How Many Hours Before to Reach Airport?

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Introduction

Travelling by air can be a stressful experience. It is important to plan ahead and arrive at the airport in time so that you can check-in, go through security checks, and board your flight without any issues. In this article, we will discuss the required arrival times for domestic or European flights, international flights, busy days/hours, and check-in considerations.

Domestic or European Flights

For domestic (those flying to UK or Ireland) or European flights, it is generally recommended to get to the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure. To be on the safe side, the best option would be arriving two hours before your flight. The queues are often shorter, and you can check-in online directly on your mobile phone saving time.

International Flights

When travelling internationally, it is much appreciated if a person arrives at the airport about 3 to 4 hours before the flight. The boarding time begins about 45 minutes before the actual departure and closes before 15 minutes. Hence, a person just has about 30 minutes to board before the gates close.

Busy Days/Hours

Some airlines recommend to arrive earlier at the airport on Friday and Sunday evenings while some airports suggest air travelers to reach an hour earlier at the airport than the recommended time during the peak international flight time that is between 11 AM to 2 PM and 8 PM to 11 PM. Apart from that, weekday hours that are considered busy are 7 AM to 9 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM.

Check-in Considerations

Are you checking baggage and will the airport be busy during this time of day/day of the week? If yes to both, subtract another 30 minutes (2:15 p.m.). No boarding pass and need to print one at the kiosk? Subtract another 15 minutes, if the airport will be busy (2 p.m.). Subtract another half an hour (1:30 p.m.).

To sum up

When planning an air travel, make sure to consider the following points:

• Domestic or European Flights – Arrive at least 90 minutes prior to departure
• International Flights – Arrive at least 3 to 4 hours prior to departure
• Busy Days/Hours – Fridays and Sundays evenings, 11 AM to 2 PM and 8 PM to 11 PM; Weekdays 7 AM to 9 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM
• Check-in Considerations – Adjust timing depending on whether you have checked baggage and how busy the airport is.