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Original poster

Anyone flown with Ryanair ? What's the latest you've got to the gate ?

41 replies

Vanillamanilla1 · 30/12/2018 15:15

Gate is owing at 8.05am and. I was planning on getting to the airport about 7am ... Would this be feasible ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Vanillamanilla1 · 30/12/2018 15:15

Closing

OP posts:
ladybee28 · 30/12/2018 15:19

Depends on the airport, if you've got baggage to check, if it's a popular day to fly...

Is there something stopping you from getting there earlier than 'the latest possible'?

purplecorkheart · 30/12/2018 15:20

It really depends on the airport. Are you driving/bus/being dropped off? What other flights are departing around the same times, I find you often need to give much more time for security if there are lots of charter holiday/pligrimages flight than if it is mainly shorthaul flights that attract experienced travellers.

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DerRosenkavelier · 30/12/2018 15:20

Nope.

When and where are you flying from? You’ve got to get through security.

Bigpizzalover · 30/12/2018 15:22

From looking at their terms and conditions, you have to be at the boarding gate at the latest 30 mins before departure, but you need to check in 2 hours prior to boarding. Either online or at the desk. If you google Ryan Air check in theirs a link to the T&Cs

welshweasel · 30/12/2018 15:24

Totally depends on the airport and whether you’ve got luggage to check

BillywigSting · 30/12/2018 15:24

Latest I've ever got to the gate was a couple of minutes after it closed.

Luckily one of the stewards was eating her lunch by the gate and opened it back up for us.

We legged it across the tarmac and caught the plane, but we were bloody lucky!

We were late because we were travelling with my dad, who is a lovely man but has zero concept of punctuality.

I'm never flying with him again if I can avoid it!

redsummershoes · 30/12/2018 15:26

if you have no baggage to check in I would go 90 min before gate closure (unless I pay for priority security/lounge).
2 hours before closure with baggage.
you need to factor in slow security check and toilet break before boarding and long walkways in the airport.

ifiwasabutterfly · 30/12/2018 15:27

Once upon a time that would have been absolutely fine. These days I wouldn't. We flew last week and it took us an hour to get through passport control / security. They stopped all the scanning machines for about 15 minutes whilst they investigated something in someone's hand luggage that was inside one of the machines. We got called for an extra security check at the gate. They prob chose 30 people on our flight. They swabbed our hands and shoes.

Boredboredboredboredbored · 30/12/2018 15:29

Travelled with Ryanair back from Lisbon 2 weeks ago. We were 2 hours early but check in was a fucking nightmare, queue after queue. They delayed the plane in the end. Flying out of Manchester was a breeze. Depends on airport tbh.

isseywithcats · 30/12/2018 15:29

i wouldnt leave it that close at manchester it took us over an hour to find the parking lot due to millions of yellow cones everywhere, then nearly an hour to get through security to get to the gate and this was at 3 o clock in the morning so no people going to work traffic added in

BertieBotts · 30/12/2018 15:31

It totally depends on how long it takes to walk from wherever you arrive, to security, to the gate. Some airports it's ages.

Then how long security takes, whether there are backlogs or queues. If you get flagged for a poorly packed bag or random check.

We did once arrive an hour before, but tiny airport, quick security, we were lucky. It was stressful - late coach.

Screamqueenz · 30/12/2018 15:33

Be careful, it's very dependant on the crew but a couple of times I've seen them close the gate and turn people away even when people were still boarding not 5 metres away.

BishopBrennansArse · 30/12/2018 15:36

It's taken over an hour to clear security at Gatwick before now, when I didn't have a bag to drop. Had I left it that late I'd have missed the flight.

Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 30/12/2018 15:39

Agree with PP it depends on the airport and whether you need to check luggage in.

Most flights close 20-30 mins before take off, leaving you with just over half an hour to

Check in/check luggage in

Get through security

Get to your gate - and remember this may involve a transit train to another part of the airport.

Doable on a good day - not when security is slow and you get stuck behind the family who think the rules don't apply to them.

Not worth the stress for me!

Fiontar649 · 30/12/2018 15:41

Dublin can take a good hour between security clearance and the walk to the Ryanair gates, which are practically in Co. Meath. I allow at least 90 mins, but prefer 2 hours just in case

Original poster
Vanillamanilla1 · 30/12/2018 15:43

Flying from Stansted ... If gate closes at 8.05am what time would YOU get to the airport?

OP posts:
Shopgirl1 · 30/12/2018 15:43

Depends on what airport, time of day, staff on security, walk from security to gate, bag to check or not.

Youcancallmeval · 30/12/2018 15:44

I always arrive 1.5 - 2 hrs before. I used to have time to spare (drink in wetherspoons) but the past few years there has been v little time due to queues at security. Go earlier, esp if you have kids.

welshweasel · 30/12/2018 15:45

If not checking a bag I’d get there at 6.30, hoping I’d have time for a coffee once airside. If I had a bag to check then 6am.

Cocochicago · 30/12/2018 15:46

Oh goodness stansted .
I'd be there 6am
Security queues at Stansted are really long and prone to sudden halts whilst they swab everything.

Toomanycats99 · 30/12/2018 15:47

Where are you driving from? I used to get there 5.30 for a 7.30 flights - traffic will be very heavy if a weekday and you need the motorway.

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 30/12/2018 15:48

I often use Ryanair from Stansted. You need to factor in s good 90 mins from check in to gate closing. At least. Check in and bag drop can often take ages, even with the DIY ones now, and the security hall is massive with very long queues. Especially at this time of year.
If I were flying from Stansted at 5pm I'd be there 3 hrs beforehand.

NannyR · 30/12/2018 15:48

I'd get there at 6am, I'd much rather be too early and have time for a coffee if I get through check in and security quickly, than be cutting it fine and rushing to the gate.

countrybunny · 30/12/2018 15:50

I would be there for 5.30/6am. Why would you risk it?

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