Online Check In, Hand Luggage only...what time to be at airport for?

GinG

GinG

GinG

Soldato
Joined
22 Jul 2006
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Morning All,

Off over to Dublin Wednesday till Saturday, having a works xmas do Friday night and anything like last time I was out with the bosses it was a heavy drinking session!

My flight back on Saturday is 9.45am (last time was an afternoon so no problems), what is the latest I should be getting to the airport? More time in bed the better!

Usually I always try to get there about 2 hours ahead but this is holidays with back check ins etc.
 
Some airlines will state a gate close time roughly, so as close to that as you are comfortable with accounting for the time to get through security and from end of the airport to the other.
 
If you are flying from one of the far away gates it can take 20 odd minutes to walk there from security so leave plenty of time. I would be aiming for 1 hour before at least, even with no bag to check.
 
Redgie said:
Some airlines will state a gate close time roughly, so as close to that as you are comfortable with accounting for the time to get through security and from end of the airport to the other.
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This. Most require half an hour even with hand luggage. Some can be really fussy though plus you never know what might happen.

Delays getting to the airport or as what happened with me one time, extra security checks cause of an issue and despite getting to the airport 40 minutes before my plane was due to take off, it took longer than that to get through passport and security and we missed our flight :( (and the gate was about 10 minutes running time from security as well)
 
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Assuming you've checked in online, you'll need to be at the gate before it closes naturally. How long it will take to get through security to reach the gate on any given day is anyone's guess.

Arrive at the airport 2 hours before like a normal person. Get a coffee and a newspaper if you're bored. Sorted.
 
Depends on how big the airport is. City and Southend you can almost treat it like catching an inter city train. 2 hours would be very excessive. I wouldn't leave less then an hour anyway though.

Anyway, I've not been to Dublin, but I'm guessing it isn't a small airport like those ones.
 
I may surprise myself and be completely OK on the morning, I may set alarm for half 6 and go from there!

Cheers guys!
 
I'd get there at your usual sort of time, nothing worse than having to rush round and airport with a stinking hangover.
Get there early, relax and get the biggest fry up and bucket of coffee you can find.
 
I normally get there an hour at the earliest. I hate airports and hate waiting. I check-in prior to arriving at the airport anyway so there really is no need to be there early. The flight won't leave early anyway. However I have a jaded view on air travel having worked internationally for several years needing to take 40+ flights a year.
 
Freefaller said:
I normally get there an hour at the earliest. I hate airports and hate waiting. I check-in prior to arriving at the airport anyway so there really is no need to be there early. The flight won't leave early anyway. However I have a jaded view on air travel having worked internationally for several years needing to take 40+ flights a year.
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I agree with you and hate waiting too but you only need that unexpected accident on the way to the airport or a sudden security tightening and you can get really stressed or miss your flight all together.

So I just go the chilled earlier route nowadays.
 
Greebo said:
I agree with you and hate waiting too but you only need that unexpected accident on the way to the airport or a sudden security tightening and you can get really stressed or miss your flight all together.

So I just go the chilled earlier route nowadays.
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Of course. I'm not saying my way is the most sensible. But I haven't as of yet been late for or missed a flight. :)

But it does depend on your commute and if the elements conspire against you!
 
Freefaller said:
Of course. I'm not saying my way is the most sensible. But I haven't as of yet been late for or missed a flight. :)

But it does depend on your commute and if the elements conspire against you!
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My gf travels a lot for work and she hates the airport wait and aims for 40 minutes before flights. Twice this year she has missed flights :)
 
If I remember correctly Dublin gates can be quite far away from the entrance. I'd turn up an hour before myself and just head straight to security and onto the gate.
 
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