This may seem like a stupid question, but I want to be sure. The airport in Amsterdam says that if you are flying to somewhere in Europe arrive 2 hours ahead of time, and for destinations outside Europe allow 3 hours. If I'm flying to Reykjavik to catch a connecting flight to the US, do I allow 2 hours or 3 hours. Thanks so much!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Three hours - it is an international flight home. Two, three hours requirements are always relative to time of day, airport, etc. You could probably get by with a little less but three hours is a good margin.
Posted by
Washington
56 posts
If you are not checking bags, two hours ahead of time is plenty...but it's a matter of personal comfort level to some extent. My (admittedly irrational) concern typically comes in the form of transportation issues getting to the airport (traffic, train strike or malfunction, etc.) No harm in getting there early...one last chance to unload some euro on a box of stroopwafels to share at the office. Safe travels!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2790 posts
The last time I was in Paris I was so glad I allowed "extra" time. There was some type of problem on the RER and it wound up taking about twice as long as it should have.
Don't cut it close, people waiting with me were in full panic mode by the time we finally got to CDG. THey had under an hour to get to their check in counter and on to a plane (and they were traveling with giant steamer trunks LOL!)
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
And keep in mind sometimes the check-in desk for international travel (maybe domestic also, I don't know) will close 45 minutes prior to departure. So a three hour check-in is actually 2 hr 15 minutes.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Iceland is part of Schengen, so you should not go through outgoing emigration until Reykjavik. This is a domestic flight (but Icelandicair still says to check in 3 hours before. Check-in closes 30 min before the flight for carryon only.).
Posted by
1221 posts
Icelaidair also has both online check-in and mobile boarding pass options if you've got computer/smartphone access. I find that getting to do early check-in does reduce my stress over getting to the airport.
http://www.icelandair.us/information/before-you-go/online-checkin/
Note that sometimes you will get a message that you are unable to do online check-in at this time. This is often, though not always a sign that you've been randomly selected for enhanced secondary security screening.