international travel connecting flights

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What to expect when connecting from an international flight

What to know about customs, rechecking your bag and going through security.

When Jeff Blaustein flew from Anguilla to Boston recently, he already knew what to expect when he connected from his international flight through Miami.

“A long line at customs,” says Blaustein, a retired professor from Amherst, Mass. “And an even longer line at TSA .”

But he says many of his fellow travelers didn’t know what awaited them. He watched them fidget nervously in the customs hall, wondering whether they would make their connection. He saw them running to catch their flights after needing to have their checked luggage rescreened.

I feel for them; an international-to-domestic connection can lead to an “Oh no!” moment. I forget I have to go through customs and recheck my luggage. Then my heart misses a beat, because I’m not sure I’ll be able to make my connecting flight.

Don’t let that happen to you. Switching between an international and domestic flight has always been a little confusing. But now, travelers also complain that it’s slower than ever. But there are ways to speed things up.

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

Transferring between an international and domestic flight is more complicated than a domestic-to-domestic connection. Here’s what you’re expected to encounter:

• If you checked a bag, you’ll have to collect it from baggage claim from the 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. This may include a physical inspection of your luggage and personal items with a metal detector or a full-body scan.

There’s an exception to these rules, which I’ll get to in a minute.

How to leave the airport and explore a city during a layover

Can you avoid rechecking your bag and getting screened again?

It depends on where you’re flying from. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) screens some airline passengers at its preclearance facilities before they arrive in the United States. You can get screened early in several Canadian cities, plus Aruba, Abu Dhabi, the Bahamas, Bermuda and two airports in Ireland.

Linda Singleton-Driscoll, a market researcher from Richmond, recently flew from Dublin to the United States via a connecting flight. She said that, once she passed through the preclearance center, it felt like a domestic flight.

“They checked my bags through to Richmond without me having to recheck them,” she says.

CBP is expanding its preclearance facilities, so it’s worth checking to see whether the airport on your return flight has a facility before booking your next ticket.

What’s changed since the pandemic

Experts and frequent air travelers say there’s good news and bad news for air travelers now making these connections.

Some airports are adding self-service kiosks at immigration , as my colleague Andrea Sachs recently reported. “That has sped up the process considerably,” says Bob Bacheler, managing director of the medical transport service Flying Angels .

But some airports remain short-staffed as the pandemic winds down. “The wait time to get assistance is much longer,” says Sharon-Frances Moore, an etiquette expert and frequent flier who recently missed a flight connection.

How to handle an international connection like a pro

• What to know about minimum connection times

Airlines calculate your minimum connecting time , which determines whether you can make your next flight. These calculations usually factor transit times through the terminal and time spent getting through customs.

But it may not be enough. If you booked a flight sequence with the airline’s minimum connection time, ask your airline to unbundle your flight and request a later connecting flight, or book one with a longer connection right from the start. That will increase your chances of making your scheduled connecting flight.

How to pull off a tight connection

But if you have two separate tickets, it’s up to you to determine how much time you need. You can get a rough idea of wait times at customs by consulting the CBP’s average wait times page. But the times don’t include time needed to retrieve baggage or navigate through the airport. Check out an airport terminal map and factor in at least a half-hour to get your bags and go through customs.

• What to do with your checked luggage

Sylvia Lebovitch, a travel adviser with OvationNetwork , says luggage is one of the biggest concerns for transferring passengers. If you have a through-fare — one ticket that connects through two or more airports — your airline will tag your bags for their final destination. After you pick up your bag and go through customs, you can quickly recheck them without having to stand in a long line. Is there a way to expedite the process if your connection is tight? Yes, Lebovitch says. She said to ask if the agent can tag your bags as “priority,” so they come off the belt first, so you can make the connection.

• Where to sit on the plane

Cara Whitehill, a technology investor based in Cincinnati, says every minute counts when you’re making a connection. “ Sit as close to the front of the plane as possible, so you can disembark quickly,” she advises. “Getting to the front of the queue at baggage recheck and security will save a ton of time.”

Pick your plane seat wisely. It matters in a tight connection.

• Apply for Global Entry

Blaustein says Global Entry was his favorite strategy for dealing with an international connection. Global Entry is a program that lets preapproved travelers skip some of the customs lines at select airports by using a kiosk. “We passed by long, long lines of people waiting to get through customs,” he says. “But we just walked up to a machine that scanned our face, and we were done.”

You asked: Are PreCheck, Global Entry or CLEAR still worth it?

• Fly nonstop

The only way to ensure you won’t find yourself sprinting through the terminal at the massive Dallas Fort Worth International is to avoid a connection altogether — unless, of course, your final destination is DFW. That’s the advice of Scott Jordan, a frequent traveler who is the CEO of a clothing company in Idaho. He recently flew from Salt Lake City to Johannesburg , and on the way back had multiple stops and delays. “The fewer stops,” he says, “the better.”

What if you miss your connecting flight?

Fortunately, I’ve never missed a flight because of the customs and TSA bottleneck. But I’ve heard from plenty of readers who have. Curiously, the biggest obstacle to making a connection is often the sprawling airport terminal and the amount of time it takes to walk from customs to your gate. That can affect travelers with mobility challenges or those who are burdened by a lot of carry-on luggage.

Many travel insurance policies cover flight disruptions, according to Elad Schaffer, CEO of Faye travel insurance . “Typically, they’ll reimburse up to $200 when you miss a connection and are delayed by six consecutive hours or more,” he says.

A flight disruption is usually a flight delay, tarmac delay or cancellation, but broadly applies to anything that stops you from reaching your destination. You would have to be delayed a significant amount of time (usually six hours) for your insurance coverage to apply.

5 signs you have the wrong travel insurance

Your airline should take care of you if you fail to make your connection. If you have a ticket on one airline with a connection, then your carrier should rebook you on the next available flight at no charge, and, if necessary, it may cover your lodging and meal expenses. But if you’re connecting to a different flight — with separate reservations — and you miss your flight, your airline may mark you as a “no-show,” and you will have to buy a new ticket.

That’s a situation air travelers should avoid, if possible. Ana Gloria Garciga, a senior air and product manager at Embark Beyond , advises erring on the side of caution when making these types of connections.

“Make sure when booking a connecting flight to do it with no less than two to 2½ hours, in case of delay or cancellations,” she says. “That will allow some time to make the connection, get the bags and recheck them if necessary.”

On second thought, better make that three hours.

• GENERAL TRAVEL

What to Know Before Flying Internationally: 17 FAQs Answered

Liz is a collector of grand adventures. She first discovered her passion for meaningful travel wh...

• Before You Go
• General Travel
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Traveling internationally is your gateway to becoming a world citizen. You have the freedom to hop on a plane and visit places you’ve never seen before, taste exotic foods and learn foreign languages, go to sleep mid-flight and wake up on the opposite side of the world.

First step to adventure? Preparing for an international flight.

But international travel isn’t all fun and games. Between visas, security checks, long haul flights, and the drama of packing, international travel can be overwhelming—whether it’s your first time flying internationally or not.

It’s natural to have questions as you’re preparing for an international flight. Learn what to know before flying internationally, so you can begin your travel plans with confidence and ease.

If it is your first time flying internationally alone, you may be wondering, “ where do I even start? ” Who can help you navigate the nitty gritty of international travel? Lucky for you, every question you could imagine is right here at your fingertips.

What is the difference between domestic and international flights?

While domestic flights take you to other destinations within the same country, international flights take you overseas. If you’re planning to travel abroad, it’s important to know that you’ll be flying internationally.

Airports typically have separate domestic and international departures, with airport procedures before take off looking quite different. Keep reading to find out what to know when flying internationally.

How early do you need to be at the airport for international flights?

When preparing for an international flight, you’ll need to arrive at the airport at least three hours before your departure time. Three hours might seem like a long time, but between checking your bags, moving through various security checkpoints that may have you waiting in enormous lines, and finding your way to your gate, you’ll be happy you allowed yourself plenty of time.

Most international flights begin boarding between 40 and 60 minutes before take-off, leaving you only about two of those hours to get to your plane. Worst-case scenario? You arrive early and get to kill time in the food court or grab a quick beverage at the airport bar.

Dig into a pre-flight meal while you wait for your flight to board.

What do I need to fly internationally?

Flying internationally requires a lot more than just your passport. While your passport is absolutely essential , most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months longer than the dates of your trip. Some places also require you to have a certain number of blank pages to allow for visas and stamps.

Depending on where you’re headed, you may also need a visa , proof of onward or return travel, or proof of immunizations. The truth is, every destination will have different travel regulations, so it’s important to check with your destination when preparing for an international flight.

FAQs about preparing for an international flight

1. how to pack for international flight.

Packing for an international flight can be overwhelming, no matter how long you plan to be away. The very first step is to check your baggage allowance with the airline. How many bags are you allowed to bring on board? How big can they be and how much can they weigh?

Once you figure out how much you can bring, separate your checked and carry on bags:

• In your checked luggage, pack classic clothing items that can be mixed and matched to save space—even better if they’re lightweight and quick-drying fabrics. Remember that less is more, especially because you’ll want to leave a little extra room for souvenirs.
• In your carry on, pack your essentials, all your travel documents, and anything you might need while in flight.

Don't forget to weigh your bags after packing to make sure you aren’t hit with outrageous luggage fees at the airport.

2. How to prepare for a long international flight

When preparing for an international flight, you can do a few things to make sure you’re ready for the long haul:

• Get lots of rest in the lead up to your trip—flying can be exhausting!
• Take your Vitamin C to boost your immune system.
• Move your body before the flight so you feel prepared to sit for longer periods of time.
• Load up on entertainment—music, movies, TV shows, and books—to keep you busy in flight.
• Set your phone to the local time zone of your destination as soon as you get on your flight so you can minimize jet lag.

Remember, the more prepared you are, the less anxious you’ll feel when it comes time to travel.

3. What to do before an international flight

If it’s your first time flying internationally, making a to-do list will help ease your mind.

Make yourself a checklist. Do you have your passport, visa, and all your travel documents easily accessible? Have you purchased travel insurance ? It’s always a good idea to have travel insurance to protect yourself during international travel, just in case.

Next, make sure you let your bank know you’ll be traveling overseas. Having your bank freeze your credit card for unexpected transactions while you’re abroad is one big (but avoidable) travel nightmare .

So, notify your bank that you’ll be traveling. While you’re at it, check the international transaction fee policy so you know what to expect, and perhaps get some cash converted so you have it on hand when you land. ATM fees are usually most expensive at the airport, so it’s always comforting to have cash on arrival.

Last but not least, check the health advisories and travel warnings for your destination so you can ensure you’re safe when preparing for an international flight.

4. What to bring to the airport when traveling internationally

If it’s your first time flying internationally alone , there’s no such thing as preparing too much. Make sure you bring all of your travel documents with you, and if you have time, make digital copies of your travel documents too. You’ll want to bring all of these to the airport with you along with your carry on and checked luggage—and your comfiest clothes to wear in flight.

FAQs about documents needed for an international flight

1. what are the documents required for international travel.

When flying internationally, having a valid passport is non-negotiable. However, every country has different travel requirements beyond that.

If your destination country requires a visa, you will need to show this at the airport when you check in for your flight. In the days of COVID-19 , you may also need to show proof of vaccination for travel.

Check out the policies of your departure, arrival, and any transiting countries so you know exactly what documents are required for each leg of your trip.

2. Can you travel internationally with just a passport?

Ready to start collecting passport stamps? Yeah, we thought so.

This depends on where you’re traveling. Some countries allow departure and entry with just a passport, but many international destinations require a visa in some capacity.

Some countries allow you to get a visa on entry, with some visas free and others obtained with a fee. This is another big one to check on your destination’s immigration website before you depart so you know exactly what to expect when flying internationally.

3. Do I need my driver's license to travel internationally?

Typically, you’ll only need to show your passport when checking in for a flight, but it’s always a good idea to bring a driver’s license or another form of ID just in case.

Your driver’s license may come in handy more when you arrive at your destination, as carrying your passport around in a foreign country comes with some risks. You might want to put your passport away, lock it in your hotel safe, and use another form of identification when you’re out and about abroad.

4. Do you need two forms of ID to fly internationally?

Though you typically will not need two forms of ID to board a flight, if you have a second form of ID, bring it with you. If you are requested to show a backup ID or lose your passport while abroad, it’s always a good idea to have multiple proofs of identification on hand.

FAQs about international connections and baggage

1. what is allowed in carry on luggage on international flights.

Most airlines have a limit to how much luggage you can carry onto a plane as well as limits on the size, shape, and weight of your bags. Many airlines allow one piece of carry on luggage plus a personal item like a purse or backpack that can fit under your seat, but it’s always best to check with your airline.

You’ll always need to limit the amount of liquids you carry on to small bottles of 100 mL or less. All bottles will need to fit into one quart-size resealable bag.

Other regulated items include:

• Sharp objects
• Household items and tools
• Medical equipment

When packing your carry on, check the TSA guidelines .

2. What to pack in a carry on for an international flight

Your favorite clothes are just the top of your must-have packing list.

Use this checklist for packing your carry on to feel prepared for your international adventure:

• All travel documents (passport, visa, etc.) plus copies of each.
• Small toiletries that you’ll need for a long haul—think toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant at least.
• Any medications needed abroad, stored in their original containers.
• An eye mask, ear plugs, and pillow to get a good night’s sleep.
• An empty water bottle that’s easy to refill.
• Your electronics (laptop, phone, kindle, headphones) and their chargers.
• Snacks to tide you over, especially if you won’t have meals served on your flight.
• Spare undies and a change of clothes—just in case!
• A pen for your customs forms.
• Any other valuables.

3. Do I have to recheck my luggage on an international flight?

If you’re wondering what to know before flying internationally with layovers, it’s always best to check with your specific airline. Most international flights will check your luggage all the way through to your final destination, but this could change depending on your flight route.

For example, some countries require you to recheck your bag at the first point of entry, which means you’d need to pick up your bag, go through customs, and then recheck your suitcase for your next flight. When you first check your luggage at the departure terminal, ask the airline staff and they will let you know if your particular flight path requires you to recheck your luggage.

4. How much time do you need between connecting flights internationally?

If you want to be safe, allow at least two hours between connecting flights. Sometimes you can get away with shorter layovers, but it will undoubtedly be stressful.

Remember you may need to go through security if your connection is in another country, and it’s common for flights to be delayed—two hours will go by in a flash.

5. When do you go through customs on international flights?

Usually, you go through customs when you exit the airport at your final destination. However, if you have a layover in a different city in your destination country, you may need to go through customs before your connecting flight.

How to board international flight step by step

You’ve got this! Memories to last a lifetime wait on the other side of your flight.

Now that you know what to expect when flying internationally, it’s just a matter of showing up at the airport and going through the process to check in and get to your gate. Don’t be intimidated, it’s actually quite simple!

1. Check in for your flight.

Sometimes you can check in online, but if you have enough time and have questions, checking in at the airport can ease your nerves. This way, you can speak to your airline staff and ask any questions about your journey that you haven’t answered already. Make your way to the international terminal and find your airline’s check-in stand to get started.

2. Check your baggage and get your ticket.

When checking in for your flight, you’ll have an opportunity to check your luggage. The airline staff will give you your boarding pass and a tracking sticker that matches the one on your luggage. Keep these safe and tucked into your passport for easy access throughout the airport.

3. Go through the security checkpoint.

Now that you’ve lightened your load, it’s time to go through security. Follow the airport signs or ask the airline staff where to get in line for the security checkpoint. Typically, this involves waiting in line, scanning your carry on luggage, and showing your passport and boarding pass to enter the terminal.

4. Go through immigration.

If you’re flying internationally, you may need to go through a second security screening before your flight: immigration. All you’ll need to do here is show your passport and follow the instructions from the immigration staff. This is the last step before you can walk to your gate for your flight.

5. Find your gate.

You’re in! Your boarding pass will usually tell you the gate where you’ll board, but if it doesn’t, check the screens just past immigration. These screens list all destinations and their boarding gates. You may also want to double-check the information on your boarding pass—gates sometimes change.

Make your way to your gate and relax. If you arrive with time to spare, you may wish to explore your terminal a bit more, shop for snacks or books, or grab a meal and drink at one of the bars or restaurants nearby.

6. Board your flight.

About 40 to 60 minutes before your international flight, you will hear the airline staff announce boarding. Make sure you are at your gate and ready to board. Many airlines will board in groups, so check your boarding pass for your boarding group or zone, wait to be called, and line up. Have your passport and boarding pass ready to show the flight attendant, find your seat, and enjoy the ride!

Our Online Advisor can match you with 5 travel programs—it’s free!

Don’t panic—flying internationally is so much easier than it seems.

The world awaits, so where will your first international flight take you?

While there’s a lot more to flying internationally than traveling on a domestic flight, it’s actually so much easier than it seems. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for that first time flying internationally to make sure you have everything you need, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re in doubt. Once you know what to expect when flying internationally, those long flights will seem like a breeze and the world will be at your fingertips .

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What Is a Layover and How Long Do You Need For Connecting Flights?

By Kristin Majcher

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

No matter how much of a savvy flier you think you are, odds are you've found yourself sprinting through the airport at breakneck speed to make a connection at one point in time (hey, it happens to the best of us). And while there’s no one magic number for how long travelers need to change flights, knowing how connections work—and some tips for timing them—can make the process of switching flights a lot less painful.

Here's what you should know:

How Long Should You Leave Between Connecting Flights?

The actual minimum amount of time you need to connect for each flight varies based on a lot of factors, including whether the flight is domestic or international, whether or not you have luggage that needs to be transferred, boarding times , and how far you'll have to walk between gates (we see you, 6,800,000-square-foot Atlanta airport ). To keep it simple, having three hours between each connecting flight means that there’s a good chance you’ll be covered by that time frame and most likely have time for an Auntie Anne's pretzel (or three).

To be clear, this isn’t an exact science—instead, it’s a conservative estimate from airlines and travel experts that will keep travelers covered in many connecting situations. Airlines already have a good idea of how long connections will take based on statistics, but there are always exceptions. After all, not every flight is on time: The big ten U.S. carriers’ on-time arrival rate in August was 75.2 percent, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics .

John Grant, senior analyst at aviation data specialist OAG, puts it this way: While “there is no empirical evidence or data to support” the anecdotal three-hour rule as a blanket policy, it's still a “a very wise piece of travel knowledge based on experience,” he says.

Airline and Airport Resources

Airlines are relatively straightforward about telling fliers when they should arrive at the airport for the first flight of the day, but timing connections is a process that more or less happens behind the scenes. For example, Delta advises passengers to arrive at U.S. airports at least two hours before the flight leaves to make sure they are checked in 30 minutes before departure and at the gate at least 15 minutes before takeoff . However, the minimum amount of time needed to connect between flights, for the most part, is implicitly provided by the airlines through itineraries they offer, which have factored in distance between airport gates, how long it takes to sort baggage, and deplaning.

Some airlines are airports make it more explicit: Heathrow offers a handy tool for timing connections across carriers, for example, and British Airways has further info on its website about how much time its customers need to connect there (it suggests at least one hour, 30 minutes to change terminals and one hour for those in the same terminal). You'll also find advice for connections at London City and Gatwick, as well as New York-area airports JFK and Newark, on British Airways's site. Air Canada lists a timetable of suggested minimum connection times on its website , too.

Geneva-based aviation IT company SITA , for its part, notes that there are “official” minimum connecting flight times for airports and terminals based on standards from the International Air Transport Association, but that airlines and airports agree on more than 50,000 exceptions. These are based on specific knowledge of their own operations—so these "minimums" can change quite often, Grant says.

What Affects Connection Times?

The type of flight is going to play a role in how these times are calculated. Grant cites four main combinations: Domestic-domestic, domestic-international, international-international, and international-domestic. The last two tend to carry longer minimum connection times, as passengers may have to go through passport controls and recheck bags depending on the airport or country. (Grant points out that transferring from an international to domestic flight at Chicago O’Hare, for example, has several steps, and is much more complicated than strolling from one gate to another: deplaning, joining an immigration line in the international arrivals building, rechecking any luggage, and going through more security.) It’s a good idea to add more time for those itineraries that include extra steps.

Specific security procedures and airport layouts will also affect the minimum connection time—sometimes greatly. For example, Air Canada’s minimum connection time between some smaller Canadian cities is a breezy 15 minutes, but international flights connecting to the U.S. via Toronto Pearson International Airport need at least one hour and 25 minutes. American Airlines says the minimum connection time for a passenger traveling from Albuquerque to Miami through its Dallas-Fort Worth hub is 40 minutes, and that number would be the same if they were on the way to São Paulo through the same airport. However, that timeframe would more than double to 85 minutes on the way back from São Paulo because of added security procedures.

Alex Erdekian

Jessica Puckett

Thinking about making an epic crosstown connection that requires changing airports altogether? We recommend you avoid this, as it brings a lot of variables into account that minimum connecting times just don’t account for—namely, highway traffic. If you can’t help it, plan to give yourself well over than three hours in any big city, and map out how you'll get from airport to airport, as well as how long it will take you.

British Airways, for example, suggests giving at least three hours to connect between Heathrow and Gatwick, which are about 30 miles apart. But in that case, there’s a bus that goes between the two airports 80 times per day—a convenience not available everywhere.

Consider Other Factors

While airlines calculate the minimum amount of time passengers need to make their flights, it’s important to keep your own travel habits in mind. Are you traveling with children , or do you always like having time to sit down and eat before a flight? In that case, it is advisable to pick the longer layover when given the option. It's a good idea, then, to check out airport maps before booking to see if the airline’s default layover time will be enough based on your own habits.

Know Your Rights

You can always call the airline for confirmation that you have enough time to connect before flying, but know that they will most likely stand by their published schedules—they wouldn't have made them available otherwise. That being said, it's still a traveler's responsibility to make the flight.

Still, if you do everything correctly and still couldn’t make your connection because of a delayed inbound flight or other circumstance out of your control, the airline has an obligation to re-accommodate you. This usually means taking a later flight, or being routed through another city in the case of major logistical issues caused by severe weather or other problems.

However, it’s important to remember that airlines likely won’t be as sympathetic for those travelers who combine itineraries on two tickets to skirt the minimum connection time or save money, Grant says. He notes that passengers in this situation could be required to play a rebooking fee.

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Raising a glass to Portugal’s best wine regions

While some travelers might see connecting flights as an inconvenience, others see them as a great opportunity – an opportunity to save money, stretch their legs for a bit, and maybe even add another city to their itinerary. In order to help you make a better and more informed decision next time you book your ticket, we break down the advantages and disadvantages of booking connecting flights.

As an added bonus, we also reveal today’s busiest connecting flight hubs, as reported by the latest OAG industry research.  We’ll include some interesting facts and tips for keeping yourself entertained in and around the airport just in case you happen to find yourself in one of these flight hubs during your next layover.

Connecting flights vs. self-connecting flights

Traditionally speaking, a connecting flight is any flight which requires passengers to change from one plane or airline to another at an intermediate stop on way to the final destination. For many of today’s global travelers, this extra stop is not a deal-breaker and may actually be preferred. In fact, 37% of all travelers are willing to wait more than four hours on a layover in order to save $200 USD, and for millennials, that number jumps to 55%, according to air travel intelligence company OAG .

There are two different types of connecting flights. There are those that are included as one route on your ticket and scheduled by the airline or OTA, and then there those which you plan yourself and book separately, known as self-connecting flights.

A self-connecting flight is unrelated to any other ticket or tickets you have purchased. If purchasing a self-connecting flight sounds like something you would do or are considering for your next flight, you are not alone. It just so happens that 92% of travelers are willing to self-connect under the right circumstances, according to the same OAG report.

Planning your own connection

Perhaps the number one reason why people book their own connections is to save money. If you can save hundreds of dollars by flying from another airport and can find a cheap flight to that said airport – why not? A great way to do this is to book with low-cost airlines and local airlines. You might find some truly great deals if you know where to look for them (may we suggest  momondo ?)

But keep in mind, as is often the case with low-cost airlines, you might not have any checked luggage included with your ticket and it will cost you extra to bring a bag, so make sure to double check the conditions for your specific ticket and to read all the restrictions.

If you decide to check a bag on your self-connecting flight, you will have to retrieve it from baggage claim, exit the airport, and then re-enter and go through the security process all over again. This can be time-consuming, which is why many self-connect travelers prefer to fly with hand luggage only.

Read more:  Hand luggage only? Learn how to pack light

You’re a smart traveler, but just in case you don’t do this already, we would like to remind you that whenever you book a self-connecting flight (or any flight in general), always make sure to double check the airport code. Some major cities like New York have several airports in the area and certain multi-stop flights could require an airport change. If this is the case, you will need to book additional transportation (train, taxi, bus) to the other airport.

In general, it’s always a good idea to double or triple check the airport code. It would be quite the story to end up in San Antonio, Chile if you really wanted to be in San Antonio, Texas. But then again, never say no to a new adventure!

Extending your layover

Perhaps you are intrigued by the idea of adding a new stop to your schedule and exploring more than one city during your trip. If so, consider extending your layover overnight, a few days or even a couple of hours – long enough to get out of the airport and enjoy the city while still having enough time to make it back on time for your next flight. By adding another destination to your itinerary, you might be able to see two places for the price of one and you even save some money if you do it correctly.

There are some airlines that are known for their layover advantages, like Icelandair for example. Icelandair has an established policy which allows passengers to choose layovers of up to seven nights in its hub city of Reykjavik  free of charge, enabling travelers to take advantage of a destination that they may not have thought to explore before.

Many times these airline connections turn out to be even cheaper for flyers. A recent search on momondo* for flights from Amsterdam to Boston come out to around $521 USD with one 17-hour stop in Reykjavik with Icelandair, whereas a direct flight with other carriers will cost over $755 USD at a minimum.

Emirates is another airline that encourages its passengers to include a layover in their itinerary.  They offer a pre-prepared stopover package to travelers who wish to take a day to see its hub city of Dubai . Although not entirely free, the package can cost as little as $64 USD and it includes one night at a hotel, a visa, and assistance to and from the airport.

What happens if I miss my connecting flight?

Each airport has its own recommended minimum connecting times set by the industry. For example, the minimum connection time reported by Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport for transfers within the same terminal is 60 minutes. For transfers to Terminal 3, CDG ups the recommended minimum time to 90 minutes. Each airport’s recommended flight times can usually be found on the airport’s official website.

If you have purchased a ticket from an airline or Online Travel Agency (OTA) which includes a connecting flight, in most cases the airline will do its best to book you on one of their flights or on one of their partner airline flights. Don’t forget to double check the terms and conditions for your specific ticket just to be on the safe side.

You will not get reimbursed, however, if you have purchased two separate self-connecting tickets and miss your connecting flight. Having an idea of the minimum connection time will help you to plan your connecting flights better and will take much of the stress out of making your next flight on time.

Megahubs by region

With thousands of connecting flights taking off every day, some of the world’s most connected airports are also some of the busiest – not only in terms of flight traffic but also in terms of queues. Below, we outline which airports are considered the most connected based on the maximum number of their potential routes each hour. Referred to as megahubs, these airports are ranked according to the  OAG Megahub Index 2016 **.

Frequent flyers to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) know that even the recommended one-hour minimum time between connecting flights (even in the same terminal) is risky. Heathrow is so massive in fact that it is Europe’s largest megahub. With plans for a third runway already in the works, it is only expected to get bigger and more crowded. If you have a couple hours to kill, you can reach the city center in just under 45 minutes via the tube or hop on the Heathrow Express, which will take you to Paddington Station in only 15 minutes. Another option is to grab a cab and take a 20-minute ride to Windsor Castle, the longest occupied palace in Europe and the preferred weekend home of Queen Elizabeth II.

Flights to London

North America

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is not only the biggest player in the Midwest United States, but it is also the largest hub in the US. Its expansive grounds are so large that travelers walking from one terminal to the next can get a small workout in. A passenger could walk well over a mile if they go from Concourse C in Terminal 1 all the way to the end of the L Concourse in Terminal 3. Yogis will also be happy to know that there is a yoga room located in Terminal 3 – the perfect place to stretch out before a long flight!

Flights to Chicago

Latin America

Brazil’s São Paulo-Congonhas Airport (CGH) is one of the four airports serving the São Paolo area. Since 1985, international flights have not operated from CGH, so it’s very likely that you will find yourself at this airport only if you are planning to fly internally within Brazil. And why wouldn’t you? From CGH you can reach the gorgeous beaches of Rio de Janeiro in about 50 minutes by plane, or you can venture out a bit further to the sunny peninsulas of Recife or the amazon capital of Manaus.

Flights to São Paulo

Middle East and Africa

The world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic just so happens to be the primary airport serving Dubai – Dubai International Airport (DXB). DXB sees around 90 million travellers passing through its terminals annually. If that doesn’t seem like a lot of foot traffic, consider this – DXB saw 88,545 connections on its busiest day in 2015 according to the same OAG report. DXB’s massive grounds are so well-known that National Geographic even produced a 10-series documentary called Ultimate Airport Dubai, which gives viewers a behind the scenes look at the day to day operations of the airport.

Flights to Dubai

Asia Pacific

Indonesia’a Java island is home to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), serving the greater Jakarta area. OAG ranks it as the 7th most connected airport in the world and it’s known as being the busiest airport in the Southern Hemisphere. CGK boasts free Wifi, 21 reading corners located throughout its terminals and even a golf course located on the left side of the airport’s main gate.

Flights to Jakarta

If you’re lucky enough to land a layover in one of the  10 best airports in the world  and you feel like doing a little shopping, don’t forget to check out our guide to making the most out of  duty free shops . Happy travels!

*for a 10-day travel period in september 2017, searched in april 2017, **oag created the index by calculating the total number of all possible connections between inbound and outbound flights within an eight-hour window during a single day at the largest airports (based on scheduled seats in 2014).

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What Is the Minimum Connection Time for a Flight?

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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If you’ve ever searched for flights and seen an itinerary that features a mere 35 minute layover to make a connection, you might wonder how airlines decide the minimum connection time between flights. There is a rule in place that determines the shortest amount of time airlines can offer for a connection, known as Minimum Connection Times. 

What Are Minimum Connection Times?

Minimum connection times are the shortest amount of time that airlines can offer as a layover between flights. These standards vary by airport, and can also vary depending on the flight. Larger airports require longer connection times, as do international flights where passengers will need to go through passport control/recheck luggage. 

Minimum connection times are automatically factored into reservations, so too-short layovers won’t be displayed as an option when you search for flights. (Note that this only applies if you’re booking both legs of your flight on the same ticket—if you’re trying to save money by booking two flights separately, you will be responsible for making sure you can make your connecting flight, and won’t have any protections if your first flight is delayed and you miss your connection.)

How to Prevent Flight Delays (and What to Do If They Happen Anyway)

How Are Minimum Connection Times Determined? 

The minimum connecting times for each airport are determined by airport operating committees or groups of airlines. Sometimes airlines will have their own policy as well for specific airports or individual routes.

The allotted time factors in distance between terminals/gates, security wait times, etc.

How Can I Find out What the Recommended Minimum Connection Time Is for an Airport?

If you’re stressed about a short layover, it can make you feel better to check the minimum connection time for your airport. Many airlines and airports will show this information online.

For example, here are Air Canada’s minimum connection times . You can see that a domestic flight through a smaller airport only requires a 30 minute layover, whereas an international flight from a large airport will require at least one hour. 

When is the Best Time to Book a Flight?

What Can I Do If I’m Stressed About a Tight Connection? 

Meeting the minimum connection time is certainly no guarantee that you’ll make your next flight. If you’re booked on an itinerary with an uncomfortably short layover (or if your original flight is delayed, making for an even tighter connection) and you have concerns about making your onward flight, there are a few things you can do to better your chances. 

• Request a seat at the front of the plane to allow you to get off the plane faster.
• Let the flight attendant know that you have a tight connection (especially if your first flight is delayed). They may be able to move you up to the front of the plane toward the end of the flight, and/or make an announcement asking other passengers to remain seated to allow you to be the first off the plane. 
• Download a map of the connecting airport and study the route you’ll need to take to get to your next gate.
• Research if shuttle buses are required to move between terminals, and if walking (or sprinting!) would be faster than waiting for one.
• Don’t check a bag—if you’re connecting to an international flight, you’ll usually have to pick up your bag and recheck it before continuing on, which can slow you down. A tight connection also increases the chances of your bag getting lost.

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What is a Connecting Flight? (Everything You Should Know)

A connecting flight is when you have to take another flight to reach a destination.

All flights after the first one are referred to as “connecting flights”.

Connecting flights are common for both domestic and international travel, since they’re cheaper than direct flights, though sometimes there is no other option to reach a destination other than taking a connecting flight.

That being said, a connecting flight could cost you more if you have a long layover period in which you wait at an airport and spend money on food and drinks, or have to travel to another airport for your connecting flight.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Domestic Connecting Flight
• 1.2 International Connecting Flight
• 2 How Connecting Flights Work
• 3 Do You Have to Check in Again?
• 4 Do You Have to Go Through Airport Security Again?
• 5 Do You Need a New Boarding Pass?
• 6 Do You Need to Go Through Customs?
• 7 What Happens to Your Luggage?
• 8 Make Sure to Leave Enough Time for a Connecting Flight
• 9.1 Same Airline
• 9.2 Different Airline
• 10 Can You Skip a Connecting Flight?
• 11 Connecting Flights Are Cheaper Than Direct Flights
• 12 Difference Between a Connecting Flight and a Layover

Examples of Connecting Flights

Domestic connecting flight.

JetBlue has a connecting flight when flying from New York to Miami.

The passengers first board JetBlue Airways Flight 832 from New York to Boston.

Then they switch to JetBlue Airways flight 4149 from Boston to Miami. 

International Connecting Flight

Lufthansa operates an international connecting flight from Newark to Moscow.

Lufthansa LH I 403 first flies from Newark to Frankfurt.

The passengers disembark to board Lufthansa LH I 1304 from Frankfurt to Istanbul.

Finally, the passengers board Turkish Airlines TK I 419 to fly from Istanbul to Moscow. 

How Connecting Flights Work

Typically, you’ll land for your stopover and quickly pass the transfer area.

You’ll then reach the gate for your next flight without needing to check in.

Your luggage will be transferred to the next plane without you having to collect it. 

Sometimes, especially if the connecting flight is with a different airline or another terminal, passengers may go through an additional security and baggage check before boarding their connecting flight.  

Do You Have to Check in Again?

In most cases, you won’t have to check in again for a connecting flight, though if your connecting flight is with a different airline, you may have to collect your bags and then check in again. 

Do You Have to Go Through Airport Security Again?

Whether you have to go through airport security for a connecting flight depends on if the connecting flight is on the same ticket or not, and if you’re flying domestically or internationally.

If your connecting flight is on a different ticket and/or you are flying internationally, you will likely have to go through airport security again.

At airports where the terminals aren’t all connected, you may also have to go through airport security again.

Do You Need a New Boarding Pass?

You will be provided multiple boarding passes if you have a connecting flight.

You’ll most likely receive all boarding passes when you check in for your first flight at the airport.

Some airlines may provide a second boarding pass after your first flight, but this is rare. 

Do You Need to Go Through Customs?

Most airports won’t require you to go through customs for an international connecting flight, as you won’t be leaving the airport. 

If you won’t be leaving the airport, your bags are automatically checked onto your next flight, and you have your onward boarding pass, you won’t have to go through customs.

What Happens to Your Luggage?

Your luggage will normally be loaded onto the second plane after your first flight lands without you having to do anything.

Make Sure to Leave Enough Time for a Connecting Flight

You should leave at least an hour for a domestic connecting flight, and ideally 2 hours for an international connecting flight.

If you have to exit one terminal and enter another for your connecting flight, or you’re traveling on two different tickets, you should leave more time.

A connecting flight will not wait for you if your first flight is delayed.

The airline would be obligated to rebook you on their next available flight if your itinerary is all on the same ticket, though.

Related: How Early Should You Get to the Airport For an International Flight ?

What Happens If You Miss a Connecting Flight

Same airline.

If you miss a connecting flight with the same airline, the airline will be responsible for providing you with a seat on the next available flight. 

Different Airline

If your connecting flight is with a different airline , the original airline won’t assist you if you’re late for a connecting flight, even if your first flight was delayed.

However, if the two airlines are in the same alliance (i.e. your itinerary is on the same ticket), they may be able to rebook you onto the next available flight.

Can You Skip a Connecting Flight?

You can legally skip a connecting flight, though it might not be the best idea, as your seat on the onward flights will be canceled.

Connecting Flights Are Cheaper Than Direct Flights

Connecting flights are generally cheaper than direct flights, since most passengers are willing to pay more to fly directly.

However, if you have a flight with a long layover time, you may have to purchase food and drinks at the airport.

Even worse, if your connecting flight is in a different airport, you’ll have to bear the expense of traveling to a new airport. 

There’s always the risk of not leaving enough time and missing your connecting flight too, which could cost you both time and money.

Difference Between a Connecting Flight and a Layover

A layover is the time between two flights.

A connecting flight is the next flight on your journey to a destination. 

In conclusion:

• A connecting flight is when you take another flight to reach a destination.
• Connecting flights are common for both domestic and international destinations.
• The way connecting flights work is that passengers disembark after the first flight. They then board one or multiple subsequent planes for one or more additional flights to the final destination.
• During the connecting flight, your luggage will automatically be loaded onto the next plane, so you most likely won’t have to check in again. 

See Also: A Complete Guide to Airline Operations

Ella Dunham

Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.

Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.

Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).

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• Travel Tips

Do You Have to Go Through Customs for a Connecting Flight?

When you fly on an international flight, you always need to pass through a passport control security checkpoint at some point during your journey. While this is true for all destinations, some countries and zones operate a little bit differently than you might naturally assume. The United States is one of these places.

Many travelers are unsure of how customs and immigration work when flying into the United States, and this confusion gets even worse when they hear things like “you will need to recheck all of your luggage during your layover.” To be honest, I was nervous the first time I was flying back to the U.S. on a flight with a connection because I had no idea how it was supposed to work. Experiences like that are what drive me to write posts like this to help fellow travelers!

This post is going to break down everything you need to know about customs and passport control on international flights to the United States with a connecting flight before the final destination. If you are asking the question “Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight?” this post was written exclusively for you, and you will probably be able to breathe much more easily by the time you get to the end!

How Does Customs Work on International Flights to the United States?

Any country that you fly into requires you to pass through customs and immigration. These two areas are part of every country’s protocols, and there is no way to get around them, even if you are a citizen of the destination country. The main flight attendant on your original flight will likely provide some instructions over the airplane’s speaker system before you land, but this is not always the case.

Customs When Arriving on a Direct Flight

If you have a direct flight, things are very simple. You will land at your final destination, get off the plane, wait in the passport control line, pick up your bags at the baggage claim, and pass through the appropriate customs tunnel.

For most people, there is nothing to declare to customs, and you will almost never have to wait in line. The immigration line is usually the long one. Once you have your baggage and clear customs, you can leave the airport and continue with your trip.

Customs When Arriving on a Flight with at Least One Domestic Connection

If you don’t have a direct flight, things might be a tad trickier. When you fly into the United States, the rule is that you must pass through customs and immigration at your first point of entry in the United States. Therefore, if you fly from Paris to Chicago with a layover in New York, you will need to pass through customs and passport control in New York, not in Chicago.

Your flight from New York to Chicago is technically a domestic flight, and it would land at a domestic terminal in Chicago. As a result, there would be no chance to pass through customs and immigration in Chicago. To ensure that all passengers immigrate properly, immigration is always done immediately upon landing at the first airport, and everything after that is considered domestic travel.

Customs Pre-Clearance at an International Airport

The United States has customs and immigration pre-clearance systems in place in several international airports around the world. These advanced checkpoints allow passengers to clear immigration and customs before their flight, rather than upon arrival. This frontloads the bottleneck of security checks to the beginning of your trip, which makes for a very smooth and stress-free arrival!

Despite what you may assume, almost none of these checkpoints are in Europe’s Schengen Area. The vast majority are in Canadian cities, like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Beyond Canada, there are preclearance capabilities at select airports in Bermuda, the Bahamas, Aruba, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates.

Do You Have to Recheck Baggage on Connecting International Flights to the United States?

Nonstop flights to the united states.

If you have a direct flight to the United States, you will simply complete the immigration process with your passport and boarding passes, pick up your baggage at the baggage claim upon arrival and then pass through the US Customs inspection. There is no need to do anything else. Usually, by the time you get through the long lines of the passport check area, your bags will be awaiting you in the baggage claim area.

Flights to the United States with at Least One Domestic Connection

If your flight to the United States includes a layover somewhere else in the United States, and you pass through customs and immigration anywhere other than your final destination, you will need to recheck all of your luggage at that point. Essentially, once you land at your first point of entry in the United States, and you pass through passport control, you will need to wheel your bags through customs, recheck them at an expedited counter designated for connections from international flights, and continue on to your next gate.

The check-in desks at this point are usually entirely separate from the ones at the entrance to the airport. These desks are normally exclusively for passengers arriving from a foreign country and connecting to another city in the United States. As such, there is not usually much of a line, and you will likely not need to pass through security again before heading to the gate for your next flight.

International Connecting Flights Before Arriving to the United States

In the vast majority of cases, you will not need to recheck your bags until you arrive in the United States. If your connection is in Europe, for example, your bags will not need to be rechecked. While customs procedures vary by country and region, very few places require you to recheck your bags if you are just connecting through to a different country and remaining in the transit area.

​I’ve done this multiple times this year alone. Coming home from India, we had a layover in Amsterdam before continuing to Washington DC. We did not need to recheck any baggage in Amsterdam, and we received it upon landing in DC. 

Coming home from Egypt, we had layovers in both Rome and New York City. We did not have to recheck any baggage in Rome, but we did have to recheck our baggage in New York before continuing on to Pittsburgh.

The exception to this is if your itinerary is on separate tickets. If your flights are booked on multiple itineraries, the connecting procedure will be very different. This is because there is no way for the baggage system to know you are boarding a different flight once you land.

Do You Have to Go Through Customs for a Layover in Europe?

Europe functions uniquely to most places in the world, due to the immigration-free travel throughout most of the continent. If your origin, layover airport, and destination are all a part of the Schengen zone, you will not need to clear customs or immigration at all. Your passport or other travel document might be checked, but it will not be stamped upon arrival on your transit flight or at your final destination.

What if you are coming from somewhere outside of Europe, passing through on a layover in Europe, and landing somewhere else? This was the case on my recent trip from Egypt to the United States, which had a layover in Rome. In cases like this, you will not pass through any form of customs and immigration screening during your layover.

If you plan on leaving the airport, you will need to pass through immigration and customs. However, since your luggage will remain in the airport, customs officers won’t usually give you a hard time, as long as you have a valid transit visa or passport that allows visa-free travel to your international destination.

Security Checks During Layovers in Europe

When you have an international connection in Europe connecting you to and from countries that aren’t a part of the Schengen zone, you will not need to pass through customs. But you will need to go through a brief airport security check! 

This check is much more relaxed than a regular airport security check. There are usually no wait times, and you may not have to remove electronics from your bag or dispose of liquids. In my experience, the average wait time to get through transit security in major European airports is between 2 and 7 minutes.

How Much Time Do You Need to Clear Customs and Immigration on a Flight to the US?

Airlines and airports recognize that transit passengers often have very short connection times. The airport does all it can to ensure that the customs declaration, security screening, border control, and baggage rechecking processes move as swiftly as possible for passengers with flight connections, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) works tirelessly to safely and efficiently help passengers clear security and arrive to their gates with plenty of time remaining.

With that being said, you need to put yourself in a good position, too. You never want to pick the flight itinerary with the minimum connection time between your first flight and second flight, as it is your job to make sure you have enough time to complete all of these steps. International connections in the United States have a lot of moving pieces, and it is not uncommon to experience a long wait in immigration and customs lines during peak periods.

I recommend leaving yourself several hours of time, if possible

Leave Several Hours of Time to Pass Through Customs

I recommend leaving yourself several hours of time, if possible. While the time you will need varies greatly depending on the airport, the time of day, and the time of year, it is always better to give yourself a little too much time than to give yourself too little time.

Long layovers are often frowned upon by travelers, but I am a big fan of 4-hour layovers on long-haul flights. The departure area and gate areas always have plenty of options for places to eat, and you won’t even need to haul around any checked luggage during this time.

While nonstop flights are usually best, having a nice meal or work session at your connecting airport is always a great plan, too. While the international terminal at an airport is usually the nicest one, you can still usually expect plenty of great food options in domestic terminals when waiting for your connecting flight.

4 Tips for Passing Through US Customs and Immigration Quickly to Get to a Connecting Flight

During our time living in Mexico, we took a lot of flights from Mexico City to various places in the United States, and we learned pretty well how to have a hassle-free experience. Here are a few of our top tips, based on lessons that we learned.

1. Different Airlines Require More Connection Time

While different airlines have different rules regarding connection times, we found that some airlines are very unreliable with their baggage handling. British Airways and American Airlines are two of the worst major airlines when it comes to baggage handling. Ironically, they are partners.

On one trip to Europe, we flew from the U.S. to Italy with a stop at London Heathrow airport on British Airways. They lost our bags for a full month and took over 6 months to compensate us for the thousands of dollars that we had to pay to purchase all new things for our month-long trip.

Stories like this are not uncommon with American Airlines , and we have personally been with people on two different occasions whose baggage was left behind at a connecting airport. If they can’t do it right on a domestic flight, odds are they can’t do it right on an international flight.

We almost always fly with Delta or with one of Delta’s partners, and we have never been disappointed. The Delta App allows you to track your bags, and Delta even has a 15-minute guarantee. If your bag doesn’t appear at the baggage claim within 15 minutes, they will give you free SkyMiles.

2. Global Entry is Worth Every Penny

Global Entry is a program sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that expedites international arrivals for U.S. citizens. You pay a fee and go through an application process, and once approved you get to skip the entire passport control line when arriving on an international flight to the United States. This extra time is a major advantage when you have a connection flight, as you also get to beat the rest of the travelers to the U.S. Customs lines and the check-in counter to recheck your bags.

Global entry doesn’t even require you to bring any extra travel documents with you. Your passport is all you need, and there is a kiosk that will scan your face to make sure you are who you say you are. Once it approves you, you pass through a dedicated Global Entry line and move along quickly.

On one flight home from Abu Dhabi during the airport terminal’s peak times, Global Entry enabled us to skip past a 1-hour-long border protection line. To sweeten the deal, Global Entry applications also include TSA Precheck, which makes security a breeze when leaving on flights within the United States.

3. Take Advantage of Mobile Passport Control

If you don’t want to pay to sign up for Global Entry, you can take advantage of Mobile Passport Control. This new feature recently was rolled out by the American government, and it allows travelers to pre-clear customs and immigration via their phones. The feature is available via mobile app on both iOS and Android.

Mobile Passport Control can save you a massive amount of time by permitting you to fill out your customs declaration form and conduct your passport screening in advance. It is especially beneficial for a transit passenger with no checked baggage, as you can breeze through immigration and head straight to the border. The immigration and customs line can be over an hour long in the worst cases, and Mobile Passport Control can turn that wait into less than ten minutes.

4. Make Sure You Book a Long Enough Layover

At the end of the day, there is only so much you can do to get through customs and immigration faster. It is crucial that you book a long enough layover time in the event that things do not go to plan. If there is a long customs line, or if your first flight is delayed, you don’t want to feel rushed trying to make your connection.

If the delay is your airline’s fault, they will put you on the next available flight. However, if something else causes the delay, like long customs lines or a need to switch terminals, the airline isn’t liable. 

It’s a good idea to err on the side of a longer layover. I always book layovers that are at least two hours long when connecting through the United States and one and a half hours long when connecting through Europe. I’d rather sip on a glass of wine in an airport lounge than break into a nervous sweat waiting for my bags before heading to the transfer service desk!

Thanks for reading my post about passing through customs on an international flight to the United States with a connection. Hopefully, this post answered any questions you have about passing through customs when flying to the United States, including how to recheck your baggage.

If you have any questions or thoughts, drop a comment below.

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

94 Comments

Greg – This post is just what I needed – thank you so much! Have you used the Mobile Passport Control app? It seems like it could save some time. I haven’t traveled internationally in years. When we return to the US, we will fly from Amsterdam to ATL and then home to South Carolina. Mobile Passport Control is available in ATL.

Thanks for reading! I’m really happy this post was helpful for you. I personally have not used the MPC app because I have Global Entry. However, I do know that it is a great tool that I absolutely recommend using. While getting things set up on the front end does take a little bit of time, you’ll probably be able to use a dedicated Mobile Passport Control line when you land in ATL. Since ATL is such a busy airport, the regular lines can definitely get very long…I’ve seen them there plenty of times! I hope you have a great trip and get home safely!

Hi Greg, Thank you for your great article, answered every question I had regarding travel from Italy to the US. Curious if could tell me how it works traveling from Venice to the Us with a layover in Amsterdam, one ticket, traveling with carryon only. Will I need to go through customs in Amsterdam or just catch the next flight. I am flying Delta/KLM and have a 1hr 45min layover in Amsterdam on the way back to the US. Is this long enough? I still have time to change my ticket if not. I would love to know what to expect when landing in Amsterdam, please advise and thank you!

Thank you for your kind words! I’m so happy that my post was helpful for you. Regarding your question, I can answer with 100% confidence, because I just flew into the US with a layover in Amsterdam on Delta/KLM two months ago!

When you land in Amsterdam, you will have to go through a security check, but that is all. In my experience, it was one of the most laid-back, casual, fast security checks. We didn’t have to take things out of our bags, there wasn’t much of a line, and we were through within 10 minutes. We travel with a ton of electronic equipment, and they didn’t flag a single one of our backpacks or carry-ons. 1hr45 is absolutely enough time for your connection.

Once you get through the quick security check, you will be right in Amsterdam’s big, beautiful terminal. Great restaurants and shopping, not too much walking to the gates, and very straightforward navigation. The airport technically has three different terminals, but they are all housed in the same building and there is no need to exit and take a bus, for example.

Have an AWESOME trip!

Erin Decker

Thank you for this great article. I will be flying from Venice to JFK with a 2 hour layover at Charles Degaul- will this be enough time.? I’m traveling with family and we had planned on checking bags in Venice. Will they go straight to JFK or will we need to collect our luggage and go through custom check with our bags or will our luggage go straight through tomJFK where we will go through customs?

Hi Erin! Thanks for reading. I’m happy this post was helpful for you! Firstly, Two hours should be enough time in Paris, but you’ll want to move as quickly as possible. Two hours is plenty of time in most cases, but CDG is notoriously huge and connections can be a bit spread out. As long as you go straight to the gate before stopping for food or other things, you will be perfectly fine.

As far as your bags go, you can check them in Venice and you’ll see them in New York. There is no need to grab them while in Paris. The U.S.’s funky customs rule only applies within the U.S., so as long as JFK is your final stop on your flight itinerary, you can just grab them at the baggage claim once you get to New York. The weird rule would only come into play if you were flying from, say, Venice to New York and then onward to Boston.

I hope this helps. Have a great trip, and reach out if you need anything!

Thanks so much! I was nervous that we would t have time to pick up our luggage and recheck😊

Hi Greg, really glad you’re addressing this! Just flew from Calgary to SFO with a stop in Vancouver. What a goat rope! Had to go through customs AND security in Vancouver before getting access to the area with US-bound flights and I barely made met flight. I’m about to go on a trip to England/Scotland in June…direct SFO to Heathrow on the way out, but Edinburgh through Heathrow to get to SFO on the way back. Will I have to go through security and customs in Heathrow before being able to board a US-bound flight? Or will that be done when I arrive at SFO? Many of the available flights only give about an hour layover at Heathrow so I really need to know…hope you have the answer!

I’m happy my post was valuable for you! That story sounds like a nightmare. You will not need to go through customs in Heathrow on your way back. You will be arriving in London from a UK airport, and there will be no need to worry about US Customs until you’re on the ground in San Francisco. An hour layover is tight, though given that Heathrow is huge. I’d advise a longer layover if there is one available just for peace of mind, but if there isn’t you should be able to swing it. Heathrow is massive, but it is pretty easy to get around within the airport. I hope you have a great trip!

Hi Greg.. we are travelling from NZ to Paris via a stopover in SFO for 6 hours. Do you know if we have to pick up checked luggage or would it be automatically transferred to our second international flight. We are basically in transit .. arriving and departing internationally. We are not taking any domestic flights. Thanks

If you are just transiting through an airport in the U.S., you probably do not need to go through customs or recheck your bags. You will likely just stay in the international area of the airport and never need to clear border control or customers before continuing on to Paris. Is your flight all on one reservation?

Hi Greg, we are flying Pittsburgh to Newark, Newark to Toronto on United , 1:10 layover in Toronto, then on a flight operated by Air Canada to Athens. Will we need to get our luggage and recheck it on the Air Canada flight to Athens. This was all ticketed with United with United flight numbers. Thank you.

Hey Billie,

Pittsburgh proud! I love it. We are actually based out of Pittsburgh ourselves. You shouldn’t have to recheck your bags in Toronto. As far as I know, Canada isn’t nearly as particular with the baggage controls as the United States is. Since your ultimate destination is not in Canada and your entire route was ticketed with United, you should be able to check your bags in the Steel City and forget about them until you arrive in Athens. The funky US rule only comes into play when you are arriving in the US from an international flight and then connecting to somewhere else within the US. So, on your way home you will need to collect and recheck your bags in Newark before continuing on to Pittsburgh.

Greg- Thank you for your article. I am hoping that you may be able to answer a question for me. I am flying internationally with my family of four for the first time. Our flight to ATL originates in Calgary and has a relatively short layover in Toronto. Will will have to go through customs in Calgary, Toronto, or BOTH? If we check a bag and have to go through customs in Toronto, will be have to claim the bag and recheck it?

How exciting! I’m so happy to hear you’re taking your family on their first international trip. I am so excited for you. You will not have to go through customs until you land in Atlanta, which is your final stop anyway. The U.S. is very particular with its customs rules, and one of them is that you need to declare your baggage at your first port of entry in the U.S. Since that is Atlanta for you, you will go through customs then. On your way home, I think you will need to go through customs in Toronto, but then not in Calgary, although I could be mistaken. I am less familiar with Canadian customs rules, but generally you go through customs when you first arrive into the final country you are heading to. So, if your final destination is Canada, you usually go through customs at the first Canadian airport you get to. Does that make sense?

Hi Greg, We are flying home from Rome to Los Angeles on Turkish Airlines 1360. Unfortunately, we have layover in Turkey for 2hours and 35 minutes on Turkish Airlines 9. My question to you is do we need recheck our luggage and going through customs again when we arrive in Turkey? Or would it be automatically transferred to our destination in LAX when we were departing in Rome? Since we only have 2:35 hours layover, we are so nervous that we would not have enough time to go through all these procedures.

Hi Josephine,

Your luggage should be automatically transferred. Once you check it in Rome, you shouldn’t have to see it again until you get home to LA! Two and a half hours should be plenty of time in Istanbul, too.

Hi Greg We are traveling from Dubrovnik to Miami with a layover in Istanbul of 1 hour and 50 minutes, via Turkish Air. Will we need to go through customs and or/security at the Istanbul airport, or will we be able to go directly to the gate? We will not be checking any luggage. Thanks in advance.

I am not sure if you’ll need to go through customs or security in the Istanbul airport. You usually do not as long as you have a connecting international flight, but every country handles this differently. In any case, the security or customs check would be abbreviated, and if you have nothing to declare, you will probably just breeze right through.

Greg, this article is perfect timing! I haven’t traveled int’l since 2018 & I’m rusty with remembering how it all works. Then today I logged into look at the layover times again & some are shorter (new change by United) so I’m concerned.

Flying from Boise to Athens, via Chicago (55 min layover!) & Munich (1.5 hr layover).

Return is Athens to Boise, via London (1 hr layover) & San Fran (1.5 hr layover).

Should I be concerned with these short layover times at any of these airports?

Also, from reading your post and subsequent comments, our luggage TO Athens will be checked all the way there, but on our return flight home to Boise, we’ll be going through customs and immigration at SFO & rechecking our luggage? Is that correct?

Shame on me for not doing my homework on Global Entry. I just applied for and received TSA precheck but now I realize I should have just applied for GE and got the TSA precheck as a part of that! Ugh.

Thanks for the great article!

I’m so happy that this article was helpful, and I hope my response isn’t too late! The only layover I would be wary of is 1.5 hours in San Francisco on the way home, but it could be enough time. This is where you will need to clear US customs, which may be fast…or may not. To be honest, I have never landed in SFO and connected to another destination in the US, so I’m not sure how quick or slow they are. I know that in Atlanta, where we normally arrive before connecting, 90 minutes would be too short. As you mentioned in your comment, YES there is where you will pass through customs and immigration, and YES your bags will be checked all the way to Athens.

I’m sorry to hear about the Global Entry double dip! That is unfortunate, but at least you can still have both!

Karen Bowers

Hi Greg–your article definitely helps–google and Customs sites are CONFUSING!! I wiil be traveling solo round trip Newark NJ to Quito/Galapagos/Amazon–I have NOT purchased air yet as flights are horrible–very short or very long and I am unclear @ Customs,etc– There are NO direct flights but some connections are in US like Miami/Atlanta while some are International (Panama,Bogota,Costa Rica) which as a single female I’m trying to avoid due to current country unrests not to mention they are in the middle of the night– what is process if I have an International connection from Quito to Costa Rica and then Newark–Customs in Costa Rica or Newark? Then for arrival in Quito do I go through Customs when I arrive there? what about if there’s a connecting flight in US vs International–customs when/where Thanks soooo much–want to get tickets purchased ASAP

You need to clear customs in each country whose border you enter. If you have an overnight layover and plan to leave the airport to sleep in a hotel, you will need to make sure you have a visa (or can enter visa free) and will need to go through customs. Then, once you land in the US, you will go through US Customs at the first airport you enter in the US. Customs needs to be passed in each country that you enter, as each country has its own customs protection department. If you go to the Galapagos (part of Ecuador) you will need to pass Ecuadorian Customs. If you visit the Brazilian part of the Amazon, you will need to pass Brazilian Customs. And when you fly home, you’ll need to pass through the Customs or any country that you ENTER. A layover doesn’t require you to pass through customs in a country outside of the US as long as you stay in the airport. If you leave, you need to pass through customs and border control of that country. Then the first airport you land in in the US (Miami, Atlanta, whatever it may be) is where you will go through US customs and border protection.

Am hoping all goes well as flying back home to Ca from Cancun and never went through customs. Will ask if I have to recheck bags at Cancún. And it’s an American flight. Once I get through DFW I will be good. As have to take skylink from D to A. A little stressful.

Hi Greg – very timely, thank you! I see most comments are from Europe to the US. I’m going from Chicago to Athens with a layover in Istanbul. Would we need to clear customs in Istanbul or Athens? Thanks!

Hey Charlie,

You would clear customs in Athens.

Hi Greg, thank you for your article. It is very helpful. My friend will travel from Boston to Tokyo via New York (EWR) (1hr and 50mins. layover). Do you think that it is enough layover time? Thanks

I think that is plenty of time. That airport is very easy to navigate and your friend should be fine.

This is just the article i was looking for. We are traveling from Charlotte to Paris in November and will have layovers both ways. From CLT we will likely have layover in Philly or at JFK both of those options give us about 1 hour layover which i am very concerned about. would love to hear your thoughts. On the way back from Paris our layover options are Heathrow (2 hr layover) or Chicago or PHL w/ 2.5 hour layover. Will we have to go through customs/immigration at Heathrow and deal with getting our luggage? I know we will have to go through customs/get our luggage if we have layover in Chicago or PHL right? Which layover is my best option? thanks so much for this!

Thanks for reading! Paris – WOW! What a great city. One of our favorites. (Also big Charlotte lovers…I’m a HUGE Panthers fan…)

1-hour layover in Philly or New York is pretty brief, but doable as long as everything is on time. You won’t have to worry about baggage, so it is more so a matter of transiting through the airport in time. Both of those airports are pretty big, and you might have to hustle a bit. On the way home, both layover options are great. I’d recommend laying over in the US (preferably Philly because it’ll be a shorter flight and smaller line at customs) because it is less of a hassle, in my opinion. 2.5 hours is plenty of time to get through Customs and Immigration in most instances, and going through customs in the US is very easy on a layover. It is a quick process once you actually get through the border. If you do it over your layover, you don’t have to worry about it once you finally get home to Charlotte. London would also be fine, but I prefer to knock out big flight segments earlier in my trips!

DisembRking Alaska cruise in Vancouver. Our flights are Vancouver to Toronto. Change planes in Toronto to Boston.

When will we go through customs and will we have to get our luggage in Toronto for customs? It is a connecting flight with 2 1/2 hour layover. Thanks!

You will not see your bags until you get to Boston, which is also where you will go through Customs. You’ll check them in Vancouver, won’t need to worry about them in Toronto, and will pick them up and go through Customs and Immigration in Boston.

This was helpful. I’m travelling from Australia to Green Bay next month and I was told my gags would go straight to my destination. So now I’m questioning that. My first port in the US is LA and I have a 2hour 20 min layover now I’m worried that’s not enough time to clear customs and get to terminal 7 and check bags etc for my connection to Chicago. panic mode. Glad I found this out now!! Thank you

Two thoughts on this. Firstly, you definitely will need to recheck your bags in LA. Your airline or travel agent must have misspoken, because there’s no chance your bags go straight to Green Bay. The good news is that you won’t have to recheck them as you might be imagining. When you land in LA, you will go through border control and then pass into a special connections-only transit area, where you need to pick up your bags, physically walk them though customs, then hand them back off to the airline there. So, there are no long lines and you will not need to proceed to a ticketing counter. This whole process is very quick. As long as the border control is moving smoothly, you should be able to make your flight!

Hi Greg, Thanks so much for all this helpful info. In a couple of weeks we are flying to Paris and after a few days will fly to Budapest. I think we will have to go thru customs at both places, correct? Later we will be in Prague for a few days. Once we leave Prague we fly to Atlanta with a connecting flight in Paris. On our way home do we go thru customs in Paris? That connection in Paris is 2 hours which concerns me. My wife and I are elderly. Should we consider checking all four bags, rather than just the normal two? Will our bags be checked from Prague all the way to Atlanta? I know we go thru customs in Atlanta before connecting on another flight to NC. We have Global Entry so that should speed us up in Atlanta.

What a great trip. It sounds like you will have a blast! You should only need to go through Customs once the entire time in Europe, and that is when you arrive in Paris. The European Union as a whole functions much like the United States as a whole, in that once you are in, you’re in. Just like you don’t need to go through Customs to fly from NC to GA, you don’t need to go through Customs when you fly from France to Hungary. You should be able to check your bags at your home airport and pick them up in Paris, passing through customs there. The rest of your flights (with the exception of the flight from Paris to Atlanta) will function just like domestic flights in the US. Yes, your bags checked in Prague will be checked all the way through to Atlanta with no need to be picked up in Paris. Have a great trip!

Thanks so much for your reply, Greg. Still concerned about the connecting flight in Paris on the way back. Only have 2hours and air traffic controllers may be on strike. Notice a few minutes ago that the flight scheduled for tomorrow has already posted a delay of 35 minutes–must be in relation to air traffic controllers. Know we have no control over that, so we will definitely not check our carry-ons unless things change as we may have to spend a night in Paris on the way home. On top of this a scheduled strike is set for the beginning of our trip near our hotel. Hopefully we won’t have to resort to hotel food:(

I’m a little confused. The trip I’m hoping to take would have me leaving Rome, connecting in Munich to arrive at Dulles airport in Virginia. The direct flight is way to expensive. Do I need to do any immigration or customs in Munich? The layover is 1h50m. Thank you

Hey Sharon,

You would not need to go through any customs, since both Rome and Munich are in the EU. You would just act as if it were a domestic layover, and you’d simply switch gates. The EU as a whole functions similarly to the US as a whole. I hope you have a great trip!

Hi Greg! Thank you so much for sharing.

I’m a bit confused and am hoping you can help me. My son, 18 years old, is flying to Scotland (from North Carolina) to study abroad. He’s leaving this Friday. I’m really concerned about his return flight. He will leave Edinburgh at 6 am and arrive in Frankfurt at 8:55 am. He’ll then leave Frankfurt at 10:15 am and land in Munich at 11:10 am. Finally, he’ll leave Munich at 12:45 pm to return to Charlotte.

He’s never flown alone before, and he has never traveled internationally. Will his suitcase need to be rechecked once he arrives at Frankfurt and again in Munich? Will he go through customs for these layovers in Germany? If so, does he have enough time? It looks like he only has an hour and twenty minutes, so I’m beginning to panic and I can’t find another flight option for him.

Thanks so much for your help! – Jessica

Hey Jessica,

Thanks for reading my post and commenting! I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. He will not have to go through customs on these layovers, and he will not have to recheck any suitcases. As long as his flight is all booked on one itinerary and the layovers are short as you specified, he will simply get off one plane and walk to the gate for the next one. He would only really have to go through customs if his ultimate destination were in the EU.

An hour and 20 minutes is pretty short for a rookie traveler, but he can probably make it work. It shouldn’t be more complicated than just perhaps switching terminals and finding his new gate. All German airports are very navigable for English speakers, so it should be as straightforward as possible for him.

I hope he has a great semester! We at The Present Perspective are always here to help if he has a rough time or is in need of anything. We love when people embrace opportunities to travel the world, and are always here to answer any questions you might have. Just send us an email!

Hi Greg, Thank you for your post and willingness to respond to us. I will be traveling to London for a few days, then off to Dublin for a few days. I will be flying into Heathrow Terminal 5 (British Airways) from Dublin, but will need to get to Terminal 2 (United) for my flight back home to the US. I am ready to book my Dublin to Heathrow flight, but wanted to make sure I’ll have enough time to get through security/customs if required. What do you recommend? Traveling in July. I am also hoping not to check my bag. Thanks in advance, Deanna 🙂

Hey Deanna,

If you are booking them separately, you will need to go through British customs. I recommend leaving yourself 3 hours or more if possible to make sure that your connection goes smoothly. Heathrow is a massive airport and we have had issues there on several occasions. Otherwise I hope you have a smooth trip, and we are always here to help however we can!

Thank you for this article, Greg! My husband and I are moving back to the US, from Gdansk, Poland in late July/early August. We are flying on KLM/Delta, with ATL being our first US city, and Jacksonville, FL being our final destination.

We are traveling separately, with three checked bags each. We have a 1hour-12-minute layover in ATL. Is this enough time to clear customs? How far away is the checked bag recheck station?

Thank you for any information you can offer!

Hey Lori! You lived in Poland? That sounds amazing! I’ve only ever been to Krakow and the surrounding area but that must have been a great experience. Welcome back to the US!

72 minutes is going to be tight, to be honest. It is doable if the immigration line isn’t too long, but get ready to hustle!

The baggage rechecking area is literally steps away from the transit baggage claim. You will pass through immigration, proceed to a special baggage claim, and walk about 100 steps to the recheck area, where an agent will take your bags for you and you’ll be free to go. From there you will likely have to switch terminals via the terminal train (easy fast and frequent!) and walk to your gate.

I’d estimate you only need 15 minutes to get to your gate once you recheck your bags, and the actual rechecking only takes a minute or two, as they’re already tagged for Jacksonville. The key is just going to be how long the immigration line is and how early your plane closes its doors.

Hi Greg, My wife and I are planning on flying from Toronto to Costa Rica with a layover in Atlanta. Will we need to clear customs and go through baggage claim in Atlanta? We’ll be flying solely with Delta and the schedule layover is only 75 minutes. Thanks

You will likely need to clear customs in Atlanta. I would message the Delta texting hotline to confirm this, but this is how it is supposed to go. The US is a very weird exception when it comes to customs and immigration. The good news is that you will be in a special connecting flights area that moves very quickly and has its own special baggage claim. So while you will need to go through customs and immigration and recheck your bags, it can all be done in about 30 minutes if the lines aren’t terribly long. You’ll immediately go through immigration, which leads directly to a special international transit baggage claim, which leads directly to the customs door, which leads directly to a special international transiting conveyor belt to drop your bags. Its a needless hassle, but you should be fine time-wise.

Hello I am flying from Vancouver to Calgary to Atlanta then home to Grand Rapids after I stay in Canada for a week. The layover in Calgary is only an hour; will I go through customs in Vancouver or Calgary? TY so so much!

You go through customs when you enter a country, not when you exit it. So in this example, you will go through US Customs and Immigration when you land in Atlanta. Have a safe trip home!

Hi Greg! What about when you are making a connection between two international flights? I will be going through JFK in route to Toronto from South America. I am not american citizen. Do I have to clear immigration and customs? My flights arrive and depart from the same terminal. DO you think 4 hours and 40 minutes is enough?

You will have to clear customs and immigration, and you also need a US visa. Even though you aren’t actually entering the US, it requires you to have a valid US visa to transit through the country. 4 hours and 40 minutes is PLENTY of time, though!

Ellen Dunster

Hi, we are looking at flying from CLT to Merida either thru DFW (3hr layover) or IAH (8hr layover). It will be on one ticket.

Will we clear security, customs and immigration at CLT or DFW/IAH please?

Many thanks, Ellen

I’m sorry for my late response! I was out of the country finally taking a true vacation! You will clear Mexican Customs in Merida (beautiful city by the way…have you read my Merida travel guide?). You will then clear US Customs and Immigration in DFW or IAH on the way home.

Thank you, Greg! This DEFINITELY helps!

I’m happy to help! Have an awesome trip!

Greg…so glad I found your article..this is exactly what I needed and answered all of my questions. A cruise line booked our flights and we fly from Athens Greece to Washington DC and then to Atlanta, but layover is less than 2 hours so hope that is enough time to go through customs and recheck bags.

Not going to lie to you, that is a really tight window of time. It isn’t impossible at all, and there’s always a chance that two hours is plenty of time. However, I’d really try to have the cruise line change that if at all possible. I mentioned this in response to a very similar comment, but a 2-hour layover really means you have no more than 90 minutes to go from plane to plane, including customs and immigration. On a good day, you can do this. On a bad day, you’re missing that connecting flight.

I am traveling next week to the US and my only concern is 2-hour layover in Washington. Do you think it will be enough time to go through customs and baggage recheck?

Hi Dorothea! That is going to be a very tight window, but it isn’t impossible. Is your layover at Dulles, IAD? Or is it at one of the other two local airports, DCA or BWI? At Dulles, the immigration line moves fairly quickly and the baggage rechecking timeline is pretty fast, but 2 hours is still pretty tight. Remember that the gate usually closes 30 minutes before the connecting flight’s departure time, which really means you have no more than 1.5 hours to go from plane to plane.

I’m flying from Florida to Copenhagen on United through Edinburgh. I change to CityJet in Edinburgh. I want to pack frozen steaks in my luggage or carry on. Do you known if I can bring them through customs in Edinburgh still packed in dry ice? I know meat products are not allowed in Great Britain, but these will not be setting foot (so to speak) there. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Thanks for reading! I don’t know what to tell you, to be honest. I would think that the full Customs code applies, even though you’re clearly headed elsewhere immediately. You might be able to get them through, but I don’t actually have a definitive answer for you. At worst, you could try and just accept the fact that they might not make it!

Cindy. Burt

I have friends arriving at SFO for 4 hrs and flying onward to London. Can I visit with them if they are in transit?

This site is a god send. My husband and I are traveling from Iowa, thru Chicago to Edinburgh on United. We will be staying in Scotland for a few days. From Edinburgh we will be traveling to Austria with a layover in Amsterdam, both flights are with KLM. Do we need to collect our baggage in Amsterdam, and go thru immigration? I know Amsterdam and Austria are in the EU, do we need to go thru customs and immigration when we land in Austria? Also I’ve read that Austria requires a written prescription from your doctor when carrying more than 6 days worth of medications. The return trip is a direct flight from Austria to Chicago, do we go through customs in Chicago? Are there any things we need to do when we leave Austria? Thanks you very much, Donna

Hi Donna! I’m so happy my blog is helpful to you. Please do share with your friends – I’m always happy to help!

You will go through customs and immigration in Amsterdam, and then not in Austria. The process is relatively quick – I just did it a few months ago in Amsterdam myself. All said and done, it took my family of 3 approximately 40 minutes to clear both customs and immigration. From there, you’ll board to Austria just as if it were a domestic flight in the US, as like you said, both are in the EU. When you land in Austria you’ll just collect your bags and be on your way.

You didn’t hear this from me, but I doubt anyone will notice if you have more than 6 days of prescription meds. If you are able to get a written prescription, better. But if not, I doubt that is a rule they’d strictly enforce, especially since you’ll be going through customs in a different country.

On the way home you will go through customs and immigration in Chicago, yes. Then when you continue to Iowa, it will just be a regular domestic flight with no additional measures to be taken. Leaving Austria there’s nothing special that you need to do – they might do a passport check before letting you access your gate area, but that is quick and easy. Please let me know if you have any questions, and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter if you want more free tips!

Your post was so helpful! I am travelling from Japan to Honolulu (layover) to Portland as my final destination. I talked to an online support agent through my airline and they told me that my luggage doesn’t need re-checking in Honolulu and that I don’t have to pass through customs or immigration. I thought that was odd considering your post and other websites stating that it’s required when entering the US internationally, whether you’re a US citizen or not (I am). The agent said that I claim my luggage and go through customs in Portland, my second point of entry rather than Honolulu, which would be my first. Any idea why?

Thanks again! Your post gave me some relief.

Hey Trin! Thanks for reading. I’m happy my post was helpful for you.

To be honest, that sounds weird. There’s no Customs preclearance or anything in Japan, so I’m not sure why they’re telling you that you won’t go through customs until Portland. The only thing I can think of is MAYBE (and I don’t know, because I have never heard of this…) Hawaii doesn’t count as a port of entry since it is not part of the continental United States? That is the only solution I can think of. Maybe it is treated specially since it is not connected by land to anywhere else in the country. That is just a guess.

Part of me wants to say trust the airline. The other part of me thinks that sounds weird, and I would really think you pass through Customs in Honolulu. I’d say plan to pass through in Honolulu, and if you aren’t directed to pass through immigration, then you’re just safe until Portland. The good news is that you can’t possibly miss Customs and Immigration, if you’re meant to go through them. Your flight will most likely land at an international gate, which will lead right to C&I. If it gets confusing, ask an airport official. They’ll know better than the airline. Safe travels, and thanks for reading!

Thanks for the read. We’ll be flying from Barcelona to Amsterdam then to Salt Lake City. Is there any customs process that we’ll have to go through in Amsterdam? We only have an hour and fifteen min. layover in Amsterdam and I’m a little nervous. Thanks

One hour and 15 minutes should be okay. You will have to go through a rapid, light security screening, but there’s no need to pass through customs and immigration. This is just with your carry-on bags. Amsterdam is a very nice airport and they move this screening along in just minutes. Have a safe trip!

Hi Greg, We are flying on Qatar airways from Doha to Victoria BC via Seattle. We are on the ground at SEA for 1 hour, providing flights are all on time. Are we required to go through customs when we are not leaving the airport? If we choose to check our luggage in Doha, would it be checked right through to Victoria, or would we have to pick it up first at SEA? Probably not enough time to do that. Thanks

Hi Wendy! One hour won’t cut it, unfortunately. You will have to pass through US Customs and Immigration and recheck your bags, which will take more than the time you have allotted.

Thank you for the information above, regarding our return to the US from Poland. One thing that surprised our daughters and son, who all came to Poland to visit us before we moved, is that there was NO CUSTOMS form to complete upon their arrival in the US from Europe. They flew into Denver and Chicago, respectively. I also encountered this when I arrived in Detroit. Is this something new that they’re doing? They just asked the basic questions: do you have any fruits or vegetables? Any meats or cheeses? Not really anything else. I didn’t mind it because it saved time trying to figure out values of items purchased, but I wondered if this was a new practice which we can look forward to seeing continue.

Hey Lori! That is a great observation. I’m not privy to any actual decisions or facts behind this, but I will say I’ve had the same experience. I don’t think I’ve filled one in for several years, including like 15-20 arrivals back to the US!

Thanks so much for your post!! Understand that as long as its a first entry to US, the connecting flight will require passengers to go through custom and recheck-in of baggage. But would like to ask what about cases where I’m flying from Las Vegas to San Francisco and then to my home country? Would I also need to go through custom and recheck-in baggage as well for San Francisco? Since technically I am flying within US for Las Vegas to San Francisco.

Hi Joelyn! There’s no need to recheck bags on your way OUT of the United States. Just on the way in. If you’re flying from Las Vegas to, say, England with a layover in San Francisco, you won’t have to worry about your bags, or customs and immigration, until you arrive in England. The only exception is if you have another layover in another country before arriving at your home country, which may or may not have different rules.

Hi, Greg, I just found your very helpful posting. But, still… may i ask you following questions? Background: 1- My wife & i, both senior citizens in good health (translation: we can walk briskly, LOL) will be flying back Stateside on Nov 1, 2023 from Rome (FCO) to Las Vegas, by way of Dulles IAD. Both legs on UA, United Air. 2- The layover at IAD is only 1 hour 55 minutes. (YIKE, never again!! I’m so stressed over this!! In future, we’ll make sure layovers of 3 hours or more per your recommendation!)

Q1- can our luggage be directly checked in at Rome, then picked up at LAS? Q2- or, must we pick up our luggage at IAD, then go thru IAD Custom/Immigration? Q3- if Q2 is the case, is 1hour 55 minutes sufficient??

Thank you very much! Frank

Thanks for reading! I hope you and your wife are excited for your trip to Italy. You’re sure to have a blast!

You will have to recheck your bags and pass through immigration at IAD. You’ll land in DC, follow the signs to immigration, go through passport control, wait at the special immigration baggage claim for your bags, drop them at the connection counter, and continue to your gate.

Per your third question…one hour and 55 minutes is cutting it close. There’s a chance that it could be plenty of time…and a chance that it could be too little. It all depends on immigration lines and how long the baggage takes to arrive at the carousel. I’d estimate that immigration and getting your bags rechecked should take between 45-60 minutes unless you have global entry or mobile passport control (I highly recommend both but mobile passport control is free and done via an app on your phone! Skip the line!). Then it is just a matter of getting to your connecting flight. Dulles is a massive airport but if you guys can walk briskly, you should be fine. Remember that the gate to your connecting flight usually closes 30-45 minutes before takeoff, so your 1hr55min layover is actually more like 1hr15 or 1hr30!

In short, one hour and 55 minutes should normally be fine, but it doesn’t leave room for anything to go wrong. I hope this helps!

Hi Greg! Thanks for the information. I was curious because I would have a flight leaving Barcelona with a layover in Madrid then straight to Orlando would I have to go out grab luggage and recheck in Madrid? The layover in Madrid is only 1 hour and I’m worried it wouldn’t be enough time.

Hey Tamara! No need to recheck in Madrid. You won’t see your bags until Orlando! Have a great trip!

Hi Greg, very useful post. I’m still a bit confused as to how it applies to my next trip so I wonder if you could help. You say that “the funky US rule only comes into play when you are arriving in the US from an international flight and then connecting to somewhere else within the US” and I think the latter part of that is good news for me…

In short, my partner and I live in London (she’s a UK citizen, I’m a Spanish citizen). In March 2024 we will be taking a direct flight from Heathrow to San Francisco with United Airlines – so what we need to do when we get to the US is very clear. A few days later we will be flying out of the US, from San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico – we still need to buy the flights for that. And a few days later we will be returning from Cabo San Lucas to London, with United Airlines again, with a short 1h40m stop in Houston… My question is, since the final destination of this inbound flight back to London is not the US, will we need to collect our bags, clear customs/immigration, etc. in Houston? What will the process be?

Many thanks, have been looking at posts for hours and can’t seem to find the answer!

Hi Oly! Unfortunately, in Houston you will need to go through the whole ordeal of going through border control, customs, and re-checking your bags in Houston. It doesn’t matter where your final desination is – any layover in the US that originated in another country has to go through this. Have an awesome trip!

I have just discovered this web site.

I would be very grateful for your help.

I will be flying from Dulles to Rome with a connection through Heathrow. Then I will be returning from Milan to Dulles with a connection through Heathrow.

When/where will I need to go through immigration, customs, et cetera?

Will I need to recheck my bag at Heathrow either time?

Thank you very much for any advice/information!

Hi Linda! You will have to go through passport control in Heathrow both times, and then passport control, customs, and baggage claim in both Rome and DC. There is no need to go through Customs or re-check your bags at any point in London. Your bags will go straight through to your final destination each time. In London, it is just a quick check where they scan your passport and boarding pass before letting you into the terminal, and then a quick security line. In my experience, the security line moves faster than in the US, as I also layover in Heathrow from the US A LOT. Have an awesome trip!

Hi Greg and thank you for this article, it has been really insightful for me. I do have a question for my upcoming travel: we will be traveling with Delta from Rome to Orlando and have a 1 h 50 mins layover in Boston. From what I have gathered (please correct me if I am wrong or missing something), when we get to Boston we will have to go through customs and documents check, recollect our baggage (we cannot just travel with carry-on unfortunately) and get it checked in again, then change terminal to get to our connection flight (not sure if we have to get through security again, not sure if to check the baggage in we have to get to the other terminal or if there is a way for us to get it checked immediately after we recollect it). I am not sure 1 h 50 mins is long enough, but when I booked the flight I didn’t know I also had to recollect and re-check my baggage (my bad I guess, I should have made my research in advance); what do you say? Do you have any tips for us? Thank you and have a good day!

Hi Francesca,

Beautiful name! Siete italiani? Insegniamo l’italiano a nostri figli, perche la famiglia di mia moglie e italiana!

What you have gathered is correct. One hour and 50 minutes is tight, but probably doable. Remember that the flight boards about 45 minutes before departure, so you really have about an hour. The border may or may not take a while – that is the biggest issue. One through the border, if your bags come promptly, re-checking them only takes seconds and switching terminals in Boston isn’t too bad. If you can, I’d recommend a longer layover. But if it is going to cost you money to change, I’d just stick with what you have and remember to act quickly when you land!

This is extremely helpful! We recently flew Edinborough to Toronto, and connected from Toronoto to Columbus, OH. We went through US border control pre-check in Toronto but did not have to collect our luggage. We arrived in Columbus, picked up our bags and were on our way.

On another trip, we flew Heathrow to Philadelphia and did have to pick up our bags and go through customs and immigration in Philly.

With so many comments and questions, it’s obvious that these issues need to be explained clearly to travelers. Each confirmation should have a link to an explanation, if that needs to be provided by each country, then do it in a way that is actually readable. It’s not that complicated once laid out simply and succinctly.

Hey Suzanne,

I fully agree! It shouldn’t be such a complicated thing. I also think some of the burden should fall on the airlines, as they shouldn’t be allowed to schedule itineraries with such short layovers upon arriving in the US.

You have the most comprehensive information on the topic. It was really difficult to find the answers on the wild wild web. I am so glad I found your post before my trip to Europe. I am so stressed out on the connecting domestic flight at EWR when I return from Brussels. With a 8-hour layover, I thought I have to haul my luggage for about 4 hours before I can check them in at the ticket counters. It was a relief to learn about the counters designated for connections from international flights, after going through customs.

I have two questions which I hope you have time to respond. Thanks in advance.

1. What is the status on the upcoming preclearance implementation at Brussels (and other European airports)? Wasn’t 2024 the target date for rollout?

2. Is there always a re-check counter for connections from international flights at each U.S. international airport?

Thanks for your kind words! I am to be as helpful and comprehensive as I can. I hope you had an awesome trip!

To answer your question, I haven’t seen any updates about the additional airports they’re trying to add to pre-clearance. I know both Brussels and Amsterdam were on the list, but I haven’t seen anything recent. That was initially going to happen in 2022, and I think the pandemic initially set the timeline back a little bit. Hopefully soon!

I think I’d be wrong to say there is a re-check counter for international connections at every airport in the US, but there definitely is one at all of the biggest and busiest ones.

Greg, I haven’t taken an international flight in many years. I will be taking a cruise in Oct. that originates and returns from Rome. My flights are as follows: Cleveland to Toronto to Rome

Return Flights: Rome to Montreal to Dulles to Cleveland.

All flights are on Air Canada except for the Dulles to Cleveland.

After reading your article I just want to verify the following: 1). Will have to go through customs in Toronto but not Rome? 2). Will have to retrieve luggage in Toronto to recheck it for flight to Rome? 3). Will have to go through customs in Montreal? 4). Will have to retrieve luggage in Montreal to recheck it for flight to Dulles? 5). Will have to go through customs in Dulles 6). Will have to retrieve luggage in Dulles to recheck it for flight to Cleveland? 7). Global Entry will expedite customs in Canada & Dulles? 8). MPC will expedite customs from Canada to Dulles? Thank You in advance!

Sonny Diduch

Hi, Some great information you have here. I am Canadian, flying from Toronto to Tokyo with a connection in Newark. Will I have to go through customs or Immigration in Newark before getting on my connecting flight to Tokyo? On the return from Tokyo to Toronto my connection is in Chicago and I was told that I have to go through customs and Immigration in Chicago before getting on my connecting flight to Toronto. Is that correct? All flights are with United and I won’t have any checked baggage. Thanks for your help. Sonny

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When do you go through customs on international flights?

For many travelers — but especially new or infrequent ones — customs and immigration for international flights can be a big question mark. While not every country shares the exact same entry process, there are some patterns and commonalities that can help you understand what to expect when you arrive. This guide is designed to help demystify the process.

Passport control vs. customs

Some people use "passport control" and "customs" interchangeably, but they are actually two different things. Entering a country is a two-step process that involves both passport control and customs.

In some countries, passport control may also be called "immigration" or "border security." This step is when a country's immigration department confirms you are legally allowed to enter.

Customs checks the items you have brought with you into a country. It occurs after passport control and after you've picked up any checked luggage from baggage claim.

Related: How and when to renew your U.S. passport

How to go through customs on international flights

Customs and immigration varies by country, but the general process is as follows: You hand your passport to an officer who then checks it and stamps it for entry. If the country you're visiting requires a visa or any other documents for entry, the immigration officer will check that you have them.

Related: Americans need a 'visa' to visit Europe in 2025

You may be fingerprinted and/or have a photograph taken. The officer may ask you for information about how long you're staying, the purpose of your visit, your accommodation location or your job title; alternatively, they may just stamp your passport without asking anything. Some countries give you a receipt for entry that you may need to hold on to and return when departing.

If an airport has automated border control or "e-gates," these can greatly shorten the wait for passport control for individuals from select countries. With e-gates, you typically scan your passport in the reader and get photographed by the camera so that facial recognition technology can match your face to the image in your passport. If this check is successful, the gate opens, allowing you entry into the country. If not, you will need to see an immigration officer.

For customs, some countries may require a declaration form to be filled out either in advance or on arrival. In other cases, you may only be asked to verbally self-declare on arrival. Some countries may scan everyone's bags through an X-ray machine on entry, regardless of if you declared anything.

I have a layover on an international flight. Do I need to go through customs?

When traveling internationally on a nonstop flight, you only need to go through customs and immigration once. This will happen at your arrival airport.

The same is true if you have a layover, as long as your travels are on a single ticket and your bags are checked to your final destination. You typically still only go through customs and immigration once at your final destination.

For example, if you are traveling from the U.S. to Cairo with a short layover in Doha, you would only need to go through customs and immigration when you arrive in Cairo. At your connecting airport, you will likely go through transit security to screen your carry-on items. However, in most cases, you will not need to pick up or recheck your luggage.

Now, there are a few exceptions to this. If you have a connecting flight but you purchased separate tickets, you will usually need to go through customs and immigration to pick up and recheck your luggage for the next flight.

You'll want to ensure your layover is long enough to account for the extra time needed to go through customs, recheck luggage and go through security for departure. Since you're on separate tickets, the second airline would not be required to accommodate or rebook you in the event your first flight is delayed.

Another exception is when traveling to European countries within the Schengen Area . The Schengen Area includes most European Union countries, with the exception of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania (though Bulgaria and Romania are currently in the process of joining). Non-EU countries — including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein — are part of the Schengen Area.

In this case, you go through immigration when arriving at your first EU entry point. Even though you may be traveling from the U.S. to France to Spain, you would clear immigration in France because it is your entry point to the EU. You then typically go through a security screening with your carry-on luggage before boarding your connecting flight. At your final destination, you retrieve your checked luggage from baggage claim and clear customs.

Finally, if you have a long layover where you decide to leave the airport, then you will need to clear customs.

Related: It's time to give up on booking short connections to save airline miles

Do I need to go through customs on flights to the US?

When traveling to the U.S., you'll typically need to go through passport control and customs upon arrival at your first entry point to the country. So, let's say you are flying from Rome to Atlanta to Kansas City. Even though Kansas City is your destination, you will need to clear customs upon arriving in Atlanta. You must claim your checked baggage in Atlanta and recheck it to Kansas City after you have cleared customs.

The one exception to clearing customs at your U.S. entry point is if your departure airport has what's called preclearance. With preclearance, Customs and Border Patrol personnel inspect travelers prior to departures for U.S.-bound flights. This means that once you arrive in the U.S., you can bypass customs and exit the airport or head straight to your connecting flight.

There are 15 locations in six countries with preclearance, including several Canadian cities, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Aruba, Ireland and Abu Dhabi. You can find a full list of preclearance locations here . Should your departure airport have preclearance, you'll need to budget extra time to go through customs before your departure.

How long will clearing customs take?

The time it takes to clear customs will depend on a number of factors. It could take just a few minutes, or you could be waiting in line for hours. Here are some of the things to take into consideration and how you may be able to shorten the wait:

Where you sat on the flight

You may wonder how your seat location will matter for customs and immigration. Well, the closer you are to the front of the plane, the sooner you get off the airplane, assuming all passengers pass through one exit door.

If you're one of the first few people off the airplane, you'll arrive at customs and immigration much sooner than those sitting all the way in the back. Try to avoid making any detours on your walk from the airplane to passport control. Even stopping to use the restroom could put you at the back of the line, adding time to your wait.

The number of other flights that arrived at the same time as yours

In many international destinations, numerous flights might be scheduled to land all around the same time. So you're not just trying to get to customs before the other passengers on your flight but before the passengers on other flights as well. If you can do some advance planning to research flight schedules or you just luck into arriving at your destination when there's a lull, you'll clear customs much quicker.

Usage of expedited entry services

In the U.S., you can use Global Entry or the Mobile Passport app to help expedite the entry process. Mobile Passport is free, and many travel rewards credit cards offer a statement credit to cover the cost of Global Entry as a benefit.

Some international destinations may also have fast-track or VIP services you can pay for to shorten your wait for customs. It's a good idea to research your destination's arrival airport before your trip to see if any services exist. Sometimes, you may need to prebook, while other times, you can sign up for them on arrival.

Whether you checked your luggage or traveled with carry-ons only

Since all your baggage must be claimed before you clear customs, you will get to the customs desk faster if you only travel with a carry-on bag. Waiting for your checked luggage can add significant time to your entry process.

Related: These 3 simple strategies can help you get through customs faster

Checked luggage and going through customs

Customs occurs after you pick up your checked luggage from baggage claim. If you did not check any bags, then you can bypass baggage claim and proceed straight to customs with your carry-on luggage.

All your luggage — checked and carry-on — may be subject to screening at customs. Sometimes, everyone is screened, and sometimes, you are only screened if you've declared anything. Other times, it is random.

If you are concerned that something you're planning to bring with you is not allowed or may be subject to taxes, it is helpful to check a country's customs limits and restricted items; it will save you a lot of hassle when going through customs. The U.S. State Department website can help you learn what items may be restricted in various countries.

Related: What you can and can't get through customs around the world

Bottom line

International travel can be filled with stressors and unknowns before you even enter a country. Is your luggage within the airline's weight limits? Are you carrying any restricted items? (Food and plants are big ones to watch out for.) Do you need a visa? Do you need to fill out any arrival forms in advance of your travels? When do you go through customs when taking an international flight?

Knowing the answers to these questions before your departure can help make your arrival go much more smoothly, so you're ready to hit the ground running and have a wonderful trip.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

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International travel

Prepare for your trip

International travel doesn’t have to be tricky – just follow these steps to help you prepare for your trip.

We recommend you:

• Check if your destination has travel restrictions and entry requirements
• Come prepared with travel documents and required paperwork
• Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time
• Documents and requirements you need to travel Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Travel and health restrictions by destination Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Travel often?

If you travel often, skip the paperwork and lines with:

• Global Entry
• TSA PreCheck
• Mobile Passport Control Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Travel documents and requirements

You’re responsible to make sure you have the correct documents to enter and pass through any countries during your trip, and then make your way back home. If you don’t have the required documentation and identification, you will not be allowed to board the plane and would be responsible for any resulting costs.

Keep in mind:

• Everyone traveling, regardless of age, needs their own set of travel documents.
• Always use the information exactly as it appears on your passport (to book and fill out any documents).
• Check with the consulate of every country you’re entering (or passing through) to make sure you meet all travel requirements.
• Some countries require proof of return or onward travel, a visiting address and sufficient funds for your stay.

All children, regardless of age, must have a passport and any travel documents required by the countries visited. If you’re traveling internationally with anyone under 18, you may be required to show documentary evidence of your relationship and a Letter of Consent or permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present.

Traveling with children

A passport is required for all international travel. If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel.

• Some countries require your passport to be issued at least 6 months before the day you arrive. Check your destination’s requirements if you’re unsure.
• Passports must be kept in good condition, free of any damage beyond normal wear and tear, and material alterations. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.

U.S. citizens can use any government-issued form of identification to travel between the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

More information on U.S. passports Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

In addition to a passport, some countries require a visa to enter. If you’re traveling to the U.S. for a stay less than 90 days, the Department of Homeland Security requires eligible travelers to use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), as part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You must submit your application no later than 72 hours before departing for the U.S., but we suggest you apply for authorization when you start planning your trip. You will be denied boarding if you arrive at the airport without an approved ESTA.

An approved ESTA travel authorization is:

• Valid for up to 2 years or your passport expires, whichever comes first
• Valid for multiple entries into the U.S.
• Not a guarantee of admissibility to the U.S., approval only authorizes you to board a carrier for travel to the U.S.

To enter the U.S. under the VWP, each passenger must have a machine-readable passport. If you don’t have a machine-readable zone, a valid visa is required.

Each passenger traveling to the U.S. under the VWP must have a:

• Valid electronic (e-Passport) with this symbol on the passport cover

If you present a non-electronic passport, a valid U.S. visa will be required or you’ll be denied boarding and entry into the U.S.

Apply for the Visa Waiver Program Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Contact tracing for flights to the U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all passengers flying to the United States to provide their contact information within 72 hours of departure. This information may be used by public health officials to follow up with passengers who may have been exposed to a contagious disease during travel.

• Read more information about the CDC contact tracing requirement Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.
• Submit your contact tracing information

Additional requirements

Some countries have additional requirements for travel, so we recommend that you check the U.S. Department of State website for the latest information and sign up for their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

U.S. Department of State Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Travelers flying to Australia from certain countries, including the U.S., will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entry.

Apply for Australia ETA Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Brazil has postponed requiring an eVisa for U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens until April 2025.

All visa-exempt foreign travelers who fly to, or transit through Canada now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The authorization is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport and is valid for 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid Canadian visa are exempt from this eTA requirement.

Learn how to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Under the VWP, Nationals of Chile traveling to the U.S. are required to have an E-passport in addition to a machine-readable passport.

All travelers entering Cuba will need to prepare additional information including a visa and health insurance.

Travel to Cuba

Travelers flying to Curaçao will need to complete a digital embarkation/disembarkation card (ED Card) prior to their trip.

Complete digital ED Card Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

If you are a permanent resident of Australia or travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country, you'll need an New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Some visitors and transit passengers can travel to New Zealand without a visa if they get an NZeTA before their trip.

Request an NZeTA Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Customers traveling to or from Peru with amounts of cash exceeding $10,000 USD or its equivalent in local or foreign currency are legally responsible for declaring such amount at airport controls to avoid sanctions and up to the confiscation of the undeclared amount, as per Article 4 of Supreme Decree 195-2013-EF.

Additionally, it is prohibited entering or leaving the country with amounts over $30,000 USD or its equivalent in local or foreign currency.

Health and testing requirements

To travel, vaccinations may be required depending on where you’re traveling to and from.

Travel information from the CDC Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

• You must declare all personal medication on your arrival card.
• You must carry medical documentation to defend use of the medication.
• If you need to use syringe during your flight, you will also need a doctor's letter proving there's a medical reason to use it onboard.
• If you don't have proper documentation the medications may be confiscated.

When traveling to Nicaragua, a Yellow Fever shot will be required if you departed from or connected through any of these countries in the last 30 days:

• French Guiana
• Any country in Africa

Chemical sprays on international flights

Flights to and from certain countries require insecticide treatment (a process known as disinsection) inside the cabin for insect and disease control. The U.S. Department of Transportation provides full information about the spray and the countries required to use it.

Aircraft disinsection requirements Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Your checked and carry-on bags may be sprayed or misted with a solution upon arrival due to local health protocols for virus and disease control. This action is performed by local authorities and not American Airlines.

Tax exemptions

You may be entitled to a refund of some taxes included in the price of your ticket if you meet the applicable criteria for exemptions and your itinerary involves:

• Travel between the U.S. and Mexico (including travel between Canada and Mexico via the U.S.)
• International travel departing Belize, Colombia or Trinidad and Tobago
• International travel arriving into Colombia

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Learn about regulations and procedures that apply to all travelers that enter or depart the United States.

Travel tips Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

To enhance border security, passenger information will be passed through the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system and sent to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to review passenger information before the flight arrives.

• All international flights arriving and departing the U.S. are required by law to provide API data.
• API data for American Airlines/American Eagle flights is also transmitted to Customs and Immigration agencies in other countries where required by law.
• The information sharing is mandatory as part of the U.S. Aviation and Transportation Security Act.

All visitors to the U.S., except nationals of Canada, will have their photograph and fingerprints taken, and will automatically be registered under the Visit the U.S. program when they pass through Customs and Border Protection.

Learn about the Visit the U.S. program Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Secure Flight Passenger Data is basic personal information the TSA requires for you to travel. The information is collected during booking or ticketing.

TSA Secure Flight

Flying on one of our partners?

Finnair travel information Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Simple Flying

Navigating international airports: customs, immigration & connecting flights.

Navigating foreign airports can seem overwhelming, but really boils down to just a few basic steps.

• Be prepared and informed about customs regulations: Fill out your customs declaration form accurately, familiarize yourself with the regulations of your destination, and be honest when dealing with customs officials.
• Make sure you have all necessary documents for immigration: Have your passport, boarding pass, visas, and other required documents readily available. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
• Plan your time wisely for connecting flights: Book tickets with sensible connections, leave a couple of hours for a connection, and be aware of the airport layout. Connections can be enjoyable if you take advantage of the right perks. Overall, preparation and awareness make the airport process more manageable.

International travel offers exciting opportunities to explore other cultures and distant destinations. However, navigating international airports, especially if not done frequently, can be a daunting endeavor. Below we offer useful tips to help ensure you have a smooth experience.

Dealing with customs

After a long flight, the first hurdle you'll often encounter at the airport is customs. Customs officials help to regulate what goods enter the country and to ensure compliance with their nation’s import and export regulations. As you approach the customs area, follow the signs and prepare your travel documents, which will likely include at least your passport and customs declaration form. Your declaration form will state what sorts of items you have with you and may be bringing into the country.

Be honest and accurate when completing the form. Keep in mind that different countries may have varying restrictions on items such as food, alcohol, or souvenirs, so familiarize yourself with the regulations of your destination well in advance.

Upon reaching the customs officer, present your documents and answer any questions truthfully and politely. Be patient and try to plan your travels accordingly, as customs lines can be lengthy, especially during peak travel seasons and times.

Navigating immigration

Immigration control is the next step in the airport process, essentially authorizing your entry into a country. Ensure that you have your passport , boarding pass, and any required visas readily available. Some countries may also require additional documents, such as proof of accommodation or return tickets. Double-check well before your travel day that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, as this is a very common requirement.

When it is your turn, approach the immigration officer and hand over your documents. Be prepared to answer questions about the purpose of your travel, length of stay, and any other relevant information. Cooperate fully and, once cleared, collect your belongings and proceed towards baggage claim or your connecting flight.

Managing connecting flights

If you have a connecting flight, it's crucial to plan your time wisely. This starts with booking tickets that have connections that make sense. Especially if you are new to international travel, or are even simply new to a particular airport or country, it is a good idea to leave a couple of hours for a connection built into your itinerary.

In some cases, you may need to clear passport control and go through another round of screening before reaching your departure gate. Familiarize yourself with the airport layout in advance and allow sufficient time for this, especially if you need to switch terminals. Even so, connections do not always need to be a painful experience; with the right perks at the right airports, layovers can be enjoyable ways to help break up a long travel day.

Navigating customs, immigration, and connecting flights at international airports may initially seem overwhelming, but with proper preparation and by taking the time to become aware of what to expect, the process becomes much more manageable.

Remember that each airport and country may have specific, more detailed requirements and nuances, so always check the relevant information beforehand to help ensure a smooth experience.

Do you have any international airport horror stories? What international airports are the easiest to navigate? Let us know in the comments below!

FinanceBuzz

The Best Airports in the U.S. for Connecting Flights

Posted: January 26, 2024 | Last updated: January 26, 2024

There aren't many things more stressful than trying to make a connecting flight on a tight deadline, especially if your connecting gate is across the terminal — or worse, across the airport.

So what are the best places to get stuck with a tight connection? The following list might make it easy for you to save time while you step up your travel game to a better experience on the move. 

Our team looked at airport maps and measured distances between gates at 50 of the busiest airports in the country to find out where you’ll have a better chance at making your next flight.

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Richmond International Airport (RIC)

• Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 8 minutes
• How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 4 minutes
• How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 4 minutes

It takes just two minutes to walk from one side of an average-sized terminal at Richmond International Airport to the other side, and only four minutes to do the same in the airport’s largest terminal, both of which are among the shortest walks of those types in the country.

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Tampa International Airport (TPA)

• Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 13 minutes
• How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 5 minutes
• How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 2 minutes

The terminals at Tampa International are set up so that travelers are very near their departure gate once they are through security. 

As a result, it only takes 2 minutes to walk from a security checkpoint to the gate situated farthest away in the terminal, the shortest walk in the nation.

Boise Airport (BOI)

• Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 3 minutes
• How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 3 minutes
• How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 6 minutes

The longest walk between any two gates and how long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal at Boise Airport are the same walk, one that takes just 3 minutes. 

In both of those metrics, that walk time ranks as the best in the country.

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Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

Jacksonville International scores highly in multiple categories, as walking between any two points after security will take less than 10 minutes.

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Bradley International Airport (BDL)

• Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 9 minutes

Walking from one side to the other in the largest terminal at Hartford’s Bradley International Airport takes just 3 minutes, tied for the shortest walk of that kind in any of America’s busiest airports.

Ontario International Airport (ONT)

• Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 15 minutes
• How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 7 minutes

In addition to gates that are located near security, the largest terminal at Ontario International Airport in California takes less than 10 minutes to fully traverse from one end to the other.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

• Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 19 minutes

Small terminals and security checkpoints that afford relatively quick access to departure gates help make SeaTac one of the 10 best airports for connecting flights.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

• How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 8 minutes
• How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 5 minutes

San Antonio International Airport’s average terminal takes 50% less time to walk end-to-end than average.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

• Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 11 minutes
• How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 11 minutes

RDU is another airport where passengers can quickly get to their departure gate through security, as the farthest gate from the checkpoint is just a 6-minute walk.

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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

• Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 18 minutes
• How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 7 minutes

Ronald Reagan Airport has some of the smallest terminals in the country, as it takes just 5 minutes to go from one side to the other in the airport’s largest terminal, and just 2 minutes to do the same in an average-sized terminal.

Bottom line

Ultimately, the next time you travel you may want to make sure you plan your trip with these airports in mind. Not only can making the right connection save you time and money but it can help you enjoy the experience.

Not making your connection can cause havoc with your schedule and you might end up missing out on something important. Plus, it can just be frustrating and cost you more money staying in the airport longer. 

So if you're looking to keep more cash in your wallet and want to enjoy your overall experience, consider these airports for your next layover. 

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Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport SVO

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Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) Guide

Discover Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), Russia's busiest hub, known for its striking Terminal D, inspired by the shapes of seagulls. This guide simplifies your travel through SVO, offering essential information for both newcomers and seasoned travelers. From flight details, terminal maps, to dining and shopping options, we ensure a seamless journey. Navigate SVO with confidence and make the most of your visit. For more insights into major airports, explore our Comprehensive Airport Guide .

Helpful Tips & Resources

Is Chashnikovo - Moskow Airport (SVO) airport a bit unfamiliar to you? Look no further than iFly.com for insightful tips and advice. Read on!

• Upon passing through security, go to the map of SVO's airport to navigate through the terminals, and view the restaurant, bars and shopping options as you head to your gate.
• Check here for info on lounges or clubs where you might be able to access via a day pass if you're not a member or flying in first class.
• At times, Chashnikovo - Moskow airport has changes to its airlines. Review the airlines that have scheduled flights from Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport SVO here.
• Waiting to pick up an arriving passenger? To see where the plane is, when its slated to land, and which terminal it will deplane, use the live flight tracker .
• Want to find the cheapest flight fare from SVO airport ? Compare multiple providers, check directly with airlines, and look into alternative airports.

Navigating SVO's Terminals

Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport has four main terminals: Terminal C, Terminal D, Terminal E, and Terminal F. Terminal D is the largest terminal with 22 gates, followed by Terminal E with 17 gates, Terminal F with 15 gates, and Terminal C with 9 gates. Major airlines such as Aeroflot, Delta, Air France, and KLM operate out of Terminal D, while Terminal E is mainly used by international airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Terminal C is used by low-cost carriers such as Pobeda and Terminal F is used for domestic flights.

When navigating the airport, it is important to pay attention to the signs and announcements as they will guide you to the correct terminal and gate. There are also shuttle buses that connect the terminals, which can be useful if you have a connecting flight in a different terminal.

Use our interactive airport map to locate food, services, and airline departure gates.

Connecting Between Terminals

Moscow Airport has four main terminals: Terminal C, Terminal D, Terminal E, and Terminal F. The terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus service that runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day. The shuttle bus stops are located outside each terminal and are clearly marked. The bus ride between terminals takes approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic.

If you prefer to walk, there are pedestrian walkways connecting all terminals. The walkways are well-lit and clearly marked, and it takes approximately 10-15 minutes to walk between the terminals. However, if you have a lot of luggage or are in a hurry, taking the shuttle bus is recommended.

Picking Up and Dropping Off Passengers

At the airport, passengers can be picked up and dropped off at designated curbside areas outside of each terminal. However, there are strict restrictions on curbside parking, and vehicles cannot be left unattended. Drivers are advised to use the airport's short-term parking facilities if they need to leave their vehicle for an extended period of time.

For those waiting to pick up passengers, the airport provides cell-phone waiting areas near each terminal. These areas allow drivers to wait in their vehicles until their passengers are ready to be picked up, without having to circle the airport or park in a curbside area. It is important to note that vehicles cannot be left unattended in these areas, and drivers must remain in their vehicles at all times.

Overall, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport provides convenient options for picking up and dropping off passengers, while ensuring the safety and efficiency of airport operations.

Parking Facilities & Options

If you're flying out of Moscow Airport, you'll find a variety of parking options available to you. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking in garages and lots located near each of the airport's four terminals: Terminal C, Terminal D, Terminal E, and Terminal F.

If you're waiting to pick up arriving passengers, there are cell phone waiting areas available at the airport. These areas are free to use and allow you to wait in your car until your party has arrived and is ready to be picked up.

Handicapped parking is available at all of the airport's parking facilities, with designated spaces located near the entrances of each garage and lot. If you require assistance getting to or from your car, you can contact the airport's assistance service for help.

If you're looking for a more economical parking option, off-airport parking lots are available near the airport. These lots offer shuttle service to and from the airport, and can be a great way to save money on parking fees.

Get details about SVO parking options and rates, along with more economical off-airport parking here .

Transportation Options

SVO Airport offers a variety of ground transportation options for travelers. If you prefer to drive yourself, car rental facilities are available at the airport. Major providers include Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt. You can find rental car counters in Terminal D.

If you prefer to take a taxi, there are several options available. Taxis are located outside the arrivals area of each terminal. Fares are calculated based on distance and time, and can vary depending on traffic conditions. It is recommended to negotiate the fare with the driver before starting the trip.

Shared ride services such as Uber and Yandex.Taxi are also available at the airport. Pickup areas are located outside the arrivals area of each terminal. However, it is important to note that ride sharing services are not allowed to pick up passengers from the airport without a special permit.

Airport shuttles are available for passengers who need to travel between terminals or to nearby hotels. The shuttle service is free of charge and runs 24/7. Pickup areas are located outside the arrivals area of each terminal.

If you prefer to use public transportation , Aeroexpress trains provide direct service between the airport and Moscow city center. Trains run every 30 minutes and the journey takes approximately 35 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the airport or online.

Airport Hotels

Traveling can be exhausting, but finding the perfect place to rest shouldn't be. Whether you're catching a flight early in the morning or arriving late at night, our selection of airport hotels ensures you're never far from the terminal. From budget-friendly options to luxury suites, there's something for every traveler. Check out our Sheremetyevo Airport Hotels for a comfortable and convenient stay.

Dining, Shopping & Enjoying the Airport

SVO offers a wide variety of dining and shopping options for travelers to enjoy. Terminal D is the main hub for food and beverage options, with popular choices such as Starbucks, Burger King, and Subway. For a taste of traditional Russian cuisine, travelers can head to the Russian Standard Restaurant located in Terminal D, which offers a range of dishes including borscht and beef stroganoff. Terminal E also offers a range of dining options, including a sushi bar and a pub-style restaurant.

When it comes to shopping, Terminal D and Terminal E offer the most options. Terminal D features a variety of duty-free shops selling everything from luxury clothing brands to traditional Russian souvenirs. Terminal E offers a range of shops selling electronics, books, and accessories. For those looking for a last-minute gift, the Sheremetyevo Airport Gift Shop in Terminal D is a great option.

The locations of all food, shops, and services at SVO Airport can be found using iFly's interactive map. For a complete list of restaurants, bars, shops, and news stands, see your options here .

Passenger Services

Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport is a modern airport that offers a wide range of passenger services to make your travel experience as comfortable as possible. The airport has four terminals: Terminal C, Terminal D, Terminal E, and Terminal F. Here is some helpful information about the passenger services at Moscow Airport:

For passengers who need to stay connected, the airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout all terminals. Lost and found services are available in each terminal, so if you misplace something during your travels, you can easily find it again.

If you are traveling with children, there are designated children's areas in each terminal where kids can play and burn off some energy before their flight. Additionally, special-needs services are available to assist passengers with disabilities or mobility issues. These services include wheelchair assistance, accessible restrooms, and designated parking spaces.

For your banking needs, there are ATMs and currency exchange offices located throughout the airport. If you require medical assistance, there is a medical center located in Terminal D that is staffed by trained medical professionals. The medical center is equipped to handle a variety of medical issues, from minor injuries to more serious medical emergencies.

Flight Status Info

As an air traveler, it's important to stay informed about the status of your flight at all times. At SVO, there are several ways to check your flight status and stay up-to-date on any changes.

One of the easiest ways to check your flight status is by using the in-airport flight displays (FIDS). These displays are located throughout the airport and provide real-time information on flight departures, delays, and gate information. Simply find the display that corresponds to your flight and check the status.

Another convenient way to stay informed is by using your airline's mobile phone app. Many airlines offer apps that allow you to receive alerts about departure delays, cancelations, or gate changes directly to your phone. You can also check your flight status and make changes to your reservation through the app.

In addition to mobile apps, airlines may also send updates via text, email, or push notifications. Make sure to check with your airline to see what options are available to you.

Passengers can check the status of their flight departure at SVO Airport by visiting the flight departures page on ifly.com, which provides real-time updates on flight departures, delays, and gate information.

Helpful Tips

When to arrive.

When traveling through Moscow Airport, it is recommended to arrive at least 2-3 hours before your scheduled departure time. This allows enough time for check-in, security screening, and navigating the airport. The busiest times to avoid are typically during peak travel seasons and holidays, as well as early morning and late evening flights.

Getting to the Airport

SVO is located approximately 29 kilometers northwest of Moscow city center. The best ways to get to the airport include taking a taxi, using public transportation such as the Aeroexpress train or bus, or driving and parking in one of the airport's parking lots. It is important to allow enough time for traffic and potential delays when choosing your mode of transportation.

Getting Oriented

When arriving at SVO Airport, it is recommended to use iFly.com's interactive airport maps to get oriented and navigate the airport. The maps provide detailed information on the airport's terminals, gates, restaurants, shops, and other amenities. Additionally, there are information desks located throughout the airport where you can ask for assistance and directions.

Avoiding Delays

To avoid delays at the airport, it is important to arrive early, have all necessary documents and identification ready, and follow all security protocols. Additionally, it is recommended to check the status of your flight before arriving at the airport and to stay updated on any potential delays or cancellations. You can also download the airport's mobile app for real-time flight information and updates.

Airport Facts & Stats

The airport is one of the busiest airports in Russia, serving millions of passengers annually. The airport has four terminals: Terminal C, Terminal D, Terminal E, and Terminal F.

On average, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport handles around 40,000 passengers daily and operates approximately 500 daily flights. The airport serves more than 200 destinations worldwide, making it a popular hub for both domestic and international flights.

Some of the top airlines with the most daily flights at Moscow Airport include Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, and Nordwind Airlines. These airlines offer flights to various destinations across the globe.

The top five destinations served by SVO are Saint Petersburg, Simferopol, Sochi, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg. These destinations are popular among both business and leisure travelers.

Several air carriers use SVO Airport as a hub, including Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, and Nordwind Airlines. These airlines offer connecting flights to various destinations across Russia and beyond.

Airport History

The airport, also known as Sheremetyevo International Airport, is one of the largest airports in Russia and serves as a hub for several major airlines. Here is a brief history of the airport:

• 1957 - Sheremetyevo Airport opens for civilian use
• 1960s - The airport undergoes major expansion and modernization
• 1970s - Sheremetyevo becomes the main international airport for Moscow
• 1980s - A new terminal is built to handle increased passenger traffic
• 1990s - The airport experiences a decline in passenger traffic due to economic instability in Russia
• 2000s - Sheremetyevo undergoes a major renovation and expansion, including the construction of a new terminal and runway
• 2010s - The airport continues to expand and modernize, with plans for a new terminal and additional runways in the works

Today, Sheremetyevo Airport is a modern and efficient airport that serves millions of passengers each year.

Airport Contact Information

For more information about Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, please refer to the following contact details:

• IATA Code: SVO
• Airport Website
• Phone: +7 495 578-65-65
• Email: [email protected]
• Mailing Address: Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport, Khimki, Moscow Oblast, 141400, Russian Federation

Note that the contact information provided here is subject to change by the airport operator(s).

Last updated: March 8, 2024

Find more help here for your journey through the airport

Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) Flights & Flight status

Airport information, flight status, delayed flights, canceled flights, don't get lost, top flights from moscow sheremetyevo.

• From Moscow Sheremetyevo to Tel Aviv (TLV)
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Top airlines flying to Moscow Sheremetyevo

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Flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO)

Sheremetyevo international airport - airport code: svo, non-stop flights to moscow sheremetyevo (svo).

Sheremetyevo International Airport is the largest airport in Russia. In total there are 120 airports around the world that have direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo, spread around 116 cities in 25 countries. Currently, there are 57 domestic flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

Moscow Sheremetyevo is mainly known for sightseeing & culture.

On this page

This month, there are 15,524 flights arriving at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, which are 517 flights per day or 22 flights per hour. On an average day, there is at least 1 flight arriving every 3 minutes.

The most frequently departed flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are routes from Saint Petersburg (LED) in Russia and Sochi (AER), also in Russia. These two routes together are operated 1917 times this month, and make up for 12% of all monthly arrivals at Sheremetyevo International Airport.

The longest flight to Moscow Sheremetyevo SVO is departing from Havana (HAV). This non-stop flight takes around 13 hours and 45 minutes and covers a distance of 3,696 miles (5,948 km).

List of all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Below you can find a list of all cities and countries that have direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo, ordered by popularity.

Top 200 flights with a stopover

This list contains the 200 most popular airports from which flights depart that require just one stopover to get to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

Airlines flying to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Currently, there are 25 airlines that fly to Moscow Sheremetyevo. Most flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot, as they connect 98 airports to SVO. That’s around 9 times as much as Nordwind, the second biggest airline in terms of operated flight routes to Moscow Sheremetyevo. Below you can find a list of airlines that operate most SVO flights:

Business class flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There are 116 airports that have flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo in Business Class. All airports that offer business class flights to SVO are listed below:

First class flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There is only one airport that has First Class flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo, which is Beijing (PEK).

Intercontinental flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo

These are all non-stop intercontinental flights to Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), as of April 2024:

* Please note that there are no direct services from the United States, Canada, Southern America, Central America, Japan or Oceania.

Non-stop flights from the Caribbean to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Non-stop flights from africa to moscow sheremetyevo.

Non-stop flights from the Middle-East / Western Asia to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Aeroflot has a strong network of non-stop flights from the Middle-East.

Non-stop flights from India / South Asia to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Non-stop flights from China to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Non-stop flights from East Asia to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Non-stop flights from south-east asia to moscow sheremetyevo, non-stop flights from central asia to moscow sheremetyevo.

Aeroflot has a strong network of non-stop flights from Central Asia.

International flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Flights from afghanistan to moscow sheremetyevo.

Kabul is the only city in Afghanistan with direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo. From Kabul , direct flights are offered by Ariana. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in August.

Flights from Algeria to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Algeria, the only airport that has a direct connection to Moscow Sheremetyevo is Algiers. From Algiers , direct flights are offered by Air Algerie.

Flights from Armenia to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There is 1 airport in Armenia that has a direct connection to Moscow Sheremetyevo, which is Yerevan. From Yerevan , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot, Fly540 and Meraj Airlines. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Azerbaijan to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There are 2 airports in Azerbaijan that have non-stop flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

From Baku and Ganja , you can fly with Aeroflot.

Flights from Belarus to Moscow Sheremetyevo

If you are looking for a direct flight from Belarus to Moscow Sheremetyevo, there are 3 airports to choose from.

From Brest and Gomel , you can fly with Belavia. From Minsk , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Belavia. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from China to Moscow Sheremetyevo

China is well-connected to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) with 13 airports around the country that have direct flights to the airport.

From Beijing , you can fly non-stop with Air China (Star Alliance) or Hainan Airlines. From Beijing Daxing , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot, China Eastern (SkyTeam) and China Southern. From Chengdu , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Sichuan Airlines. From Chongqing , the only airline with direct flights is Tianjin Airlines. This is a seasonal route that starts in May and ends in October. From Guangzhou , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or China Southern. From Hangzhou and Qingdao , you can fly with Beijing Capital. From Sanya , the only airline with direct flights is Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Shanghai , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or China Eastern (SkyTeam). From Shenyang , the only airline with direct flights is China Eastern (SkyTeam). This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Shenzhen and Urumqi , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by China Southern. From Xi'an , direct flights are offered by China Eastern (SkyTeam). This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Cuba to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Cuba, there are 3 airports that have direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

From Cayo Coco , direct flights are offered by Nordwind. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Havana , the only airline with direct flights is Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in May. From Varadero , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Nordwind. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Egypt to Moscow Sheremetyevo

If you are looking for a direct flight from Egypt to Moscow Sheremetyevo, there are 3 airports to choose from.

From Cairo , Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot.

Flights from Hong Kong to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Hong Kong, the only airport that has a direct connection to Moscow Sheremetyevo is Hong Kong. From Hong Kong , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from India to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There are 2 airports in India that have non-stop flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

From Goa and New Delhi , you can fly with Aeroflot.

Flights from Iran to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Tehran is the only city in Iran with direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo. From Tehran , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot, Mahan Air and Nordwind. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Kazakhstan to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Kazakhstan there are several airports with flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo (7 in total).

From Aktau , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Almaty , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Scat Air. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Astana , Atyrau , Karaganda , Kostanay and Shymkent , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot.

Flights from Kyrgyzstan to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Kyrgyzstan, there are 2 airports that have direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

From Bishkek and Osh , you can fly with Aeroflot.

Flights from Maldives to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There is 1 airport in Maldives that has a direct connection to Moscow Sheremetyevo, which is Malé. From Malé , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Oman to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Muscat is the only city in Oman with direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo. From Muscat , direct flights are offered by Oman Air (Oneworld).

Flights from Qatar to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Qatar, the only airport that has a direct connection to Moscow Sheremetyevo is Doha. From Doha , direct flights are offered by Qatar Airways (Oneworld).

Flights from Serbia to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There is 1 airport in Serbia that has a direct connection to Moscow Sheremetyevo, which is Belgrade. From Belgrade , direct flights are offered by Air Serbia.

Flights from Seychelles to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Seychelles, the only airport that has a direct connection to Moscow Sheremetyevo is Mahé. From Mahé , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Sri Lanka to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Colombo is the only city in Sri Lanka with direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo. From Colombo , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Tajikistan to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There is 1 airport in Tajikistan that has a direct connection to Moscow Sheremetyevo, which is Qurghonteppa. From Qurghonteppa , direct flights are offered by Nordwind. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Thailand to Moscow Sheremetyevo

There are 2 airports in Thailand that have non-stop flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

From Bangkok and Phuket , you can fly with Aeroflot.

Flights from Turkey to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Turkey there are several airports with flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo (6 in total).

From Adana , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Antalya , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot, Corendon and Southwind Airlines. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Bodrum , you can fly non-stop to Moscow Sheremetyevo with Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Dalaman , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Corendon. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Istanbul and Izmir , you can fly with Aeroflot.

Flights from United Arab Emirates to Moscow Sheremetyevo

If you are looking for a direct flight from United Arab Emirates to Moscow Sheremetyevo, there are 2 airports to choose from.

From Abu Dhabi , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Etihad Airways. From Dubai , the only airline with direct flights is Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Flights from Uzbekistan to Moscow Sheremetyevo

In Uzbekistan, there are 5 airports that have direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

From Bukhara , Fergana , Samarkand , Tashkent and Urgench , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot.

Flights from Vietnam to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Ho Chi Minh City is the only city in Vietnam with direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo. From Ho Chi Minh City , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Domestic flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Flights from russia to moscow sheremetyevo.

You can fly domestically to Moscow Sheremetyevo from a lot of airports within Russia, as there is a total of 57 airports that have domestic services.

From Abakan , Anadyr , Arkhangelsk , Astrakhan , Barnaul , Blagoveshchensk and Chelyabinsk , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot. From Cherepovets , the only airline with direct flights is Severstal. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Gorno-Altaysk , Grozny , Irkutsk and Izhevsk , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot. From Kaliningrad and Kazan , you can fly with Aeroflot and Nordwind. From Kemerovo , Khabarovsk , Khanty-Mansiysk , Kirovsk / Apatity , Krasnoyarsk , Magadan and Magnitogorsk , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot. From Makhachkala , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Nordwind. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Mineralnye Vody , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Murmansk , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Nordavia. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Nizhnekamsk , Nizhnevartovsk , Nizhny Novgorod and Novokuznetsk , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot. From Novosibirsk , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Nordavia. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Novy Urengoy and Omsk , you can fly with Aeroflot. From Orenburg and Orsk , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot and Nordwind. From Penza , Perm and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot. From Petrozavodsk , direct flights are offered by Severstal. This route is recently announced though, and not operational yet. It will start in April 2024. From Saint Petersburg , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Nordwind. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Salekhard , you can fly non-stop to Moscow Sheremetyevo with Yamal Airlines. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Samara , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Nordavia. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Saransk and Saratov , you can fly with Aeroflot. From Sochi , direct flights are offered by Aeroflot, Nordavia and Nordwind. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Stavropol , Surgut , Syktyvkar , Tomsk , Tyumen and Ufa , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot. From Ukhta / Sosnogorsk , the only airline with direct flights is Severstal. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Ulan-Ude , you can fly non-stop to Moscow Sheremetyevo with Nordavia. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in May. From Ulyanovsk , Vladivostok , Volgograd and Yakutsk , all direct flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo are operated by Aeroflot. From Yekaterinburg , you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot or Nordavia. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk , you can fly non-stop to Moscow Sheremetyevo with Aeroflot. This is a seasonal route that starts in April and ends in October.

Alternative airports near Moscow Sheremetyevo

Flying to an alternative airport near Moscow Sheremetyevo could give you other options to reach your destination. For example, the possibility to fly with a different airline or alliance, or finding a cheaper airfare. For this reason, alternative airports near to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) are listed below. The closest alternative airports are Moscow Vnukovo (VKO) and Moscow (BKA).

Frequently asked questions - FAQ

How many airports are there in moscow sheremetyevo.

There are 5 airports in Moscow Sheremetyevo: Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), Vnukovo International Airport (VKO), Bykovo Airport (BKA), Zukowski International Airport (ZIA) and Domodedovo International Airport (DME).

What is the best airport to fly into Moscow Sheremetyevo?

The most convenient airport to fly into Moscow Sheremetyevo is Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO).

How many airlines fly to Moscow Sheremetyevo?

There are 25 airlines flying to Moscow Sheremetyevo from 120 airports around the world, as of April 2024.

Which airlines fly to Moscow Sheremetyevo?

Aeroflot, Nordwind and Nordavia operate most flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo. To get a full overview of all operating airlines, please use the airline filter.

Which alliances are flying to Moscow Sheremetyevo?

Star Alliance, SkyTeam and Oneworld are all flying to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

How many nonstop flights are there to Moscow Sheremetyevo?

There are roughly 15,524 flights arriving at Moscow Sheremetyevo every month (or 3,619 flights each week), from a total of 120 airports worldwide.

What is the official name of Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport?

The official name of Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport is Sheremetyevo International Airport.

What is the airport code of Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport?

The airport code of Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport is SVO .

What are the most popular flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo?

Saint Petersburg, Sochi and Kaliningrad are the 3 most popular routes to Moscow Sheremetyevo. For a complete overview of all flight routes to Moscow Sheremetyevo, please use our flight map.

How long is the flight to Moscow Sheremetyevo?

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The latest UAE travel advice as heavy rain causes Dubai airport to flood

The United Arab Emirates has been hit by over a year’s worth of rainfall in just one day

Dubai , normally known for its arid climate and scorching year-round temperatures, has been hit by extreme flooding this week as the UAE saw a year and a half’s worth of rain in just one day. But what caused this extreme weather event – and is it still safe to travel? Here’s everything we know so far about the Dubai floods.

How bad are the floods in Dubai?

Dubai experienced severe flooding this week after heavy downpours on Monday and Tuesday. Footage of cars engulfed in water, streets turned into rivers and flooded homes have proliferated, while schools have shut and Dubai airport has ceased most operations.

Can I still travel?

Those in Dubai who want to travel home will face major disruptions as all outbound flights are delayed for the foreseeable. The airport started receiving some inbound flights on Thursday, but most flights in and out of Dubai have been cancelled or delayed. You should check with your airline for the latest.

UK passengers flying via Dubai with Emirates are entitled to an onward flight if their original flight is cancelled. Emirates should book you on with any airline, so long as the route goes to your final destination. However, with thousands of people waiting for flights both to and from Dubai, you can expect delays.

Have flights been cancelled?

All airlines using Dubai International Airport – one of the busiest airports in the world – have had to divert, cancel or delay flights. On Wednesday, Emirates announced it had suspended check-in for all passengers wanting to leave Dubai for the rest of the day, and British Airways cancelled their flights, too. 300 flights were cancelled and hundreds more were delayed, according to the BBC . 

Is Dubai airport even open?

Parts of Dubai airport were flooded this week causing the airport to shut down, but the airport is now open, if severely busy and more or less at a standstill. A statement on the airport’s website on Thursday reads: 

‘Check-in at Dubai International (DXB) has reopened for Emirates and flydubai flights operating out of Terminal 3, following the unprecedented weather experienced in the UAE.

There is currently a high volume of guests in Terminal 3 check-in area. Passengers should only come to Terminal 3 if they have received a confirmation from their airline regarding their flight departure. Please contact your airline for the latest information on your flight status.

We are working to process guests as quickly as possible and get everyone travelling to their destination.’

What caused the Dubai floods? 

Excessive rainfall in the region led to the Dubai floods. The city saw more than 142 millimetres falling between Monday and Tuesday. For context, the average rainfall over an entire year in Dubai is around 94 millimetres.

There has been a widespread misconception that the storm might have resulted from cloud seeding, a technique often employed by the UAE where clouds are manipulated to produce more rain. However, weather experts say the storm is consistent with extreme weather events caused by climate change.  Read more: What caused the UAE storm?

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The desert nation of UAE records its most rain ever, flooding highways and Dubai’s airport

The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting travel through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel.

The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel.

Two men walk through floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

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Vehicles drive through heavy rain on the Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

An SUV splashes through standing water on a road with the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel seen in the background in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A bus stands abandoned in pouring rain as the sky turned green as a storm hit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A woman takes a selfie in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

An SUV drives through floodwater covering a road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

People look out at floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

An SUV stalls out while trying to pass through standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A man tries to work on his stalled SUV in standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A van passes through standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

People look out at floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Men gesture as they try to tow a vehicle out of standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

An SUV passes through standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A man sits in a semitruck stuck in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A man walks through floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Debris floats through an SUV abandoned in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A worker cuts through a downed tree with a chainsaw after a major storm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

This is a locator map for the Gulf Cooperation Council member states: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain Tuesday “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.” That’s before crude oil was discovered in this energy-rich nation then part of a British protectorate known as the Trucial States.

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but was acute across the UAE.

The flooding sparked speculation that cloud seeding — flying small planes through clouds dispersing chemicals aimed at getting rain to fall — may have contributed to the deluge. But experts said the storm systems that produced the rain were forecast well in advance and that cloud seeding alone would not have caused such flooding.

Several reports quoted meteorologists at the National Center for Meteorology as saying they flew six or seven cloud-seeding flights before the rains. Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed one aircraft affiliated with the UAE’s cloud-seeding efforts flew around the country Monday.

The National, an English-language, state-linked newspaper in Abu Dhabi, quoted an anonymous official at the center on Wednesday as saying no cloud seeding took place on Tuesday, without acknowledging any earlier flights.

The center did not respond to questions Wednesday from the AP.

The UAE, which heavily relies on energy-hungry desalination plants to provide water, conducts cloud seeding in part to increase its dwindling, limited groundwater .

An SUV splashes through standing water on a road with the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel seen in the background in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Jeff Masters, a meteorologist for Yale Climate Connections, said the flooding in Dubai was caused by an unusually strong low pressure system that drove many rounds of heavy thunderstorms.

“You don’t need cloud seeding’s influence to account for the record deluge in Dubai,” Masters said.

Another expert, Steven Siems of Australia’s Monash University, agreed.

Given the size of the storm, any seeding effort would simply be pointless,” he said. “Nature is already doing the job perfectly well.”

Scientists also say climate change in general is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires around the world. Dubai hosted the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks just last year. Rising temperatures and other effects of global warming long have been viewed as a threat to life in the already-baking region.

The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified around 9 a.m. Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport.

Vehicles drive through heavy rain on the Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. Arrivals were halted Tuesday night, and passengers struggled to reach terminals through water-covered roads.

One couple, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to speak freely in a country with strict laws that criminalize critical speech, called the situation at the airport “absolute carnage.”

“You cannot get a taxi. There’s people sleeping in the Metro station. There’s people sleeping in the airport,” the man said Wednesday.

Dubai International Airport acknowledged Wednesday morning that the flooding had left “limited transportation options” and affected flights as aircraft crews couldn’t reach the airfield.

“Recovery will take some time,” the airport said on the social platform X.

Long-haul carrier Emirates and FlyDubai, its low-cost sister airline, had major disruptions.

Paul Griffiths, the airport’s CEO, acknowledged continued issues with flooding Wednesday morning, saying every place an aircraft could be safely parked was taken. Some aircraft had been diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the city-state’s second airfield.

“It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don’t think anyone has ever seen conditions like it,” Griffiths told the state-owned talk radio station Dubai Eye. “We are in uncharted territory.”

Egypt’s national carrier, EgyptAir, also temporarily suspended flights between Cairo and Dubai due to the bad weather.

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering spots on some roads. That included parts of the Sheikh Zayed Road, a 12-lane highway through downtown Dubai.

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water. Water poured into some homes, forcing people to bail out their houses.

The country’s hereditary rulers offered no overall damage or injury information for the nation, as some slept in their flooded vehicles Tuesday night. In Ras al-Khaimah, the country’s northernmost emirate, police said one 70-year-old man died when his vehicle was swept away by floodwater.

Khatm al-Shakla, an area near Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, saw 254 millimeters (10 inches) of rain Tuesday, the most anywhere in the country, officials said.

Authorities canceled school and the government instituted remote work again for Wednesday. Dubai later closed schools for the rest of the week.

Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall, causing flooding.

Meanwhile in neighboring Oman, a sultanate that rests on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, at least 19 people were killed in heavy rains in recent days, according to a statement Wednesday from the country’s National Committee for Emergency Management. That includes some 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle with an adult, which saw condolences come into the country from rulers across the region.

Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.

U.A.E. hit with heaviest rain ever recorded in the country

Storm dumps 142 mm of rainfall, easily surpassing the country's annual average of 94.7 mm.

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The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting flights through the world's busiest airfield for international travel.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain Tuesday "a historic weather event" that surpassed "anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949." 

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, the rains were acute across the U.A.E.

The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimetres of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport.

The storms intensified around 9 a.m. local time Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

Dubai gets a year's worth of rain in a day

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimetres of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimetre of rain at Dubai International Airport, a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

'Cloud seeding'

One reason may have been "cloud seeding," in which small planes operated by the government fly through clouds burning special salt flares. Those flares can increase precipitation.

Several reports quoted meteorologists at the National Centre for Meteorology as saying they flew six or seven cloud-seeding flights before the rains. Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed one aircraft affiliated with the U.A.E.'s cloud-seeding efforts flew around the country on Monday.

• CBC Explains How cloud seeding can make it rain or prevent extreme weather

The National, an English-language, state-linked newspaper in Abu Dhabi, quoted an anonymous official at the centre on Wednesday as saying no cloud seeding took place on Tuesday, without acknowledging any earlier flights.

The centre did not respond to questions Wednesday from the AP.

The U.A.E., which heavily relies on energy-hungry desalination plants to provide water, conducts cloud seeding in part to increase its dwindling, limited groundwater. Scientists also say climate change in general is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires around the world.

At the airport, standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. Arrivals were halted Tuesday night, and passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater covering surrounding roads.

One couple, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to speak freely in a country with strict laws that criminalize critical speech, called the situation at the airport "absolute carnage."

"You cannot get a taxi. There's people sleeping in the Metro station. There's people sleeping in the airport," the man said Wednesday.

They ended up getting a taxi to near their home some 30 kilometres away, but floodwater on the road stopped them. A bystander helped them over a highway barrier with their carry-on luggage, the bottles of gin they picked up from duty-free clinking away.

Dubai International Airport acknowledged Wednesday morning that the flooding had left "limited transportation options" and affected flights, as aircraft crews couldn't reach the airfield.

"Recovery will take some time," the airport said on the social platform X.

Check-ins stopped

Emirates said the airline had halted check-in for passengers departing from Dubai itself from 8 a.m. until midnight local time Wednesday as it tried to clear the airport of transit passengers — many of whom had been sleeping where they could in its cavernous terminals.

Passengers on FlyDubai, Emirates' low-cost sister airline, also faced disruptions.

• Record-breaking storm launches debris through Los Angeles area, leaves hundreds of thousands without power
• 'Sponge cities': An absorbing idea in the face of climate change

Paul Griffiths, the airport's CEO, acknowledged continued issues with flooding Wednesday morning, saying every place an aircraft could be safely parked was taken. Some aircraft had been diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the city-state's second airfield.

"It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don't think anyone has ever seen conditions like it," Griffiths told the state-owned talk radio station Dubai Eye. "We are in uncharted territory, but I can assure everyone we are working as hard as we possibly can to make sure our customers and staff are looked after."

With files from Reuters