Security wait times at SCQ for a 6:45AM flight

[linkster]

Looking at flights out of Santigo de Compestella outbound to US through Madrid with a 6:45AM departure time and hope you guys can share your experience (wait time) checking in for a flight. Flights later in the day or the next day are +$1,200 more for the 5 of us.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SabsP]

Looking at flights out of Santigo de Compestella outbound to US through Madrid with a 6:45AM departure time and hope you guys can share your experience (wait time) checking in for a flight. Flights later in the day or the next day are +$1,200 more for the 5 of us.

Thanks in advance.

All very much doable and reasonable. It is a relatively small airport. Two weeks ago I was there around 7 am and time between stepping off shuttlebus and getting through security took me 10 min. Half an hour later the line was somewhat longer but still not longer than 20 min.

Be aware though that poles have to be checked in at SdC airport.
And I noticed, in different European airports btw , that you can expect more detailed random checks in general.

Ultreïa!

 

[bernhugo]

The last time I was there in 2012, the security staff did not open up until app. 30 mins before the flight.
The plane was already in ,on the ground, before the gate opened.

 

[Mark Lee]

It's not a very big airport and I never had any delays in getting through flight check-in.
I always got there a couple of hours early anyway, like I do on all departures anywhere.

 

[whariwharangi]

Looking at flights out of Santigo de Compestella outbound to US through Madrid with a 6:45AM departure time and hope you guys can share your experience (wait time) checking in for a flight. Flights later in the day or the next day are +$1,200 more for the 5 of us.

Thanks in advance.

I'd suggest following the recommendations of your airline.

 

[linkster]

Thanks. We were not planning on this trip, but my youngest son graduates high school and thought it would be cool. It will give me a taste of Camino life, and allow me to speak some broken Spanish. I will be done with Spanish 1 in a couple of weeks. Running joke in our house is that I will pass with an A and not know how to speak Spanish. I have already registered for Spanish 2 in summer B which ends at the beginning of August. I am still planning a couple of months in Spain in the fall when both boys are away at college (SJPD - Santiago, Finistère, Muxía).

I think we need to err on the safe side and get to the airport a couple of hours early. We may end up waiting a while and it makes for a long day back to the states, but we can sleep on the plane. We will have almost a 9 hour layover in Madrid, so I think we will check our bags through if possible or check them at the airport, catch a train into town, and have a lazy lunch before we depart Madrid.

 

[natefaith]

Hi linkster, the Santiago airport is quite small, and until just a few years ago didn't even open up for the day until 6am . I would recommend you leave at 5am from your hotel/ hostel and take a taxi to the airport as the airport bus doesn't start running until 6am.

You'll then arrive around 5:15am, plenty of time to check-in at the desk (if they're even open for your flight - they may not open for check-in until 5:45) and then you can go through security and wait at the gate. If you'd like to get there two hours previously, that's fine, too, but just know that you may have to wait for a while until your check-in desk opens.

Have fun learning Spanish! Que lo pases bien y Buen Camino!
Faith