How Early Should You Arrive at the Airport?

Not sure when you should get to the airport? While that depends on a few factors, a good rule of thumb is to aim for two hours if your flight is domestic and three if it’s international. However, there are quite a few things to consider when determining what time to get to the airport for your flight.

Security

How long will it take you to get through security? A small airport usually has fewer fliers, so it is less likely to be crowded, though that isn’t always the case. As shown with a recent image of a security queue in Ireland, there can be a long wait at any airport. Be sure to check before you go so you know what to expect.

If there are reports of longer waits than usual, you should anticipate this and get to the airport the appropriate amount of time before your flight. For example, if reports state that you’re likely to have a two-hour wait at security, add that much extra time to the original arrival time.

Popularity

The more popular the airport, the more crowded it will be. However, this usually means that it will also have the necessary measures in place to prevent any kind of bottleneck.

The time you fly will also factor into how busy the airport is. If you are on a night flight, it’s less likely to be busy. The same usually applies to very early mornings. However, if you fly out later in the morning, you can expect to spend more time in queues.

Destination

Is your destination a popular one? You can often see on the airline’s website how many seats are booked on a flight. This gives you a good idea of whether or not it will be a fast boarding or not. Popular destinations tend to change with the seasons, so be sure to account for this as well.

Complications

Is your situation more complex? Are you taking a lot of luggage or do you have a complicated schedule to work out? If there are any extra things to consider, you should add time to your estimate as they will likely take a little longer.

If you need to make sure you get to the airport on time, Lewis Taxis can ensure timely and stress-free arrival. Schedule your airport trip with us now or get in touch to discuss your specific requirements.