Take off another 15 minutes (1:15 p.m.). The kiosks are fake. Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten: St. Thomas (STT) Main Terminal: Airport Rd. Then theres likely no need for any extra time at the airport. We provide a WebI've been traveling to St. Thomas for quite sometime now and the arrival process overall has generally been very efficient. (Though do note that you cant always rely on PreCheck and similar services to be available at all airports, so dont bank on them to save you much-needed time in every instance.). So the real question is whether to go with the airportand TSA-recommended more generous arrival times or the airline times that cut it a little closer. Copyright 2023 Island Tidbits Powered by Customify. The address of STT is No. When it comes to international flights, the rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport about three hours ahead of take-off. It is not an efficiently run airport, and you will indeed need to clear U.S. Customs. Should we use the Ferry from Charlotte Amalie to West End. The regional airports where you have to walk out onto the tarmac to get onto the plane. Your email address will not be published. It does have that line, but you still have to wait in line to go through customs first with all your luggage (including checked bags), then wait in line to drop your luggage off at the TSA screening conveyor belt, then you get in line for Pre TSA. Are you driving yourself to the airport? There are, after all, a few things that could save you some time at the airport. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon Review, Photos, Video, Hong Kong Ends Face Mask Mandate, COVID Test Still Required, Guess the Luxury Resort: Views, Dining, Recreation, Being late may cause the cancellation of your reserved seats and/or your entire reservation., Updated: Top 10 Maldives Luxury Resort Offers 2023. Never mind the overpriced airport food, the tacky duty-free shops your local airport wants you to frequent, or the pat-down the TSA agents hope you'll endure. "Flying out of less familiar airports on return trips is a different story," he says. What music events are happening on St. Thomas and St. John? Additionally, you dont want to risk things and arrive even just 40 minutes ahead of take-off. WebAt the Airport 3 Hours Before Departure Minimum Check in 1 Hour Before Departure Minimum At Gate 45 Minutes Before Departure Exceptions for Minimum Check-in Times by Int'l Airport If you cannot find an airport in this chart, the Suggested Times at Intl Airports apply. It is 71 km (44 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Check yourself in at the kiosk, print your bag tag(s), put them on your bags themselves, and then see if you get in on the right side of the double doors into the lines for customs. That means leaving his home at 1 a.m. for a 5 a.m. flight gives him the security of knowing that he won't miss his flight. Want to start an argument? Aim for flights with take-offs either before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Before learning how early to get to the airport, check out our guide on How to Find and Book Cheap Flights. When youre traveling within the United States, we make the suggestion to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. Weve all been there before. If your flight gets delayed past 6:00PM remember that Customs closes at 6PM regardless. Drinks may be involved. You dont know if they know, or know and dont care, or if they are If you have time, take time out for some lunch at Tickles Dockside Pub or icy cold beers and delicious local food at Ashleys across the street from the terminal. With a record-breaking summer for air travel ahead, it's time to settle the airport arrival time question. If your destination requires specific travel documents, remember to bring a completed copy with you to the airport. Her favorite travel destinations include Chicago and New Orleans. Having said that, we leave on the ferry that is 3 hours before our flight. In addition to the Hibiscus Cafe (cafeteria style food court and bar) and the scattering of snack and beverage kiosks that have been around for ages, there is now a lovely little coffee shop and bakery, an extensive gift shop, a duty free shop with an expansive bar and free rum tasting and a ton of new seating! Best area to stay in St. Thomas. Read our 41 Carry-On Essentials for Flights. WebTheres no need to check in for Eurostar, just scan your ticket at the ticket gate. Wednesday Thursday: 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. , Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. Will the security lines be bad at that particular time of day? Though the median time is two hours before you fly, as revealed above, some airlines ask you to arrive at the airport a lot earlier or later than the airport guidelines. So how can you go about giving yourself the best chance at striking the perfect balance? It opened in June 1937 with much fanfare, including parades, an air show, and an aerial bombardment display by the 105th Aero Squadron, which was based at the field. Best and Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays, what ID and documents your child needs to fly, Tips to Reduce Air Travel Stress & Better Your Flying Experience. American Airlines Minimum Time When Checking Douglas Jensen, an information technology consultant from Natick, Massachusetts, is a top-level elite frequent flier with 45 years of air travel experience. None has succeeded. Arriving at the Airport for an International Flight, Other Things That Might Impact How Much Time You Need. However, its not at all uncommon to arrive at an airport for an international flight as much as four hours ahead of take-off. It was the longest customs line Ive ever seen (line went from customs, to baggage claim and wrapped back all the way down past American ticketing counters). And they do. The Virgin Island Taxicab Division sets the rates calculated upon a per person/destination criteria. You dont want to show up at the airport only to find out theres an international requirement that you arrive so far in advance of take-off. It may help to note the likely motives behind the advice. Most guests arrive on St Thomas landing at Cyril E. King airport on St Thomas. Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. You might just need a few minutes to look at a map and figure out where your gate is located. We have been 10 times and always leave earlier than later. In this case, the airports and the TSA are absolutely correct. Do you have TSA PreCheck or another similar VIP status provided by your airline loyalty program or credit card? WebThere are images of Nordic wintersyou know the ones, the snow-blanketed, Christmas card-like scenes that tourist boards would be proud of. Repeat We had many, many things go wrong on our departure flight, not the least of which was 34 passengers bumped and a 3 hour delay wherein everyone missed their connecting flights Best St. John secluded beach to visit during honeymoon week. Advertising - Additionally, over 10 percent of the air traffic is due to commercial planes along with a small percentage of military air traffic on the island. Have you invested in the CLEAR Expedited Airport Program? But if he flies out of his home airport, which he knows well, he sometimes arrives just 45 minutes before his departure. The agency does not like to be rushed with screenings, even if there's a long security line. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Then its a few more steps to TSA. If Know your airport inside and out? News of St. John Villa Rentals Has Launched. Over the course of the past few years, as the number of travelers at the Cyril E. King Airport continues to climb and random occurrences, such as the recent staffing issues at customs and regularly occurring technical difficulties, hold up the flow of traffic. Known by the initials, STT, Cyril Emmanuel King Airport serves the British Virgin Islands and neighboring St. John, transporting over a million passengers per year. If so, you may be able to skip some lines at the airport, saving yourself, in many cases, up to a good half an hour. Domestic Flight No Checked Luggage: Check in at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure, San Juan (SJU), No Checked Luggage: Check in at least 45 minutesbefore scheduled departure, Guam (GUM), No Checked Luggage:Check in at least 60 minutesbefore scheduled departure, UnitedAirlines Minimum Time When Checking Bags, 60 MinutesPrior to Scheduled Departure: Guam (GUM); San Juan (SJU); St. Thomas (STT), 45 MinutesPrior to Scheduled Departure: Anchorage (ANC);Atlanta (ATL); Austin (AUS); Baltimore (BWI); Chicago (ORD); Cincinnati (CVG); Cleveland (CLE); Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW); Dallas Love Field (DAL); Denver (DEN); Detroit (DTW); Fort Lauderdale (FLL); Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP); Honolulu (HNL); Houston (IAH); Jacksonville (JAX); Kona (KOA); Las Vegas (LAS); Los Angeles (LAX); Maui (OGG); Miami (MIA); Newark (EWR); Orange County (SNA); Orlando (MCO); Philadelphia (PHL); Phoenix (PHX); Pittsburgh (PIT); Reno (RNO); San Diego (SAN); San Franciso (SFO); Seattle (SEA); St. Louis (STL); Tampa (TPA); Washington Dulles (IAD); Washington DC (DCA). Additionally, if youre flying at any time around any holiday, be prepared for crowds (and the time needed to deal with them). But while also not giving yourself so much time that you grow bored and blah? Delta and American could go to the right side of the double doors, while every other airline had to wait in the left line that snaked out behind the bag check-in kiosks and out to the curb. Flightradar24 is the worlds most popular flight tracker. For boarding passes or to check bags: 90 minutes prior to departure, Cyril E. King Airport NeedAward BookingHelp? Checking a bag? ; friendliest personnel I've seen in any of the (state) airports. Recent statistics state that the airport supports close to 180 planes per day, with half being of the air taxi type. You dont want to make things more stressful on yourself by squeezing all of this into an hour. To speed up the process, you can use curbside check-in or self-service kiosks at most airports. more. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How to Get to St. John: The Best Airfare Tips & Tricks, BVI Update: Relaxed Entry Protocols and Mask Mandates, A Unique Lens: Crystal Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Maho Beach. If you miss your flight, you have a whole new set of problems. For the most time savings, opt to take a ride share service to the airport, so you can be immediately dropped where you need to go. An Online Blog About the Daily Happenings of St. John, USVI. All other (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? United advises passengers to be at the airport at least 2 hours before scheduled departure for international flights, at least 90 minutes before scheduled departure for domestic flights if you're checking luggage, and at least 60 minutes before departure for domestic flights if you have no checked baggage. For most airports, you must be checked Then you wont need as much time at the airport. AA year-round mandates passengers And during busy holiday periods or special events, the airport may recommend adding even more time. NORMALY mid week departures are not to bad. But you never know if there is a computer problem or a charter flight or any of a hundred other problem Thank you. Parking at an off-site lot? But what very few tell you is that before the snow, ice and subzero temperatures arrive, there is a sustained period of early winter when this region makes the UK look bright, dry and cheery Sometimes you need it. "I always allow two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights," he says. Site may not meet accessibility guidelines. We normally shoot for 3-4 hours early rather than roll the dice on what the customs line will be like. The TSA advises arriving at the airport two hours before your flight for domestic travel and three hours before for international travel. If youre traveling during peak times like early morning or evening, or during holidays and other events, please plan accordingly and allow for extra time. St. Thomas (STT) With or Without Checked Luggage: Check in at least 3 hours before scheduled departure. WebThe first flights out in the morning are nowhere near as busy as those in the afternoon, and weekdays are less busy than weekends but the general recommendation right now is to be at the airport 3 hours before scheduled flight time. As mentioned, there are a lot of factors that will influence how early you need to arrive at the airport, whether youre flying domestic or internationally. Youll be assigned a taxi, along with 6 to 8 other travelers! Our resort is telling us to arrive at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Flights depart from BWI Airport, AMC Terminal and arrive at RamsteinAir Base, Germany. If you are traveling on a Saturday, I would arrive as close to three hours as possible, especially if you are checking a bag. a record-breaking summer for air travel ahead, Here's a refresher on those basic economy plane tickets, hours before your flight; be in line at the airport security checkpoint two hours before your flight, be at the airport three hours before flight time for international departures and two hours for domestic flights, minimum check-in times range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, Which is the best airline in the US? Visitors Starting 2024, Rocco Forte Knights Preferred Partner Benefits 2023, Maximize AMEX Offers: Celebrity Cruises, Hyatt Canada, Review: St Regis Maldives Vommuli Dining and Restaurants, Four Seasons Maui, Four Seasons Hualalai: Guaranteed Upgrade, Maldives Fast Track (CIP) Service and Lounge Review, Relais & Chateaux Preferred Hotel Benefits 2023, Domestic vs. international flights: you'll need to check-in and check luggage earlier for international flights than for domestic, Certain airports require more time before departure for check-in and luggage drop-off. Have a child? Yes, its a tedious process. Here are our top tips for arriving at the airport right on time. Not checking a bag? There is considerable general aviation types of aircraft associated with this airport due to Ace Flight Center, an aviation school. 1) When should I get to the airport? So, if your flight takes off at 3 p.m. and your airline requires everyone to be boarded at least 15 minutes ahead of time, youre looking at 2:45 p.m. Are you checking baggage and will the airport be busy during this time of day/day of the week? The passenger terminal moved to the above location, Do not go to airport at 8PM for your 11PM delayed flight like we did. If any of these factors apply to you, youll want to tack on some extra time or even potentially subtract some time from your schedule. Most music is crap. Archive - North Shore: 45 minutes to an hour. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. One strange thing about the STT airport is you don't check your bag at the initial check in counter. If, though, youre parking directly at the airport and your airport has a conveniently connected garage, you might only need an extra 15 minutes or so. Our recommended arrival times are meant to allow plenty of time to check in (with or without bags) and clear security before scheduled departure. Tell us about your experience. Joe Reimers, a sales engineer from South Bend, Indiana, describes himself as a "conservative" traveler, especially when he's checking a bag. The notice was instigated by a technical difficulty occurring on Sunday with one of the TSA screening machines. Contact Us - Her work appears in publications ranging from Global Traveler to Golf Magazine, Mashed to Forbes, and Bloomberg. Click OK to log in and restart your reservation.Click Cancel to continue with your reservation without logging in. How to enable JavaScript. That's where things get interesting, and that's where the "depends" really becomes apparent. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Subtract another 15 minutes, if the airport will be busy (2 p.m.). Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Jones-Dengler Marketing, LLC via The Vacationer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thanks again for this very useful information. Is this accurate? Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Is four wheel drive needed in St. Thomas and should I buy the extra insurance? As everyone takes turns at the boarding pass kiosks or stops to take commemorative selfies of your girls trip, youre wasting precious time. You must be checked in at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure and be at the gate at least 15 minutes before scheduled departure. The forcast is for rain every day. Jared Celosse We departed yesterday (Sunday) at 12:30. We arrived 3 hours early and we literally made it to the gate in 15 minutes. We were the only people going All waiting for the a/c to come on! Onliest - Laser Beam (Low Cover) 49. In other words, larger airports just take more time, even if you do know exactly where youre going. Thanks! And, yes, you ready that rightFree Rum! St. Thomas Tourism St. Thomas Hotels St. Thomas Bed and Breakfast St. Thomas Vacation Rentals St. Thomas Vacation Packages Flights to St. Thomas St. Thomas Restaurants Things to Do in St. Thomas St. Thomas Travel Forum St. Thomas Photos St. Thomas Map St. Thomas Travel Guide All St. Thomas Hotels; St. Thomas You can use curbside check-in if you have an electronic ticket (can scan it from your phone). The day before your flight, you start calculating the hours in your head. No, this isn't a frivolous, first-world problem. But I tried several of them in different locations last Wednesday and they all worked just fine. Helpful Items to Bring on a St. John Vacation, Cruise Ship Visits to St. John & St. Thomas. WebFrom Cruz Bay, St. John to Crown Bay, St. Thomas the ferry ride takes about 35 minutes; and arrives at Crown Bay Marina. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Privacy Statement - During the 1990s, the expansion of Hongqiao Airport to meet growing demand became impossible as the surrounding urban area was developing significantly, and an alternative to assume Intersting Places to Visit: Catherineberg. If you find yourself frequently running late for flights, you want to check into what clearances like these can do for you. Does STT airport have TSA Pre lines? No boarding pass and need to print one at the kiosk? Local Personal Drivers Ask our local personal drivers the best dining options for local dishes, like the Kallabo. This location does not accept cash or checks. The simple answer is: Two hours for domestic flights, three hours for international flights. Whether youre flying domestically or internationally. Word. We always do it if the lines are long. But if you want to know the minimum time needed to check-in, with and without luggage, fortunately many airlines do provide these details. And in order to get through island time successfully is to plan ahead for it and give yourself that window to work with. As of April 2022, please have your mask on when However, if you want an SUV, plan to spend anywhere from $150-$230/day. Updated: Europe Will Require ETIAS Approval for U.S. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-108796666', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight was at 5:45pm. What airports offer direct flights to St Thomas? The $20 you pay for a porter on your way home will be the best money you will spend in the USVI. How early will you need to wake up to make that early-morning flight (or even a mid-morning flight)? Two popular companies are St. Thomas & St. John Tour Company and Islander Taxi Service Inc. Dolphin Water Taxi and St. Thomas Water Taxi offers island-hopping service to various locations like St. John, Crown Bay, Peter Island and Copper Island among others including Exclusive Luxury Transportation. We must recognise the distinction between truth and knowledge and the distinction between truth and falsity argues Timothy Williamson. They take you to the front of the check in line, get your boarding passes and take you to the front of the customs lines, then check your bag if you have one. Airlines, on the other hand, don't want you milling around the boarding area for too long. Have your taxi driver find you one, or just call out "porter". St. Thomas Airport- New Updates and Early Arrivals. Marriott Frenchman's Reef All Inclusive vs Non, Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, A Marriott Vacation Club Resort, The Westin Beach Resort & Spa, at Frenchman's Reef. These timings are just for guidance and can sometimes change. Were US citizens, not checking bags, already have boarding passes. St. Thomas,Busiest Caribbean Airport Originally named Harry S. Truman Airport, and then becoming the Cyril Emmanuel King Airport (1984), this east Caribbean airport has been relocated 2 m/3 km west of the business region of Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands since 1990. If yes to both, subtract another 30 minutes (2:15 p.m.). January 13, 2021: Friends trying to travel to Switzerland for a ski holiday are stopped at St Pancras. This is very impressive statistic considering it has only one main runway and 11 gates at the terminal. Additionally, either print your boarding pass at home or download a mobile boarding pass. (I forgot what it was, I think it was asking about purchases.) Most frequent travelers know that the rule of thumb for a domestic flight is two hours. The city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada river. Head past the nice dancers greeting you towards the baggage claim, this is a great opportunity for you to get a free shot of Cruzan Rum (produced in St. in 2 reviews, Everyone needs to get off their high horse, why not work a little hard burn a few calories than complain and not have everything handed to you on a gold platter! in 2 reviews, Great little airport; friendliest personnel I've seen in any of the (state) airports. in 3 reviews, 70 Lindbergh Bay St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00803.