Arriving Early: How Early Is Too Early At Airports?

How early you need to arrive at the airport before your flight depends on several factors, including the airport, the country, and whether you're travelling domestically or internationally. The standard recommendation for international travel is to arrive at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure, but some airports advise giving yourself even more time. For domestic flights, most airlines suggest arriving at least two hours before departure.

Domestic vs international travel: arrive two hours before for domestic, three hours for international

If you're flying domestically, you don't need to arrive at the airport as early as you would for an international flight. The standard recommendation is to arrive at the airport two hours before your scheduled departure time for a domestic flight. This should give you enough time to check in, check any bags, and clear security. Checking in online can save time at the airport, and you can usually do this 24 hours before departure.

For international travel, the standard recommendation is to arrive at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure. This will give you enough time to check your bags, clear passport control, and go through security. It's important to note that international guidelines vary, and some airports recommend arriving even earlier. For example, at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Pudahuel, Chile, travellers are asked to arrive around three hours before international flights, and sometimes three and a half hours during peak periods. Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria typically advises arriving about three hours before international flights and up to four hours during high-traffic seasons.

Child travelling alone: arrive at the airport early

If your child is travelling alone, it's important to arrive at the airport early. The standard recommendation for international travel is to arrive at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure. This should cover every step of the airport process, from checking a bag to clearing passport control and security, ensuring your child boards on time.

For domestic flights, the recommendation is to arrive at the airport two hours before your scheduled departure. However, you generally need to check in for your flight at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time, whether you are checking bags or only travelling with a carry-on. Checking in online can save time at the airport, and you can usually check-in online 24 hours before departure and print your boarding pass at home or use the airline's mobile app to access your digital boarding pass.

It's important to note that international guidelines vary, and while many countries have the same recommendations as the U.S., some airports advise giving yourself even more time. For example, at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Pudahuel, Chile, travellers are asked to arrive around three hours before international flights, and sometimes three and a half hours during peak periods. Meanwhile, Jamaican airports generally recommend giving yourself two to three hours for international departures, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria typically advises arriving about three hours before international flights and up to four hours during high-traffic seasons.

Arriving early is especially important if your child is navigating the airport alone, as it gives them time to familiarise themselves with the airport and the boarding process. It also allows for any potential delays or issues that may arise, ensuring your child's safety and peace of mind.

High-traffic seasons: some airports recommend four hours

The standard recommendation for international travel is to arrive at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure. However, some airports advise giving yourself even more time. For instance, at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Pudahuel, Chile, travellers are asked to arrive around three hours before international flights, and sometimes three and a half hours during peak periods. Jamaican airports generally recommend giving yourself two to three hours for international departures. Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria typically advises arriving about three hours before international flights and up to four hours during high-traffic seasons.

Peak periods: some airports recommend three and a half hours

For international flights, the standard recommendation is to arrive at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure. This should cover every step of the airport process, from checking a bag to clearing passport control and security, ensuring you board on time.

For domestic flights, the most often quoted recommendation is to arrive at the airport two hours before your scheduled departure. This is true whether you are checking bags or only travelling with carry-on luggage.

Check-in times: check-in online 24 hours before departure

It is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time for a domestic flight and three hours for an international flight. However, this can vary depending on the airport and country. For example, at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Pudahuel, Chile, travellers are asked to arrive around three and a half hours before an international flight, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria advises arriving about three hours before international flights and up to four hours during high-traffic seasons.

Checking in online can save time at the airport. You can usually check in online 24 hours before departure and print your boarding pass at home or use the airline's mobile app to access your digital boarding pass. This means that you can arrive at the airport later, as you do not need to queue to check in or print your boarding pass. However, you should still allow enough time to drop off any checked luggage, clear security and passport control, and get to your gate.

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