I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Then its a few more steps to TSA. We were all checked in and still had to wait in a long line just to get some kind of dumb form. A very disorganized airport. The Future of Caneel Bay Resort is Down to Two Options All or Nothing. Most music is crap. St. Thomas (STT) With or Without Checked Luggage: Check in at least 3 hours before scheduled departure. Large airports are an entirely different beast altogether. If yes to both, subtract another 30 minutes (2:15 p.m.). No, this isn't a frivolous, first-world problem. St. Thomas, Busiest Caribbean Airport. Yes, its a tedious process. As soon as we getting better seat information, either express or implied. We usually have them from a previous trip, but you could try the customs office on St John near the National Park Building. Weve all been there before. 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. I know you all have received this little memo and are not a huge fan of this suggested wait period at the airport. As everyone takes turns at the boarding pass kiosks or stops to take commemorative selfies of your girls trip, youre wasting precious time. WebI've been traveling to St. Thomas for quite sometime now and the arrival process overall has generally been very efficient. June 21, 2022 by Hillary Bonner. When do you normally arrive at the airport for domestic and international flights? If you do not have a travel rewards credit card, our highest recommendation is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. You can also use the CardMatch Tool (Read More: Learn How to Use CardMatch) to see what cards and offers you may already be prequalified for. Both are scenic. 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). Makes the day a joy, not a grind. 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). 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. Book our taxicab drivers to take you to the stores with the best bargains. Perspective, people. However, this time may be too much or not enough depending on even more factors. 00802, Airport website opens external site in a new window. As of April 2022, please have your mask on when Whether youre flying domestically or internationally. Onliest - Laser Beam (Low Cover) 49. We have been 10 times and always leave earlier than later. Koolina Resort: 35-45 minutes. Private Sedan In Saint Thomas, nightlife never seems to end, you are going to need a safe ground transportation and a very fancy one to take you for some drinks to Agave Terrace. WebAirport Info . According to Massport records, the first aircraft to use the new airstrip was a Continental Express ERJ-145 regional jet landing on Runway 32, on the morning of December 2, 2006.. From there, its a few more steps to your gate. Read our 41 Carry-On Essentials for Flights. I agree about filling out the Customs form even before you get to the airport. And during busy holiday periods or special events, the airport may recommend adding even more time. Why are you even here? The ferry takes approximately 20 minutes to cross over to Cruz Bay, St John. Jared Celosse If you are flying American and checking bags, you probably dont need to wait in line for an agent. [7] Beatrice Murch, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Check-in for your flight ahead of time, online. Her favorite travel destinations include Chicago and New Orleans. Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. Arriving at the Airport for an International Flight, Other Things That Might Impact How Much Time You Need. Lissner explains that while experienced travelers may find they need less time, the two hours give those who dont travel as frequently a chance to have a less rushed and stressful travel experience. more. With a record-breaking summer for air travel ahead, it's time to settle the airport arrival time question. Tips: No Checked Bags for a Month of Travel. Transportation from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda, then to St. John. Make the wrong calculation and youll end up missing your flight. You dont want to miss a trip, especially one that will take you to another country. (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.). 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. If your destination requires specific travel documents, remember to bring a completed copy with you to the airport. You dont want to make things more stressful on yourself by squeezing all of this into an hour. We are arriving sunday and plan to take the crown bay ferry, do you have to buy tickets in advance? All waiting for the a/c to come on! We know, we know. Dan Walker reveals how watching his Strictly Come Dancing routines helped his recovery from horror bike crash in Channel 5 News star's first TV interview since smash Thank you. Sunday Tuesday, Friday Saturday: 7 a.m. 4:30 p.m. You don't want to go there. If youre driving to the airport during rush hour or as everyone is going to or from work, youll need to account for that. Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten: St. Thomas (STT) Main Terminal: Airport Rd. I know, I knowWe have talked about this before! Good Luck! And forget the seasonal lull, which will probably be over by the time you're finished with this article. Plan accordingly. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. 1) When should I get to the airport? You can check-in online or from the app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before departure (90 for international). "At very large airports, I may go even longer," he adds. Were US citizens, not checking bags, already have boarding passes. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Many philosophers, such as Isabelle Thomas-Fogiel, claim to have refuted realism. For instance, American Airlines advises passengers to be at the airport three hours before flight time for international departures and two hours for domestic flights. Fantastic advice! Yet other experienced travelers say their lead time is always the same. WebThere are images of Nordic wintersyou know the ones, the snow-blanketed, Christmas card-like scenes that tourist boards would be proud of. Do note, though, again, that this is only feasible at a very small airport. On Sunday afternoon the VI Port Authority released a reminder to travelers that they should arrive 2.5 to 3 hours prior to their scheduled departure time. I also want to not glaze over this incredible duty free shop! 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. It may help to note the likely motives behind the advice. But if he flies out of his home airport, which he knows well, he sometimes arrives just 45 minutes before his departure. Thanks again for this very useful information. Thomas Pradier - Somewhere (West Side Story cover) 45. Helping them go through security, taking unanticipated bathroom breaks as needed it adds up to extra minutes you may not have. If theres no line, you can get this done in as little as five minutes, easy. (I forgot what it was, I think it was asking about purchases.) For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. Main Terminal So how can you appropriately calculate how much time you need at the airport? Granted, you will still have waiting time, but at least it is not spent waiting in lines. St John's and a possibly a second island? One way to "speed" up the process a bit is to engage one of the porters who are there to help with luggage, etc. Airports want you to take advantage of their incredible shopping and dining facilities, which you can't do if you're rushing to the gate. Check if your destination has travel restrictions. 2022 The Vacationer. Then you wont need as much time at the airport. WebAnswer 1 of 4: We are a couple who are going to arrive 8 Feb in STT and going to Tortola Cane Garden Bay for the first night. You might just need a few minutes to look at a map and figure out where your gate is located. But while also not giving yourself so much time that you grow bored and blah? If youre traveling on a traditionally slow day of the week or time of day, you may be able to arrive at the airport a little closer to your take-off time than you might otherwise. If you have luggage to check, you may have to check in earlier, and there is a list of airports that are exceptions to the rule. We have been coming for 29 years, The last ten we have rented from Amalie on STT. Additionally, you dont want to risk things and arrive even just 40 minutes ahead of take-off. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-108779032', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airlines mandate 2 hours and the same 90 minutes. Dont have TSA PreCheck or another status that allows you to breeze through security? WebOur recommended arrival times are meant to allow plenty of time to check in (with or without bags) and clear security before scheduled departure. You can't check bags more than 4 hours before departure when flying from: , Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. But do you want to risk it? WebTheres no need to check in for Eurostar, just scan your ticket at the ticket gate. Youll want to factor in the time that it takes for you to park at the airport, pay for your parking (if youre pre-paying) and then walk or take a shuttle from the lot to the airport entrance. How to enable JavaScript. But this is only a viable option if youre traveling alone or with one or two other capable adults (kids always make the airport process take longer), as well as if youre traveling out of a small airport that youre very familiar with. Before you just take a random guess at how early or late you should arrive at the airport, consider every element that could impact your experience. I was grateful to be ahead of the rush at TSA and chilling with my dear friend as we waited together for our flights for two hours. Exceptions Minimum Check-In Times by Airport AIRPORT DOMESTIC W/OUT CHECKED BAGS ON INTL-BOUND FLIGHT Allentown, PA (ABE) 45 minutes 1 hour Atlanta, GA (ATL) 30 minutes 1 hour Aspen, CO (ASE) 45 minutes 1 hour Baltimore, MD (BWI) 30 minutes 1 hour 34 more rows New Webcam Offers Great New Island Views! Depends on the class, What airlines owe you when flights are canceled, delayed, That would be Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. WebYou may think you should arrive early as the airport will be busy, but this actually makes the airport even busier, as there are more people in the terminal for a longer period of time. This is very impressive statistic considering it has only one main runway and 11 gates at the terminal. It is not an efficiently run airport, and you will indeed need to clear U.S. Customs. Of course, this is a calculation for a traveler whos traveling with the most headaches possible and who is completely unprepared. News of St. John Villa Rentals Has Launched. Other airlines require you to be on the plane 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. I'd arrive at STT at least two hours before departure, even if you're planning to use the self-serve kiosks, and maybe even farther in advance if you need to wait in line. Required fields are marked *. Read our Tips to Reduce Air Travel Stress & Better Your Flying Experience. St. Thomas Roundtrip Transfer is an available pre-booked service that offers relaxed and capable transportation to your destination. Wednesday Thursday: 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. , Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines. Likewise, if youre traveling in a group of adults, you may need extra time, too. Updated: How Long to Renew a US Passport in 2023? 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. This ruling has been in effect for a few years. Remember technically, if you arrive at the airport at 3 p.m. for a 3:45 p.m. flight, you dont have 45 minutes. 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. 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. About the porters. And they do. Other times, you simply go hangout in the new bar that opened up last year. St Somewhere on Picara Point is 20 minute drive by car from the airport and boasts a 5-star rating. Also, dont forget to leverage your airline credit card to save even more money when you travel. Also, they factor in the time it takes to find parking. If you cannot find an airport in this chart, the Suggested Times at U.S. Airports apply. (1) We recommend customers arrive for international departures at least 90-120 minutes prior to departure. It Your email address will not be published. Go ahead and take off another 30 minutes (12:45 p.m.). Oh, and as we finished up at the cafe, we had some time to check out some of the new updates to the airport that make the extra wait time not nearly as bad. If youre not checking any baggage, this eliminates any need to talk to anyone when you first arrive at the airport. Having said that, we leave on the ferry that is 3 hours before our flight. I would do 2 hours for sure if this week - crazy busy time of year for departures and you may get backed up in Customs and again at TSA. . So, the bottom line here is, the wait inside the airport isnt that horrible. 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. If youre flying with small children, out of a large airport, with baggage, just go ahead and be safe and give yourself that two hours. Conversely, as someone whos arrived two hours ahead of take-off for an international flight and found themselves panicked and arriving at the boarding gate just on time, its not recommended. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Check our our Best and Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays guide. The top factor that will impact how early you should arrive at the airport? ), "The two-hour recommendation is fairly standard across the industry," says Heather Lissner, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport spokesperson. Almost immediately as I got comfy in the corner of the bar, I felt the airport filling up. There are, after all, a few things that could save you some time at the airport. STJ Restaurant Owner Heads to Turkey to Help with Earthquake Efforts. The minimum times for check-in and baggage check have changed for St. Thomas (STT): We ARE on island time here folks. Has anyone flown recently and is 4 hours accurate? Link opens in new window. There is considerable general aviation types of aircraft associated with this airport due to Ace Flight Center, an aviation school. This ruling has been in effect for a few years. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. An insiders guide of the luxury yet laid back island of Barbados. Forums. Could you get from the entrance to your gate blindfolded? If, for example, youre parking at one of the many off-site lots near Newark, youll want to add at least 30 minutes to your timeline, to park and then shuttle over to the airport. When we left a couple of weeks ago, they had the line into customs divided by airline, though there were no signs or indication that they were doing this until you got close to the doors. # 5: Arrive in St. Thomas Helpful Items to Bring on a St. John Vacation, Cruise Ship Visits to St. John & St. Thomas. time to airport is minimum 30 mins & could easily run an hour or more depending on time of day/traffic. Dont wait in lines that you dont have to wait in! How early should you arrive at the airport? Perspective. A Daily St. John Blog & Island Tours By Jenn Manes. Airport: Cyril E. King Airport Airport Code: STT Telephone: (340) 774-5100 Fax: (340) 774-5594 Website: www.viport.com Email: jnazario@viport.com Address: STT is located just outside Charlotte Amelie Airlines: St. Thomas flights come from all across the U.S. and many Caribbean islands. Carnival Cruise Lines; Cruise Critic Community. Youll be assigned a taxi, along with 6 to 8 other travelers! Best area to stay in St. Thomas. How "standard" is this advice? The airlines dont tell you this, unfortunately. Theres no excuse not to. Hotels near STT Many accommodations within a five-mile radius of the airport can be found that run in the 3-4 star range with Marriott Frenchmans Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort rating as a strong 4-star hotel. The extra hour gives you enough time to go through the lengthier check-in process, as well as immigration and passport control if needed. My entire family will be on St John for Christmas. But these guidelines don't take into account the fact that you're dealing with people some with mobility problems, others who are nervous and would arrive a day before their flight if they could. Local Personal Drivers Ask our local personal drivers the best dining options for local dishes, like the Kallabo. 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. Croix (STX) Main Terminal: Christansted St. Croix 00820, USVI: St. Kitts (SKB) Main Terminal: Basseterre St. Kitts & Nevis: St. Maarten (SXM) Main Terminal: Airport Rd. Typically, you just walk a few steps from the door to the check-in counter. WebFrom Cruz Bay, St. John to Crown Bay, St. Thomas the ferry ride takes about 35 minutes; and arrives at Crown Bay Marina. Just flew back yesterday. Then youre on the plane. If In other words, larger airports just take more time, even if you do know exactly where youre going. Youre both competent adults and know what youre doing. Get highlights of the most important news delivered to your email inbox. Click OK to log in and restart your reservation.Click Cancel to continue with your reservation without logging in. 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. You can find deals from $80 if you book far enough in advance. Have your taxi driver find you one, or just call out "porter". When youre traveling within the United States, we make the suggestion to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. One strange thing about the STT airport is you don't check your bag at the initial check in counter. No boarding pass and need to print one at the kiosk? The regional airports where you have to walk out onto the tarmac to get onto the plane. So, now if we could just get those arrival Cruzan samplers back, we will be in good shape both coming and going. They had a great selection of drinks including St. John Brewers beers and Love City Seltzers. We recommend you arrive at the airport 3 hours before your scheduled departure, especially if youre checking bags. You have to drag it all the way through the customs line, then check it, then go through security. The city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada river. WebThe minimum times for check-in and baggage check have changed for St. Thomas (STT): For check-in: 180 minutes (3 hours) prior to departure For boarding passes or to check The $20 you pay for a porter on your way home will be the best money you will spend in the USVI. The 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 r If there is a line, you could find yourself waiting up to half an hour or longer, depending on crowds. How do you allow for enough time to go through all the airport checks and balances without feeling rushed and harried? Our resort is telling us to arrive at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. All of the above included, youd need to arrive at the airport around 12:30 p.m., or two and a half hours before your flight departs. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Traveling Saturday morning, mid February. 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. info), is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea.