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Post by kristengingera on Apr 25, 2007 10:32:17 GMT -5
Okay, since I haven't taken a plane since I was like 10 years old, I was just wondering if someone could help me on the amount of time it takes in an airport. Say my plane leaves London at 10 am and arrives in Dublin at 11:15 am. What I'm wondering is how much sightseeing time I loose between the transport to and from the airport, plus checking in, customs etc? Thanks for any help! I'm a type A personality so knowing these things will relieve my stress and panick!  |
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Post by Eagle on Apr 25, 2007 13:44:37 GMT -5
kristingingera, it's very difficult to provide an estimate on the travel time to & from airports, as this will vary somewhat in each case. Travel to outlying airports such as Stanstead or Luton will probably be longer than Gatwick or Heathrow, as the transportation connections will be less frequent (and perhaps slower?) and the airports are located farther from the city centre. The mode of transportation will also have a bearing (ie: Rail, Taxi or Coach).
Also, checking-in, clearing Customs, etc. will vary depending on the airport, the time-of-day, how busy it is at a particular time, etc. You should be able to get an approximation from the regulars here, but each airport will be different (which airports are you using???). If you're a "Type A personality", it would probably be prudent to structure your trip with adequate time alloted for travel, so that you don't have to worry too much about losing "sightseeing time".
Happy travels!!!
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Post by MuvverRussia on Apr 25, 2007 13:48:02 GMT -5
Ok. First of all what airport are you flying from? It makes a massive difference. From central London in order of travel time they are (nearest) London City, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Stansted, Luton (furthest). Basically for City allow 1hr travelling time to the airport, for LHR allow 2 hrs (tube) or 1hr10 (Heathrow express) etc.
Personally, I like to allow about 90 min - 2hrs to check in and relax in the airport for a bit. That also allows you a bit of a time buffer in case you're running late too.
To put this into context, if I was flying out of LHR at 10am, I'd leave home at about 6:30-6:45 if taking the Heathrow express. Always remember that being early is far, far less hassle than being late and either rushing or potentially missing your flight.
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Post by kristengingera on Apr 27, 2007 10:19:30 GMT -5
I will be flying out of either Heathrow or Gatwick (with Ryanair) into Dublin Airport. But I was also wondering in general...
So between 90 min-2 hrs for checking in before the flight, plus travel time to the airport, right? Aprox. how long does it take to get out of the airport when you're landing?
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Post by WillTravel on Apr 27, 2007 14:14:05 GMT -5
My worst-case scenario - I had to wait for 85 minutes on the ground at Heathrow, because we didn't have a gate. The immigration and luggage and walking out of the airport part will usually take about 30-45 minutes at Heathrow, apart from that.
At Gatwick, I once went through in about 10 minutes - late at night. Expect more like 1/2 hour normally, unless there's the issue of not getting a gate.
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Post by herrbert on Apr 27, 2007 18:33:30 GMT -5
I will be flying out of either Heathrow or Gatwick (with Ryanair) into Dublin Airport. But I was also wondering in general... I think it safe to presume it will be Gatwick, as Ryanair is not using Heathrow at all. But for flights to Dublin, they also use Luton and Stansted. (so double check). Not to worry you, but Ryanair at Stansted (at least), has only a few counters, if you compare it to how much flights they have to handle. So be sure, to show up in time, and have time to stand in line for a while. |
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 30, 2007 2:42:16 GMT -5
Ryanair has flights from Gatwick, not Heathrow, to Dublin. And as herrbert mentioned, also from Luton and Stansted, but I'd stick with Gatwick as it's easier (and quicker) to get to from central London than the other two (see Muvver's info).
You could try Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com ) if you don't fancy Ryanair. They fly LHR (London Heathrow) to Dublin Even British Airways has the odd cheap flight London-Dublin (from Gatwick).
If your flight leaves at 10am, you should aim to be at the airport no later than 8.30am, which means tackling peak-hour traffic (roads and trains/Tube) so as the others have recommended, leave central London around 7-7.30 and you won't have to stress about making it on time. Plus there's a Krispy Kreme in Victoria Station (where the Gatwick Express train leaves from ) if you don't make breakfast! ;D
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Post by me on Nov 15, 2007 18:27:37 GMT -5
how much sightseeing time I loose between the transport to and from the airport, plus checking in, customs etc? sorry to be so late getting into this. would there even be customs/immigration for a flight between London & Dublin? i thought there is a customs/immigration union between Ireland & UK? - d  |
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Post by madamtrashheap on Nov 15, 2007 21:08:55 GMT -5
Yep, there is David. Many years ago it used to be a little more lax (driver's license from UK was OK if you forgot your passport!), but now is also subject to the same checks as everywhere else.
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Post by Eagle on Nov 16, 2007 0:15:27 GMT -5
David, just to add to MTH's comments, I'd can confirm that there are indeed Customs checks in Dublin for travellers arriving from the U.K. On my recent trip I flew from Bristol to Dublin, and had to go through Passport control in Dublin and answer the usual questions. I also gained another stamp in my Passport!
I'm assuming that even U.K. or E.U. Passport holders would also be required to go through Customs. Many airports that I've used seem to have separate lines for E.U. Passport holders than for "others".
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Post by me on Nov 16, 2007 0:59:25 GMT -5
odd. never been to the emerald isle myself, but i read somewhere that the reason Ireland isn't taking part in Schengen agreement is due to a "customs union" between UK & Ireland.
ah, now i remember! it was, in fact, a Wikipedia article:
"The United Kingdom and Ireland are the only two EU members to not have signed the Schengen Agreement: both have an opt-out from the agreement. The two countries share a Common Travel Area with no border controls. Ireland is thus unable to join the agreement without dissolving this agreement with the UK, and thus incurring border controls at its land border with Northern Ireland. "
shoulda know better! Wikipedia info is to be taken with a BIG caveat: it might not be true!
- d
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Post by MuvverRussia on Nov 16, 2007 6:21:21 GMT -5
The UK/Ireland agreement definitely still stands. All you need is photo ID to travel between the two countries, so either a passport or a (UK/Ireland) photo driving licence, at least for now. Check out news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7059580.stm |
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Post by me on Nov 16, 2007 14:01:41 GMT -5
getting back to the subject at hand - if there're no border controls between Ireland & UK, as i suggested above, why would an air passenger flying from London to Dublin go through customs/immigration at all?
am i missing something here?
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Post by MuvverRussia on Nov 16, 2007 14:44:48 GMT -5
David - they don't normally. People may be getting confused with customs/immigration and security? All flights to Ireland from LHR go from the UK/Ireland departure lounge (in Terminal 1), meaning that passengers don't go airside. There's a separate area for their flights once they've landed too.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Nov 18, 2007 23:16:42 GMT -5
Soz, that's probably me not being specific enough - thanks for the clarification Muvver. I don't have a UK driver's licence so always show my passport (along with most others), but yes, it's a seperate security area at LHR, Gatwick, Edinburgh, et al, rather than a true Immigration area.
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