How to get an early check-in and late check-out at your hotel
Charter flights love early-morning arrivals and late-night departures, while hotels check you in at 14:00 and out at 12:00. Here's how to close the gap.
Holiday flights rarely match hotel times. You land at six in the morning, but your room is ready at two in the afternoon. On the last day you have to leave your room at noon, and your flight home is at ten in the evening. The good news: with a bit of planning, you can often get an early check-in or late check-out, sometimes for free.
Standard check-in and check-out times
Most resorts in Turkey and other holiday destinations use the same times:
- check-in from 14:00;
- check-out by 12:00 (sometimes 11:00).
The hotel needs the time in between to clean and prepare rooms. On busy changeover days, often weekends in peak season, hundreds of guests leave and arrive on the same day, so early rooms are hard to find. On quieter days and outside July and August, your chances are much better.
1. Ask before you arrive
The simplest step is also the most effective. Hotels plan room allocation a day or two ahead, so a request that arrives early is much easier to meet.
- add a note to your booking: "We arrive at 07:00, early check-in would be much appreciated";
- email the hotel two or three days before arrival with your flight times and booking reference;
- mention a reason if you have one: travelling with small children, a night flight, a special occasion.
A request is not a guarantee, but it puts you at the top of the list when the first rooms become ready.
2. Be friendly and flexible at reception
If you arrive early, ask politely whether a room is available, and be flexible. A different room type or a room in another building may be ready long before the one you booked. Ask to be called or messaged as soon as your room is ready, so you don't have to keep coming back to the desk.
Tip: a warm "good morning" after a night flight goes a long way. Reception staff remember the guests who are patient with them. See our guide to tipping at all-inclusive hotels.
3. Pay for guaranteed early check-in or late check-out
If you need certainty, paying is often worth it:
- Late check-out is often offered for a fee, typically a few hours for a moderate charge, or around half a night's rate until the evening. Ask at reception a day before you leave.
- Guaranteed early check-in means booking the room from the night before. It costs an extra night, but when you land at dawn with tired children, walking straight into your room can be worth every euro.
4. Start your holiday before your room is ready
At most all-inclusive resorts you get your wristband at check-in, even if the room is not ready yet. That means you can have breakfast, sit by the pool and enjoy the bars while you wait. To make the most of it:
- pack a small bag in your hand luggage with swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a change of clothes and any medication;
- leave the rest of your luggage with the porter or in the luggage room;
- ask where you can change: most resorts have changing rooms or showers by the pool or spa.
5. Enjoy your last day after check-out
You don't have to spend your last afternoon in the lobby. Ask the hotel:
- whether your all-inclusive wristband stays valid after check-out (policies differ), and many hotels let you use the facilities until your transfer leaves;
- whether there is a hospitality room or shower you can use before an evening flight;
- to store your luggage until your transfer.
6. Choose flight times with the hotel in mind
The easiest early check-in is the one you don't need. When you compare packages, look at the flight times as well as the price: a slightly later outbound flight or an earlier return can save you a night of waiting, or the cost of an extra night. On Wenfly you can see the exact flight times for every package before you book.
7. Loyalty programmes and hotel status
If you stay at hotels of the same chain regularly, join its loyalty programme. Higher membership levels at many international hotel chains include late check-out, and even basic membership can help your request get noticed.
The bottom line
Ask early, be flexible, pack a day bag and don't be afraid to pay for guaranteed times when it really matters. With a little planning, you can start your holiday the moment you arrive, and enjoy your last day until the very end.
Want a more comfortable start to your trip? Read how to use airport lounges for free.
Frequently asked questions
What time is check-in at hotels in Turkey?
Most resorts in Turkey check guests in from 14:00 and ask them to check out by 12:00, sometimes by 11:00.
Is early check-in free?
It often is when rooms are available, especially outside peak season. It is not guaranteed, though: for a guaranteed early check-in you usually need to book the room from the night before.
How much does late check-out cost?
It depends on the hotel and the season. A few extra hours often cost a moderate fee, and staying until the evening is often charged at around half a night's rate. Ask at reception the day before you leave.
Can I use the hotel facilities before my room is ready?
At most all-inclusive resorts, yes. You usually get your wristband at check-in and can use the restaurants, bars and pools while you wait for your room.
What should I do after check-out if my flight is in the evening?
Store your luggage at the hotel, ask whether your all-inclusive wristband stays valid until your transfer, and ask about a hospitality room or shower before you leave for the airport.
