Heathrow Check-In

[EllieJP]

How long in advance do you need to be at heathrow before departure? It's long haul to Australia. Thanks

[jeffa]

Two hours.

[knowabit]

At least 2 hours...

[JoolsTwo]

I think it may be 3 hours but I would check with the airline you are flying with to be sure.

[mikey4444]

If you arrived three hours before the take-off time, you won't be a minute too early.

[Spannerfiend]

More than 2 hours......especially at Heathrow.

Long queues for passport/ security checks, traffic jams, road accidents.....then parking and the shuttle bus........shall I go on. Chill out with a few coffees and be relaxed knowing you are there in good time. Especially long haul.

We were on the M5 recently, and got held up for almost 2 hours due to a vehicle fire on the opposite carriageway. Had we been flying from Bristol airport ( as we often do), we would CERTAINLY have missed our flight.

We always aim to be at the terminal 4 hours before flying. We have seen too many people miss flights by being late. Planes fly to schedule, and will not wait for you.

[237SJ]

It depends if you have already checked in on line. If I had, I wouldn`t be there more than 2 hours before departure (I normally turn up about 1.5 hours before but that`s just me). If you haven`t checked in then give it a bit longer.

[jno]

yes, check in online if you can (you may even be able to choose your seat). If you can't, I'd make it two and a half hours; queuing at Heathrow can be horrendous. Trains there are pretty reliable but roads can be jammed too, so allow even more if you're driving.