Arrive too late and you risk missing your flight. Arrive too early and you spend hours waiting with a coffee going cold. Most of my clients want a straight answer, so here are the guidelines I give them.

For domestic flights, aim to be at the airport 2 to 3 hours before departure. For international flights, aim for 3 to 4 hours before. These are guidelines rather than rules, and it is worth adding time during school holidays, over long weekends and in peak times, when airports are at their busiest. If you are travelling with children, a lot of luggage or anyone who needs assistance, allow extra time as well.

International flights need longer because there are more steps between the front door and the gate. On top of check in and security, there is passport control, and queues at those points can move slowly at peak times. The extra hour is a buffer you will be glad to have.

The best airport mornings start at home. In the days before you leave, check to confirm that you have all of your paperwork. Confirm whether you need another entry document, and keep copies of everything digitally as well. Check in online if your airline allows it, double check your baggage allowance including hand luggage, and make sure your travel insurance is in place. On the day, keep your medication, chargers and valuables in your hand luggage.

Once you arrive, the airport follows a simple order. You go to your airline's counter or bag drop point first, with your passport and booking details in hand. Then comes security, where it helps to have your laptop and liquids easy to reach and to wear shoes that are simple to take off. On an international flight, passport control follows, and it is much easier with your passport and boarding pass in your hand rather than packed away. Finally, head to your gate once it is shown, and go early rather than late. Boarding closes before the departure time, so do not leave it until the last announcement.

Connecting flights need their own care. If your layover is short, make sure that you get to the gate, and then once you know where it is, you can grab that quick coffee. Trust me, you will be thankful in those moments.

If you are travelling soon and want to talk through your plans, send me a message through the contact page.