Why I Love Being An Early Bird When Travelling
I am one of those people who will turn up at an airport three hours before my flight, four if it’s a long-haul flight, and a lot of the time I tell people this and they stare at me like I’m crazy and ask why I do this. Ever since I was a kid my family would always haul us to the airport earlier and it’s just something I’ve got into the habit of doing and I love it.
Your holiday starts earlier
Everyone knows your holiday starts when you leave for the airport so the earlier you leave the earlier your holiday starts. FACT
You can be first in the queue to check in your luggage
Unless I’m flying with cheaper airlines where all destinations check their luggage in at the same desk aka Easyjet/ Ryan Air I can hover and ensure that I am the first person to get rid of my luggage meaning I am lighter and freer to explore.
I’m not left panicking when security lines are long
While I’m generally quite lucky when it comes to security lines and 10-15 minutes is about all it ever takes, I have had times during peak season when it’s taken me half an hour or more. If I had only left 2 hours to begin with and spent half an hour checking in my luggage I’d begin to panic if I saw long security lines. By turning up early I never have to worry.
I can have a nice meal before my flight
This is especially important when I have a super early flight and haven’t had breakfast, or if I’m going on a longer flight and haven’t pre-booked a meal (which I don’t tend to do). By sitting down and having a proper meal I don’t need to worry that I’m going to have a growling tummy on the plane and that the first thing I’ll want to do once I’ve landed is seek food.
I can buy a drink for my flight
The queues in the airport WHSmiths’ are generally always a nightmare so getting there early means I can purchase a drink for the flight ahead of me and pack it away in my hand luggage.
I can explore duty-free
Because who doesn’t love duty free? If you’re rushing you might not have time to explore through duty free, and this is a huge mistake, especially if you’re abroad as you don’t know what great deals you might be able to get. I leave plenty of time when flying back to the UK because chances are I’ll have a bit of currency left and will want to make sure I spend it wisely at the airport.
Are you an early airport arrival or do you cut it fine?
25 responses to “Why I Love Being An Early Bird When Travelling”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
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Travels and Destinations
10th-13th July- 2000 trees
23rd-26th Sep- Reykvaik, Iceland
Oh my gosh- I’m totally the same for all those reasons! I like to relax before the flight rather than be rushing round. Once I thought my flight was at 4pm but turned out to be at 14.00 (i.e. 2pm) so it was a good job I got to the airport three hours early then!!
I like to be early too. I hate rushing about especially if i have a long flight to catch x
I’m the same, I like to take my time before a flight rather than feeling like I’m in a rush x
Oh Rhian I am so like you, I too am an early bird when traveling as I don’t like being late because of luggage or long security queues.
We use daily to be the same , we did a lot of city breaks before we had Eric and we would always get there Early and take it as an opportunity to have lunch or get drunk haha
I would absolutely do the same. I do not like to be in a rush and I would feel panicked if I felt like there might not be enough time to get through security. I would much rather get there early and have time to just look around or have a meal and a shop x
I agree with all those tips. I cannot stand being late and always turn up the airport several hours before departure.
Being late makes me nervous which is not what you need when you’re meant to be relaxing. I once miss-read my flight for a domestic flight though and ended up being there almost 4 hours before my flight! x
I always get there three hours before because like you said it means you will be near the front and you don’t have to worry about missing the plane x
It’s always nice being prepared with anything to take the pressure off.
Yes yes YES!! I’m always first at the airport, straight through security 3 hours before my flight and taking full advantage of a stress free start to my holiday! xxx
I like to be there early. i also love travelling with Jet 2 via Manchester as they have their own security area and while it does get busy it’s better than the main one x
I usually wing it through the airport because I’m rushing lol. I do like to have a good amount of time but sometimes it just never works out like that! lol
I also like to get to the airport early. It’s really nice to sit and chill have a meal and relax. Travelling is part of the fun for me.
I panic whenever I have to fly out. I hate rushing at the airport.
These are excellent reasons why I like to be early up for traveling. You can say I am an early bird too x
I’m the same! I really enjoy it, it’s soooo much more exciting!
I am like you I rather not stress myself out by rushing because I am late. When you rush you tend to forget things. I much rather be early and relaxed and start my vacation on the right foot 🙂
I’m an early bird too. Sometimes we buy an executive lounge pass and sit and chill, catch up with work and then relax before the flight. Executive lounges include food and drink as well and although you do pay typically £23-£30 for a special holiday we feel its worth it. It’s also nice to explore the duty free. P.S. are you going to Hawaii? I’m a teeny bit jealous
I’m pretty much like you! It’ better to get there with enough time and then you can enjoy a meal or a breakfast quietly 🙂 x
I like getting there early, having a prosecco and relaxing. Hate rushing about! Better to be safe than sorry x
I totally get this. The last couple of times I have flown with my children we have been so rushed and been boarding on the last call! Kaz x
I’m always an early bird, you never know how long the ques are going to be and I need that all important browse in duty free! xo
I’m always an early bird too- I love having a chance to wonder around the airport, grab something to eat and drink and charge everything before I get on the plane 🙂 xo
I am a holiday early-bird as well, I want to get to the airport, get rid of my bags and browse the shops and have a drink, not usually in that order x