Airport Arrival Times
 

Hi guys. I am going on a multi country trip in Europe (schengen countries). I'm using wizzair, ryan air, KLM/ITA, transavania airlines for different legs of my trips. I am international tourist with a schengen visa. What would be the ideal time to reach any airport before the flight take off time ?

For travel between Schengen countries, I would say that a good generalisation is 1 1/2 hours. A lot depends on the airport, though. Big busy airports may have longer queues for security and check-in. If you can check in online, and have only hand luggage, you can save time.

I usually plan for two hours just to be on the safe side.

I did ITA HAM-LIN in June and the queue at check-in took one hour, and the line at security took one hour. Luckily I was there 3 hours early, but if the newspapers don't report extreme waits at any particular airport you can probably get by with less.

If Schiphol is anything like it has been lately you need to be there 4 hours ahead of time, but no more than 4 hours or you won't be allowed in, to get through security. You also need to check you flight will actually happen. Schiphol is drastically reducing flight numbers.
Make sure for any flight you check in on line - certainly Ryan Air charges for check in at the airport. Also check very carefully the luggage allowances on each airline - Carry-on varies with Ryan Air having the smallest bag size I believe, smaller than a standard carry-on, and they will charge you a small fortune to check it if they deem it too big.

There is a Facebook called "Schipol in English" or something similar with dailly 1st hand reports of wait times. You can request to join that group if you wish.
Over the last 4-6 weeks Tue/Wed/Thu have all been relatively light, "normal" days, with 1 1/2 to 2 hrs being more than sufficient. Friday to Monday have been the businer days.

Can you please share the group name please ? not able to find it.

I have bought check in bags for all my flights. And most of them have this option of 10kg extra hand baggage as well. And I am carrying small sized carry baggage.

The Schiphol site tells you how busy it is, ad gives advice.
https://www.schiphol.nl/en/my-travel-day/today

The site as a whole is very useful for travellers through the airport. https://www.schiphol.nl/en/

“Schiphol Live In English” - see screen capture below.

The airport website does have good info but unfortunately they say to arrive 4hrs ahead regardless of the terminal or the day.





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