Heathrow terminal 3 - how early should i arrive b4 flight?

[exgtt]

Hi just a quick question re above - my flight departs @ 2115pm from terminal 3, and my coach arrives at heathrow @ 18.15pm obviously giving me 3hrs from arrival @ airport to departure. Flying to Bangkok.

Is this enough do you reakon or should i change the coach time?


Many thanks!

[boobles]

I assume you have allowed for traffic delays etc? If not, get an earlier coach if you can.

[exgtt]

Ah nice one, i'll book an hour earlyer then - should give me 2 hrs traffic delay time and 2 hrs at the airport before the flight.

[willmcc]

can you check in on line? if so do, it will spare you the queues and give you a bit of time

[Mutley]

I dropped my family off there last year for their trip the the US, and after check in, it took them an hour to get through security.

I would suggest getting checked in asap and then getting through, at least that way you'll be air-side and you can relax, grab a beer etc

[BigAlinEmbra]

Mutley said:

I dropped my family off there last year for their trip the the US, and after check in, it took them an hour to get through security.

I would suggest getting checked in asap and then getting through, at least that way you'll be air-side and you can relax, grab a beer etc

Spot on advice. I prefer to err on the side of getting there early.
You normally pass through quicker as the queues haven't built up if you're not bang on the deadlines, but better to kill time once through security than running up to the metal detector all sweaty because you're late.

[rsv gone!]

You can normally book in online 24 hours before departure on most of the airlines to Bangkok. I have on BA and EVA and have arrived an hour or so before departure.

You'll be fine with your current timings.

[Nobby Diesel]

exgtt said:

Hi just a quick question re above - my flight departs @ 2115pm from terminal 3, and my coach arrives at heathrow @ 18.15pm obviously giving me 3hrs from arrival @ airport to departure. Flying to Bangkok.

Is this enough do you reakon or should i change the coach time?


Many thanks!

Presumably, you are flying Thai, or even EVA?
If so, both are reasonably good at processing check in.
Time to clear security can vary massively, depending on day of the week.
3 hours would be ample, once you are at the airport, but do allow for those pesky traffic delays.

[Targarama]

Depends when you're going, and if you are dragging a family/baggage. Weekends are often manic at T3 with all the long-haul travellers. I'd be most worried about that coach actually arriving on time.

I'm flying 'alone' out of T3 at 13:45 on Saturday, I will do an online check-in, bag drop, so plan to arrive at 11:30-11:45. Gives me time for a delay at security, and to buy some snacks airside.

[phumy]

I fly from T3 to Bangkok on a very regular basis and never have to queue longer than 15 mins to check in, thats with Thai air. I see you fly at 21:15 so thats not Thai as they leave at 21:30. I would definitely allow stoppage time on way there as the M25 gets snarled up regularly

[exgtt]

Thanks for all the advice guys, have actually booked the coach to set off @ 9am! Should get to the airport around 3, probably massive overkill, but the beer at the airport and wait for the flight appeals much more than sat in traffic stressing about my tight deadline.


I'm flying with EVA, looks a pretty good airline food asides, managed to get a direct flight to Bangkok for under £580. Try gettin the same with BA and your talking thousands!

Just got some Tamazepam off the doc, and a couple of whiskys on the flight should see me right!

[rsv gone!]

EVA is my airline of choice for that journey (Economy). Better seat pitch than BA etc. Food isn't up to much though - not that I ever eat it.

[Nobby Diesel]

exgtt said:

Thanks for all the advice guys, have actually booked the coach to set off @ 9am! Should get to the airport around 3, probably massive overkill, but the beer at the airport and wait for the flight appeals much more than sat in traffic stressing about my tight deadline.


I'm flying with EVA, looks a pretty good airline food asides, managed to get a direct flight to Bangkok for under £580. Try gettin the same with BA and your talking thousands!

Just got some Tamazepam off the doc, and a couple of whiskys on the flight should see me right!

I will always use EVA over BA/QF or TG.
You're right about the food - it can be ......interesting.
The little touch of giving out pot noodle equivalents, as a late night snack to anyone who asks is great - especially when trying to eat it with chopsticks. I kid not.
If you want to enjoy alcoholic drinks in flight, they can be a little backwards in coming forwards.
If you can get into Prem Ec, it's a pretty good seat. Not much more money usually. The bed in Business is flat, but not horizontal. It's an angled flat bed which some find tricky to sleep on; you tend to slip down it. Make use of the memory foam pillow behind the knees (as indicated in the info) and this will stop you sliding down. Good AVOD in Prem and Business.
Sign up for the Miles card too, if you're going to make the trip a few times.
I signed up after 5 years of travelling with them and they were good enough to credit the miles over the preceeding 5 years.
On your return to the UK, don't bother getting to check in too early - it opens at 10.00 AM.

[exgtt]

Ah nice one, I'll be flying economy, looked into Premium economy and it's over my budget, spending 2 months in Thailand and the extra £200 odd sure buys alot of hostels and food! Thanks for the 10am info - will take full advantage of this.

[rsv gone!]

Where are you headed in Bangkok? There is a new train which runs from the basement of the airport into the centre and it is only about 20 baht (40p). It doesn't go as far as Khao San Road, if that's where you're headed, but you can get a taxi at the far station.

[exgtt]

Am only in Bangkok for 2 days, The hotel I'm staying at is close to the airport, then flying to Phuket with air Asia. Spending the majority of my time in rawai at the muai Thai camp and arseing about around patong. Sooo tempted to hire an R1, despite everone telling me hireing an uninsured r1 in the rainy season in Phuket with a travel policy that excludes over 125's is madness. Will post some pictures of the carnage if I'm able to!

[Nobby Diesel]

exgtt said:

Am only in Bangkok for 2 days, The hotel I'm staying at is close to the airport, then flying to Phuket with air Asia. Spending the majority of my time in rawai at the muai Thai camp and arseing about around patong. Sooo tempted to hire an R1, despite everone telling me hireing an uninsured r1 in the rainy season in Phuket with a travel policy that excludes over 125's is madness. Will post some pictures of the carnage if I'm able to!

Well, bikes are good fun in Phuket. Some of the roads are pretty good, but they get awful slippery in the rain. Take care.
I hired a 'Blade there just after they were released....it was a fantastic few days. Not sure that I would do it now, being older and apparently wiser.
On balance, go for it. Take good high res pictures all over the bike before you rent, as the rental guys like to stiff you for damage. You need to prove the condition of the bike before you hired. Also, give them copies of your passport, not the original.

[rsv gone!]

Seriously, don't hire an R1 there. The roads are crappy and much better suited to little 125cc bikes. That's what I always hire over there (and I have an R1). They are fun to explore some of the tracks into the interiors of the islands.

Take pics of the bike before you ride away.