Faced with the eternal question — how early should I get to the airport? — people tend to fall into two camps: those who show up hours in advance, and those who squeak by with moments to spare. While anyone can appreciate the cinematic value of a good gate sprint, it's best to side with the early birds.
Still, even early birds can miscalculate, so we're going to lay out the specifics here, which vary by scenario. Are you flying domestically? Internationally? Using a wheelchair? Flying from outside the U.S.? The answers can make a big difference, as you'll find below.
Here's how early you should get to the airport in four common scenarios —and how you can speed up your journey to the gate if you fall behind schedule.
How Early to Get to the Airport for Domestic Flights
Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights. But the specifics of your situation may dictate more leniency. For instance, regional airports typically have far smaller crowds than major international hubs, so lines tend to be much shorter. Plus, if you've already checked in online, you're not checking a bag, and you have either TSA PreCheck or Clear, you may be able to breeze through security and the likely negligible distance from there to the gate.
On the flip side, certain mega-airports can get so trafficky and mobbed, even during non-peak times (we're looking at you, LAX), that two hours may not suffice. If you can pad by half an hour, so much the better. And if you are flying during a peak travel time —a holiday weekend or school break, for example —allow yourself additional time no matter where you're leaving from.
When to Get to the Airport for International Flights
Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport three hours before departure for international flights. Generally, larger aircrafts and higher passenger capacities tend to mean an earlier start to boarding. Plus, agents are often required to review more documentation from you (your visa, for example, if it's required where you're going) than they are for a domestic flight.
Again, you can speed things up for yourself by checking in online, taking only carry-on luggage, and signing up for TSA PreCheck. And as with domestic flights, during peak travel times, you should probably give yourself a cushion.
How Early to Arrive if You'll be Using a Wheelchair
If you plan to travel with a battery-powered wheelchair, arrive an additional hour before the recommended check-in time, says the U.S. Department of Transportation. Though that same timeframe might suffice if you've booked assistance in an airport-provided wheelchair, don't take any chances.
Wheelchair attendants can get slammed, so you'll probably want to allow yourself at least 90 minutes before the recommended check-in time. In other words: 3.5 hours before a domestic flight, and 4.5 before an international one.
When to Arrive at an Airport Outside the U.S.
The answer varies around the globe, and while many countries adhere to the same basic guidelines as the U.S., don't rely on assumptions: Always check local recommendations.
If you're flying out of Santiago de Chile's Aeropuerto Nuevo Pudahel, for example, authorities advise that you arrive three and a half hours early for an international flight, and two hours early for a domestic one. The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, for its part, advises that you arrive three hours before any flight. And the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria recommends you show up a full four hours before any flight, as do other airports around the world, so be sure to do your research.
How to Get Through the Airport Quickly
Don't check a bag.
By sticking to carry-on and checking in online, you may well be able to skip the check-in desk and any associated line. If you need to check a bag, consider finding a kiosk where you can print your own tag and head to the self-tagged drop-off area, where lines are usually shorter than the full-service equivalents.
See if you have priority check-in privileges.
Passengers booked in business or first class, as well as frequent fliers with elite status, are often granted priority check-in privileges.
Sign up for TSA PreCheck.
TSA PreCheck is a Trusted Traveler program run by the Department of Homeland Security that allows approved members to undergo a more streamlined security process. You usually don't need to take out your laptop or liquids from your bags, nor do you have to take off your shoes or jackets. Signing up costs between $78 and $85 for a five-year membership, and you'll need to undergo a background check and an interview. You can also enroll in other programs — Clear and Telos among them — that include TSA PreCheck.
Related: TSA PreCheck vs. Clear: Which Should You Choose?
Other Airport Travel Tips
Give yourself extra time during peak travel days and peak travel hours.
If you're traveling over the holidays, the summer, or any other school break, get to the airport even earlier than you normally would, as there will likely be long lines everywhere. Also remember that the lines may be longer in the evenings at major international airports with many red-eye departures.
Give yourself extra time if you're traveling with a group, especially if you're a family with small children.
Keeping track of everything and everyone in the group can be trying, to say the least. Don't add undue time pressure to the mix.
Pay attention to the cutoff times for checking bags.
Every airline sets a cutoff time for checking bags, and it's typically somewhere between 45 and 60 minutes before departure, Always look to see when your flight's specific cutoff time is, lest you be bumped to a later flight in the name of checking your bags.
Familiarize yourself with TSA security protocols.
Going through airport security can be a stressful process, especially if there's a long line of frustrated travelers behind you. Before you go to the airport, brush up on the latest regulations — at a minimum, what can stay in your carry-on and what can't — on the TSA website.
Don't forget about parking or rental car return.
When you're figuring out how early you should leave for the airport, make sure you factor parking or rental car return into the equation. Either scenario may involve waiting for a shuttle to take you to the terminal, among other delays. Pad accordingly.
Consider purchasing lounge access.
If you loathe the idea of killing hours at the gate or airport food court, consider a day pass or Priority Pass membership to a lounge, The perks make the wait feel much shorter — or at least more comfortable.
