Last Updated: January 30, 2023
How Early Can You Go Through Airport Security Before Flight?
Everyone knows that you should arrive at the airport early, but what exactly does that mean? Should you get there four hours before your flight, or is it enough to get there an hour earlier? Either of those can be the correct answer, but it depends on many different factors and we’ll explore them all in this detailed travel guide!
When to get to the airport, what you can do to minimize time spent in security lines, and other tips and tricks to make your trips hassle-free are all included in this guide!
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How Early Can You Go Through Security For A Flight?
You can go through security as early as you like. There’s no rule that says you’re not allowed to pass through security six hours before your flight, but this will depend on the check-in time. Sometimes you have to check in at the airport even after you’ve checked in online, and there’s usually a set timeframe when you’re allowed to check in, especially if you have to drop off your bags.
This usually depends on when the check-in counter for your flight opens. If you’re flying with budget airlines, there’s usually no point in going to the airport hours before, since the check-in counter opens only 2-3 hours before the scheduled departure time, and it’s similar to early morning flights.
So, if you have to check in before you pass through security and the check-in opens two hours before departure, there’s really no point in arriving earlier, unless you’re looking to be first in line.
Also, always verify departure time online (and flight status) on the day you’re traveling, and make sure that there were no changes.
How Early Should You Arrive at the Airport for Domestic Flights?
United Airlines advises their passengers to be at the airport at least 60 minutes before their gate is supposed to open, and this is the general rule of thumb for all domestic flights. Naturally, this depends on quite a few things – if you have online check-in, a mobile boarding pass, and no bags to drop off, 60-90 minutes prior to boarding time (not departure time!) should be plenty of time to pass through security and reach your gate.
How Early Should You Arrive at the Airport for International Flights?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises travelers to arrive at the airport three hours earlier if they have an international flight, especially if they have bags to drop off. This advice is based on estimated waiting times, and it’s recommended to be at the airport even earlier if you are traveling during the holidays or on weekends.
Factors That Influence The Time You Should Be at the Airport
If you are traveling on peak travel times, weekends & holidays
During peak travel times and holidays, it’s best to arrive at the airport three hours before your flight. This gives you plenty of time to pass through security and arrive at your gate, even if the lines are very long.
Also, consider the traffic on the way to the airport. Security lines at the airport might not be that long, but the traffic could be a nightmare, so depart for the airport earlier than you think you should.
If you are checking in online
If you are checking in online and you have no bags to drop off, you only have to go through security. This usually doesn’t take more than half an hour, so you can arrive at the airport some 90 minutes before your flight. Be there two hours earlier if you want to be extra safe, especially if you’re flying from a busy airport or during the holidays.
If you are checking bags
Give yourself an extra 45 minutes if you have to check a bag at the airport. This can take anywhere from 10-45 minutes, depending on how long the lines are.
You can check a bag between 4 hours and 45 minutes before your flight with most airlines. Arrive at the airport too late and they won’t let you check a bag. Keep in mind that bags don’t always fly on the same aircraft as you, which is one of the reasons why there is a cut-off period for bag drop-off.
If you have TSA precheck
If you have TSA PreCheck, it’s usually fine to arrive at the airport 90 minutes before your flight. However, if you are traveling during holidays or on weekends, it’s smart to get there even earlier. Airports can get extremely busy during peak travel season, and you might have to wait a while in line even with TSA PreCheck.
Keep in mind that the number of travelers increases significantly during peak travel season, so there are more travelers with TSA PreCheck as well. Just because you’ll get through security faster doesn’t mean you won’t have to wait in line at all.
If you are parking at the airport
This depends on so many different things and I must point out that you should avoid parking at the airport if you can. Rideshare services are almost always cheaper than airport parking, not to mention the damage that can happen to your car while it sits unattended at the airport parking lot.
Also, if you have to park at the airport, make sure to pre-book the parking. You’ll get a better price and an estimation of how much time you need to get from your assigned parking spot to the airport terminal. You might have to walk, or if you’re at a really big airport, there might be a courtesy bus to take you to the terminal, but keep in mind that it’s possible you’ll have to spend up to half an hour waiting for that bus.
If you are at a large airport
If you are at a large airport, it’s best to be there three hours before your flight. The lines at large airports can be excruciatingly long, especially during peak travel times, and you might be forced to wait in line for more than an hour. This also means you should depart for the airport at least four hours before your scheduled departure time, to give yourself plenty of time in case of traffic congestion or road accidents.
On the other hand, if you’re departing from a smaller airport, it’s often enough to arrive there an hour before your flight.
If you are traveling with kids
Parents who are flying somewhere with their children should get to the airport at least two hours before their flight, even earlier if it’s an international flight. Give yourself plenty of time to check a stroller, and pass through security, but also take care of your little ones in case of an incident.
Also, if your children have their own luggage, check that the liquids and electronics are separated and easily accessible, so they can pass through security faster.
TSA PreCheck is great value for money if you’re traveling with children under the age of 12 because they can skip the line with you for free.
Things You Can Do At The Airport While Waiting For Your Flight
There are plenty of ways to kill time while you wait for your flight. Bring a good book and read while you wait for the gate to open. Browse the duty-free stores and do some shopping, or go and grab a bite to eat at one of the countless cafes and restaurants that are near the gates. Or catch up on your work, so that you have fewer things to do when you arrive home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did COVID-19 affect the airport check-in & security process?
The recent pandemic impacted airport check-in and security processes in a number of different ways. Some airports introduced contactless self-check-in desks, others put up contactless check lanes for passengers with biometric passports, and online check-in became the norm at most airports.
Also, the liquids rule stopped applying to hand sanitizers. Passengers were allowed to bring as much hand sanitizer as they could carry, and they didn’t even have to put it in a see-through bag!
What happens when I arrive at the airport too early?
Nothing, really. You can pass through security even if your flight is hours away, and the worst that can happen is that you’ll get bored while you wait for your gate to open. Use the extra time to browse the duty-free shops, catch up on work, or just bring a good book and read while you wait.
However, keep in mind that there is a timeframe when you’re allowed to check in and drop off a bag, so there’s no point in arriving at the airport too early if you sit around and wait for the check-in to open.
How can I get through airport security faster?
For US travelers, TSA PreCheck can save you a lot of time at airports. It lets you breeze through security without removing anything from your suitcase because your luggage is scanned by those security machines you simply walk through.
If TSA Pre-Check is not an option, the next best thing to do is to prepare and organize your luggage. Put all your electronics and liquids on top, so that they’re the first thing you see when you open up your luggage. Wear clothing that’s easy to remove, don’t wear a watch or a belt, and make sure you have no questionable items in your checked or carry-on luggage.
It’s always smart to check the list of prohibited items in the country you’re flying to, so you can avoid having to go through additional security checks at the airport.
If I have TSA PreCheck, how late can I arrive at the airport?
Even with TSA PreCheck, you should arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before your flight. Having extra time at the airport won’t really hurt you in any way, but cutting it close and running late can make you miss your flight, even with TSA PreCheck and all the other precautions.
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About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
