Do you really need to arrive 3 hours early for an international flight?

Is 2 hours enough to check-in for an international flight?

Two hours? Ha! Are you nuts? That’s a recipe for a major meltdown. Think of it like trying to wrestle a greased pig while simultaneously juggling chainsaws – and the pig is your luggage, and the chainsaws are irate TSA agents.

Three hours is the bare minimum, unless you’re some kind of airport ninja. Even then, maybe four. My cousin, bless his cotton socks, once missed his flight to Bali because he underestimated airport time. He’s still bitter.

Here’s why two hours is a disaster:

• Lines: Imagine a line of zombies, all vying for the same boarding pass. That’s check-in.
• Security: Think airport security is a breeze? Think again. They’re going to find that tiny tube of lip balm you forgot about.
• Passport Control: It’s like a bureaucratic black hole where your soul goes to die. Slowly.
• Gate Finding: You’ll run a marathon, and you’ll still be huffing and puffing as they close the gate. You’ll also need to find your gate.

Seriously, three hours is the magic number. Or four, if you’re prone to existential crises in the face of lengthy security lines. Last time I flew internationally, the security line alone took an hour. I swear my aunt’s cat moved faster. And that cat is lazy.

Extra time = less stress. It’s the wisdom of the ages, people. Plus, you can grab an overpriced airport coffee. My Starbucks run alone justifies an extra hour. It is a critical component of my airport ritual.

How long does it take between international and domestic flights?

Okay, so last year, July 2023, I flew from Heathrow to JFK. Man, that international flight was a beast. Eleven hours. Ugh. Then I had to catch a domestic flight to LAX. My connecting flight was supposed to leave at like 2 pm. I was sweating. Seriously.

The immigration line at JFK was insane. Like, a mile long. Took forever. I was stressed. So much stress. Didn’t even grab a coffee. Should have.

I only had an hour and 45 minutes between flights. That was cutting it close. Way too close. I almost missed my flight. Rushed through security, practically ran to the gate. My heart was pounding. They called my name as I boarded. Whew.

Needed at least three hours. Three hours, minimum. Maybe four. Because of the lines at immigration. And unexpected delays. You never know. It’s pure chaos. This was crazy. JFK is a nightmare airport, especially for international arrivals.

• International to domestic connection: Minimum 1 hour, recommended 3-4 hours
• JFK immigration: Expect long lines, allow extra time.
• Unexpected delays: Always possible. Don’t cut it close!
• My personal experience: One hour and 45 minutes was WAY too short. Next time, way more time.

I learned my lesson. Never again.

How early should I arrive for a Vietnam domestic flight?

Ugh, Vietnam Airlines, right? Two hours? Are you kidding me? Forty minutes? That’s crazy inconsistent. My last flight, it was a madhouse. Total chaos. Seriously, I almost missed my flight to Nha Trang because of the lines. Nha Trang was amazing though, the food! Fresh seafood everywhere. I need to go back.

Okay, back to the flight thing. Aim for at least 1.5 hours before departure. Better safe than sorry, especially with baggage. I always pack way too much. I’m terrible. Seriously, a whole suitcase full of sarongs. Who needs that many sarongs? Me, apparently.

Security lines, right? Don’t even get me started. That’s a whole other stress-fest. Plus, finding the gate…It’s a maze. And then you have to get your boarding pass…oh my god. One and a half hours is the minimum.. That’s my rule. I’ll never forget that flight to Hue. The views were incredible though, totally worth the stress. I wish I’d spent more time there.

• Minimum: 90 minutes prior to departure.
• Ideal: Two hours.
• Consider: Traffic to the airport, potential delays.

Seriously, just add an hour to whatever they say. You’ll thank me later. You’ll be so much less stressed. My anxiety levels are through the roof when I think about airports. Flying is awful. But then, the destinations always make up for it.