How long to leave between connecting flights

They might offer you a minute connection, which, while legal, is risky. Bottom line: I would give yourself at least 90 minutes when traveling domestically and a lot more if connecting internationally.

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Share This Article. I just booked my next international flight since the beginning of the pandemic. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Such as separate flights bought via kiwi. Connecting flights with an airline protected connection are the easiest to book. You can book them directly from the airline or via some third party service such as Kiwi, Expedia or eDreams. Pay attention if these really are airline protected transfers. If they aren't, that's usually written somewhere.

If on the way you have to change airports, it's usually a clear sign, that these aren't airline protected transfers. When booking flights via service like Kiwi, Expedia or eDreams, pay attention to the length of the layover and airport codes. Are you departing from the same airport you are arriving to?

The same holds true if you are buying separate flights - pay attention to the airport codes names , length of the layover and minimum connection time.

You can check the minium connection time for different airports here. Go to the airport early, hours before the scheduled departure time. Of course, sometimes 1 hour will be enough, but better don't rely on your luck. Because you never know how much is it going to take you today to make it to your plane. Know the rules and come prepared.

No scissors or knives. No matches and not more than 1 lighter. No liquids over ml in your hand luggage. Fly premium or buy Fast Track pass to get through airport security faster. Do your research if you have an overnight layover. You may not be allowed to stay inside the airport during the night or sleep at the airport.

Flight delays happen every day. If because of that you're going to miss the next flight, airline will take care of that, by, most probably, putting you on another flight for free.

My Tip: I once experienced an overnight layover in Dubai. The planned layover was 10 hours, but due to a delay of the incoming flight and the early pick up at the hotel nearly 4 hours before the flight departure , I ended up staying only 4 hours in the hotel.

I believe 10 hours are suitable for the daytime layover. I would make sure you have at least hours in between flights to get a full night sleep for the night. The answer is yes. Provided you have a hour visa for the country of the connecting flight. Most airports, like Dubai, include a hours visa for that purpose. You can use it for a long layover or a few days stopovers. Most airlines provide you with a free transit visa.

Usually, when you purchase the ticket, all this information are included in the flight terms. If unsure, check with your airline. They will tell you whether the visa is included or not. If no permission is included, it makes no sense to apply for a permit for a couple of hours. Stopover vs Layover — What you should consider A stopover is different from a layover; it is a much longer time between two flight legs.

Usually, a layover above 24 hours is regarded as a stopover. In that case, you will need to collect your luggage, go through security and return to the airport on the following day for the connecting flight to your destination. I always plan a 2-day stopover in the main transit airport. I recommend stopping over in Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok. The most common flights to Australia with stopovers are between one and three days.

A stopover is a great solution that allows you to visit a city and fight jet lag. By stopping over at a connecting airport for a couple of days, you will find it easier to adjust to the crossing time zones, and it will finally help you recover from jet lag in a fast way. My tip: I am a fan of stopovers because they help me recover from jet lag.

And also because I reach my final destination in a less stressed mode. There are three basic flight models for flying into Australia that you can consider as the basic connecting flight layover configuration, leaving from Europe and the US. Here are the main ones:. Conclusions about a connecting flight with a layover Choosing the right type of flight configuration and planning your flights carefully with the right layover time is crucial to a smooth trip start and a stress-free travel experience.

What you need to know about baggage allowance for Australia. How to fly stress-free to Australia. Eye Mask to help you sleep on a plane. What to wear on long haul flights. How to prepare for the long haul flight. Photo credit Young Woman at the Airport via Shuttershock. This sounds like a simple process, but anyone who has sprinted through an airport might be forgiven for believing that the system does not help the majority of travelers.

If you are planning a trip that involves connecting flights, you may wish to choose a connecting flight that is different from the one your airline's computerized reservation system recommends. There are many factors that can affect how much time you have to change planes, and it is your responsibility to plan an itinerary that includes an appropriate airport layover. To determine how much time you will need to change planes in a particular airport, look up minimum connection times online and factor in extenuating circumstances that might apply to your trip.

The following factors could affect the amount of time you have to get to your connecting flight:. If you have booked travel on two different airlines, you are responsible for deciding how much time to allow between flights. Your airlines do not have to help you resolve flight connection problems if you have not allowed the minimum connection time for your flights and airport. Clearing customs and immigration can take five minutes or several hours, depending on your airport, the time of day, the month you travel and many other factors.

If you are traveling to another country , find out where you will go through customs and add at least two hours to the minimum connection time for that airport. If your airline suggests an itinerary that includes only two hours between flights and you know you must go through customs and immigration, add more time to your itinerary. Two hours is usually not enough time. Tip: If you are connecting through an airport you have never visited before, call your airline and ask about customs processes so that you won't be surprised by the location of your customs interview.

Some airports, such as London's Heathrow Airport , make all connecting passengers on international flights go through security screening between flights. Allow extra time for this process in addition to the time you added for clearing customs and immigration. It takes more time to get to your connecting flight's departure gate at a large airport than at a smaller one.