To arrive at the airport at 5am for a 6:20am flight?

[CroccyWoccy]

Trying to figure out logistics for an early morning flight. Can’t get to the airport before 5am without staying the night before. Flight is 6:20am. Only flying with hand luggage, will have checked in online.

Is this doable or do I need to stump up for a hotel?

That’s Heathrow. Stansted is completely different.

Just google airline and airport check in times - anytime 40min to 2hrs before flight time. It varies depending on airline, airport, destination. Their check in time is also to allow you to go through security to get to the flight.

As long as you meet the check-in time, you're okay.

How important catching that flight is, will determine how much time you factor in for traffic, delays, strikes, accidents, etc. But 4-5am is a pretty low traffic time.

Your only three other considerations are:
i) How much sleep do you need? And when?
ii) Would hiring a taxi be cheaper and allow you to sleep on route to airport?
iii) How much getting ready time do you need?

last week i arrived at Heathrow at 5am for a 6:50am flight to Dublin. I had a minicab booked for 4:30am. I got through security very quickly. Stopped at Boots and went to the loo. Suddenly it was crazy busy!! Pret was a madhouse. It kept getting busier. My flight was boarded and doors closed 20 mins before flight.

Ibsaw you updated it is Stanstead. If to you aim for 5am get the fastrack to be safe https://www.stanstedairport.com/at-the-airport/security-fasttrack/

Not enough time in my opinion. The gate closes 30 mins before your flight so you only give yourself 50 mins to get into the airport, through security and to your gate. That's too risky, especially if you're getting there by train.

Can you not get the stanstead express coach? They are 24 hours a day

This is Heathrow. The OP is talking about Stansted.

I’ve decided not to get that flight after all - though if I was I think the coach sounds like the best option. Had never even considered a coach so will bear that one in mind for the future.

If it's anything like Bristol Airport, queuing times are terrible! My brother was so glad that he got there in plenty of time last Wednesday and when we flew from there last year, it was bedlam.

Good luck with that timing at Stansted, especially early morning!

if you pay the £8 for fast track security you’ll be fine! Flown through Stansted 10+ times since last summer at all sorts of times and it’s been fine… without fast track I wouldn’t risk it!

I'm not sure I could take the stress. Honestly stay overnight and start the holiday early.

Have you looked at national express coaches ? They often do early morning coaches

You’re not leaving yourself much time
to allow for anything unexpected.
I’d stay in a hotel for the peace of mind.

Doesn’t your booking/ confirmation after checking in online tell you when bag drop closes? I know you don’t have a bag but it will give you an indication

Hmmm...i would consider risking it...but i dislike flying so i try to minimise time in airports. Heres my thinking:

Gatwick express - say 5 mins late
Walk from train station to airport scanner/security 10 mins
Security - could be 10, could be up to 20 mins if baggage is searched (rarely takes as long as you think, even at Gatwick, but early morning i think would be good, and in effect once you're through security, you're going!)
Meander to the boarding gate - 10-15 mins
Still be at gate by 5.35 to 5.50am, plenty lol!

For context ive only ever missed one flight, from Stockholm to London!
BUT if i was going with my partner, all bets are off, and we would apparently have to be there at least 45 mins earlier, and she almost always wins that discussion!

Depends on how many people , what airport and what time if the year . If it’s summer and a big airport I would say you need to be in earlier

I wouldn't go that late. Did you check when first National Express is going?

It's always advisable to be on the airport 2 hrs in advance. What if you stuck in the traffic or in your case the train is late abd then you stuck in security? It is absolutely no good. I was once late on Luton, no check in, but security took forever, my bag was allocated, I was running like an idiot. I was lucky, my gate was opening in 10 min. Gates close 30 min before departure. It's absolutely a no no no. It's not that hard spending a night on the airport. I did it numerous timea and few days back I just did it with my 2 years old.

That early slot is busy with business travellers. I wouldn't do it.

Those early flights are often cheap for this reason, demand is lower because its adds to the cost when you can't rely on public transport to get you there early enough & need to pay for a hotel.

There are often cheap places to stay near airports, I’d book a hotel as wouldn’t risk missing my flight.
Train could be held up or cancelled for all kinds of reasons, not worth the risk

I always get to Heathrow/Gatwick about 90 mins before a flight and have never missed one. I have no desire to hang about in the airport and so go straight through security and am always in departures before the gate is announced.

I did sleep in stansted once

There was loads of us
I slept so well from 11 to 5 for a 6.30am flight

Total one off
Hotels were so dear !!