Your bags are packed, your flip-flops are on and your passport is in hand – it’s time to go on holiday! With a huge range of entertainment, shopping and dining facilities in most UK airports, most of us won’t mind killing a few hours there while we wait to board our flight. But how long in advance of your flight should you arrive?
What is the official guidance?
Guidance has changed back and forth a bit in recent years, but a good rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport a minimum of two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight.
Better to be safe than sorry
There’s no worse start to your holiday than being frazzled and rushed. It can take a bit of time to find a parking space, even if you have pre-booked, so allow a good few minutes to get parked up and on your way.
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Once you’ve checked in and headed through to departures, it’s time for security. Queues for security in airports can sometimes be a little slow-moving, so allow time for this, too.
Don’t get there too early!
Getting to the airport too early can cause congestion in the check-in areas because check-in desks might not yet be open. Don’t forget that the majority of the cafes and shops are on the other side of security, so if you can’t check in, you may have a slightly boring wait.
If you are renting a car at your destination, consider taking out car hire excess insurance to cover any claims during your rental. According to the BBC, car hire costs are increasing, so making sure you have car hire excess insurance can avoid unwanted costs further down the line.
Is it worth fast tracking?
You’re often offered the choice of upgrading to a fast-track security pass when booking your flight, but it’s only really necessary if your flight is at a peak time.
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Once you’re through security, sit back and relax with that airport beverage. Enjoy your holiday!
