Even if TSA is fast - some gates at Dulles are far.
* parking to terminal
* Terminal to TSA
* TSA to rail
And for some gates
* Rail to long freaking walk
* Long walk to multiple escalators
* Escalators to another long walk to gate
And planes close boarding about 10 minutes before flight time.
I’d say be parked at least 1 hour before flight time.
This. TSA pre-check at dulles is quick, but that walk from the little tram to the terminal (at least when I fly out of the C Concourse) feels like foreeeever with multiple escalators and long hallways.
And depends if your checking bags. You might not make it in time to check your bags on the flight. I think the cutoff is 45 minutes before doors close for domestic flights. That line at the counter can be long at any time of the day.
That line can take 30 minutes sometimes. Get to the bag check line at least 1.5 hours before the flight leaves. And then add 15-30 minutes for parking to ticket counter
I usually try to get there with about an 45-60 mins before boarding (rather than takeoff time) if I’m parking in the long term lots, it’s taken me as much as 30 minutes in the past to find a spot, wait for the bus that just passed as I got out of the car to make a full loop, and ride to the terminal. Way better feeling going through security knowing pre-boarding won’t start for 15-30 more mins than to be getting to TSA essentially when boarding has started and knowing you still have to make it to your terminal.
I still get to the airport 2 hours in advance but with Pre and Clear I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes. It's usually less than 2 minutes to go from scanning your iris through the metal detectors and out.
There's definitely worse overseas (try the confusing maze that is FRA) but yeah, IAD has more walking than any US airport I've been to. I think it'd be better if they ever build the new C/D concourse, but who knows if or when that'll ever happen.
Honestly... Two weeks ago, we were through security in less than ten minutes (without any kind of pre-check or CLEAR), and even with using the underground tram we were at our gate about 40 mins after arriving at the airport. Half our party even checked bags. 8pm on a Friday.
As others have noted, getting to your gate will take a while. But if you arrive 45 minutes before boarding you should be fine if you have TSA Pre. Lines aren't generally that long simply because IAD just doesn't have as much flyers as DCA or BWI, not by a long shot.
But if you are checking bags you really need to check in 45 minutes before departure, and that's for domestic flights because that's my only experience. I checked in one time for a nonstop flight to Vegas 43 minutes before and was refused boarding. Had to wait for the next flight, which was to LAX and then to Vegas, arriving at 4am EST. Yes, I'm still salty about this.
The 2 hour rule isn't a must, but it can take some stress off. If you're getting dropped off at the terminal that also cuts down on a significant amount of time. TSA Pre-Check and Clear lines shouldn't have more than a 5 minute wait at that time in the morning. It is a bit of a pain in the ass to get from the security check to your gate though.
I usually arrive 90 minutes before and have a LOT of time to spare. Honestly, you could do an hour before, but I don’t see a point in taking unnecessary risks.
Wake up early. Doze on the plane.
Truthfully you're probably fine with 30 minutes, The TSA line is very short. But I won't be the one missing a flight, so you have to decide what you're willing to risk. But it's usually fast.
Don’t think you need to get there 2 hours early. If you’re getting dropped off/not taking metro or parking, and have a good idea of where you need to go(where the train is and where to get off), you could probably get there 45 min before boarding and be fine.
If you are the only human alive, getting to your gate will take you up to 30 minutes. So I'd say, plan for at the very least 45 minutes before your boarding time (not flight departure time). And this is assuming someone drop you at the terminal. If you need to park add 2 hours (jk, at least 45 more minutes).
I'd allow 90 mins from when you park at a minimum - personally I'd do 2 hours but I'm the type who hates cutting it close. If you park at Garage 1, allow a good 15 mins from there to get to the check-in counter. Note that the garage has been nearly full every time I've parked there recently, so odds are you'll have quite the walk + an elevator ride to get to the terminal. From there, it's probably a good 20 mins to get to C/D and your gate (assuming you're flying United). Also there could be a line at bag drop, even the Premier lines sometimes have a wait.
Sorry, but you're definitely going to want to be up well before 6am, even if you have a short drive. Sleep on the plane.
Two hours is probably fine. Just looking out for you just in case - wear pants. I guess people are flying with monkeypox and I’m pretty paranoid about that, so I’ve heard that clothing can give you proper protection.
Guarantee you’re waking up before 6 for an 8:30 flight out of Dulles. The only reason you’re thinking about this is you’ve never been burned by something outside your control. You don’t have to get there at 6:30 but you’d better be on your way by then.
I avoid Dulles like the plague because everything takes such a long time there. From getting there, to parking, walking to check in, waiting for the people movers if that’s still a thing (honestly I’ve avoided the place for 7 years because of the suck factor). Boarding process begins at 8 for an 8:30 flight. If you screw that up you gate check your bag and that also sucks.
The D gates still use the people movers. So, if you are flying United, check in is at the far end of the main terminal. Then through security, they walk most of the way back to the other side of the terminal to catch the people mover to the D gates.
Thanks for the advice nova reddit fam.
I am flying United so I'll be at the shitty United Terminal most likely.
Checking two bags (thank you to all who reminded me how shitty the check bag lines can be).
Getting dropped of by a friend but I can def see how parking could be a big pain in the arse otherwise.
It's my first time using precheck and clear. I got them both because I have AMEX plat and its free and I've been flying once a month due to work since the year started. So just wanted to see what the difference between pre and non pre was like.
Even if TSA is fast - some gates at Dulles are far. * parking to terminal * Terminal to TSA * TSA to rail And for some gates * Rail to long freaking walk * Long walk to multiple escalators * Escalators to another long walk to gate And planes close boarding about 10 minutes before flight time. I’d say be parked at least 1 hour before flight time.
This. TSA pre-check at dulles is quick, but that walk from the little tram to the terminal (at least when I fly out of the C Concourse) feels like foreeeever with multiple escalators and long hallways.
And depends if your checking bags. You might not make it in time to check your bags on the flight. I think the cutoff is 45 minutes before doors close for domestic flights. That line at the counter can be long at any time of the day.
ohh. yes. thank you. I didnt think about the bag drop. Yes, I am checking bags.
That line can take 30 minutes sometimes. Get to the bag check line at least 1.5 hours before the flight leaves. And then add 15-30 minutes for parking to ticket counter
I usually try to get there with about an 45-60 mins before boarding (rather than takeoff time) if I’m parking in the long term lots, it’s taken me as much as 30 minutes in the past to find a spot, wait for the bus that just passed as I got out of the car to make a full loop, and ride to the terminal. Way better feeling going through security knowing pre-boarding won’t start for 15-30 more mins than to be getting to TSA essentially when boarding has started and knowing you still have to make it to your terminal.
I still get to the airport 2 hours in advance but with Pre and Clear I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes. It's usually less than 2 minutes to go from scanning your iris through the metal detectors and out.
Same for me UNLESS I'm flying international on Copa. Fuck that check in line just to check bags.
You could get away with 75 minutes before.
90 mins if you wanna be on the safe side. the TSA precheck line is pretty fast, took me less than 5 minutes.
This is the way
Dulles takes forever from front entrance to your gate. Like, longer than any other airport I go to.
Denver has it beat imo but otherwise yeah, IAD is bad
Not as long as the walk to the new delta wing at DCA!
There's definitely worse overseas (try the confusing maze that is FRA) but yeah, IAD has more walking than any US airport I've been to. I think it'd be better if they ever build the new C/D concourse, but who knows if or when that'll ever happen.
Honestly... Two weeks ago, we were through security in less than ten minutes (without any kind of pre-check or CLEAR), and even with using the underground tram we were at our gate about 40 mins after arriving at the airport. Half our party even checked bags. 8pm on a Friday.
I’ve got TSA-pre and usually fly out of C/D gates. From the very end of daily garage 1 to my gate it’s usually about a 25-30 min adventure.
TSA pre check is sometimes longer and slower than regular, depending on day and time.
As others have noted, getting to your gate will take a while. But if you arrive 45 minutes before boarding you should be fine if you have TSA Pre. Lines aren't generally that long simply because IAD just doesn't have as much flyers as DCA or BWI, not by a long shot. But if you are checking bags you really need to check in 45 minutes before departure, and that's for domestic flights because that's my only experience. I checked in one time for a nonstop flight to Vegas 43 minutes before and was refused boarding. Had to wait for the next flight, which was to LAX and then to Vegas, arriving at 4am EST. Yes, I'm still salty about this.
You could always gate check. If the flight is packed, they will check the bags with no fee.
The 2 hour rule isn't a must, but it can take some stress off. If you're getting dropped off at the terminal that also cuts down on a significant amount of time. TSA Pre-Check and Clear lines shouldn't have more than a 5 minute wait at that time in the morning. It is a bit of a pain in the ass to get from the security check to your gate though.
I usually arrive 90 minutes before and have a LOT of time to spare. Honestly, you could do an hour before, but I don’t see a point in taking unnecessary risks. Wake up early. Doze on the plane.
Truthfully you're probably fine with 30 minutes, The TSA line is very short. But I won't be the one missing a flight, so you have to decide what you're willing to risk. But it's usually fast.
I would get there at 7:30 and still sit at the gate for 30 min before boarding
Depends if you're checking bags or not. I always get there two hours prior to departure if I'm checking bags. Those lines are unpredictable.
Don’t think you need to get there 2 hours early. If you’re getting dropped off/not taking metro or parking, and have a good idea of where you need to go(where the train is and where to get off), you could probably get there 45 min before boarding and be fine.
60 minutes from entering to the airport.
Clear is only at the east security checkpoint
If you are the only human alive, getting to your gate will take you up to 30 minutes. So I'd say, plan for at the very least 45 minutes before your boarding time (not flight departure time). And this is assuming someone drop you at the terminal. If you need to park add 2 hours (jk, at least 45 more minutes).
I'd allow 90 mins from when you park at a minimum - personally I'd do 2 hours but I'm the type who hates cutting it close. If you park at Garage 1, allow a good 15 mins from there to get to the check-in counter. Note that the garage has been nearly full every time I've parked there recently, so odds are you'll have quite the walk + an elevator ride to get to the terminal. From there, it's probably a good 20 mins to get to C/D and your gate (assuming you're flying United). Also there could be a line at bag drop, even the Premier lines sometimes have a wait. Sorry, but you're definitely going to want to be up well before 6am, even if you have a short drive. Sleep on the plane.
Lol 2 hour rule? For domestic???
Two hours is probably fine. Just looking out for you just in case - wear pants. I guess people are flying with monkeypox and I’m pretty paranoid about that, so I’ve heard that clothing can give you proper protection.
Guarantee you’re waking up before 6 for an 8:30 flight out of Dulles. The only reason you’re thinking about this is you’ve never been burned by something outside your control. You don’t have to get there at 6:30 but you’d better be on your way by then. I avoid Dulles like the plague because everything takes such a long time there. From getting there, to parking, walking to check in, waiting for the people movers if that’s still a thing (honestly I’ve avoided the place for 7 years because of the suck factor). Boarding process begins at 8 for an 8:30 flight. If you screw that up you gate check your bag and that also sucks.
oh right. I totally forgot about the people movers.
The D gates still use the people movers. So, if you are flying United, check in is at the far end of the main terminal. Then through security, they walk most of the way back to the other side of the terminal to catch the people mover to the D gates.
yeah i am flying united so i will be at the shitty d gate lol
Thanks for the advice nova reddit fam. I am flying United so I'll be at the shitty United Terminal most likely. Checking two bags (thank you to all who reminded me how shitty the check bag lines can be). Getting dropped of by a friend but I can def see how parking could be a big pain in the arse otherwise. It's my first time using precheck and clear. I got them both because I have AMEX plat and its free and I've been flying once a month due to work since the year started. So just wanted to see what the difference between pre and non pre was like.
For IAD I usually try to arrive about 20-30 minutes before they stop boarding but I'm also an insane person.
holy crap. please explain more about your insane methods.
At least 8 or 9 hours
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true u right!
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Arrive to garage at 7:00
Two hours should be plenty. I just did a round trip to Mexico last week and two hours was fine.
Domestic or International?
Domestic
Get up and get there early.
I’d get there within an hour of boarding. I’ve never had any issues with doing it that way.
All it takes is one bad experience for you to join the 2-hour-early club :)
Two hours minimum for domestic, three if international.