What time do I get up to go to the airport?

[CluelessAboutBiology]

I very rarely go abroad, so not much experience of middle-of-the-night flights. I have to leave at 2am tonight (technically tomorrow) to go to the airport. I’m going to need to sleep before then. What time should I have a nap and for how long? I was thinking about 6pm until 10pm? I’m worried I might sleep through my alarm and I need to drive to the airport.

If you're not leaving until 2am I'd get up at 1:30, quick shower, dressed, and out.

To leave at 2am I wouldn't get up before 1am. I'd go to bed as early as possible, whatever time you think you'll actually be able to sleep.

Make sure everything is ready to go and set your alarm for 1AM. Drink lots of water before bed so your bladder also helps wake you up.

It ALWAYS wakes me up! Multiple times a night usually.

Just get up at about 1 or so.

I would go to bed at 9.30 and set an alarm for 1.30. But I would likely wake up 500 times due to alarm anxiety and give up sleeping about midnight and leave ridiculously early!

You know what time you need to leave. You don't need to ask people what time to get up.

Just get up at 1-1.30 and go. You can shower/ empty bins etc beforehand. When alarm off just up, dress and drink of water and go. Otherwise it’s just faffing around and your be knackered the next day

You wouldn’t be able to go to sleep at 6pm?!

I’d just go to bed as early as possible (I can’t sleep before 10.30) then up at 1.15/1.30ish.

I'd probably set the alarm for 1am. I don't like to rush too much, and that would give me enough time assuming I was completely packed. Quick shower, quick breakfast. I wouldn't be able to sleep at 6pm. I'd probably try for 9pm.

tbh I very likely wouldn't try to sleep at all as I think I might feel worse. I'd just relax in front of a film. But set an alarm just in case I went to sleep!

I'd be up at 1.45. We've done that kind of leaving multiple times. Absolutely everything bar small handbag in car the night before. Up, wee, dressed and out.

If you have an Apple Watch, set the alarm on that, it vibrates on your wrist and although I am quite deaf (use aids) I never sleep through that!

Others will advise about sleep times. I swear by a magnesium tablet an hour before bed, it knocks me out most of the time. I'm 67 so no spring chicken either and sleep can be hit and miss.

Too late for OP, but personally I wouldnt be in a fit state to drive at 2am if alarm went off at 1.45am. Can other people really do that? OK if not driving, though even then I'd proably prefer an extra 15 minutes awake to feel more human.

Not been a problem for me. Anything to maximise time asleep.

We did a 4am leave with my parents once, we were driving. They were expecting to get up at 3 and have a cup of tea and a leisurely hour. I made it clear it was everything in the car the night before and if they woke me up before 3.45 there would be trouble! There are cafes at the airport for tea and coffee.

@DappledThings clearly I take longer to wake up. I honestly wouldn’t feel safe driving 15 minutes after alarm went off if I was in a deep sleep.