No one likes rushing through the airport, but your holiday budget will suffer if you stay there too long.
How long before a flight should I be at the airport uk, generally, it would help if you got to the airport at least two hours before a short and three hours before a long flight. However, there are many things you can do to make your time at the airport easier and faster.
Our guide has everything you need to find flights to anywhere or to get to the airport on time. It includes tips on saving time and the best times to arrive at the UK’s busiest airports.
How long before a flight do you need to be at the airport for a short-haul flight?
The airport should be at least two hours before your short-haul International flight, but if you need to check in or drop off your bags, you might want to get there earlier, especially if you’re travelling during busy times. Taking a domestic flight? You should be able to breeze through security and grab a quick snack 90 minutes before your flight without feeling rushed.
How long before a flight should I be at the airport UK for a long-haul flight?
When flying long distances, three hours is the magic number. Most airlines tell you to get to the airport at least three hours before your flight. International flights, which usually have bigger planes, have longer lines at security and check-in because there are more passengers.
How long to be at airport before flight?
How long before flight to be at airport? Knowing the general suggested airport travel times can help you plan, but you should always check with your airline to see how early you need to be at the airport before your flight.
To help you, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the UK’s busiest airports’ suggested arrival times.
London Heathrow
Planning to check in at the airport? Heathrow says you should get to the check-in and bag drop desks three hours before your flight. For flights in the UK and Europe, two hours is enough time to get through the terminal quickly.
London Gatwick
You must get to Gatwick at least two hours before your flight to check in and go through security. Check-in does open four hours before long-haul flights and three hours before European planes. Check-in for planes from the UK and Ireland starts two hours before the flight.
London Luton
Note that the boarding gates close simultaneously every 30 minutes for all flights going from Luton. If you usually check in and drop off your bags two hours before your flight, you’ll have a full hour and thirty minutes to get ready.
London Stansted
You must give yourself at least two hours before your Stansted departure to go through security. You can use your airline’s online check-in service or get to the desk earlier. Stansted suggests looking at your airline’s rules well before departure day for more specific information.
London Southend
It’s best to check with your airline for holidays leaving from Southend. The boarding gates may close 30 to 40 minutes before the flight leaves. In Southend, though, you should get to the desk at least two hours before your flight to check in or drop off your bags.
Manchester
While companies have very different rules about how early you should get to Manchester, many let you choose. For example, passengers can check in at the Jet2 desk three and a half hours before their flight. Jet2 says you can get through the process quickly in 90 minutes if you paid for your flight online and only have carry-on bags. If you follow your airline’s instructions, you should be able to get through security easily in two hours.
Birmingham
If you have extra time before your flight, you can wait up to four hours at Birmingham Airport. Once more, you should always check with your airline, but at Birmingham, check-in starts four hours before an overseas flight and two to three hours before a domestic or European flight.
Glasgow
Travelling from Glasgow? Check-in desks open from four hours to ninety minutes before a flight leaves. Allow three hours for a foreign flight, two hours for a European flight, and 90 minutes for a domestic flight as a general rule. Find out here when your airline’s Glasgow Airport check-in desk will open.
East Midlands
Passengers leaving from East Midlands Airport on Jet2 and TUI flights are asked to start the check-in and screening process three hours before their flight leaves. On all other flights, you must give yourself an extra two hours to get through security and check-in.
Newcastle
Newcastle Airport recommends that if you’ve found a great deal on a package holiday, you get to the airport three hours before your charter flight to ensure everything goes smoothly. On the other hand, DIY tourists taking a regular trip can walk through two hours before their flight. However, Check-in times can differ from one flight to the next, so it’s always best to follow what your carrier recommends.
Edinburgh
Check-in for most flights from Edinburgh Airport ends 30 to 40 minutes before boarding, and gates can close as early as 15 minutes before the flight. Prepare to check in three hours before a foreign flight and two hours before any other flight. This will help you get through the pre-flight process more easily.
Leeds Bradford
You should be able to complete the checks at Leeds Bradford in two to three hours. You should do this whether you checked in online or at the desk, so make your best decision!
Belfast International Airport
At Belfast International Airport, the check-in desks are open two hours before most domestic flights are set to leave. For international trips, start the check-in process three hours before your flight. Even though the airport isn’t very big, they ask that passengers follow these rules during busy journey times, especially in the summer.
Liverpool
You should be able to get through the checkpoints at Liverpool John Lennon Airport two hours before your flight. However, your company may tell you otherwise, so check your booking before you leave!
Cardiff
Cardiff says you should arrive at the airport four hours early for flights outside of Europe and two hours early for flights within the UK or Europe that take four hours or less.
9 important things that will affect when you get to the airport
- How about checking in online?
Most of the time, you can skip security lines if you check in online and only bring carry-on bags. You’ll have more time at the airport. Online check-in for flights with easyJet and Jet2 starts up to 28 days before the trip, so you can cross this off your list of things to do before you go.
- Do you need to check your bags?
Most airlines have a different desk or self-drop-off point where you can drop off your bags. Self-check kiosks are often the fastest way to get through security but keep in mind that not all flights have them, and there may be a long line to drop off your bags.
- When must you be at the airport for your flight?
A good rule of thumb is to get to the airport two hours before your flight. However, some companies may ask you to arrive earlier or later than the rule. Always look at your confirming email for information.
- What time should I get to the airport?
The time you have to wait at the airport can depend on the day and time of year.
It’s likely to be a lot busier during the summer and school breaks than, say, the winter. Consider whether you must fight through lines with hundreds of others on half-term or long weekends, and plan for this.
You may also need to consider frequent business flyers when it’s not the holiday season. Early morning during the week can be one of the busiest times!
- What are your plans for getting to the airport?
Things you can’t change, like an accident or traffic at rush hour, can make your trip to the airport take longer than you want. To avoid being late, check the traffic situation well before you leave. If you’re still worried, add an extra hour to your trip time.
In the same way, booking your airport parking ahead of time will save you money and guarantee you a spot on the day of, which will save you important minutes.
When you take the train, know about any planned strikes and watch for extra time.
- Are you leaving from an extensive airport?
For airports you don’t know, find out how huge they are. Walking from security to your gate in some huge airports can take up to ten minutes. It might not seem much if you don’t know your way around the airport, but it could mean the difference between making your flight and missing it.
- How many other individuals are going with you?
Are you going on your own, or do you need to get passports, boarding passes, and bags for your family of five? It may take longer to get your group through the gate if you have five carry-on bags, three restless kids, and you’re in a busy airport.
- Do you have the right to skip the lines?
If you’re a frequent flyer with a certain airline, you may be able to skip the line because of your high mileage rank. This also goes for passengers travelling in business or first class. You can also buy VIP Fast Track passes, which will cut down on the time you spend in line by a large amount. They can start as low as £3 per person in UK airports.
- What’s in your carry-on bag?
As a rule, you can only bring drinks that are less than 100ml and that all fit into a clear one-litre plastic bag. You can use a bag from your last holiday to save time, and most airports will give them to you for free. Packing ahead of time saves you time and is better for the world, too.
Airport time-saving tips
Check your live departure time
Before leaving for the airport, please double-check the details of your trip. Make a note of all the times, like when to check in, board, and leave.
Take a printout of your flight pass
You can skip security at the airport if you can check in online and print or download your boarding pass. That is if you don’t need to check any bags.
Download the flight app
Getting your airline’s app can save you much time at the airport. You can get real-time updates on your flight and check-in through the app, where you’ll find your boarding pass and information about your reservation.
Check the size of your luggage
Ensure all your luggage meets your airline’s size and weight requirements for your flight, whether carrying it on your person or checking it in. If it doesn’t, you could waste time repacking at the airport or be charged a lot of money at the desk. Also, make sure that your carry-on luggage doesn’t have any things that aren’t allowed that could cause delays at security.
Think of an airport lounge
You can save time and money by using an airport bar if you like to eat at the airport before your flight. Some airport bars cost as little as £30 per person and offer free buffet-style food and drinks, including alcohol, so you don’t have to wait for your pre-flight beer or eat at a restaurant.
