Have you ever run through an airport dragging your suitcase at arm’s length, praying that the boarding gate won’t close under your nose?
To avoid this suspenseful scenario, it’s best to plan your arrival at the airport carefully.
In this article, we give you all the advice you need to travel with peace of mind, without cold sweats or improvised sprints.
General rules for arriving at the airport
Arriving early
Airline industry standards generally suggest being present at least at least 1h30 before departure for domestic flights, and between 2h and 3h for international flights.
However, it is important to consult the official guidelines of your airline and airport.
Example : the EasyJet which serves Geneva Airport, generally recommends arriving at least two hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
Taking the context into account
Several factors can influence the recommended arrival time:
- The size of the airport, as larger airports may take longer to reach the boarding gate.
It will be different to board at Roissy-Charles-Gaulle or at Geneva Airport. - Heightened security measures, depending on the context in which you are leaving, may mean longer waiting times at checkpoints.
- If you’re a first-time traveller or unfamiliar with this airport, allow extra time for orientation.
Consult your boarding pass. This usually indicates the time at which the airline advises you to arrive at the airport, calculated according to busy periods.
Please also consult your airline’s confirmation e-mails or website for the recommended time of arrival at the airport.
Preparing travel documents
Make sure you have your ticket, whether printed out or available on your smartphone.
Check that your identity card or your passport is valid and complies with the requirements of the destination country.
💡 Our advice : some countries require the passport to be valid several months after the planned return date, so it’s essential to make this check.
If your destination requires a visa, vaccination certificate or other specific documents make sure you have them with you.
Keeping all your documents to hand will facilitate check-in procedures and security checks at the airport.
How long before a domestic flight should I arrive at the airport?
For domestic flights, airport procedures are generally simpler and faster than for international flights.
Recommendations for domestic flights
It is generally advisable to arrive at the airport at least 1.5 hours before the departure of your domestic flight.
This allows you to :
- Check in your luggage, as counters usually close 30 to 40 minutes before departure.
- Pass security checks.
- Reaching your boarding gate
Handling airport formalities
Here are the main steps to consider:
Check-in : Take advantage of the online check-in offered by most airlines, which is generally carried out on their dedicated website or app.
Check-in opens a few hours before departure, or several days in advance.
For example, for flights with easyJet, passengers can check-in between 30 days and two hours before take-off.
Baggage drop-off: iff you have luggage to check in, please proceed to the dedicated check-in desks as soon as you arrive.
Safety checks: prepair your boarding pass and your identification.
Placez vos liquids (maximum 100 ml per container) in a transparent resealable plastic bag.
Remove your metal objects (belts, watches, keys) and place them with your electronic devices in the bins provided.
Don’t forget to remove your jacket or coat if necessary.
Gate access: consult the display screens to check your gate number and boarding time. Gates may change. So it’s important to remain vigilant.
Allow plenty of time to get to your gate, especially at major airports where distances can be considerable.
How long before an international flight should I arrive at the airport?
For international flights, procedures are more complex and time-consuming.
That’s why it’s essential to leave plenty of time – 3 hours seems ideal.
Immigration and customs formalities for international flights
If a visa is required, check that you have obtained it in advance and that it is in order.
What’s more, some countries require a immigration form.
You can sometimes fill them in online, but it’s common for airlines to hand out immigration or customs forms for you to fill in during the flight.
Keep a pen handy to complete them.
In addition, if you are transporting items subject to declaration (large sums of money, foodstuffs, etc.), be prepared to declare them to the customs authorities.
Tighter security controls
Queues at security checkpoints may be longer due to stricter procedures, as is the case for flights to the USA.
Your hand luggage may be subject to more thorough checks.
Be prepared to remove electronics and liquids from your luggage.
In addition, some items permitted on domestic flights may not be allowed on international flights.
For example, a drug sold over the counter in your country may be considered a controlled substance in another country.
Health formalities
Some countries require medical certificates or vaccinations vaccinations mandatory. Some countries require medical certificates or compulsory vaccinations, such as yellow fever, for several countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South America.
Tips to avoid airport delays
Check airline schedules
Airlines may make changes to their schedules for various reasons, such as adverse weather conditions or operational constraints.
To stay informed in real time, we advise you to subscribe to the notifications offered by your airline.
In addition, the use of mobile applications gives you fast, direct access to essential flight information, such as gate details, delays and last-minute changes.
Bonus: these applications often allow online check-in or seat selection.
Anticipate the unexpected (traffic, parking, queues)
Plan your journey by checking traffic conditions on the day of departure, using GPS applications applications like Waze or Google Maps Go to get around any traffic jams.
Allow for extra time to cope with unforeseen delays, taking weather conditions into account.
Choose the mode of transport best suited to your situation: public transport can help you avoid parking problems, while cab or VTC services can save you time in heavy traffic.
💡 Our advice If you are coming from downtown Geneva don’t forget that it’s only 4 kilometers from Geneva Airport, and there are plenty of options available to you.
The impact of rush hour on airport arrivals
Peak hours correspond to the periods of the day when traffic is heaviest, generally between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the evening.
Peak periods also include school vacations, summer vacation, long weekends and public holidays.
During these periods, road traffic to the airport can be heavily congested, and airport parking lots are often saturated, making it more difficult to find a parking space.
Inside the airport, queues at check-in counters, baggage drop-off kiosks and security checkpoints grow longer.
Reserve your parking lot in advance
If you come to the airport with your own vehicle, the question of parking arises.
By reserving your parking space in advance, you’re guaranteed to have a space available, which is particularly valuable during busy periods.
What’s more, you can benefit from reduced rates.
To make your reservation, you can use the official airport parking lots or use the services of private parking.
It’s a good idea to compare the various offers to find the best value for money and to find the best solution for your needs, the right plan adapted to your situation.
When selecting your parking lot, please take into account :
- the proximity of the terminal,
- covered or open-air parking,
- the presence of a shuttle to take you from the parking lot to the airport,
- assistance with luggage,
- valet parking valet parking to entrust your vehicle to a professional as soon as you arrive.
Book your parking with Parking Cointrin and save time at the airport
Parking Cointrin is a private parking lot located in the immediate vicinity of Geneva airport, just three minutes by shuttle bus. three minutes by shuttle bus from the terminal.
Our advantages include online booking for all our parking spaces, unlike the official Geneva Airport parking lots, which offer only a few spaces open to reservation. What’s more, our parking lot is guarded at all times.
Last but not least, our rates are attractive and on a sliding scale, making us an ideal option for your business. long-term parking.
Parking Cointrin also offers additional services to improve your experience.
From free shuttles take you directly to the terminal, a significant advantage since Geneva Airport’s official parking lots, including the P51 parking lot which is the furthest away, have no shuttle service.
You can also opt for optional services such as the cleaning your vehicle a covered parkingcovered parking valet parking or a visual inspection of your vehicle on arrival.
In short, getting to the airport on time is not a mission impossible, but rather a question of organization and good reflexes.
By following our recommendations, you’ll avoid frantic running and accelerated heartbeats.
And to save even more time, remember to reserve your parking space at Parking Cointrin: because the only sprint you’ll need to make is towards the perfect vacation that awaits you!
