How early do you need to get to Logan Airport?

Massport works with the TSA to monitor security line length and tries to keep the wait time less than 15 minutes; however to avoid any problems, we recommend arriving two (2) hours prior to domestic departures and three (3) hours prior to international departures to ensure adequate time for check-in, security screening ...



The general recommendation for Logan International Airport (BOS) is:

  • Domestic flights: Arrive 2 hours before departure.
  • International flights: Arrive 3 hours before departure.

However, this can vary significantly. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Key Factors to Consider

  1. Time of Day & Day of Week:

    • Peak Times: Monday mornings, Thursday and Friday afternoons/evenings, and holiday periods are extremely busy. Add 30-60 minutes during these times.
    • Security Wait Times: Checkpoints B and C (especially for Delta and JetBlue) often have the longest lines. Check the TSA website or BOS airport website for real-time security wait times on the day you travel.

  2. Your Starting Point & Transportation:

    • Driving & Parking: If you’re parking, factor in time to find a spot and take a shuttle. Pre-booking parking online is highly recommended and can save time.
    • Rideshare/Taxi: Traffic through the Sumner/Callahan Tunnels and on the Expressway is notoriously unpredictable, especially during rush hour. Always check traffic apps (like Google Maps or Waze) before you leave.
    • Public Transit (MBTA Silver Line or Blue Line): This is often the most reliable way to avoid traffic. It takes longer but is predictable. Factor in walking time from the station to your terminal.

  3. Airline & Check-in Needs:

    • Checking Bags: Airlines often have strict cut-off times (usually

People Also Ask

Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport three hours before departure for international flights. It's common for international flights to start boarding earlier than domestic flights (the aircraft are often larger and have higher passenger capacities), which accounts for the earlier recommendation.

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Most of the flights from Europe arrive in Boston between 5-7 PM. This is rush hour at Logan International Airport. I have passed immigration, collected bags and gone through customs in anywhere from 25 minutes to 80 minutes. You are advised to check in to your departing flight at least 90 minutes prior to departure.

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At the very minimum it will take between 45 minutes to an hour after landing to get out of the airport, but can easily take up to two hours.

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International Arrivals Boston Logan International Airport is served by some 50 international destinations. Most of Boston Logan's international arrivals come through Terminal E for U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing.

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The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.

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We recommend getting to the airport three hours before your flight if you're travelling internationally, or two hours if you're travelling domestically or to Europe.

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The TSA advises arriving at the airport two hours before your flight for domestic travel and three hours before for international travel. If you're traveling during peak times like early morning or evening, or during holidays and other events, please plan accordingly and allow for extra time.

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Boston Logan International (BOS) The best time to go through security at Logan Airport is Thursdays at 10 – 11 p.m., where you'll only wait around 3 minutes, whereas the worst time is Friday at 5 – 6 p.m., where you'll wait a whopping 45 minutes.

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Logan Airport is quite large but is relatively easy to navigate. Walkways connect the terminals, and regular shuttle buses help visitors get around. The airport shuttles operate 24 hours a day and stop at every terminal every 15 to 20 minutes.

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Logan Airport is one of the most difficult locations to fly the friendly skies, according to a new study. Experts from the Family Destinations Guide used data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to rank the worst air travel hubs in the country.

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The study suggests the perfect pre-flight arrival time should be 2 hours and 33 minutes. The airport is made up of 2,384 acres and welcomes almost 23 million visitors, making the over two-hour wait worth it.

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Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.

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Two to three hours is the minimum recommended time for an international layover, but more might be needed. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.

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Is 2 hours enough time for international flight from UK? The Heathrow website also currently urges: We recommend getting to the airport three hours before your flight if you're travelling internationally, or two hours if you're travelling domestically or to Europe.

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When to arrive. We recommend getting to the airport three hours before your flight if you're travelling internationally, or two hours if you're travelling domestically or to Europe.

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When you're traveling outside of the United States, we suggest arriving at least 3 hours prior to your departure. You must be checked in at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure.

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