How early do you get to the airport? - Page 2 - Flight Only / Airline and Airports, Holiday Forums

How early do you get to the airport?

2007-09-03 21:09:26

We usually get there 3 hours early so we're not getting stressed out if there's huge queues at check-in and security. If the queues aren't that bad then we've got time for a nice meal

However, when we went to Ibiza recently we had a 4 hour delay, so we spent a total of 7 hours sitting around the airport

We had the meal we'd planned and then sat around for a couple of hours (thank goodness for video iPods!) and then spent our very generous £3 refreshment vouchers in Starbucks and then wandered round duty-free and all the other shops a few times...
On top of that we had a 5½ hour delay coming back

kellbells

2008-05-16 10:16:23

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

we like to get there at least 5-4 hours just to be sure that we dont get stuck in traffic, and we like to find out where to check in and to avoid queues. once were checked in straight through to sercurity

steve8482

2008-05-16 13:16:24

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

5-4 hours!! I'm still in bed then!

First of all, before I book I check the conditions. If it says checkin closes more than 1 hour (for European flights) before departure I don't bother, anything longer is either incompetent management or a ploy to get you to spend more time in shops whose rent is linked to income.

Then I check if I can get to the airport by train (and local shuttle bus where applicable) about an hour before closure. If there would be a long wait, again I don't bother - Europe's a big place, I can always find somewhere else to go!

So normally I get there between 50 and 120 minutes before scheduled departure. And I've never missed a flight!

CourtneeLouise

2008-05-16 18:27:29

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

about 3-4 hours , we normally have the same flight leaving from Bristol to Larnaca every year 8:30am ( leaving. ) so we get there for around 4ish, get checked in have a look around, then go through security ect.

CourtneeLouise x

Dazbo HT Mod

2008-05-16 19:55:19

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

It's normally 2-3 hours before the scheduled departure time for me. I like to get checked in then have a look around the airport, particularly the aprons to see what aircraft are around and shoot a few frames if the conditions are ok. Once through security, I like to have a walk around the gates for some more viewing then it's normally time to board the plane.

Darren

shirley h

2008-05-18 17:44:30

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

We usually arrive at the airport about 3 hours before as we like to have breakfast there, a browse around the shops and a visit to the bar :cheers

We don't mormally pre-book our seats so we like to be at the front of the check-in queue when the desks open. I remember years ago the 3 hours used to drag by but now we barely have time for one drink and we're being called to board. On our way back at Malaga airport in March we took so long getting through security that we didn't get a chance to visit the bar

Now that is criminal :rofl

Gateshead61

2008-05-18 18:03:59

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

3 hours for me

get shut of bags, wife goes to duty free and me to the bar

shazajo

2008-05-18 20:44:38

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

About 3 hours before departure for us to be sure of all getting seated together,then get rid of suitcases, nice refreshing drink then duty free, then board

migajos

2008-06-15 12:40:21

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

I usually get to the airport about 2 hours before the departure. However if I fly with my favourite Ryanair

and check-in online, I arrive just 1 hour before the flight.
Michal

Debbie

2008-06-15 12:54:16

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

A good 3 to 4 hours before departure and then we can have breakfast, lunch or evening meal before browsing the shops.

Thats where the holiday begins for me

walks

2008-06-15 13:01:08

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

We really dont mind getting there early cuz we start our holiday as soon as we close our front door :sun2

Pip
x

migajos

2008-06-15 13:26:37

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

haha I don't think You can call "holidays" sitting or standing in a hot departure lounge

Trod

2008-06-16 09:25:03

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

We normally get there about 4 hours early, but this year we have booked into a hotel the night before we fly, check out time is 12 noon, our flight is 18.05 :shock:

But I love the airport, I'm one of these sad people that find them exciting, We will be doing a lot of people watching, have a meal, may be a drink :cheers

Holiday starts when front door closes :hols

foxymum

2008-06-16 09:50:41

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

i love people watching at the airport too!! its like watching an episode of Airline!!
i want to get to the airport on Thurs with about 3 hours to go otherwise i will be panicking & i'm a very nervous flyer so this will only add to my fear

CRICKETWATCHER

2008-06-16 10:51:24

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

Yeah, I like people watching, it's great fun! It amazes me just what the average holidaymaker gets up to on holiday and at the airport!

pinksweetfairy

2008-06-22 12:37:37

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

ok im parnoid i won't have enough time. i land into bristol at 7.05 (form plymouth,) my flight to dalaman leaves 10.55 so once ive got my baggage from flight to bristol will be around 8am! will i be ok for time!??
Its to stressful this business x!

Dazbo HT Mod

2008-06-22 15:28:07

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

pinksweetfairy,

Providing your flight to BRS is ontime, you'll be fine.

Darren

xNatNatx

2008-06-22 17:42:18

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

about 4 hours before i fly i get there,
check in and do a bit of shopping then straight in to the vip lounge

xxx

cazB

2008-06-22 17:44:13

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

It depends what time the flight is. If it is an afternoon flight we get to the airport really early ie 4hrs before, and if we have an early morning flight still about 3hrs before. I feel so sorry for my son as he takes us to the airport whatever time we fly, so he has to get up really early too. If we fly from Gatwick, which I hate, we stay overnight at an airport hotel. I never sleep much the night before as I am so excited.

Helen T

2008-06-22 17:57:27

Re: How early do you get to the airport?

At least 3 hours. We regard the airport as being the start of our holiday, so we rather enjoy ourselves there. I would hate to get there and have to rush. This has only happened to us once, on a return journey. We just felt as though we were rushed through everything.

Flight Only / Airline and Airports

Post a Reply

Get the best deals!

from our cruise, ski and holiday partners