How early should we get to the airport? It’s a hotly debated question in nearly every household. There are the people who want to get to the gate four hours before the plane even pulls up, and then there are those who would rather walk straight onto the plane as everyone boards without breaking their stride. For whatever reason, these two people typically end up dating. So, if this is a frequent point of vacation contention in your home, you’re not alone. “Travel is deeply personal,” says Michael Holtz, CEO and founder of SmartFlyer. “Some thrive on efficiency down to the minute, while others seek the comfort of extra time.” We turned to a few travel experts to find out what time you really need to arrive at the airport. Read on to see if you agree with their assessment.
Factors to Consider
There are a whole lot of variables when it comes to answering this question like seasonality, time of day, and whether or not you’re checking luggage, to name a few. There’s the factor of loyalty programs like CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, or Global Entry, which can drastically decrease your wait time. Oh, and it also depends on your airport, since some are more efficient than others (as most of us have unfortunately noticed).
When to Arrive
Much like you and your family members, our experts also had varied thoughts on exact timing.
Holtz recommends the shortest amount of time out of the three. He believes that if you’re a solo traveller with carry-on luggage and a loyalty program membership, you’ll need the least amount of time, about 75 minutes. This is using the math that boarding typically begins 30-50 minutes before a flight, and with the fast-track status, it will take you 20 minutes to get through security and another 20 minutes to reach your gate. “That said, ease and efficiency vary by airport—and by traveler. When in doubt, cushion your schedule; peace of mind is always worth arriving a touch early,” he says.
Tori Simokov, founder of the Window Seat newsletter, recommends 90 minutes. “For domestic flights, I’ve found that’s the sweet spot—it gives me enough time to check in, clear security, grab a bite in the lounge, and get to my gate without rushing. It hasn’t failed me in ten years of flying.” She likes to leave 30 minutes to get through security.
Jesse Neugarten, founder of Dollar Flight Club, says that no matter the situation, you want to get to the airport at least two hours before boarding. “I usually add an extra 30-45 minutes for early morning or holiday flights because of airport traffic, security lines, and unexpected delays,” he says. If you’re flying out of a larger airport (think JFK or LAX) or using a budget airline that has fewer TSA lanes, you’ll want to add time for that too. “One trick I swear by is checking real-time TSA wait times using apps like MyTSA or your airport’s website,” he says.
It turns out, even the experts didn’t totally agree on the amount of time you’d need. So, in short: it depends. “A frequent traveler with TSA PreCheck or Clear might consistently breeze through security and feel comfortable arriving later, while an occasional traveler may prefer more buffer time due to anxiety or unfamiliarity,” Neugarten says. “Past experiences (good or bad) also shape one’s level of caution when planning airport arrival times,”
Domestic vs. International Flights
The general rule of thumb has always been that if you’re flying out of the country, you want to give yourself a little more time. Neugarten agrees and recommends three hours for an international flight. While Holtz suggests cushioning your time by adding only 20-30 minutes more for international flights, he agrees that more time is needed. “International departures originate from larger terminals and require additional passport control at both security and boarding,” he says.
Simokov notes that you also need to consider checked baggage cutoffs. “Most domestic flights have a 40-45 minute baggage cut-off, while international flights typically require you to check bags 60-90 minutes before departure,” she says. “It’s crucial to know that window before you arrive, because even if you get to the counter in time, the system won’t allow your bag to be checked once that cut-off hits.
