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Airport checkin times between countries

I will be traveling to Europe here in a few weeks, and I will be visiting a couple different countries. I am curious to know if I should plan on being to each airport really early when moving onto the next country. I know here in the US, the "golden rule" is roughly 3 hours for international flights, so I didn't know if that applies once you're within the Euro bubble. My itinerary is:

London to Paris - taking the Eurostar train
Paris to Portugal
Portugal to Spain

I will be checking a bag.

Thanks for any tips you may have!

Posted by
32318 posts

A few thoughts.....

  • On the EuroStar you must check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure, or you won't be riding. However, since you'll also have to go through airport-style security and French Passport control in London, checking in 45 minutes to an hour before departure is a good idea.
  • On the other two routes that you'll be travelling by air, I find that two hours before flight time is generally good.
Posted by
11507 posts

Yep arrive at least 45 minutes ahead for eurostar, we usualky arrive an hour early so we can buy food to take on the train. You can take any food or drinks( including booze) onboard for a picnic.

We aim for about two hours ahead for intereuropeon flights although 1.5 hrs is generally fine too, we are usually earlier then we need to be so we dont get stressed.

Posted by
11507 posts

Ps pay attention to the rules for check in set out on the airline you are using.
Which airlines are you using. ?

Posted by
6113 posts

You are better allowing an hour these days for Eurostar check in.

The flights depends on which airport and carrier you are using. Two hours is the usual allowance for inter-European flights with checked in baggage. Some carriers have online check in, where there is just a baggage drop at the airport rather than a desk and you don't need to print out your boarding passes if you have a smartphone or tablet with your tickets download. I would never leave less than 90 minutes with baggage.

Posted by
2779 posts

It all depends on your airlines. Paris to Portugal and Portugal to Spain are Schengen domestic flights. Without the queueing at bag drop arriving at the airport 60 minutes prior to departure are absolutely sufficient. If you fly large, classical airlines there are lots of bag drop desks and even kiosks and adding 20 minutes to your itinerary are fine. With Easyjet and Co. add at least a second hour.

Posted by
2 posts

Oops sorry I should have included the airlines. From Paris to Portugal, we're flying easyJet. Then from Portugal to Spain, we're flying TaP.