How early do you need to get to the airport for a flight? This is one of the major questions for everyone going on vacations.

We want to spend our time with purpose, we do not want to spend a lot of time waiting in the airport, and we want to make sure we arrive on time to the airport and have enough time to go through luggage checking, security check and to the gate.

One of the major factors which impacts how early you should get to the airport is whether you are flying internationally or taking a domestic flight.

You must have guessed, for the international flight you would need to get to the airport earlier.

How early to get to the airport for the domestic flight?

You need to get to the airport 2 hours before the departure time for a domestic flight. This period of time should be enough to check your luggage, go through security checks, and to the gate. You should get to the airport 2 hours before the take-off.

Boarding at the airport starts 2 hours before the take-off and the boarding gates close 30 minutes before the plane departs.

If you are going on holiday, or on the eve, you may want to arrive at the airport earlier, do some shopping or have a snack in a cafe or restaurant.

Getting to the airport 2 hours before the departure should be enough for you to go through all the airport formalities if you are taking a domestic flight.

Even though many travelers recommend 45 minutes to 2 hours as the optimal period to get to the airport before the domestic flight, we would suggest you consider at least 2 hours.

Please note, 45 minutes before the flight is the average latest time, when you can check in your bags at the airport for the domestic flight. After that the airlines won’t accept your bags.

How early to get to the airport for the international flight?

In case you are planning an international flight, you should arrive at the airport a bit earlier.

It is recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours before the departure for the international flight. Three hours should be enough for you to check in your luggage, get through the security formalities and to proceed to your gates for the international flight.

So, the general advice is to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the domestic flight and 3 hours before the international flight. But everything depends on the situation, for example, if you are coming to the airport by your own car and need to find a place to park it, it may take a bit longer.

Everything will depend on how big the airport is, how fast you can get to your gates, do you have extra bags to check in, or if you are traveling with pets.

How much before the flight should I arrive at the airport?

You should take into account all of the nuances to make sure you get to the airport in time, and will not miss a flight.

United Airlines, for example, recommends you should arrive at the airport sixty minutes before the scheduled flight in case there is no luggage to check in.

If you are going to check in your luggage, you would need at least ninety minutes to go through all the formalities at the airport.

If you are going to do some shopping in the duty free zone, you would need more time and need to arrive at the airport earlier.

Of course, the airports are planning the screenings of the passengers in such a way that huge security lines are avoided. But passengers visiting their dining facilities and shops increase their profits. Thus, the main point is to keep a balance of the number of people walking around the boarding area.

When should you arrive at the airport

You should arrive at the airport early enough to do all the formalities, taking into account the size of the airport, whether this is low or high tourist season or holiday period, whether you are traveling with pets which would need more time to deal with at the airport.

The standard period of time the airlines recommend is you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the departure.

Why is it important to be early at the airport?

There are a number of reasons, why you need to get to the airport early.

One of the reasons is the airport security control. In some cities you would have to go through the security gates at the entrance to the premises of the airport. It may take a bit longer, since security control at the entrance may not have enough capacity for too many people arriving at the airport simultaneously. It may cause some delay while entering the airport and will reduce the time you have planned for the rest of formalities.

Also, remember that people are often asked to take their shoes off during security control. It takes time and many people just won’t do that quickly.

Remember about this nuance, when planning how early to get to the airport.

If you are traveling during holidays or high tourist season, you should be ready to get to the airport a bit earlier than during regular periods of time. Crowds of people and more flights will create more traffic near the airport, more people inside the airport and of course this may delay you getting to your gates.

Planning how early to get to airport will ensure you don’t wait for the flight for too long. And, by the way, you may not be let in, if you arrive at the airport too early.

This is why it is important to take all of the nuances into account and decide how early to get to the airport for your trip.

Do you have to be 3 hours early to the airport?

Yes, you need to get to the airport 3 hours before the departure for the international flight. Arriving at the airport at least three hours before the international flight is the general rule, recommended by TSA.

Can I get to the airport 45 minutes before my flight?

45 minutes before the departure is the last time you can arrive at the airport for a domestic flight and check in your bag.

How early is too early to get to the airport?

2-5 hours before the flight is the earliest time the airports will let you in. Once you check in your luggage you can go through security formalities. The Check in desks will let you go through only a few hours before the plane takes off.

Can I arrive 30 min before my flight?

You must be already checked in 30 minutes before the flight departure. Also, 30 minutes before the flight you must be already at the gates and ready for the flight. Boarding at the Gates starts 15 minutes before the scheduled flight.

Why is it important to be early at the airport?

You need to get early to the airport to go through all airport formalities: security control, checking in and boarding. You will need time to open your luggage, remove your shoes if asked during the security check at the airport.

What time do I need to be at the airport if I have checked in online?

You need at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before the scheduled flight departure if you checked in online and if you have luggage to be checked in. If you have your eticket but did not check in online, you need to arrive earlier.