Gatwick - 7:30am flight

[Zolf]

We have a weekday 7:30am European flight from Gatwick next week, no hold luggage. How early would you get there? We normally allow 2.5 hours, but I've never had a flight this early (we're quite a way from the airport).

I'd probably aim to be there for 4:30/5am. If you're paying to park your car it might be worth looking at a hotel for the night before as sometimes it's not that much more than just the parking and you can get packages where parking is included, will also take any stress out of the drive if anything was to happen on the way like traffic/road works ect x

5am

Dh got a 7am flight last week at LGW North, cabin bags only and online checkin, arrived c. 5:30 and had plenty of time.

I flew from Gatwick north last week, 11 of us. 50% had luggage to check in. Was a breeze, no queues for security and we had an 8.15am flight. Spent about 3 hours in Weatherspoons 🙈

2 hours is more than enough with no hold luggage

You don't need to arrive at the terminal building any earlier than 5:30, you'll just be sat around for ages waiting. But you need to allow time for parking and getting the bus to the terminal if you're doing that. Are you North or South terminal? Valet parking at the North terminal is great as the car drop off is right at the terminal. You used to be able to stay at the Premier Inn right there and have a parking package with it but they don't do it any more unfortunately. The Travelodge just off terminal (but much more of a walk/shuttle bus) is cheaper but again you can only park for the time you stay and have to book parking for the time you're away separately. If you stay at the Travelodge then it's an extra £25 to park for the night that you pay when you get there, you can't book a parking spot but there is a lot of parking there.

Anyway you might have booked parking already at one of the car parks off terminal in which case I'd get there at 5 to give you chance to park and catch the bus to the terminal. It doesn't take long though as the buses are frequent even at that time.

5:30. I never arrive at an airport more than 2 hours before take off unless advised by the airport/airline.

Flew from Gatwick last week on a 7.10 flight. Dropped the the car at meet and greet at 5.15 and had plenty of time. Checked in luggage.

Thanks everyone, we're getting a taxi so will be dropped right outside the terminal. I'm edging towards a 5:30am arrival - anything for a slightly later wake up time!

I'd arrive at 6 am ! Never had an issue early morning at Gatwick .

5.30. That will be fine at that time. You can always pay for premium security as well if you want to be extra safe