How many hours before departure do you need to be at the airport? How long in advance should I arrive at the airport for domestic and international flights? When should I arrive at the airport?

16.09.2023

The question of how long in advance to arrive at the airport worries primarily those who are traveling by plane for the first time.

Indeed, the procedure for boarding a flight is significantly different from boarding a train or ship.

The first and main difference between air travel and traveling by land is the need to register as a passenger. In fact, there is nothing complicated in this procedure; in fact, it is reminiscent of standing in line at the ticket office of a regular station for a train ticket and directly issuing it, only it is called differently and takes more time.

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When planning to travel by air, you need to arrive at the airport terminal building at least:

A couple of hours for a domestic flight.
Three hours for a flight abroad.

This is the time frame for the immediate start of registration. In fact, you should arrive earlier, because you will need to find a counter that will check in for the required flight, find the place where you will need to go through customs inspection and check in your luggage, and in general, get your bearings in the building and figure out what and where it is located .

This is especially important for people who smoke, since a room where you can smoke is the most difficult to find, especially at Russian airports.

All this “throwing” usually takes about an hour for those flying somewhere for the first time. Accordingly, you need to arrive an hour before check-in for your flight begins.

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It is necessary to take into account such nuances as possible traffic jams and the length of the “queue” before boarding. Peak hours at the airport itself, regardless of its territorial and national affiliation, occur on weekends, including Friday evenings.

A car transfer can always get stuck on the way to the airport, so it is more convenient to use express trains, of course, if they are available. It is better not to drive your own car to the airport, since finding a parking space and paying for it always takes a lot of time and nerves, especially in Moscow.

The passenger registration process has another time limit - the end of registration. This is the most unusual moment for those traveling by land, which is not at all an empty formality. If you don’t check in on time, it will be impossible to get on the plane, although you will be able to look at it from the window.

Boarding and check-in are completely different things that people who find themselves in the terminal building for the first time often confuse.

Jaysin Trevino / flickr.com

Passenger check-in ends:

one hour before departure – for foreign flights;
forty minutes before departure – for domestic flights.

These deadlines can be extended by 10-15 minutes under any circumstances, but you shouldn’t count on such promotions.

Online check-in

The procedure, of course, simplifies the pre-boarding arrangements for the passenger. Online bookings can be made on the websites of carrier companies or on the airport websites, if the carrier and the airport have an appropriate agreement. As a rule, online registration is available 24 hours before flight departure.

But this method has a lot of disadvantages, so when going on your first flight in your life, it is better to go through the whole procedure the old fashioned way.

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If you decide to use the Internet to simplify registration, you need to know that it has significant limitations and is completely invalid for:

Flying with small children without payment or at a reduced price.
Accompanying disabled or sick people.
Flying with pets.
Carrying large sums of money, jewelry, works of art and other luggage that needs to be declared.

In addition to these points, there is also a nuance - not all airlines universally allow online checkout; it may turn out that, for example, this can be done in one city, but not in another, although we are talking about the same flight.

There is one more thing that, paradoxically, happens very often - a typo in the passenger’s data. This, of course, can be solved, but while the issue is being sorted out, the plane will fly away.

Boarding is usually available after check-in closes and ends half an hour before departure. Therefore, those who quickly completed the check-in procedure and received a boarding pass and tags for hand luggage should not get carried away with inspecting the duty-free area, but it makes sense to pay attention to exactly how to board, where to do it and find out other similar points.

Alec Wilson / flickr.com

Help desks can help with this. But not every airport has them everywhere; in some buildings such counters are only available at the entrances to the terminals. If there is no sign to the information desk or the information desk itself, you can contact any airport employee. There is no need to distract customs officers, but a bored guard is usually happy to explain everything in detail.

You need to be in the waiting area for boarding at least 40 minutes before departure, already knowing which exit it will be through. This information is available at. It is impossible to miss boarding while in the waiting area; an announcer announces the start, just like at a train station.

Customs procedures

Customs inspection is carried out by security officers of this department. Items that are checked in as luggage are inspected in the absence of the passenger, which is, of course, extremely unpleasant, and causes at least bewilderment for those flying somewhere for the first time. If possible, it is more convenient to limit yourself to a small suitcase that you can take with you.

Sergey Vladimirov / flickr.com

The rules regarding the dimensions of hand luggage and the list of what may be present in it are different for each air carrier; moreover, they change periodically. This point must be clarified; it is best to do this by calling the help desk of the company that owns the aircraft or on its website.

When using sites, you should look at the date the rules were updated, otherwise incidents are possible. For example, in 2015, Aeroflot changed the rules for carrying hand luggage, prohibiting a number of items, including guitars, from being taken into the cabin. As a result, many musicians flying out on tour across the country found themselves in an awkward situation.

The contents of hand luggage are inspected before boarding. The so-called customs “corridors” pass earlier; in fact, it is through them that the passenger enters the waiting area:

green – for those who have nothing to declare;
red – for those who need to fill out any documents for part of their luggage.

With you, when passing through the corridor, you need to have and better keep it ready:

Boarding pass.
A visa, if required, for example, when flying to England or the USA.
Passports – Russian and foreign.
The child’s birth certificate and his/her international passport, if the child’s age requires one.
Veterinary passport, if a pet is flying with the passenger.

Bobby Hidy / flickr.com

Checking documents, that is, passport control, is not a completely formal procedure. They may not be allowed to leave Russia at this very stage, and it will be impossible to return the money spent. Categories of citizens who fall under the “ban” can be clarified on the bailiffs’ website and check yourself there by entering data.

Video: how long before the plane’s departure should you arrive at the airport and why is this so?

What else do you need to know?

Any passenger who has registered and is waiting for boarding can receive a number of services that do not require any payment.

These services include:

Mother and child room - Russian women who are in the period of breastfeeding should pay attention to this service - this process must be carried out in a specially designated place, in some countries the fine for public feeding is a decent amount, in the same place, in the mother and child room, you can change diapers and carry out other manipulations necessary for the baby.
If the flight is delayed by a couple of hours, drinks of your choice, usually tea, bottled mineral water or coffee.
If the flight is delayed by 4 hours, you will receive a set meal similar to what is served on board the aircraft.
If the flight is delayed for more than 8 hours - transfer and accommodation in a hotel, there is no right to choose with this service; if the tourist is not satisfied with anything, he can leave the airport on his own, or stay in it - this will not be paid for.
Luggage storage is a rather inconvenient service that creates confusion at the moment when the departure is announced; if all the luggage is one suitcase, it is easier to have it with you.

All available documents must be kept, if not in your hands, then in the side pocket of your bag, since a person flying somewhere for the first time, of course, does not know which of them and when they will be needed.

You shouldn’t get too carried away with drinking in the boarding area or before check-in, since finding a toilet in an unfamiliar place will also take time.

The list of what can be taken on board from duty free must be clarified; not all air carriers allow glass bottles of alcohol or any other products, things and souvenirs in hand luggage.

Matthew Grapengieser / flickr.com

How much time you need to arrive at the airport depends primarily on the passenger’s experience of flying, the degree of knowledge of the airport terminal and, of course, on the selected flight time. In any case, you should be at the airport no later than a few minutes before check-in begins.

When planning a trip, you need to think about arriving at the airport in advance. In this article we will tell you how long it takes to check in for a plane.

You will have time to calmly go through registration before departure if you find out in advance from the tour operator or airline how long it takes to check in for domestic flights and international flights. Don't forget that it will take time to check in your luggage. You still need to walk from the registration counter to the desired gate. The boarding gate is not always within walking distance, and there are several security checks along the way. Plan your departure time in advance.

In general, registration is completed 40 minutes before flight departure. To have time to do everything you need, you can do it 2-3 hours earlier, when the registration desks open. The processing time depends on the air carrier and whether it is a domestic or international flight.

Many people are interested in how long it takes to check-in for domestic flights. For such flights, registration begins 1.5-2 hours before and ends when 30-40 minutes remain before departure. Please note that ticketed passengers are checked in at separate counters or without a queue.

International flights

Passengers flying this way can check in 2.5-3 hours before departure: this depends on the airline and the type of airliner. Knowing how long it takes to check in for international flights, you will be able to leave for the airport on time. Calculate your time based on the fact that you will need to go through passport and customs control, and check-in counters close 40 minutes before departure.

Online registration

Now technology makes it possible not only to buy tickets via the Internet, but also. This is easy to do: the passenger needs to register online. Then you should check in your baggage by providing the required information in a separate window on the airline's website. After completing this procedure, your boarding pass will be sent to your email. It is better to print it at home, but you can also print it at the airport, near the control line.

How long does online check-in for a plane begin and end? Typically this is can be done 23 hours before departure. Many airlines close check-in when there are 40 minutes left before boarding. Those who register online need to check in their luggage and receive a tag with an identification number.

Important information

Please note that each airport has its own rules and time period for how many minutes check-in for a plane ends.

Note for latecomers

It is better not to allow this to happen, but if you do, you will need a special counter in order to be allowed on the flight. This option is suitable in circumstances where there are 40 minutes left before boarding, but not less than 25. Everyone will have to check in for a fee, except passengers with business class tickets. If you have difficulty finding a special counter, contact your airline representative.

If you are late and arrive before the check-in counters close, you will not be able to fly. Under such circumstances, you need to hand over your air tickets to the airport ticket office to get your money back and find out the time of the next flight to the desired destination.

It's no secret that you need to arrive at the airport in advance. This is necessary in order to timely complete check-in for the flight and the rather tedious security check procedure, check in your luggage without unnecessary haste and visit everyone’s favorite Duty Free store, where you can sometimes buy branded goods at a very good price. But if this is your first trip by air, then the question immediately arises of how long before departure you need to be at the airport.

There is no need to rush at the airport

It is quite difficult to name the most suitable time to arrive at the airport. It should be taken into account that this parameter is influenced by the direction of the flight, the presence and specifics of checked baggage, and, of course, the individual qualities of the passenger. Those who are going abroad, checking in their luggage and are not well versed in the area should arrive in advance. Those travelers who have already completed the registration procedure can afford to arrive at the airport a little later.

Many now have the first association with items that are usually sent in luggage: mobile chargers, some personal items, a wallet, etc. But we are talking about the documents required for the flight. First of all, you need to take your passport and ticket to the airport. When carrying out domestic flights, ordinary passports will be checked, but for boarding an international flight - foreign ones.

Quite often, trips abroad require another travel document - a visa. It is obtained by the passenger at embassies or visa centers. But there are a number of countries that issue visa stamps directly at the airport.

Checking in for a flight

The answer to the question of how long before departure you need to be at the airport in order to check in with a minimum of worries and unnecessary fuss is approximately the same for most airlines: at least 2 hours before departure.

Registration for foreign flights ends 40 minutes before departure, in rare cases – an hour. Registration for flights within our country closes 30-40 minutes before the flight. Typically, information about the exact time for completing this procedure is provided by the air carrier's help desk or posted on its official website. Boarding stops approximately 25 minutes before departure. Therefore, if a traveler arrives for check-in or boarding later than this time, then his are considered latecomers and are not allowed on board the plane.

It’s unpleasant to be among the late passengers

Many airlines now offer the option of checking in online. All the passenger needs to do is enter their details and receive a boarding pass. Electronic check-in is available on the websites of air carriers, and less often on the websites of airports.

The main advantage of such an online procedure is that it is already available 24 hours before departure, so travelers have the opportunity to complete this procedure at any convenient time. Many are also attracted by the fact that they can avoid the queues that always accompany check-in for a flight. Since the boarding pass is issued in advance, the passenger has the opportunity to independently choose the most comfortable seats on board the aircraft.

But online check-in is not available on all routes and not at all airports. Also, passengers cannot pass through it:

accompanying disabled people;
transporting works of art;
transporting animals;
with whom a small child flies on a free ticket.

Security screening at the airport

A mandatory procedure before boarding a plane is a security screening. This regulation applies worldwide to ensure maximum safety for travelers. The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that your luggage and hand luggage do not contain prohibited or dangerous items.

Travelers should be aware that at some airports, baggage inspection is carried out without the presence of the passenger. This rule applies if the passenger simultaneously receives a boarding pass and checks in luggage. In this case, only the contents of hand luggage will be inspected in front of the passenger, and then just before boarding.

Currently, there are still no uniform standards regarding the rules for carrying baggage on board an aircraft. Many nuances vary depending on the country and the chosen airline. But there are a number of rules that are the same for all states and air carriers. This includes list of items and substances that are not allowed to be transported on an airplane. You can view them on the website of any airline. This mainly concerns explosives and gases, flammable liquids, toxic and oxidizing substances and weapons. Things are a little more complicated with what you can take into the cabin as hand luggage. If you have any doubts, you should review in advance the list of things that the selected airline allows you to bring on board. Passengers should also remember that liquids can only be carried in the aircraft cabin in strictly limited quantities. Airport administrations and airlines reserve the right to introduce additional restrictions for passengers. You just need to be prepared for this.

For leisurely passengers, it is best to arrive at the airport at the start of check-in.

Two hours before departure– this is the best time for domestic flights. But if the passenger has already checked in for the flight, he may even arrive at the airport a little later. Do not forget that you must be at the airport before departure in Russia before registration is completed, and it ends approximately 40 minutes before the flight. Well, a natural factor in our country that affects the time of arrival at the airport is traffic jams.

How long before you arrive at the airport for an international flight?

With international flights, things are a little more complicated. Usually, before a flight, passengers need to go through customs control, then registration, and finally, present documents at passport and visa control. Upon arrival, the traveler goes through the same procedures, only taking into account that they follow in reverse order. The check-in time before departure may be slightly longer, so it is recommended to show up at the airport at least 3 hours in advance.

What other reasons should you arrive at the airport early?

It is worth considering the fact that at an unfamiliar airport it may take a lot of time to find all the necessary authorities. Some large airports have a very serious security checkpoint at the entrance, which can also cause a queue to form.

Finding the right authority takes time

Additional time will also be required for passengers who wish to pack their luggage on site. Shoppers who intend to wander around the Duty Free hall should also be on their guard.

How to reduce the time required to complete formalities at the airport

In order to avoid trouble upon arrival at the airport, just follow a few simple rules. To begin with, you should make sure that your luggage and carry-on luggage do not contain any items or substances that are prohibited for transportation or that may be considered potentially dangerous. You should also print out all necessary travel documents that were completed online in advance. And the last piece of advice applies to those who have all the necessary documents in hand and are traveling light (without checked baggage) - go straight to security control and then just wait for the landing to begin.

What services can you get while waiting to board?

In addition to generally accepted procedures (check-in, transfer, baggage delivery), passengers can no extra charge:

go to the mother and child room;
make a couple of phone calls and get free drinks (if the flight is delayed by more than 2 hours);
request a hot meal (if the flight is delayed by more than 4 hours);
get a hotel room and transfer to it (if the flight is delayed for more than 8 hours);
put your luggage in storage.

In contact with

Travel often begins with stress, as there is little time to go through mandatory controls and other procedures at the airport. We will tell you how to always maintain a good mood when flying.

How can I know that my plane will depart on time?

Before departure, it's worth reviewing your flight details again. The best way to do this is on the airline or airport website. Directly at the airport, all the necessary information can be obtained by looking at the board. But you should not rely too much on the fact that the indicated flight delay will actually occur. Airlines often quote longer delay times.

How long in advance do you need to arrive at the airport?

It is recommended to arrive at the airport 90-120 minutes before boarding. Please note: many airlines close check-in 30-60 minutes before departure. Therefore, you should not think that “the plane will not fly without you.” You should also have time in reserve in case of unforeseen situations or delays in traffic jams. There may also be queues at the airport.

How long does it take to register?

Customers of many airlines can check in for a flight and select their seat online 24 hours before departure. Often, especially on holidays, it can take a long time to check in luggage. Therefore, it is better to allocate another 30 minutes for check-in and baggage drop-off.

How long does it take to pass control?

If you are lucky, the metal frame will not jingle and nothing suspicious or eye-catching will be found in your hand luggage, then the control will go through quite quickly. It is better to allocate about 30 minutes to go through the control, as there may be a queue and even if it is small, sometimes one person is enough to significantly delay the rest.

To avoid delays in inspection, you should follow these steps:
- place all containers with liquids in the required transparent plastic bag;
- take off in advance everything that can make the metal frame ring: jacket, belt, jewelry and, if necessary, shoes, and place all these items in a special plastic container;
- remove items from the pockets of your clothes and place them in a plastic container;
- prepare your ticket in advance;
- put gadgets and accessories (for example, a charger) in a plastic container;
- wait for instructions from staff.

When should you be at the gate?

After registration and control, continue to monitor the information on the board. Sometimes boarding may begin earlier than stated. This does not mean that the plane will take off earlier. As a rule, for short flights and domestic flights, boarding for the flight begins 20-30 minutes before departure, for long-haul flights - 30-40 minutes.

Question: How early do you need to be at the airport?
Answer: at least 2 hours

Detailed answer below
Quite often the question arises about how much time in advance you need to be at the airport.
On the one hand, the question is quite simple, but on the other, not quite. It must be remembered that an airplane is not a train; you cannot jump on it at the last moment. Check-in is always carried out for the plane, regardless of whether it is a domestic flight (that is, within the country) or an international flight (departure to other countries). On the airport website you can always find up-to-date information about how long before check-in for the required flight begins. And the most correct option for what time you need to be at the airport is by the time check-in begins.
Check-in usually ends 40 minutes before aircraft departure. If registration is not completed, it will be impossible to board the plane.
Therefore, you must always arrive at the airport in advance - before check-in for your flight closes.
For domestic flights, check-in usually starts 2 hours in advance, for international flights 2.5 or 3 hours.

For example, the departure time is indicated as 15:00. If the flight is domestic, the check-in start time will be 13:00 and the check-in end time will be 14:20.
You should not expect to be on time if you arrive at 14:20; registration may already have been completed.

Airplanes, although a fast mode of transport, have the ability to constantly change the schedule by 10, 15, 20 or 30 minutes. This time is usually not noticeable to those planning to fly, but may affect the check-in time.

You need to be especially careful with charter flights, that is, those that are ordered by a tour operator to deliver tourists to a certain point - these are usually all flights to the most popular resorts (Turkey or Egypt). Charter flights are placed on a free schedule and they move quite often, so the exact departure time can only be found out a day in advance - again on the airport website.

If you check in in advance, this means that you do not need to do it again, but you must again arrive at the airport 40 minutes before the end of check-in time.

In our opinion, the best answer to the question is How long does it take to be at the airport? is the following: You must arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure.

This time will be enough to calmly check in, not be late, walk through Duty Free and board the plane.

By the way, despite the fact that formally check-in for a flight begins 2-3 hours before departure, quite often check-in counters open earlier, so by arriving at the airport earlier you can get the best seats. By arriving at the last minute, say an hour in advance, you run the risk of not getting the best seats. For example, if you are traveling with your family, you may be given seats in different parts of the plane, that is, not nearby.

Arriving at the airport 5 hours in advance is also pointless; if the flight is moved, the waiting time increases significantly.