How early are you getting to the airport for domestic or international flights?
Posted by thr0away20@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 108 comments
Aussie travelling through the states + Mexico for 2 months. I have 6 flights to take throughout the trip. I have heard stories of airport security being intense and even with domestic flights it can take hours to get through security. How true is this? How much time do you give yourself. Cheers!
DOMSdeluise@reddit
domestic: two hours
international: at least three
whutupmydude@reddit
If it’s a red eye on a random day that isn’t a holiday or weekend I could subtract an hour from those times, but that’s only if you’re super confident
The_Real_Scrotus@reddit
Particularly for OP since as a foreign national it'll take them slightly longer at the airport.
prolog@reddit
There's no exit immigration in the US. There's no difference in time taken to get to your gate between domestic and international flights, or between US citizens and foreign nationals.
DrBlankslate@reddit
This is the correct answer.
Bombi_Deer@reddit
Wasting three hours of your life sitting at an airport, bruh. How can people do that shit
SevenSixOne@reddit
I don't love it... but I'll end up wasting a lot more of my life (and be stressed the hell out the whole time) if I miss my flight, so I get to the airport ridiculously early because it sucks less than the alternative
Curmudgy@reddit
We don’t waste that time. Don’t you have books to read?
Bombi_Deer@reddit
if you can stand being around lots of people, you do you
I hate large groups lol
I couldnt imagine reading with all the noise and people doing dumb stuff everywhere
Hoover889@reddit
When flying domestic with only carry on I will arrive at the airport ~1 hour before takeoff but I have pre check and premier access so I walk right through security in no time at all. For long haul overnight flights I like to get to the airport earlier so I have time to get drunk enough to sleep on the plane.
_RomeoEchoDelta_@reddit
Generally, the rule is 2 hours for domestic and 3 for international. That said, it truly depends on the airport. Atlanta and JFK I'll arrive the full 3 hours ahead of time, Memphis generally would get 2 hours (at most), and the local airport gets an hour.
Maxpowr9@reddit
That's my sentiment as well:
S-tier (125+ gates) - 2hr dom, 3hr int
A-tier (75-124) - 1.5hr dom, 2.5 hr int
B-tier (30-74) - 1.5hr dom, 2hr int
C-tier (<30) - 1hr dom, 2hr int
The C-tier airports are usually 1 terminal/security. It might take you at most 15 mins to get through security and 10 minutes to walk to the end of the terminal if your gate is there.
Obviously if you're flying during one of the crazy travel periods, it's another story.
appleparkfive@reddit
I think a lot of Americans are always surprised when they end up dealing with Atlanta's airport. It was the busiest in the world until very recently with one in China. It's just crazy how much there is going on
I think Atlanta might be the most underestimated city in America in a lot of ways. People in the north probably think of it the way they think of like... Charlotte NC or something. Like a big city, but nothing crazy.
Gswizzlee@reddit
I’m flying in Charlotte next week. And I thought it was big 😭😭
Cootter77@reddit
Charlotte is a little messy but I’d say it’s simpler than some of the larger airports. You will walk a bit, they could really use more people movers.
Cootter77@reddit
Oh if I’m flying out of Atlanta it’s 2.5-3 hours… what a train wreck!
Most airports domestic I can get away with 1 hour if I’m really familiar with the airport like Denver or Charlotte or 1.5 for most others. Dulles is definitely a 2 hour airport. So is Newark.
EffervescentEngineer@reddit
Huh. In my experience, ATL is very efficient, though you'll certainly spend some time walking. To be fair, that was a few years ago.
twowrist@reddit
We took a wrong turn inside the Denver airport looking for the TSA PreCheck line. The sign said turn left, so we did but then we couldn't see the sign for where to go next so we went downstairs, since that seemed to be where the first sign was pointing.
Cootter77@reddit
No doubt. Denver is a cluster f* right now with the terminal construction. It’s only because I grew up in Denver that it’s familiar to me.
menotyou_2@reddit
I fly out of ATL multiple times a weak. I only do a full 2 hours on Monday mornings or Fridays.
The rest of the time I can do an hour to an hour and a half from getting out of my car to take off.
ATL isn't a train wreck, it's only an issue if you can't follow signage.
Cootter77@reddit
Oof! That was unnecessary.
Man it’s a 30 minute walk all by itself just to get to the Uber stand (if you’re arriving)…. And on departure if you pick the wrong line for TSA? Sheesh. I’m sure it’s very navigable for someone who goes multiple times a week but I’ve probably been there 3 times in my whole life.
SpiritOfDefeat@reddit
Honest question as someone who’s never been down there. How did Atlanta get to be such a busy airport?
Colodie@reddit
Location really. It is within a short flight of most of the US population, so a lot of connecting flights.
To misquote Futurama, about Atlanta: "Were more than just a Delta Hub"
SpiritOfDefeat@reddit
That makes sense, I guess it’s a good international hub for the East Coast without being directly entangled in the crowded airspace over the Northeast.
TheBimpo@reddit
Short distance to Africa, South America, Caribbean, and Europe too.
MattCW1701@reddit
Atlanta reclaimed "world's busiest."
_CPR_@reddit
Same. Based on a recent experience at JFK, I'd arrive to the international terminal 3.5 or 4 hours before a flight. They had two security scanners/stations open for what must have been 800+ people.
Taiwandiyiming@reddit
I’ll second the “depends on the airport.” When I fly out of St. Louis, 60-90 minutes is enough time. When I fly out of a rural airport, I can show up 30 minutes before the flight.
not_a_robot2@reddit
I always feel bad getting to a rural airport with 30 minutes to spare. But then I end up sitting at the gate for 20 minutes.
twowrist@reddit
You can read a lot of reddit in those 20 minutes.
Awdayshus@reddit
Adding on the the rural thing, not only can you show up 30 minutes before the flight, but if you get there the full 2 hours before, you might spend half of that in line waiting to check a bag.
I flew out of Fargo and needed to check a suitcase. I waited over an hour before they opened the counter to check bags. Then I was through security in five minutes and still waited almost an hour at the gate. The same woman checking bags was also the gate agent.
When I have flown out of Fargo without checking bags, security is still very quick and I just have more time to wait at the gate
thr0away20@reddit (OP)
Thank you good to know
azuth89@reddit
Most airports have currwnt security times on their website. That's your best guide when traveling.
I generally show up an hour early and wind up needing to kill 30-45 minutes.
gayblobofgender@reddit
The TSA app also shows it.
thr0away20@reddit (OP)
Thanks good to know!
gayblobofgender@reddit
Usually 2 hours. I have Precheck so it’s not an issue. I usually have plenty of time to chill before my flight.
Judgy-Introvert@reddit
It 100% depends on the size of the airport. The general rule for domestic is 2 hours, but in some of the busiest I’ve gotten through in minutes. Of course I also have pre-screen and Clear.
spam__likely@reddit
3 hours, minimum. I do not like to rush.
devnullopinions@reddit
Security isn’t intense but it can take a while to get through the lines. I’d personally try to get there like 2-2.5hrs early if I was in that situation.
JimmyFallonSucksDick@reddit
Also depends on the time. If you're not checking in luggage and you're flight leaves before 6 in the morning 30 minutes is probably fine.
sluttypidge@reddit
In my domestic airport, I get there maybe an hour early, if it's like 6am, maybe not even until like 30 minutes. It's small, and there is no point in wasting time sitting around.
International, like 2 or 3 hours, depends on the day and how early or late it is.
Curmudgy@reddit
A couple of hours. But 15 minutes if I’m taking the train, which is the majority of my intercity travel.
namhee69@reddit
About an hour. I have TSA precheck and rarely wait less than 10 minutes.
Little longer for international, esp if checking a bag.
thr0away20@reddit (OP)
What is TSA pre check sorry?
A5CH3NT3@reddit
It's basically a program where you apply to have a background check done to pre-vet you as a safe flyer (or "Trusted Traveler", as the overarching program that contains TSA Precheck is called). This lets you go in your own line at security bypassing the main one. Typically you wait less than 10 minutes to get through security. There's an international version too called "Global Entry" that helps you get through customs faster (and contains TSA Precheck).
Unfortunately, it won't help you. It's for US citizens, nationals and LPRs (Green Card holders) only.
twowrist@reddit
Global Entry is available to foreigners from some countries. I don't know if it still buys them PreCheck for domestic US travel. But it's only worth it for frequent trips to the US.
ArnoldoSea@reddit
It apparently does. I was curious and checked the website, and it says "...citizens of partner countries enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI are eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck, as well as Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS."
thr0away20@reddit (OP)
Cheers thank you!
namhee69@reddit
It’s available in the USA. It’s expedited security screening and much less intensive. It’s a program here for low risk individuals who travel with some regularity.
twowrist@reddit
I'll post exactly what I posted for the same question in r/travel:
At least 2 hours. That’s mostly because Boston traffic is so unpredictable, and a single accident in the tunnel can easily add a 30-60 minute delay.
I also remember when we were flying out of Long Beach but were in San Diego. Again, we’d heard horror stories of accidents on the freeway adding an hour or two, plus we were in a rental and didn’t want to deal with the toll roads. We wound up being there several hours early, but it’s a calm, pleasant airport.
On the one hand, I don’t understand the reluctance to get to the airport early. Don’t people have stuff to do while they’re there? Whether it’s a meal or snack, or reading a book, or watching downloads on a tablet, it’s not as though the time is wasted. Or even viewing the airport artwork.
On the other hand, when it comes to the northeast corridor, I’ll take the train. Traffic to the suburban (route 128) Amtrak station is more predictable, and no TSA, so I’m comfortable getting there 15-30 minutes before the train. Still, I’m going to have stuff to keep me occupied on the train ride.
FemboyEngineer@reddit
An hour—or 1.5 just to be safe—is doable for domestic flights. FWIW, while security is intense, it doesn't take more than 10-15 minutes even during peak usage, most of that just being the line.
Bitch-stewies@reddit
phl i’ll arrive 2 hrs early, and usually end up waiting an hour, but still rather early than late and have issues come up
t_bone_stake@reddit
I want to say 1.5-2 hours for domestic flights. My airport is among the smaller sized ones so checking in with your carrier and going through security isn’t too bad depending on the time of day. I should had I haven’t flown myself in a decade but giving the most general advice. Also make sure that you carry what you need (phone, headphones, charger, etc) through security and you’ll be fine
malibuklw@reddit
I’m just going to warn you now, if an airport is small it doesn’t mean it will go quicker. It might, you could sail right through security because there’s only one flight leaving. Or you just managed to book the flight that leaves at the same time as every other flight but there’s only one security line and everyone has to go through that one line.
I’ve had my fastest boarding at DFW (huge giant airport with lots of gates and lots of security checkpoints)
littleyellowbike@reddit
It depends entirely on the airport and the time of day. When I'm on the first flight out of Indianapolis, I can go from parking my car to boarding the plane in about 45 minutes (which includes waiting for a shuttle from the parking lot). Compare that to flying out of Seattle in the middle of the afternoon last summer, when just getting through the security line took almost two hours.
I don't fly often, but I'm a pathologically early person just in general so I try to give myself a minimum of two hours at the airport, and I make sure I have something to entertain myself if I end up with lots of time to wait around.
notthegoatseguy@reddit
When we saw 2 hours or 3 hours, to be clear, we mean you are actually in the airport. This does not count time getting to the airport, returning a rental car, etc....
You can check TSA wait times for most airports via Google.
Steamsagoodham@reddit
Depends on the airport, airline, and time of year.
If it’s an airport I’m unfamiliar with I’ll stick with the 2 for domestic, 3 for international rule. If I’m familiar with the airport I’ll probably cut that a bit shorter.
I have pre check and rarely check bags so even at busy airports it’s not uncommon for me to get from drop-off to airside within 20-30 minutes even with checked bags and standard security that isn’t that crazy. I’m almost always waiting for a while when I get there.
minnick27@reddit
I live 10 minutes from the airport and I called the Uber at 2 1/2 hours before my flight time. Sitting at home I stress about lines, gate changes, traffic. Once I’m in the airport, I can somewhat relax.
Vachic09@reddit
It depends on the airport. I can count on getting through security within a half hour at some airports but would schedule hours at others.
Yankee831@reddit
30-60 minutes. Normally I’m still waiting around for a bit. I mostly am flying from like Tucson/Phoenix to Syracuse though. I’ve missed 2 flights in my lifetime once from crazy weather and another time from way overestimating how lax I could be with my timeline.
GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit
My local airport...30 minutes.
JimBones31@reddit
I want to get to the airport 45 minutes before boarding. That's half an hour for security and 15 minutes for sitting at the gate or walking. I have pre check though so that's something to consider.
therealdrewder@reddit
Domestic an hour, international 2 hours. I used to fly every week and I hate sitting around at the airport.
LordofDD93@reddit
Domestic - no later than an hour, ideally 90 mins. For international - no later than 90 and ideally 2hrs ahead of time. Our family has done a ton of flying and that’s been a decent guide on time allocation for me. You can’t always predict delays and better to give a little extra, especially if it’s an airport you’re not familiar with.
The_Real_Scrotus@reddit
It can depend on the circumstances some. The latest I'd show up would be around an hour before the flight. That's if it's a domestic flight at an airport I know well, I have TSA precheck, and I only have a carryon bag. If I have bags to check, I'm traveling with kids, I'm with someone who doesn't have TSA precheck, or it's an international flight I'd show up earlier.
dapi331@reddit
Domestic: 30-60 minutes depending on if I’m checking luggage.
International 2h but only if directly international, not eu to us with a eurozone layover.
I missed very few flights in my life and I fly a lot, without precheck. I religiously avoid the shittiest airlines though (American, united, frontier, spirit, French bee, etc).
Colodie@reddit
Also, situation matters. If your flying domestically, and there's lots of other flights you can catch, may cut it closer.
If your going somewhere obscure and there's few flights, may be worthwhile being a bit more paranoid and leaving for the airport earlier.
eggbiss@reddit
domestic 90-120 minutes. international: 120-180 minutes. depends on time of day.
hitometootoo@reddit
3 hours domestic, 4 international. I rather be safe.
Livvylove@reddit
Same!
Mmmmmmm_Bacon@reddit
Also same!
Mmmmmmm_Bacon@reddit
2.5 hours early for domestic flights and 3.5 hours early for international. I haven’t read other peoples’ responses yet. I’m assuming that’s way too long. Well I’m old and I dgaf. No difference between scrolling on my phone at home and scrolling on my phone at the airport.
ZLUCremisi@reddit
Depending on airport. Big ones 2hrs domestic.3hrs if during busy time.
Small local airport. 2hrs max. 1.5hrs is target.
Bonch_and_Clyde@reddit
It typically takes me about 5-10 minutes to get through security. Longest it has ever taken me is 30-40 minutes, just because the airport I was at only had 1 security area, and it was busy.
Still, I show up a couple hours early to be safe, but it's not necessarily entirely necessary.
kowalofjericho@reddit
2 hours, but in my experience flying internationally 4 times a year, I really only have ever needed 30 minutes in the past 5 years or so.
_pamelab@reddit
For domestic flights from STL I try to arrive at the offsite parking lot 2 hours before boarding starts. Shuttle, check bag, precheck, bathroom, find gate. It leaves at least a half hour buffer for whatever inevitably goes wrong.
appleparkfive@reddit
2 hours is the general rule of thumb for domestic flights. But as others have said, it depends on the airport. They can be extremely different depending on where you're at.
An airport like Atlanta or Chicago, you might want a little extra time. They're extremely busy. Atlanta was the busiest Airport in the world until very recently (got overtaken by one in China)
jurassicbond@reddit
Atlanta is the busiest again. It only lost first place briefly during Covid
unsteadywhistle@reddit
Those two airports, and I'm sure those from other big cities, always have traffic. If you're traveling to them by car, add extra time because “rush hour” traffic is 24/7.
unsteadywhistle@reddit
That two airports, and I'm sure those from other big cities, always have traffic. If you're traveling to them by car, add extra time because “rush hour” traffic is 24/7.
thr0away20@reddit (OP)
Thank you great to know.
GeorgePosada@reddit
Depends if I want to get drunk first but usually an hour before boarding. So 90 min-2 hr before departure
Ristrettooo@reddit
The lines can be long sometimes. The general advice I see repeated is to get to the airport 2 hours before a domestic flight; 3 hours before an international flight. You might not end up needing all that time, but you never know.
(Still, my own worst experience with airport security wasn’t in the US at all, but at Heathrow.)
thr0away20@reddit (OP)
Thank you, doesn’t seem too different from what I do at home. Was worried it could be a lot worse.
vwsslr200@reddit
A difference you'll notice from Australia is that international and domestic flights usually share terminals and security lines in the US. That makes connecting between international and domestic a bit easier, but there is no "reduced security" for domestic flights like there is in Australia, it's all the same procedures that would be expected for international: laptops and liquids out, no liquids above 100 mL, and the addition in the US is you need to take your shoes off and put them through the X-ray.
TheMainEffort@reddit
One time all the security people just walked off and left the area completely unattended. Wild.
WingedLady@reddit
Depends on the airport. Bozeman, Montana? Security lines won't be long. Seattle, Washington? Long lines.
Often airports have websites that list typical security times. Worth searching for the specific airports you plan to fly through.
sakima147@reddit
Hour and a half for domestic but I’m from Kansas City and our airport had never had bad security lines.
Sdbrown099@reddit
Depends on the airport
Tommy_Wisseau_burner@reddit
1 hour for domestic. 3 hours for international
DropTopEWop@reddit
3 hrs
Gswizzlee@reddit
I’m flying across the country next week. Flight is 9:30 AM, in an airport 3 hours away. I’m getting there the night before.
Rbkelley1@reddit
45 minutes to an hour and 15 depending on the airport. 2 hours 15 for international but I fly a lot so I’ve kind of got it down to a science and wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for those who don’t fly as often.
johnnygolfr@reddit
Arrive 2 hours before boarding time (not flight time) for domestic flights and 3 hours before boarding time for international flights.
inbigtreble30@reddit
You can make it from the entrance of General Mitchell Airport in MKE through security and to the Jet Blue gate in exactly 27 minutes if you're motivated enough.
03zx3@reddit
Usually about two hours too early.
TehWildMan_@reddit
Domestic, usually plan for 3 hours just because it's a long drive to the airport, and traffic delays can get nasty in Atlanta. It's always been completely overkill though.
drlsoccer08@reddit
90 mins for domestic, 2 hours for international
dksourabh@reddit
Domestic : 1.5 to 2 hrs, international: 2.5 hrs
Im_Not_Nick_Fisher@reddit
This will depend on where you’re flying from. The local airport where I live isn’t really that busy. They have a few flights, and the times seem to be staggered. So I generally go about an hour for domestic flights. Mostly just walk right through security after a few minutes. Even if I have to wait, it’s 10-15 minutes tops.
dear-mycologistical@reddit
I generally aim for two hours for both domestic and international, although I might do 90 minutes for domestic if I'm cutting it close.
_vercingtorix_@reddit
I go to the airport an hour early.
EpicAura99@reddit
Another tip: treat your boarding time as the flight time. That way you have 30 minutes of built-in buffer you’re not even thinking about.
UCFknight2016@reddit
Depends on the size of the airport. Regional: 1 hour is fine. International: at least 2.
Akem0417@reddit
I usually do 90 minutes but I don't fly out of the busiest airports
OceanPoet87@reddit
2 hours at least!
StupidLemonEater@reddit
Hours is a major exaggeration. I would only expect delays that long on the busiest travel days of the year, if ever.
Really, it depends on the airport. How big it is, whether it was designed pre- or post-9/11, etc. If you google "[airport] TSA wait times" you can usually find some kind of tracker that will tell you.
If you plan to check baggage, you'll need to plan time for that too, there's usually a line.
wooper346@reddit
One hour ahead has never done me wrong, except when I do offsite parking when I give myself an extra 30 minutes.