Do I have to go through customs for a connecting international flight? (2024)

Do I have to go through customs for a connecting international flight?

You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight. Finally, you'll need to go through Transportation Security Administration screening.

Do connecting international flights go through customs?

If your layover is in the same country, you generally do not have to go through customs again. However, if your layover is in a different country, you will typically have to go through customs and immigration. Another factor that may influence whether you go through customs is the airport you are connecting through.

Do you have to go through security again if you have a connecting international flight?

For international layover flights, you will normally have to go through customs and immigration at the connecting airport. For flights with a layover in Canada or the USA, you will need to go through immigration and fill out the necessary customs paperwork even if you are not staying in the country.

Do I need to go through immigration for a connecting international flight?

Do You Have To Go Through Customs During A Layover? Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

How much time do you need between connecting flights internationally?

Two to three hours is the minimum recommended time for an international layover, but more might be needed. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020.

Is 2 hour layover enough for international flight?

What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

How do international connecting flights work?

Connecting flights are flights which require passengers to leave the plane and board a different aircraft in order to reach their final destination. For example, imagine you are flying with Lufthansa from London Heathrow to Shenzhen in China.

Do international flights wait for connecting passengers?

The short answer is sometimes, but not always. Airlines may or may not hold a plane for connecting flyers depending on the circ*mstances. In this in-depth guide, we'll explore the key factors that determine if your connecting flight will wait or depart on time.

What happens if you miss a connecting international flight?

If you miss a connecting flight through no fault of your own, in most cases you have the right to be rebooked for free on the next available flight.

Do you have to go through customs on a layover in Europe?

You might have to go through customs during a layover, especially if your layover is in the Schengen Area (which consists of most countries in the EU). For example, if your final destination is Paris, France, but you have a layover in Madrid, Spain, you will actually go through customs in Spain, not France.

What happens if my first flight is delayed and I miss my connecting flight?

The airline may choose to accommodate you by booking you on another flight, but that's their discretion, and you may be on the hook for change fees or even fare differences. If you miss a connection because your first flight was delayed, you're entitled to compensation depending on what caused the delay.

Do you go to customs or baggage claim first?

Baggage claim is in between passport control and customs. The reason you have to claim your baggage before customs, is to give you a chance to declare the required goods. Additionally, it gives customs a chance to identify suspicious passengers, and then pick them for checks on the way through.

Do I need transit visa if I am not exiting airport?

Is a transit visa required for connecting flights? In many cases, an airport transit visa may not be required for connecting flights as long as you stay within the airport's transit area and do not pass through immigration control. However, this can vary depending on the country and the duration of your layover.

How long will a flight wait for connecting passengers?

Besides this, when you purchase a connecting flight ticket with your preferred airlines, then in such conditions, a general thumb rule says that; for domestic flights, the time is around 60-90 minutes, and suppose you have an international connecting flight ticket, then it will take approximately 2-3 hours, and it ...

Can you leave the airport during a connecting flight international?

Leaving the airport during an international layover is possible but can be more complicated. Depending on the layover country, layover flight rules may require you to secure a visa before being allowed to venture out of the airport.

Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in Frankfurt?

You are arriving from an airport in a non-Schengen country and are traveling to a destination within the Schengen Area: You will probably have to clear a border check. Depending on your nationality, you may require a transit visa. If in doubt, please contact an embassy or consulate of your country.

Is 1.5 hours enough for connecting international flight?

It's generally recommended to have a layover of at least 2-3 hours for international flights to allow enough time for any unforeseen circ*mstances. If possible, it's best to choose a longer layover to minimize the risk of missing your connecting flight.

Do I need to pick up luggage during layover?

When layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.

Do you go through customs when leaving the US?

Whether you are a U.S. citizen or not, you need to go through both customs and immigration control. You may not need to fill in a customs declaration form. When going through passport control, there are different lines depending on the country that issued your passport.

How does customs work if I have a connecting flight?

In almost all cases, if your bags are checked through to your final destination and you already have your onward boarding pass, you'll go through transit security when you land at your connecting airport instead of customs.

What happens if you miss a layover due to customs?

You'll get through customs in a couple of minutes (unless you are stopped for extra checks). It's immigration that can take time. If you have booked this as a single ticket and you meet the minimum connection time then the airline is responsible for getting you on the next available flight at no extra cost.

Is the airline responsible if I miss my connecting flight?

A missed connecting flight and waiting at the airport can be particularly annoying, but also could quickly become a financial matter. You should know that in case you do miss your connection, you still have passenger rights, and you are entitled to compensation for your costs.

Can I purposely miss my connecting flight?

It is not a crime, but intentionally missing a connecting flight is almost always a violation of the airline's contract of carriage, which you accept every time you buy a ticket. This practice is known as “hidden city” ticketing, and is sometimes used by customers to buy a cheaper ticket.

Do I have to pick up my luggage on a connecting international flight in Paris?

If your destination airport is indicated (e.g. MIA), then your luggage is checked through to your final destination. If the airport indicated is CDG or ORY, you need to collect your luggage in Paris and check it in again.

How can I get through customs faster in Europe?