Passenger Guide
How Early Should You Arrive at the Airport
A simple way to calculate your own number
The generic advice exists because it is safe, not because it is accurate. A small regional airport with hand luggage needs an hour. A mega-hub at 07:00 in July with a pushchair and two checked bags needs three and a half.
Build the number yourself from five inputs and you will stop both rushing and wasting hours in departures.
The five inputs
- Bag drop cut-off, usually 45 to 60 minutes before departure.
- Security queue at your hour of travel, from 10 to 60 minutes.
- Border control on departure, where applicable, 10 to 40 minutes.
- Walk to the gate, from 5 minutes to 25 at the largest terminals.
- Boarding start, generally 30 to 45 minutes before departure.
Add these together, then add a 30 minute buffer. That is your arrival time at the terminal door, not at the car park.
Peak hours to avoid underestimating
| Period | Effect |
|---|---|
| 05:00 to 08:00 | The heaviest departure wave at most hubs |
| 16:00 to 19:00 | Business return traffic plus long haul departures |
| School holiday weekends | Slower queues at every stage |
| Public holidays | Reduced staffing at check-in and security |
Who should add extra time
- Families with young children or pushchairs.
- Passengers needing special assistance, who should also pre-book it.
- Anyone with sports equipment, musical instruments or oversize items.
- Passengers travelling on a visa that requires document verification at check-in.
- Anyone with a tight onward connection where a missed departure is expensive.
Arriving very early
Check-in usually opens two to three hours before departure and rarely earlier, so arriving five hours ahead means waiting landside where facilities are limited. If you must arrive early, plan to spend the time airside with a lounge or a proper meal rather than standing next to a closed desk.
Frequently asked questions
- Is two hours enough for an international flight?
- Sometimes, at a small airport with online check-in and no bags. At a large hub, plan for three.
- What time does check-in close?
- Bag drop typically closes 45 to 60 minutes before departure, and up to 90 minutes on some long haul flights.
- Can I still board if I arrive late?
- Only if you reach the gate before it closes, usually 15 to 20 minutes before departure. Missing bag drop ends the option entirely.
- Does online check-in save time?
- Yes, if you have no bags to drop. With bags you still have to join the drop queue, though it is usually shorter.
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