Like an anxious one Traveler, I always arrive at the airport way too early. After waiting a while at the gate, I end up going to the food court and shelling out way too much money for a cinnamon roll or some other ultra-processed product. There has to be a better way to approach air travel, and the first step is knowing when to arrive at the right time.
Searching on the internet, the Conventional wisdom The general recommendation is that travelers should arrive at the airport two hours early for domestic travel and three hours early for international travel. But when I interviewed a spokesperson for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, he told me that general recommendation for airport arrivals is outdated because of all the potential variables that can be encountered when traveling.
So what’s the answer? You probably don’t need a full two hours for domestic flights. If you travel light and arrive at the airport prepared, you can usually arrive an hour early and probably get on the plane without a problem. While that’s true, the exact time you actually need to get to the airport depends on the details of your flight as well as your pre-trip preparation, whether you’re flying back home to visit family or heading out of the country on a multi-week adventure.
What are some key factors to consider?
- The design of the airport. It’s definitely worth considering the layout of the airport you’re flying from and the time it takes to get from one terminal to another. “Some airports are designed to be more efficient. Ronald Reagan National Airport (in Virginia) is one that comes to mind, and it’s designed to be very quick to get through,” says Peter Lombard, founder and CEO of a travel agency that organizes corporate travel. “Others are more focused on leisure, like Orlando, and can take hours to get to.” Check out the airport map before you go and adjust your arrival time accordingly.
- TSA PreCheck Status. While the exact time it takes to get through the TSA checkpoint will likely change from trip to trip, a spokesperson for the federal department estimates that it takes about 30 minutes for someone to get through a regular checkpoint and about 10 minutes for the TSA pre-screening line.
- Your luggage. The deadline to drop off a checked bag for a flight is typically 45 minutes to an hour before departure. “If you have your tickets on your phone and you only have carry-on luggage, you can sometimes arrive an hour early and get on a domestic flight,” says Mark Wolters, an avid traveler and Popular YouTube Creator.
- Time of the day. The TSA spokesperson likens airports to busy highways, so you can anticipate when rush hour traffic will occur. Often, the longest lines at the airport occur between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m., as well as between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. If you show up after hours, you can usually keep up.
- Group size. Going on an adventure solo or with your entire family? “The larger the group, the longer it may take to process everyone,” Lombard says. Larger groups should always add some buffer to their airport arrival time to account for unexpected variables during the check-in and security processes.
- Close to holidays. When flying to or from unfamiliar places, do some research to find out about special events or traditions. For example, Wolters encountered exceptionally long lines during a recent trip to Chile, because many of the local miners were returning home after their vacations. While it’s hard to predict something as specific as that situation, it’s worth double-checking whether there are recurring regional holidays and cultural events.
How can I make the process faster?
- Travel light. For short trips, try to ditch the checked luggage and carry everything in your carry-on to avoid the line at the ticket counter.
- Get the apps. You’ll probably delete it after your trip unless you always fly with a specific carrier, but go ahead and download the airline’s smartphone app to access the electronic version of your boarding pass and avoid the need to print anything at the airport.
- Consider PreCheck. While it’s not for everyone, those who travel more frequently and are willing to pay for a faster security process may want to consider getting approved for TSA PreCheck. It basically allows you to get through the TSA checkpoint faster through a dedicated lane and costs around $80 for the initial registration.
- Avoid spikes. Fly at midday or later in the evening to avoid large crowds at the airport.
- Start with an empty bag. Yes, you should go through it. TSA checklist of what is and isn’t allowed on a flight. But you should also make sure your luggage is completely empty before you start packing to avoid any accidental smuggling.
- Empty your pockets. Instead of waiting until you’re at the front of the TSA line to pull out your wallet and other knick-knacks, consider preemptively placing everything in your pockets into your carry-on luggage as soon as you’re in line for security.
