How Much Time Do I Really Need To Get To The Airport?

There is no real answer to this but there are general rules of thumb. How many of you know those people who are ALWAYS running through the airport barely making it on board, covered in sweat from the aforementioned or do you have that friend who leaves their apartment at 7 AM for an 8:30 AM flight out of LAX and they live 20 miles away?

Time has a way of getting away from people when they travel and many just don't like to follow the rules or get to the airport two hours before your domestic flight and three for international unless you are flying from an airport known for long security lines like SeaTac in Seattle or LAX in Los Angeles which is ALWAYS under construction so it can be a nightmare to get through security.

How much time you need is really dependent on so many factors.

1. Where you live and how busy your chosen airport is.

2. Are you flying domestic or international?

3. Is your airline in their own terminal or is it a hub for that airline?

4. Did you check in online?

5. Are you checking bags?

6. Do you live in a city with massive traffic and rush HOURS that can take a lot longer?

7. Do you need to get a shuttle from parking?

8. Are you traveling with children? or pets?

Here is the rule of thumb that I like to follow because I don't like being late to the airport. In college my boyfriend back then was on the golf team and he loved to wait until 30 minutes before the flight left to leave for the airport. I can't tell you how many times we were running through the airport with golf bags on our backs trying to get to the gate.

Now you can't help someone get to their gate so if they are late, it's on them.

NOTE: everyone and their dog has precheck these days so you can't count on that line being quick. You can get CLEAR and that will put you in the front of the line but not all airports and terminals have it yet.

You can learn more about TSA PRECHECK HERE

You can find out about CLEAR HERE

I have them both because I'd rather hang out in the airport than get all my 10,000 steps in running through the airport but that's just me!

My tips are:

1. Get to the airport at least two hours before your domestic flight leaves if you are flying from a busy airport and checked in online and have your boarding pass on your phone or printed out.

2. If you are flying international, get there at least three hours before if you have checked in online

If you have not checked in, add one hour to both of these at least.

3. Get to know your airport, the terminal you are flying out of, and how busy it is, how many major airlines fly from that one. You probably know your home airport but you may not know the one you are traveling too.

4. Respect the fact that it's going to be busy and everyone is in a hurry, that comes with traveling.

5. Book your parking ahead of time if you are driving or book your car service or ride early and have backup plans

If you are renting a car or have rented one

6. Go earlier than the recommended times to count for the extra time it takes to return the car and get the shuttle

The bottom line is that how much time you need will depend on multiple factors that you are responsible to plan out to make your trip go smoothly.

Thanks for reading and if you have tips, I'd love to hear them, please share to help others as well.

xo Stephanie

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