Early morning check-in time

Patrickof

Hi, we're heading to italy for holliers next Tuesday and the flight is at 7.35am. Thinking of getting the airport bus (from portlaoise) but it only gets to the airport at 0620, leaving 1hr 15mins before take-off. I know they say leave 2 hrs for checkin, but at that hour of the morning there shouldn't be any queues? I'll have checked in from home, so it's only a tag-and-drop of the bags.

Is that enough time?

foggy_lad

There is a jj kavanagh bus leaving portlaoise at 3am getting to the airport at 4.30am if you were worried about check-in times.

Patrickof

Oooeerr, that's a bit early. I'd be more worried about the two three year olds we have with three hours to kill in the airport!!!

steve-o

Patrickof wrote: »

I know they say leave 2 hrs for checkin, but at that hour of the morning there shouldn't be any queues?

LOL. It's the busiest time of the day and queues for everything can be huge. With 2 small kids in tow you don't stand a chance. It's not worth losing your hols - aim to get there earlier.

Patrickof

Yeah, I know its the busy time, but to be honest I've never queued for that long (and I used to be a very frequent flyer 2002-2004). Tag and drop is usually quick, then security shouldn't exceed 30 mins?

ah fleck it, maybe we'll just drive.

Southsider1

Ah yeah. Shur carry on at 6am. Don't mind the crowds. They only say the two hour thing for the craic anyway.....

We'll look forward to hearing you here next week complaining about the nasty airline not letting you on!!;)

Patrickof

Maybe it's just the cynic in me but I've never been any other way than spending ages after going through security waiting for the boarding time. Don't DAA have to justify their big rents somehow........

It used to be an hour, then one hour thirty, now its two hours thirty, all the while the DAA expands the shopping area airside.

Anyway, not worth the risk, we'll drive.

And post about how we're sitting at the gate 120 minutes before departure after whizzing through security!!!!!!!

patrickc

Patrickof wrote: »

Maybe it's just the cynic in me but I've never been any other way than spending ages after going through security waiting for the boarding time. Don't DAA have to justify their big rents somehow........

It used to be an hour, then one hour thirty, now its two hours thirty, all the while the DAA expands the shopping area airside.

Anyway, not worth the risk, we'll drive.

And post about how we're sitting at the gate 120 minutes before departure after whizzing through security!!!!!!!

last flight I went on to greece back in may, i said I'd give myself 2 &1/2 hours to park and get in to airport etc, got in, checked in had something to eat and a pint and next can patrick and his accompanying person please report to departure gate was announced, we were boarded 1/2 an hour early and the plane left on time. that was the same time as your's more or less, also took about 15mins to get security at that time, queues were massive.

I'm just saying give yourself plenty of time, 1hr 15 isn't enough

BrianD

Don't forget that Dublin used to be a cosy little airport - not any more. You'd be surprised at the distances between the security check and the gates, especially if you have the kids in tow.

Even with online check in or the e-check in you'd be surprised how that generous 3 hours speeds by.

jack presley

Stupid question probably but how packed is the airport these days in the morning. I've a 7:30 flight. Is getting there at 5:30 not a bit excessive?

Shzm

I would aim for 6am myself. Had a 6:30am flight last Monday and walking to my gate took longer than bag drop and security

alex73

Remember Murphys law... If you miss your flight because you did not arrive the recomended time beforehand then you run the risk of not getting money back from insurance.

However I do agree with your post, I recommend the following... Since you are already checked in send your wife and kids to the gate while you drops the bags.

saeglopur

alex73 wrote: »

However I do agree with your post, I recommend the following... Since you are already checked in send your wife and kids to the gate while you drops the bags.

cant do that. all passengers in a group must be present when pooled bags are being checked in for security reasons

Fratton Fred

Patrickof wrote: »

Hi, we're heading to italy for holliers next Tuesday and the flight is at 7.35am. Thinking of getting the airport bus (from portlaoise) but it only gets to the airport at 0620, leaving 1hr 15mins before take-off. I know they say leave 2 hrs for checkin, but at that hour of the morning there shouldn't be any queues? I'll have checked in from home, so it's only a tag-and-drop of the bags.

Is that enough time?

Personally, if it was me, on my own with no bags, then I would do it. With bags and young kids I would play it safe. Maybe even drive down the night before and stay at the crowne plaza or bewleys hotels?

mikemac

Airport is extremely busy at that time of the morning, don't cut it close.

I'd also say travel to Dublin the day before and book a night in an airport hotel, since you are leaving early just one room will do, the staff can drop in some extra beds for the young kids.
Less stressful this way

Rawr

feelingstressed wrote: »

Airport is extremely busy at that time of the morning, don't cut it close.

I'd also say travel to Dublin the day before and book a night in an airport hotel, since you are leaving early just one room will do, the staff can drop in some extra beds for the young kids.
Less stressful this way

I'd recommend this approach too. You're fresh heading to the terminal, and still there early enough.

Patrickof

Have booked a car park nearby (The Ward) and plan to be there at 5am, Portlaoise is only an hour at that time.

Looked into the hotel, but we've three kids (3,3,7) and most hotels get a bit shirty with 5 in a room - insurance is for max occupancy of 4 it seems. Anyway the closer hotels are fully booked, so bewleys etc., would still require us to be up at 4.30 (as the shuttle is 15 mins and only every 20 mins). Leaving Portlaoise means up at 3.30 and out the door by 4am, not that much earlier. Also, car park is only €84, hotel would've been 130 (and maybe more if they insisted on 2 rooms) - I'd rather have the 50 euro difference to spend while on holliers. Kids'll sleep in the car on the way up anyway.

Haven't booked a baggage allowance for the twins buggy, and EI website says buggies are free for infants - but ours are over 2, so had to buy a full price seat, ie they're not strictly infants - I wonder will they charge me extra for the buggy.

jack presley

Patrickof wrote: »

Have booked a car park nearby (The Ward) and plan to be there at 5am, Portlaoise is only an hour at that time.

Looked into the hotel, but we've three kids (3,3,7) and most hotels get a bit shirty with 5 in a room - insurance is for max occupancy of 4 it seems. Anyway the closer hotels are fully booked, so bewleys etc., would still require us to be up at 4.30 (as the shuttle is 15 mins and only every 20 mins). Leaving Portlaoise means up at 3.30 and out the door by 4am, not that much earlier. Also, car park is only €84, hotel would've been 130 (and maybe more if they insisted on 2 rooms) - I'd rather have the 50 euro difference to spend while on holliers. Kids'll sleep in the car on the way up anyway.

Haven't booked a baggage allowance for the twins buggy, and EI website says buggies are free for infants - but ours are over 2, so had to buy a full price seat, ie they're not strictly infants - I wonder will they charge me extra for the buggy.

Is the car park at the White House? If so, that's only about 10 minutes from the airport

markpb

feelingstressed wrote: »

Airport is extremely busy at that time of the morning, don't cut it close.

+1

The last time I was flying early, I arrived at the airport at 4.45am and got stuck in traffic over half a mile away from the terminal building. It took 10 minutes just to get to the bottom of the departures ramp where I got out of the taxi and walked the rest of the way.

I had already checked in online and had no luggage so I joined the completely full security queue and waited for over 40 minutes to get through. Ended up getting to the gate (one of the most distant ones) just in time to be one of the last people boarding the plane.

trellheim

Agree with all posters who say do not cut it fine.
Note : most airlines operate a wave system, and try and dispatch most of the first wave of airplanes as soon as they can. Since all the airlines try and dispatch the first wave at the same time, about 0600 onwards, it can get busy.

This is also the peak time mid August for tourist traffic

In addition T2 is not open yet and all car traffic to T1 is funnelled really badly

put all these together : expect complete bedlam

The unconscionably long walk to the D gates is another matter, that should have been another terminal completely .

mikemac

Ah the walk to Pier D

I thought I was walking to Co Meath!