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.

For departures from London Heathrow (LHR) in 2026, the general recommendation is to arrive at least 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic or European flight. Heathrow is one of the world's busiest hubs, and while technology has improved check-in times, the security lanes in Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5 can still experience significant bottlenecks during morning and evening "peak banks." If you have to drop off checked luggage, you should aim for the earlier side of those windows, as "self-service" bag drop kiosks can sometimes have their own queues. For those traveling with "hand-luggage only" who have checked in online, you can often arrive closer to 90 minutes before departure, but this leaves very little margin for error if there are delays on the Heathrow Express or the Piccadilly Line. Always check your specific airline's app for any real-time alerts regarding terminal congestion, as Heathrow frequently issues warnings during bank holiday weekends or industrial actions that may require you to add an extra hour to your arrival plan.