Navigating Airport Exits: A Guide To Smooth Transits

If you've gone through security at an airport and then decide you don't want to fly, it's possible to exit the airport. The process depends on whether you're travelling domestically or internationally. For domestic flights, you can simply follow the passengers exiting other planes to baggage claim and then out of the airport. For international flights, it's more complicated as you'll need to make sure you get an entry stamp in your passport. In either case, you'll need to look out for a one-way exit from the secure area. This is usually clearly marked with a warning that you'll need to go through security again if you want to return to the gate area.

Follow the signs to baggage claim and/or ground transport

If you're looking to exit an airport after going through security, you can follow the signs to baggage claim and/or ground transport. Most airports have a one-way exit right next to security that you can go through. If not, you can walk out through the arrivals exit like a normal passenger.

Signs in the airport will direct you to the correct terminal building for your flight. For example, at Denver International Airport, Terminal East hosts airlines like Alaska, Delta, Frontier, Southwest and Spirit, whereas Terminal West hosts American, JetBlue, United, and WestJet. It's a good idea to research the correct terminal in advance of your departure so you know where you're going.

If you're exiting an international flight, you'll need to get an exit stamp in your passport, and an entry stamp to make sure your passport remains valid.

If you have checked luggage and decide not to board the plane, your luggage will need to be removed, which will cause delays.

International travel requires an exit stamp in your passport

When travelling internationally, it is important to be aware of the exit and entry requirements for your destination country. Some countries require an exit stamp in your passport, while others may not. For example, the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland do not require an exit stamp, as the process has been digitised. However, other countries such as Japan, South Korea and Sri Lanka may issue sticker stamps as entry stamps.

To exit an airport, you will need to follow the signs to the correct terminal building for your flight. Most airports have a one-way exit next to security, or you can walk out through the arrivals exit like a normal passenger. If you are within the duty-free/waiting area/gates and have checked luggage, you will need to inform staff so that your luggage can be removed from the plane.

If you are travelling internationally, you will need to go through security checks and may be kept separate from the waiting area. This means that you will exit the plane into a different area from passengers waiting to board. There will usually be a clearly marked exit, but you will need to go through security again if you want to return to the gate area.

It is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. This will give you enough time to navigate the airport and complete any necessary exit or entry procedures.

Research the correct terminal in advance

Knowing which terminal you need to go to in advance of your arrival at the airport will help you feel less overwhelmed by the directional signage that lines your route to the airport. Most airlines recommend that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.

For example, at Denver International Airport, Terminal East hosts airlines like Alaska, Delta, Frontier, Southwest and Spirit, whereas Terminal West hosts American, JetBlue, United, WestJet and others. It is therefore important to enter the airport at your terminal to simplify the next steps of the process.

If you are not flying, but are instead meeting someone at the airport, you should still research the correct terminal in advance. This is because, in some airports, departures and arrivals are on different floors and are not accessible without staff letting you in.

If you are flying, you should research the correct terminal in advance, as you will need to go through security checks. In the USA, international departure is handled pretty much the same as domestic departure in terms of which parts of the airport you go through and the security checks. However, for international flights, you will need an exit stamp in your passport, and unless you get an entry stamp, your passport will become invalid.

There is a one-way exit from the secure area

If you are in the secure area of an airport and want to exit, there is a one-way exit. This is usually guarded and the location varies by airport. You can walk out towards baggage claim and exit the same way arriving passengers do. No one will notice, except the airline when you don't show up for boarding. However, once you go through the exit gate, you can't get back in without going through security again.

If you are travelling internationally, you will have an exit stamp in your passport and unless you get an entry stamp, your passport becomes invalid, so make sure you get the entry stamp. In some airports, departures and arrivals are on different floors and are not accessible without staff letting you in, so you would have to use the exit at departure security.

If you have checked luggage, this will have to be unloaded before the plane can leave, so you will cause the staff some inconvenience.

You can't get back in without going through security again

If you have gone through security at the airport and then decide you don't want to fly, you can exit the airport by following the signs to baggage claim and/or ground transport, or by following the passengers exiting other planes to baggage claim and then out of the airport. However, you won't be able to get back in without going through security again.

Most airports have a one-way exit right next to security that you can go through, or you can walk out through the arrivals exit like a normal passenger. If you are travelling internationally, you will need to make sure you get an entry stamp in your passport, otherwise it will become invalid.

If you have checked luggage, you will cause staff some inconvenience as your luggage will need to be removed from the plane.

Frequently asked questions