Imagine booking a guided tour in Madrid without realizing it will be at dawn. That’s exactly what could happen if you don’t check the time difference between Madrid and Mexico City.

Checking the time change before selecting dates or buying tickets will help you optimize transfers, bookings, and excursions. Without this information in advance, you might schedule activities poorly or even miss connections.

But how many hours apart are Mexico and Spain?

Generally, Madrid and Mexico are 7 or 8 hours apart, depending on the season. Below we explain the details.

Time Difference Between Madrid and Mexico: Plan Your Trip Without Setbacks

Time Difference Between Mexico and Spain

Knowing the time difference between Mexico and Spain is essential when organizing flights, calls, or any itinerary—even if you're using support platforms like Google Travel to manage everything.

And yes, it’s normal to ask: “What’s the time difference between Madrid and Mexico City?” “If it’s 6 PM in Spain, what time is it in Mexico?”

The short answer: Madrid is 7 hours ahead of Mexico City. So, when it’s 6 PM in Madrid, it’s only 11 AM in CDMX. However, this can vary slightly depending on the time of year. For example, during summer, the time difference is 8 hours instead of 7.

How to Calculate the Time Difference Between Mexico and Madrid

The time gap is explained by the time zones:

• Madrid is located in the UTC+1 time zone, which is the standard. But in summer, it changes to UTC+2.

• Mexico City remains in UTC-6 all year round, since from 2023 there will be no daylight saving time, except in some border regions.

So, for most of the year, the time difference between Mexico and Madrid is 7 hours. But when summer hits, it increases to 8 hours.

Time Difference Between Madrid and Mexico: Examples

What time is it in Mexico if it’s 12 PM in Spain? What about if it’s 7 PM?

Here are some examples to help you understand the difference:

How to Plan Your Trips Considering the Time Difference

When you need to coordinate activities between both cities, the time difference is a key factor. Ignoring it from the beginning could backfire.

So, here are some tips that can help:

Use tools that show both time zones

One of the most effective ways to avoid confusion is to use tools that convert Spain time to Mexico time.

There are many options, but websites like zeitverschiebung.net provide full details. For example, the current time in both cities, the exact time difference (8 hours), and a side-by-side comparison.

Choose reasonable times for both sides

Afternoons in Mexico City align with mornings in Madrid. This can be convenient if you’re looking for overnight flights, international connections, or comfortable arrival times.

Keep the time gap in mind when planning activities

The time difference will be obvious once you arrive. If you land in Madrid in the morning, your body might still be on “Mexico time.” So, it’s best to avoid planning tours or important appointments right after landing.

Double-check your tickets and confirmation emails

It’s very important to understand the times on your tickets. Many airlines list the local time of the departure or arrival city, but if you're not aware of the time difference, mistakes can happen.

Suppose you used Momondo to compare flights; the times shown will be in each airport’s local time:

Option 1 (direct flight) states:

• Departure: 10:10 PM – this is the local time in Mexico City (MEX).

• Arrival: 5:00 AM the next day – this is local time in Madrid (MAD).

• Duration: 10 hours and 50 minutes.

This means that although the flight lasts almost 11 hours, you land at 5:00 AM Madrid time. Remember that Madrid is 7 or 8 hours ahead of Mexico, depending on the season.

Keep this in mind to avoid booking accommodations or transfers incorrectly.

Adjust your clock and schedule as soon as you land

Change the time on your devices once you arrive and align your schedule with the new time zone. This will help you adapt faster and make the most of your stay.

Key Dates for Adjusting the Clock Between Mexico and Spain

Daylight saving time in Mexico still applies in Baja California and other border municipalities, where:

• It begins the second Sunday of March.

• It ends the first Sunday of November, in sync with the United States.

Meanwhile, in Spain (peninsula and Canary Islands), daylight saving time:

• Starts the last Sunday of March (at 2:00 AM, clocks go forward one hour).

• Ends the last Sunday of October (at 3:00 AM, clocks go back one hour).

How does this help when planning your trip?

This kind of information will help you:

• Know when to adjust your watch.

• Avoid arriving too early at the airport or missing connections due to confusion.

• Look for flexible options on platforms like Skyscanner.

• Organize transfers, check-ins, and activities without mistakes.

While Mexico and Spain share the same seasons, the weather can differ significantly. So it’s also wise to pack your clothes based on the forecast. For example, winter in Madrid may require a coat, while Mexico City is milder.

Check the weather forecast before making your packing checklist.

DolarCard: Your Best Travel Ally

When it comes to international travel, having a card like DolarCard is a major advantage. Not only does it operate with digital euros (EURc), but you can also monitor your budget in real time.

DolarCard is a practical, secure option designed for travelers like you. It also works with digital dollars (USDc), making it perfect for booking hotels, paying for flights, or shopping abroad without worrying about currency conversion fees.

How to get it?

You can request one after activating your EURc or USDc account through DolarApp. You’ll also be able to buy or sell euros or digital dollars at a fair exchange rate.