Airport: How much earlier to be there?

What can I do to arrive on time at the airport?

To increase the likelihood that you will be on time at the airport in any case, we recommend some tips and tricks to make the evening before and the morning of the departure day relaxed. 

1. Research the distance to the airport immediately after booking. Why a week? If your airport is several hundred kilometers from your place of residence, you still have all options for a carefree arrival. You can either book a hotel near the airport and travel there relaxed the evening before, or you can book a train ticket. For both: start planning early enough to avoid unpleasant surprises, such as a fully booked hotel or an overcrowded train.
2. If the airport is closer to your place of residence and you are traveling by car or taxi, there are also some risks to watch out for here: Avoid rush hours, such as evening traffic, order your taxi early enough, and inquire about parking options on site.   Our tip: At most airport parking garages, you can reserve and pay for a parking space in advance, so you are guaranteed to get one. Especially during holiday seasons, airport parking garages fill up very quickly. Attention: Note WHERE you parked: parking space number, floor, and which parking garage. Especially at large airports, searching for your car can sometimes take a few hours.
3. Lay out all your clothes and papers the evening before so that you don't have to search for anything in the morning and don't forget any important documents.
4. Build in at least a 30-minute buffer for unforeseen things, such as a traffic jam on the highway or a train delay.
5. Plan everything with the motto: Better early than late!

How early should I be at the airport for a domestic flight?

For a domestic flight, we recommend being on site at least 90 minutes before departure. Depending on whether you check in luggage or not, you can also check in online days before departure. If you only travel with hand luggage, you can go directly to the security check with your online check-in and save a lot of time.

How early should I be at the airport for an international flight?

For flights within Europe, it is recommended to be at the airport two hours before departure. For intercontinental flights, about three hours. Here, too, you can check in online beforehand. But since you will most likely be traveling with larger luggage and need to check it in, it is advisable to allow more time.

How can I use my waiting time?

At large airports, you are offered a wide range of ways to use your waiting time meaningfully: For example, go shopping, eat and drink something delicious. Read a book or watch an episode of your favorite series on your smartphone, tablet, or notebook. Especially fun: Write a bucket list with all the things you want to experience on vacation.

Inform yourself in advance!

Inform yourself in advance online about peak times, baggage check-in, and the departure time of the respective airline/airport to avoid long waiting times.

At every airport, peak times are different. Check online in advance to find out what they are at your departure airport. You can find this information on the airport's website.

We recommend searching for the respective airport and the term "Peak Time."

Baggage check-in

Every airline has time requirements for when you must check in your piece of luggage before departure. Again, the rule applies: Check online in advance!

Arrival at the gate and the departure time

The departure time is not the time when the airplane doors are closed. Attention: Many airlines finish boarding up to 30 minutes before departure. Tip: Your flight ticket shows the time when boarding is supposed to start. So be at the gate on time.