Arriving At Helsinki Airport: How Early Should You Be?

Helsinki Airport is a busy transport hub, with many travellers passing through its terminals each day. With multiple entry points to the air side of the terminal, it's important to know how early to arrive at the airport to ensure you don't miss your flight. Security checks can take up to 40 minutes, and check-in deadlines vary by airline, so it's best to allow plenty of time. For an intra-Schengen flight, 1.5 hours should be sufficient, but for early morning flights, it's recommended to arrive even earlier to account for potential queues.

Check-in times and deadlines

Helsinki Airport recommends arriving 1.5 hours before your flight for an intra-Schengen flight. However, if you are flying with Lufthansa, their check-in deadline is 40 minutes before departure.

If you are able to check-in online, you can do so 23 hours in advance and then simply drop your bags at the baggage drop desk. This will leave you with only the security check to complete before heading to the gate.

If you are travelling with children, or require special assistance, Helsinki Airport recommends arriving 2 hours before your flight.

Helsinki Airport has multiple entry points to the airside of the terminal, so you should not encounter long queues. However, it is always better to arrive earlier to ensure you have plenty of time to clear security and reach your gate.

Security wait times

Helsinki Airport is generally considered an easy and stressless airport to travel through. However, it is always recommended to arrive at the airport early to allow for any potential delays or issues.

For security wait times, it is advised to arrive at least 1.5 hours before your flight departure time for an intra-Schengen flight. If you are travelling on a Sunday morning, there are usually no queues to be expected. However, if you are travelling on a weekday morning, particularly around 7:30 am, the security wait time can be longer, ranging from 25 to 30 minutes.

To expedite the security check process, consider using the self-service check-in desks at the terminal. Additionally, if you have access to the internet, you can check in online up to 23 hours in advance and then proceed directly to the baggage drop desk. This will save time and reduce the number of steps required before reaching the security checkpoint.

It is also worth noting that some airlines, such as Lufthansa, have specific check-in deadlines. For example, Lufthansa's check-in deadline in Helsinki is 40 minutes. By being mindful of these deadlines and planning ahead, you can ensure a smoother travel experience.

Queues at the airport

Helsinki Airport is generally considered an easy and stress-free airport to travel through. However, it is always best to arrive early to allow for any potential delays.

For an early morning flight, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 1.5 hours before departure. This will give you enough time to check in, drop off any baggage, and go through security. If you are travelling on a Sunday morning, there are usually no queues to be expected. However, if you are travelling on a weekday morning, the security queue may be longer and take up to 40 minutes.

To save time, it is recommended to check in online or at the self-service desks in the terminal. Some airlines, such as Lufthansa, have a check-in deadline of 40 minutes before departure. If you have checked in online, you can go straight to the baggage drop desk and then through security.

If you have a long layover at Helsinki Airport, there are plenty of facilities to keep you comfortable, including sleeping pods, restaurants, and a museum. There are also hotels nearby the airport if you need to stay overnight.

Early morning flight times

Helsinki Airport is a stress-free airport to travel through, with short layovers of up to seven hours between flights. However, if you have an early morning flight, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport 1.5 hours before your flight time. This should be enough time for an intra-Schengen flight. If you are flying with Lufthansa, their check-in deadline in Helsinki is 40 minutes. If you can, check-in online or at the self-service desks at the terminal to save time. Helsinki Airport has multiple entry points to the airside of the terminal, so you shouldn't have to worry about long queues. However, if you are travelling on a Sunday morning, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least one hour before your flight, as there may be longer queues at security.

Facilities for families with kids

Helsinki Airport is an easy and stressless experience for families with kids. There are many facilities to keep children entertained, including sleeping pods, daytime hotel rooms, nice restaurants, a scenic terrace, and even a museum next to the terminals.

If you're travelling with kids, it's always a good idea to arrive at the airport early to give yourself plenty of time to get through security and check-in. The security queue can be long, especially in the morning, so it's best to allow for extra time. One traveller reported that they had to wait 25-30 minutes for security at 7:30 am, while another said it took 40 minutes at 4 pm.

If you're flying with Lufthansa, their check-in deadline in Helsinki is 40 minutes. However, if you have an internet connection, you can check in 23 hours in advance and just go to the baggage drop desk, which will save you time at the airport.

There are multiple entry points to the airside of the terminal, so you don't need to worry about getting stuck in a long queue to get through.

Frequently asked questions