How Early to Get to PHL for 7:40 am Sat Flight?

[PSUGuy]

The title says it all, we've got a 7:40 am flight on Sat, 3/3. I'm torn between driving down the night before and doing a sleep 'n fly or driving down in time to drop the car at Winner in the am. How early we 'really' have to be at PHL may decide the issue. We've flown out of there numerous times but we allways follow the 2 hr rule and end up with time on our hands at the gate. On the other hand I hate feeling rushed and my only travel nightmare is missing a flight. Any advice from true PHL vets would be very appreciated.

Bill From PA

 

[mb187143]

if we're flying US Air, we always stick to the 2 hour rule, because the terminal (B/C) has a smaller screening area. When we fly southwest, we usually will get there somewhere between 1.5 and 2 hours, since the screening for D/E is so much larger, we find we fly right through security most days. Like you, i'd rather not be rushed, but i don't like to sit at the gate for an hour either. So i base my timing off of which airline i'm flying.

HTH

ETA, we had a 7:00 AM Saturday flight and stayed at the Mariott at the airport last September, and will never do that again. It wasn't worth it. I had the points so our stay was free, but we barely got a wink of sleep, and honestly felt more rushed to get out of the room and over to the terminal that I ever have when we've taken a limo down from our house in the NE Philly suburbs (Montco). If you were planning on parking, I would also urge you to consider Pacifico's services, they do a great job getting you to the airport from their location, and will bring your car back to the airport for you when you arrive back home. We've found it much cheaper and easier than the longterm parking at PHL.

 

[Ed J]

I fly out of PHL 2 or 3 times a month and also use Winner.

I find no rhyme or reason to how long it takes going through security getting to D E or F. I always try to give myself the full 2 hours or at least an hour and 45 minutes. Doesn't seem to matter weekday or end AM or PM.

On the bright side if I make it through with lots of time to spare, I go to Earl of Sandwich at the beginning of D for a bite. Don't think I'd do it if I was heading to Disney, but I got the Full Montague on my way to Chicago last week .

 

[DeadHead]

I would recommend 2 hours before flight. Saturday morning at PHL early in the morning can be crazy, lots of families. Can't address whether to drive down the night before as we only live 15 minutes from the airport. Hope this helps a little.

 

[PSUGuy]

Thanks for all the replies. We've done this both ways at least twice, up at 2 am or so, drive to Winner, on to PHL, or get to the Ramada the night before, sleep 'n fly. It's USAir this March so I'll allow 2 hrs. If we drive the morning of, we need to be on the road shortly after 3 am, if we do Ramada, we still have to be out to the shuttle 5 ish or a little later to allow for a wait. I'm leaning towards the 'wee hours drive through'.

Bill From PA

 

[bookwormde]

PHL is still pretty quiet at 6am so as long as you are there by then you will be OK

 

[bzzelady]

Bill,

I usually arrive at Winner about 6 am for 7:30 flights and do just fine.
I leave Danville around 3:30 just to make certain that I have enough time to get there (takes me just under 2 1/2 hours on a bad day from here).
Take my advice...pack the car the night before, sleep in your own bed, and get on the road early.
Have a beer for me at the Rose & Crown

 

[Disneyhappy]

We are flying out of PHL on March 3rd also. Our flight is at 7:55 and plan to be at Winner two hours before our flight. We are checking luggage. I never sleep well the night before an early flight because I am afraid my alarm won't go off and I will over sleep. Our rule of thumb is that if the flight is 7 am or earlier, we stay the night before. (we only live 40 minutes from airport.)

 

[PSUGuy]

Bill,

Have a beer for me at the Rose & Crown

Count on it, neighbor!

 

[PSUGuy]

We are flying out of PHL on March 3rd also. Our flight is at 7:55 and plan to be at Winner two hours before our flight. We are checking luggage. I never sleep well the night before an early flight because I am afraid my alarm won't go off and I will over sleep. Our rule of thumb is that if the flight is 7 am or earlier, we stay the night before. (we only live 40 minutes from airport.)

We've decided to do the sleep 'n fly thing. I just scheduled a half day for the Fri before, I'm looking at Wyndam Garden or Ramada. We can get to Philly before 3 pm, have a little Happy Hour and still get some serious sleep.

Bill From PA

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

We've decided to do the sleep 'n fly thing. I just scheduled a half day for the Fri before, I'm looking at Wyndam Garden or Ramada. We can get to Philly before 3 pm, have a little Happy Hour and still get some serious sleep.

Bill From PA

We just stayed at Wyndham Garden on a sleep 'n fly in January. Their restaurant/bar was under construction and closed. Double check with them if you are counting on eating or drinking there.

 

[PSUGuy]

We just stayed at Wyndham Garden on a sleep 'n fly in January. Their restaurant/bar was under construction and closed. Double check with them if you are counting on eating or drinking there.

Thanks for the info. I already made the Wyndham ressie before I saw your post, I called them about the refurb and it won't be complete until April. I cancelled and went with Sheraton Four Points for a few dollars less. Gotta have my Happy Hour!

Bill From PA

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

Thanks for the info. I already made the Wyndham ressie before I saw your post, I called them about the refurb and it won't be complete until April. I cancelled and went with Sheraton Four Points for a few dollars less. Gotta have my Happy Hour!

Bill From PA

Happy to help a PSUGuy! DH went to PSU.