Arriving at airport at midnight for a 6am flight

[HettyMeg]

Getting a 2 hour taxi to airport at 10pm so arriving at around midnight. For a flight at 6am.

Friends are doing this instead of booking a hotel and I think they're crazy. Just get a hotel!

Did this last summer at Rome Ciampino airport got there 11pm flight with Ryan air was 6am. was fine had a few coffees from the machine watched some TV. possibly going to do it again in March. not an issue and no hotels nearby plus a hotel would mean I might as well get a more expensive flight during the day

I have done it once. Airport was three hours away. Took an coach there. Arrived at 2am we had something to eat, changed terminal and them found some sofas in a closed coffee shop. Stayed there until check in opened. My friend got a few hours sleep, I didn't but equally would not have if I had been in a hotel. Slept on plane instead and just read my book while in the airport.

There was a major event on in the City that we were flying out of so hotel prices were nuts.

When they realised everything was closing then then got a taxi back to the city and hung about there. Why they didn't have dinner, go to bed then get to airport for 4am god only knows. They're weird though and seem to want to make life hard to save a few quid

Why do they think they need to be at the airport 6 hours before a flight, that’s absurd.

Have seen your update saying that they’re in their 60s. Tell them to book a hotel near the airport and they can wake up at a more sensible hour and take the short walk to the terminal. Yes it most cost £100ish but it’s worth every penny.

The most miserable day/night I’ve ever spent was getting a taxi to the airport at midnight to arrive at 1 (Ryanair changed the time of it without telling us!!!) and our flight wasn’t until 7am.

I was absolutely, utterly exhausted. Because you’re leaving at such a weird time you’ll not sleep. Just get the hotel.

I did this last year. It was fine. I sat in the bar at Premier Inn until they asked me to leave at about 1am. From 1am until about 4am I sat on the floor. Not great, but went airside at about 4am for a 6am flight, then dozed off on the plane.

I was travelling alone so unable to halve the bill. I was only a bit uncomfy from 1am to 4am but those three hours saved me a £79 airport hotel bill.

i can understand why your pals are reluctant to pay from a hotel they’d likely be checking out of at 3.30am, if the flight is at 6am.

But the point is you arrive early (like 3-4pm), go and get dinner then go to bed early so you’re rested for the flight

Ah, I see. Well that would make sense I guess, especially as a couple. I was on a budget and at work until midday, so got the very latest train to Gatwick I could (the last one).

So effectively they are choosing to ruin at least the first day of their holiday as they'll be far too exhausted to enjoy it? What a waste.

Why are they doing this?

You don’t need 6 hours before your flight?

Why not get a few hours kip then get a taxi to airport for 4am?

I’d just get 1/2 am taxi. That’s what booking systems are for. Whats the point of a hotel

Ah this is why - they have anxiety issues.

Madness.

Awful! I missed a flight at 10pm once because they changed the gate when I was already walking to the one they'd announced. They booked me on a flight at 6 am the following morning, so needed to be at the airport at 4.30. I still got a hotel, though some the people slept at the airport.

This is why I only book afternoon flights now.
Get up at usual time, no hurry to get to airport, first night is in your destination hotel instead of a crappy airport hotel.
Add a day onto the holiday if you want a full week/ fortnight.

Surely if you got a coach or train to the airport, the saving from the taxi fare would cover the hotel room. Early starts can really impact the first day of a holiday. Not sleeping at all is another thing completely

I’m doing it for some early flights I have coming up this year. I won’t be arriving super early (likely heading to bed around 10-11), but I find it more palatable than an all nighter.

I had to get the bus to Luton from Oxford once as a student for a 7am flight. I think the bus was at 1am-ish; I was at the airport for 4am (short haul so definitely didn’t need to be there three hours early) and EVERYTHING was shut. There wasn’t even anywhere to get a coffee. It was so bleak.

I'd do this. 6 hours is madness.

Me and husband well be doing same , arriving at the airport and staying till 6:00 flight, long haul with transfer in Amsterdam . The hotel are not near or walking distance and they are super expensive , has anyone spent 9 hours at Bristol Airport ? Travel by train taxis cost a fortune

I did this when i was about 25

wouldnt do it now

How much does a 2 hour taxi cost 😮 ?
(Missing the point of the thread)

£190
no easy for people travelling from where I live

I would never ever book a flight this shit with kids let alone for my self

If you had a two hour journey and have to check in at say 4.30am, you would never sleep say between 10pm and 2am. Or you would fall asleep and be woken suddenly, or just be awake at home for fear of oversleeping and not sleep.

So I think for the flight they have opted for, it is not as strange as it sounds. Having said which, it would have to be the only flight to where I was going to each day before I considered it.

That sounds like madness. Surely you would at least go into Bristol and have a late dinner or go to the cinema or something first?