Indy Airport

[Alli1988]

Can someone please advise what time I should be pulling onto Indy Airport property for a 11:35am flight? I don't want tons of extra time sitting around, but have to be realistic about an extra potty break, etc. The airport website said security at this time of day takes 10-20 minutes, but I don't know how far I have to walk, etc. Any guess on actual boarding time?

Here's the background, if interested: My family is flying from Indy to Orlando International next week - Thursday. We are coming from Illinois. Our departure time is 11:35a. Until yesterday, we planned to leave our home at 6am - the drive is just over 3 hours. We have never been to Indy, will be seeking the lowest cost (usually least efficient) parking since we will be gone for 10 days, and have 2 kids (7,2) in tow. Yesterday I finally realized we lose an hour due to time change. Now we need to leave at 5am, which means getting up at 4am. We have to make a stop to pick up my mom, so really we leave home at 4:45am... I feel like we are getting off to a bad start going this far off our sleep schedule.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I've flown out of the Indy airport several times. I have TSA Pre-Check but even when waiting for folks who don't the security line is what I consider very short (I usually fly out of Newark in NJ and even the TSA pre-check line can have a 100 people in it at times). The airport itself is very small with only two terminals with about 20 gates at each so walking from the TSA to the far end of the airport would take no more than 10 minutes if you're walking with a child. What size airplane are you flying in? On United's app they say both the boarding time and the plane type so you can get an idea of how long it takes them to board a plane. Usually 737s begin boarding about 30-40 minutes before flight time. Smaller jets like Embraers only need about 15-20 minutes.

Hopefully a local can be more helpful as I'm speaking from an experience of flying out of Indy 3x and all 3x were on a busy day for the airport (last day of a major convention with 50k attendees in Indy).

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I've flown out of the Indy airport several times. I have TSA Pre-Check but even when waiting for folks who don't the security line is what I consider very short (I usually fly out of Newark in NJ and even the TSA pre-check line can have a 100 people in it at times). The airport itself is very small with only two terminals with about 20 gates at each so walking from the TSA to the far end of the airport would take no more than 10 minutes if you're walking with a child. What size airplane are you flying in? On United's app they say both the boarding time and the plane type so you can get an idea of how long it takes them to board a plane. Usually 737s begin boarding about 30-40 minutes before flight time. Smaller jets like Embraers only need about 15-20 minutes.

Hopefully a local can be more helpful as I'm speaking from an experience of flying out of Indy 3x and all 3x were on a busy day for the airport (last day of a major convention with 50k attendees in Indy).

Oh and the economy lot is only 9 dollars a day (which in my world is insanely cheap for airport parking our economy is still 20 dollars a day) and is not far from the airport. It doesn't seem like the bus ride from economy would take long at all. Walking in from the parking deck takes about 5-6 minutes to get to the check in gates.

 

[Alli1988]

Southwest, so without looking I guess the smaller one.

 

[Alli1988]

We will also have 5 bags to check and 3-4 carry on to deal with, should have added that. 5 people total.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

Southwest flies ALL 737s for their fleet.

 

[Alli1988]

Southwest flies ALL 737s for their fleet.

Thanks!

 

[Disneycouple99]

So you will start boarding at 11:05 EST or 10:05 CST. I would give 60 minutes for checking bags, TSA and bathroom breaks. Add drive time. I think that your plan to leave at 4:45 am is not to bad as it gives a cushion for any problems. I would be on the road at 5:30 am at the latest. Better to be early than to miss the flight. For parking either the economy lot or try this place https://www.thefastpark.com/.

 

[Alli1988]

I can park for $90 or do Stay-Fly-Park for a little over $100.... now I'm thinking maybe we should consider going out the night before.

 

[Disneycouple99]

I can park for $90 or do Stay-Fly-Park for a little over $100.... now I'm thinking maybe we should consider going out the night before.

That sounds like a good plan.

 

[LilyWDW]

As a local, I have walked right through security and I have had 40 minute waits. Just depends on your luck when you arrive. Normally the wait is about 15-20 minutes at least when I have been catching flights. I am ALWAYS at LEAST there 2 hours before my flight.

 

[Callie]

I would do the stay and park! I live in Indy and we've used it before just to save time for an early flight. We also always used it when we lived about 2 hours north. With that many bags and kids, I'd say arrive in a parking spot no later than about 2 hours before. Some airlines specifically southwest can get longer check in lines thru out the day.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Indy flyer also. My three most recent experiences flying through Indy airport.

One a 9ish am flight to Indy on a Sunday morning - I line at security 20 minutes. This was in August flying SW. We used self assist kiosk to check our bags and put baggage tag on. Line to have SW employee do was long- maybe 20 people.

Three weeks ago a SW flight to FLL once again on a Sunday morning- 30 minutes through security for flight that left at 8 am. Same experience with baggage check in ad previous trip.

In August trip on American to Houston leaving at 430pm- walked right through security.

Honestly if you have young kids and aren’t frequent travelers I’d allow extra time- getting through security etc.

I’d do a park/stay and fly hotel the night before. We are an hour from Indy airport and most of the times it’s cheaper than economy parking and less stressful.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Callie]

Are those self tag kiosks new for Southwest? I didn't see then last time I was there!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

I first noticed the kiosks in August.They are wonderful!

 

[dznyacct]

We usually stay at La Quinta in Indy the night before using their STAYGO rate which gives you up to 14 days of parking and a free shuttle to/from the airport. We like the one on Executive Drive. It's only 5-10 minutes from the airport.