How Early Should You Arrive At Airport

[Stryker44]

For those of you that travel, for a 10 PM flight how early do you think one needs to arrive at the airport? Is one hour enough for a domestic flight?

 

[Tabascocat]

Which airport?

 

[03EBZ06]

I don't usually travel that late, but with my travels, I always try get to airport minimum of an hour but usually I'm there 1.5 hours early, but that's just me though.

 

[NorthTexan95]

One hour is good for domestic. If you're checking bags then they need to be checked in 1 hour before your flight. If your not checking bags then you can print your boarding pass the night before and you just need to be at the airport with enough time to get through security and to your gate. Since they normally start boarding 20-30 minutes before the flight, one hour is still a good time frame to cover an issues that may come up.

 

[jobberone]

I agree with others. If you travel internationally it's best to be there at least two hours early. I try to get thru customs and still have a couple of hours. Sometimes the lines are very long thru immigration though so you have to tailor your arrival to the airport and the time of season/holiday etc. We try to fly on Tues or Wed no matter international or domestic as these are usually the cheapest flights and the smallest crowds. Flying out of a hub is far different than a smaller airport.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I agree with others. If you travel internationally it's best to be there at least two hours early. I try to get thru customs and still have a couple of hours. Sometimes the lines are very long thru immigration though so you have to tailor your arrival to the airport and the time of season/holiday etc. We try to fly on Tues or Wed no matter international or domestic as these are usually the cheapest flights and the smallest crowds. Flying out of a hub is far different than a smaller airport.

You wouldn't have customs leaving the US though would you?

I usually get there 2 hours before for international and 1.5 for domestic.

 

[Future]

Depends on how drunk you want to be before you board :laugh2:

 

[anava]

Like someone said it depends on the airport. And after the Boston marathon (if it wasnt an accident) security might be elevated so it could take longer.

 

[DallasCowpoke]

I agree with others. If you travel internationally it's best to be there at least two hours early. I try to get thru customs and still have a couple of hours. Sometimes the lines are very long thru immigration though so you have to tailor your arrival to the airport and the time of season/holiday etc. We try to fly on Tues or Wed no matter international or domestic as these are usually the cheapest flights and the smallest crowds. Flying out of a hub is far different than a smaller airport.

Since when do you go through customs/immigration to leave the US?

 

[Tabascocat]

Since when do you go through customs/immigration to leave the US?

I haven't left the country in a few years, but I thought it was immigration leaving and customs arriving

 

[DallasCowpoke]

I haven't left the country in a few years, but I thought it was immigration leaving and customs arriving

It's actually neither. Those are done at your "port of arrival", not departure.

Sometimes, if you check bags, they'll ask for your passport, mostly as a courtesy to confirm you have it and confirm any documents that may be needed if it's a POA that possibly has out-of-the-ordinary requirements.

But if it comes up you're a frequent international traveler on their screen, that's never an issue.

 

[Tabascocat]

It's actually neither. Those are done at your "port of arrival", not departure.

Sometimes, if you check bags, they'll ask for your passport, mostly as a courtesy to confirm you have it and confirm any documents that may be needed if it's a POA that possibly has out-of-the-ordinary requirements.

But if it comes up you're a frequent international traveler on their screen, that's never an issue.

Yes, customs arriving at your destination, not arrival back into the US.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Personally, 2 hours before for domestic and 3 hours before for international.

I like to give myself time just in case anything happens like a flat tire or traffic or the car breaking down. I also don't like to be rushed looking for a parking spot.

I get to the airport early and can then get a snack and a cup of coffee and relax. I don't mind waiting at an airport. I can people watch, read a book, shop, watch tv, surf the net, catnap, etc. Relaxation before a trip is very important. The last thing I want to do is start my trip rushing around in a panic.

The two most important things: get there early and pack light.

 

[DFWJC]

If you are traveling tonight, you'll need to arrive earlier than normal.

 

[DallasCowpoke]

Yes, customs arriving at your destination, not arrival back into the US.

No, there is customs coming into the US. Anytime you arrive from foreign soil, you go through customs. They're concerned w/ what you're bring IN, not what you're taking out. That's the "other guy's" problem.


The US is one of very few countries that doesn't require you to produce a passport to exit the county.

Our philosophy could be paraphrased like this...“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...We're happy to have you with the correct paperwork”. "Now, if you're wanting to leave...THAT you can do empty-handed at your own peril!"

 

[DFWJC]

The US is one of very few countries that doesn't require you to produce a passport to exit the county.

Our philosophy could be paraphrased like this...“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...We're happy to have you with the correct paperwork”. "Now, if you're wanting to leave...THAT you can do empty-handed at your own peril!"

Every time I'm re-entering the US and have to wait in long Customs lines, I think how odd it is that as we stand in line thousands are pouring across the border with no documents whatsoever. They pour across from countries all over the world--including huge nmbers from countries (Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Lybia, etc, etc) often hostile toward the US.
Anyway, it's just seems odd. Nothing more or less.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

...
The US is one of very few countries that doesn't require you to produce a passport to exit the county.

Our philosophy could be paraphrased like this...“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...We're happy to have you with the correct paperwork”. "Now, if you're wanting to leave...THAT you can do empty-handed at your own peril!"

I don't think that is true these days or even many years ago. If you are leaving the country by plane, you will not get a ticket without a passport. You MUST show your passport to get an international ticket and you MUST show your passport to baord an international plane. No passport? You ain't leaving by plane. That's been my experience flying international since 1996. You can't even get into Canada without a passport now.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Yes, customs arriving at your destination, not arrival back into the US.

and for many countries, like in Europe, it is just passport control, not really customs. I was shocked the first time I travelled over there and didn't have to go through customs, just get the passport stamped.

 

[5Stars]

and for many countries, like in Europe, it is just passport control, not really customs. I was shocked the first time I travelled over there and didn't have to go through customs, just get the passport stamped.

Well, the people in Europe was just as shocked that a Canadian could afford to go to Europe...so they did not know what protocol to use!




:laugh2:

 

[DFWJC]

I don't think that is true these days or even many years ago. If you are leaving the country by plane, you will not get a ticket without a passport. You MUST show your passport to get an international ticket and you MUST show your passport to baord an international plane. No passport? You ain't leaving by plane. That's been my experience flying international since 1996. You can't even get into Canada without a passport now.

This is true....