag carrier and has the largest size allowance of the three. It operates most routes through Madrid Barajas Terminal 4.

Air Europa: 10 kg cabin bag, 55 × 35 × 25 cm. Air Europa serves a mix of Spanish domestic routes and international destinations from Madrid.

On top of these, Ryanair and easyJet serve many of Spain's cheapest domestic and international routes. Ryanair's cabin bag rules apply exactly as described elsewhere on this site — priority boarding required for overhead access. EasyJet follows its standard policy with a large cabin bag add-on needed for overhead bins.

Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD): Terminal 4 is Worth Knowing

Madrid has four terminals. T4 is the standout — designed by Richard Rogers with a soaring roof structure, it is bright, intuitive to navigate, and handles security quickly for its scale. Iberia, British Airways, and oneworld partners operate from here. T4 has a satellite building (T4S) connected by a short underground train, so if your gate is in T4S, allow an extra 10–15 minutes to transfer.

Terminals 1, 2, and 3 serve other carriers including many low-cost airlines. They are older and more compact but perfectly functional. The journey from T4 to T1/T2/T3 requires the airport metro — allow 20 minutes for the transfer.

Madrid's metro Line 8 connects the airport to the city centre (Nuevos Ministerios and onward connections) in around 25 minutes. A taxi takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.

Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN): Know Your Terminal

Barcelona has two main terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (which includes sub-terminals T2A, T2B, and T2C). The key fact for budget travellers: Ryanair uses Terminal 2B, which is a more basic facility with fewer food and retail options than Terminal 1. EasyJet and Vueling operate from Terminal 1.

The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus that takes around 10 minutes. If you are arriving on one carrier and departing on another, check which terminal each uses. The airport train (Rodalies R2 Nord) connects both terminal areas to Barcelona Sants and Passeig de Gràcia in the city centre.

Packing for Spanish Weather

Spain's packing requirements are among the simplest in Europe for summer travel:

Lightweight clothing only: Breathable cotton and linen work best in the dry heat of Andalusia, Madrid, and the islands. Synthetic moisture-wicking fabrics are better for active days in Barcelona's hills or the Camino.
Comfortable walking shoes: Barcelona in particular combines beach, Gothic Quarter cobblestones, and steep Gràcia neighbourhood streets. You will need shoes that handle varied terrain all day without causing blisters.
Sunscreen (100 ml): Bring a 100 ml tube through security, then buy a larger bottle at a Spanish pharmacy on arrival. Factor 50 sunscreen is widely available and inexpensive at Mercadona supermarkets.
Light cover-up: Spanish restaurants, museums, and especially churches enforce modest dress. A lightweight cardigan or linen shirt serves both the air conditioning (Spanish offices and restaurants are often aggressively air-conditioned) and dress code requirements.

Island Hopping: What to Know

The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza) and Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura) are popular Spanish domestic destinations served by frequent budget flights. A few considerations specific to island routes:

Aircraft size varies: While major routes from Madrid and Barcelona use standard Airbus A320-family aircraft, some routes from smaller Spanish cities use turboprops or smaller jets. Overhead bin space is limited on these aircraft and gate-checking is common even when bags comply with size limits. If island-hopping is central to your itinerary, keep your bag on the smaller side of the allowed dimensions.

Vueling is often cheapest for Balearics: Vueling dominates Mallorca routes from Barcelona. Book in advance for summer routes, which are among the most popular in Europe.

Spain by Rail: The AVE Alternative

Spain's Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) high-speed rail network connects Madrid to Barcelona in around 2.5 hours city-centre to city-centre — competitive with flying door-to-door when you include airport time. The Renfe app handles tickets. Carry-on bags travel with you in your seat carriage without any size or weight checking.

The Madrid-Seville and Madrid-Valencia AVE routes are similarly convenient. For trips that keep you in mainland Spain, the rail network can replace several short-haul flights entirely.