It happens every summer. Starting in early June, my email inbox starts becoming overflowing with the following question from SANspotter readers: “Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in Europe?” Rather than replying to each of those messages individually, let me try to break it down into the most simplistic explanation possible:
Whether or not you have to go through customs for European connecting flights depends on whether or not the country you are traveling to is in the Schengen Area.
- If you are traveling from outside of a Schengen country (such as the United States), you will need to go through customs upon arrival to a Schengen country (such as France or Germany).
- However, once you’ve entered the Schengen Area, you will not have to go through customs if you are traveling between Schengen countries.
I know that probably sounds as clear as mud, so it will be necessary to break it down even further (which is your cue to keep reading for a more detailed explanation).
Wait, what? What the heck is the Schengen Area and why does it matter?
The Schengen Area is a conglomerate of 26 countries across Europe and Scandinavia that have a general treaty that has abolished internal border checks.
If you’re determined to learn as much about as you can, Wikipedia has a pretty good explanation of it. But for the rest of you, don’t worry. It’s not necessary to memorize all the little details.
In addition to not having to go through customs between Schengen countries, a short-term stay visa applies for all countries within this zone. Therefore, you will not need to reapply for a visa for every country in the Schengen Area that you travel to. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can legally stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days within 180 days without a visa.
How to make a connecting flight in Europe (with and without going through customs)
Despite how confusing it may sound, making a connecting flight in Europe is usually pretty quick and straightforward. For example, layovers as short as 35 minutes are possible in Amsterdam thanks to how efficient the entire process is. Many other European airports are the same way. It’s not as complicated as yo might think it its!
The following is an explanation of how to make connecting flights in Europe (and going through customs if necessary), whether the airport is in the Schengen Area or not.
If the country is in the Schengen Area
If the country you are transiting through is in the Schengen Area, the process is generally simple. It goes like this:
1. First and foremost, make sure you can transit Schengen
- If you are transiting through the Schengen Area and will not enter Schengen, you don’t usually need a visa. An example is if you are traveling from New York to Istanbul through a European country. Istanbul is not in the Schengen zone, so your destination is a non-Schengen country.
- Most large international airports in Schengen have “sterile” international transit zones, where you can stay without having a Schengen visa. The exception is if you are a national from a select group of countries. In that case, you will need to have an Airport Transit Schengen Visa. You can see a list of those countries here.
- Also, if you plan on exiting the airport and entering Schengen, or if you are somehow transiting through a small airport that does not have a sterile international zone, you will need to be able to enter Schengen. US citizens can enter Schengen without a visa (but you can not stay more than 90 days in 180 days).
2. Pass through immigration
- If your origin was a non-Schengen country and your final destination is in the Schengen zone, you will usually need to clear immigration in the first Schengen airport you get to. For example, if you are flying from New York to Germany with a stopover in Paris, you will usually go through immigration in Paris, as that is where you enter Schengen.
- If your origin was a Schengen country and your destination is not, you will likely have to pass through immigration in the transit airport, as you will be exiting the Schengen zone. For example, if you are flying from Germany to New York with a stopover in Paris, you will go through immigration in Paris before boarding your flight to New York.
- If both your origin and your destination are Schengen countries, you do not have to pass through immigration when transiting. If you are traveling from Poland to Paris with a stopover in Germany, you will not face any immigration checks.
What about customs? You will go through customs when exiting your destination airport, not when transiting. Usually, in Schengen airports, going through customs doesn’t involve much. You may not even notice it. Just pass through a door under a green sign that says something to the tune of “nothing to declare.”
3. Find your gate
- Finally, once you have passed through immigration (if needed) or simply gotten to the terminal, find the gate where you will board your second flight. The gate number might be printed on your boarding pass, but it is always subject to change. If you have your airline’s app, you can usually check flight status there.
- You can also look at the screen that shows a list of departing flights. Find your flight and then see which gate number it will be at. Follow the signs to the gate or ask an airport employee to help. There’s no shame in asking.
If the country is not in Schengen
Many European countries are not in Schengen. However, for the most part, the process remains the same:
1. Stay in the Transit Zone
- Most international airports around the world have a sterile international transit area where you can stay airside without officially entering the country. If you stay in that area, you do not usually need to pass through immigration.
Note: Airports are set up to make transit easy and efficient. For example, airlines try to minimize the distance you need to walk when transiting by parking planes at gates in the same terminal (or one nearby).
This is assuming that you are transiting a non-Schengen country on the way to a third destination country. You will pass through immigration when exiting your origin country and when entering your destination country (not in the transit airport). However, every non-Schengen country will be different.
2. Pick up your bags and go through customs and immigration
- Airlines will usually check your bags to the final destination, so you don’t need to pick them up when transiting. However, there are some exceptions, such as when transiting from a domestic to an international flight in some countries.
For example, when transiting through Istanbul from the US on the way to another Turkish city, you will usually go through immigration in Istanbul before heading to the domestic terminal and taking your domestic flight. If it’s the other way around, you may have to collect your baggage after the domestic flight and then head to the international terminal to go through customs before exiting Turkey.
Bonus travel advice: how to pass through European customs quickly
When it comes to going through customs for a connecting flight in Europe, there are some really good options for speeding up the process. These are worth signing up for – especially if you are a frequent traveler to a particular European country.
Personally, I had no idea that many EU countries offer expedited customs programs to Americans. Don’t be like me. Be sure to check what is available in your destination country!
Program examples include the following:
The German EasyPAss
Germany’s EasyPASS allows you to bypass customs interviews. Instead, you pass through automated border control by scanning your passport and posing for a facial recognition camera. This service is available at seven airports: Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Cologne/Bonn, Dusseldorf, Berlin-Schönefeld, Berlin-Tegel, and Hamburg.
The United Kingdom Registered Traveler Program
Americans who frequent the UK may qualify for the Registered Traveler Program. To gain approval, you need to be 18 or over, have a valid U.S. Passport, and have visited the islands at least four times in the previous 24 months. You can apply online and will receive notification of your acceptance within ten business days.
The Netherlands: Privium/FLUX
Global Entry members can gain expedited access in and out of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport with Privium/Flux. To apply, Global Entry members sign into their accounts and complete the online application. Those approved receive various price points and perks, including expedited security clearance, rapid customs clearance, Privium ClubLounge access, speedy check-in, priority parking, and valet parking discounts.
Children may not qualify, however, because they must be at least 4′-11″ for the iris scans.
Carol
Hello, Im travelling from Miami to Barcelona with a 1.5 hr layover in portugal using the same airline for portugal to bcn. Do you think that 1.5 is cutting close? Thank u for ure advice!
Scott (SANspotter)
1.5 hours should be plenty of time if your arriving flight is on time. I’ve had connections in Europe (coming from the US) with far less time that that and everything always worked out. Good luck!
Terry
Hi Scott! I’m a USA citizen traveling to the UK, then from there, trekking thru Europe, where I’ll make my way down to Rome and end the trip there. My question is: is it better to train or plane my way through the European countries I plan to visit, and do both or either require me to go through customs? Is one easier and faster than the other? Any advice? Thank you! Best, Terry
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Terry! I actually don’t know all that much about train travel through Europe. However, if it were me, I would take the train from country to country instead of flying. Not only will it be more relaxed and casual, you’ll see a lot more as well.
Flying will be faster, but the train is going to be much more memorable IMHO. Have fun!
Lori Mills
Hi Scott!
I booked two separate Spain flights on Iberia. One is LAX to Madrid, the other is Madrid to San Sebastián. I only have carry on luggage – the time between flights is 2 1/2 hours. Do I have to go through customs in Madrid or can I go right to my next gate? If I do have to go through customs is 2 1/2 hours enough time in Madrid? Thank you! Lori
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lori! Yes, you are going to have to go through the full customs and immigration process In Madrid. Having carryon luggage only will make things easier, but either way, 2 and a half hours will definitely be enough time. Enjoy Spain!
Frank Sunita
Hey Scott, pls see my question below to Lori on this one. Also, I actually called and talked to Iberia, who told me that I won’t need to go through customs in Madrid, because the bag will be checked all the way from Marrakech to Porto, I will just need to go through passport control, but my bag will be checked all the way to Porto, where I will pick up. This is a bit different from what you described. I’m now worried that I won’t have enough time.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Frank! Your situation is different than Lori’s because she had two separate tickets. Since you only have one ticket all the way through to Porto, the person you spoke to you at Iberia is correct. You’ll go through passport control in Madrid (without having to retrieve your luggage), and then customs upon arrival in Porto.
Frank Sunita
Hi Lori, I’m about to do something similar on Iberia, but not leaving from LAX, but from Marrakech. I am transferring in Madrid though, but going to Porto in Portugal (instead of you going to San Sebastian). I have 55 min, and it is all on a single ticket with Iberia. Can you tell me your experience, did you check your baggage all the way to final destination, or hand luggage? Did you have to retrieve luggage and clear customs in Madrid? I’m sure 2.5 hrs was plenty, but do you remember how long the whole process actually took? I’m concerned that 55 min isn’t enough, even though Iberia sold the 2 legs to me on 1 ticket. Thanks.
Leena
Hi Scott, I tried to find my answer in the questions here, but I’m not sure. I will be flying from London to Venice on a Sunday morning, arriving at 9:05am. Then on a completely separate ticket & different airline, I have a flight at 11:05am from Venice to New York. Will I have to go through immigration or customs in Venice? And is 2 hours enough for this? I may be able to send my checked bag home with someone else if time is an issue and if that would save time. Thanks so much for your help, you’re awesome! – Leena
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re welcome Leena! It’ll depend on two things. First, whether or not you can get your boarding pass before departing London. And second, what terminal your flight to New York will be departing from.
If you can check in online (so that you’ll have your boarding pass before you arrive), and your flight to New York will be departing from the same terminal that you arrive at, then you will not have to go through customs. Just follow the signs for international connections, which will lead you to a quick passport verification checkpoint.
Two hours will be more than enough time for this.
If you can’t get your boarding pass beforehand, and/or you have to change terminals, you’re going to have to do the full customs and immigration thing. Two hours is going to be extremely tight, but doable if you don’t waste any time. Personally, I would not want to do this.
Either way, having carry-on luggage only will make things a lot easier.
John
Hi Scott: I’d like to add to this thread as I’m not quite sure about the sterile zone.
I’m flying from Egypt to Canada (non-Schengen to non-Schengen). However the first leg is Cairo – Paris CDG 2E and the second leg is Paris – Amsterdam (leaving from CDG 2F). So really the routing is non-Schengen to Schengen to Schengen to non-Schengen. I’ll stay in the airports, but do I have to go through customs to get from terminal 2E to 2F as the middle flight is within the Schengen group? Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey John! Good question. I’m not 100% certain, but I don’t think you’re going to have to do anything in Paris. Worst case scenario is you’ll have to go through passport control (not customs). But you will definitely have to go through passport control in Amsterdam before getting on your flight to Canada.
Customs won’t be required at either airport since you’ll be remaining in the transit zone.
In my experience, going through passport control between flights can take a while in Paris. It’s usually very quick in Amsterdam.
John
We’re taking British Airways from Boston to Dublin, and then after a 4 hour layover, taking Aer Lingus to Rome. After reading your article, my conclusion is that we should clear customs in Dublin; is that your understanding? Thank you for your advice!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi John! I’m assuming these are separate tickets (under separate reservation numbers), so you’ll need to do one of two things:
1). If you don’t have any checked luggage, and you can obtain your boarding pass from the Aer Lingus mobile app prior to arriving in Dublin, just follow the signs for international connections. You’ll likely have to go through a quick passport check (maybe even security), but the delay will be minimal as long as you stay in the transit area.
2). If you have checked luggage (or if for whatever reason you can’t get your boarding pass to Rome ahead of time), you’ll have to officially enter Ireland (which requires going through the full customs and immigration process). You’ll then have to take your luggage over to the Aer Lingus counter and check in there.
4 hours will be plenty of time – even for the second scenario. Have a great trip!
Usha
Hi Scott, I’m traveling from Florence to Dubai, with a connection at Amsterdam (both are KLM flights) for 50 mins. I’m guessing my baggage will be through checked-in till Dubai, and I’d have to go through immigration in Amsterdam. Is that right? Not able to get through to KLM chat Two questions if yes, is 50 mins too short for all this? For tax refunds, can I submit in Florence, or does it need to be submitted in Amsterdam (Schengen exit airport)?
Thanks a bunch!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Usha – you are correct that your luggage will transfer automatically and you’ll pick it up in Dubai. The good news is that you will not have to go through customs or immigration – just follow the signs for international connections, and it’ll be a quick passport verification checkpoint only.
50 minutes is normally enough time for this sort of thing. Expect the lines to be much longer (and a little slower) during the summer months. Honestly, I’d be a little worried with a 50 minute connection at the height of the busy summer travel season. That said, all of the transfers that I’ve ever had at AMS over the years have gone quickly and smoothly. You’ll very likely be fine. Have a great trip!
Karen Belding
We are traveling home from Oslo to Philadelphia with a 70 minute layover in Frankfurt. Will we have enough time ? We are US citizens and have Global Entry
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Karen – 70 minutes will be fine, as long as you remain in the transit zone at the Frankfurt Airport (just follow the signs for international connections after you arrive).
Bill
I am travelling from Edmonton canada to Paris, through Amsterdam . I have 2.5 hrs. Do I go through customs or immigration. Do I go through security again? Do I pick up my luggage in Amsterdam? On the way back I am travelling from Barcelona through Amsterdam to Canada. Is my luggage checked through? I only have an hour layover is this enough time?
Rajeev
Hello. I am travelling from Dubai to Oporto with a 1h25m layover in Lisbon. The flight from Dubai to Lisbon is on Emirates and the flight from Lisbon to Oporto is on Tap Air. The journey was booked on a single ticket with Emirates since Tap and Emirates have a codeshare agreement. Will I have to go through immigration, collect bags and check them in again for the Lisbon to Oporto flight?
Scott (SANspotter)
Yes – your arrival in Lisbon is when you will go though Portuguese customs and immigration. Your connecting flight to Oporto will be a quick and easy domestic flight with no need to go through customs and immigration upon arrival.
Anne
Hey Scott. Thanks for the great info. We are traveling from the US to Athens. So many of these connection times in Schengen Countries are an hour or even less. As US Citizens with global entry, should we avoid these short layovers offered in places such as Munich, Frankfurt, Paris…?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Anne – personally, I would try to avoid a connection of one hour or less. However, international transfers at most European airports are extremely efficient. If a one hour connection is unavoidable, it’s not that big of a deal. Just study the airport map before you go so you’ll know exactly what you need to do as soon as you hit the ground. Good luck!
Cristina
Hello, I tried to find the answer in your article and online without bothering you, but I didn’t see it exactly. My daughter is leaving Chicago on American Airlines, with a layover in London, I believe she changes to Iberia with a flight into Madrid. Since she goes to non Schengen country first, does she go through customs in London? Or only in Madrid, her final destination? She had a choice of a two hour layover in London or four and I chose four hours to make her feel more comfortable as she’s flying alone. But if she doesn’t need to do Customs, two should be plenty and I wonder if I should attempt to change it, as it would make her arrival into Madrid much easier as she then has to take a train to Sevilla. haha , sorry, lots to my question.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Cristina – she will not have to go though customs in London. She will stay in the transit zone (which does require going through security I believe), but 4 hours will be plenty of time.
Kaitlinn
Hi, I feel redundant asking with all the helpful information already given but I’m looking at flights from the US to Barcelona. There is one with a 1.5 hour layover in Paris, is this enough time? Will I just pass through immigration there and then clear customs once I arrive in Spain? This is all so new to me! Thank you in advance. You’re saving so many people the stress and worry. Lol
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kaitlinn – 1 and a half hours should be enough time, but if there was an option with a slightly longer layover, I’d choose that instead. FYI, upon arrival in Paris, you will have to pass through immigration before continuing on to Spain (it’s usually a quick and easy process). Have a great trip!
Mark
Hi, we are flying on Iberia, Boston to Dubrovnik with a plane/flight change in Madrid. No checked luggage. Will we have to go thru customs and/or immigration in Madrid? Thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Mark – as Croatia is not currently part of the Schengen Area, I don’t believe that you’ll have to pass through customs at MAD (you would definitely need to go through customs at MAD if Croatia was part of the Schengen Area). Stay in the transit zone, and it should be a relatively quick and easy transfer.
Andrew Gallagher
Hi Scott,
I’m traveling from nyc to London on TAP Portugal with the connection in Lisbon. Will I have to collect my checked baggage and pass through customs? Then do I go through the Check-in and security procedures at Lisbon for the Tap connection to London?
I know there are some different procedures as the UK has left the EU.
Thank you,
Andy
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Andy – since Portugal is part of the Schengen area and the UK is not, you will not have to go through customs upon arrival at Lisbon. Stay in the transit area to wait for your connection to London. Have a good trip!
J
Thanks for this info. I have never traveled internationally before, so I am just trying to work out how this is likely to go. We are travelling from the US to Luxembourg City, with connections in Calgary and Frankfurt. Where will we have to go through customs? Frankfurt only? Does that mean we have to pick up our luggage and then check it again for the flight to Luxembourg?
Then what about the return trip? We have a long overnight layover in Calgary so will likely want to leave the airport to stay in a hotel.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi J – you will go through customs in Frankfurt, since both Germany and Luxembourg (your final destination) are in the Schengen Area. You won’t have to do anything for your layover in Calgary (just stay in the international transit zone).
On your return, you’ll have to go through Canadian passport control and customs at the Calgary airport if you want to stay the night in a hotel before continuing on the US.
The next day, you’ll go through US customs and immigration before leaving Calgary. It sounds weird, but all flights to the US from Canada require clearing US customs and immigration prior to departing Canada. This is called US Preclearance, and it’s extremely convenient since you’ll arrive in the US just like a normal US domestic flight.
Have a good trip!
Susan Edwards
We are flying out of Miami to Portugal. We have a 2 hour layover in Lisbon before we continue to Porto. Will we clear customs in Lisbon or Porto? If the answer is Lisbon will be collect our luggage there and recheck to Porto.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Susan – Yes, you will need to clear customs in Lisbon. And you are correct about needing to retrieve your luggage and rechecking it for the connection to Porto. 2 hours will be plenty of time. Have a good trip!
Susan Edwards
I was told by a TAP agent today that our luggage would be checked straight through to Porto and all we would do in Lisbon is clear immigration. I would really like to claim my luggage in Lisbon even if it means rechecking it. I failed to tell you that we are flying TAP non stop to Lisbon with a two hour layover there before continuing to Porto.
Scott (SANspotter)
I don’t think you’ll be able to claim your luggage in Lisbon. The only way you’d be able to do that is if your Miami to Lisbon and Lisbon to Porto tickets were separate. You can ask the TAP agent (the one who checks you in at the Miami Airport) if it would be possible to check your bags only to Lisbon – it might be doable, but I’m not sure.
Kate
Traveling from US to Brussels with a layover in Amsterdam. I believe if I read everything correctly, then I’ll go through customs in Amsterdam and collect my luggage there and recheck it for the connection to Brussels?
Scott (SANspotter)
Yup – you’ve got it exactly right! It might feel a bit stressful if you’ve got a tight connection, but the flight to Brussels will seem much more relaxing knowing that you’ve got all the procedural stuff taken care of.
mahrukh
hello we are traveling from USA to Oslo via Zurich. Oslo is not in side Schengen. does this mean we can skip Immigration in Zurich or we still need to do that? we have a nearly 2 hour layover but i have a leg injury and i am hoping i dont have to run. if our flight is on time, then i am not worried, your input is very very helpful. thanks.
Scott (SANspotter)
Yes, that is correct – you’ll go through customs and immigration in Oslo, not Zurich. Note that you might have to go through a quick passport check upon arrival at Zurich though (but it won’t take long). 2 hours is plenty of time!
Ricky
Hey Scott, I’m flying SAS airlines out of Dulles with Rome being my final destination, but have a 2:30 hour layover in Denmark. Will I go through customs in Denmark then?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Ricky – yes, you will go through customs in Denmark since both Denmark and Italy are in the Schengen Zone. Have a good trip!
Ashley
Hi Scott – thanks so much for the content above! Super helpful. I have a flight from Santorini -> Athens (40 min. layover)-> Rome. My friend booked the same flight through a different company and her reservation was canceled due to a 40 min. layover minimum policy. I contacted the airline directly (SkyExpress) and they said both segments of my flight were still active. Should I cancel and book a different flight with a longer layover? I’m nervous that is cutting it too close.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Ashley – 40 minutes will be very tight. It won’t be impossible, but if you have the opportunity to do so, I’d change it to a different flight with a longer layover if I were you. I personally wouldn’t want to deal with the stress of worrying about it. Good luck (and have fun)!
Nicole
Hi Scott, I’m looking at my flight options between the US and Italy and I see lots of layovers in Germany. I understand the process for getting to Italy, but I’m a little confused about getting back. Do I have to go through passport control/immigration in Germany to leave the Schengen Area even though I will go through it again when I land in the US? Thanks for your help!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Nichole – it’s a fairly easy process on the way back. You’ll likely go though a quick passport check on your way out, but you won’t have to do the full customs and immigration thing. That will only happen when you arrive in the US.
JMichelle
We have a flight on Swiss Air from Chicago to Florence with a stop in Zurich. We have a 1 hour layover. Would we need to collect and re-check our bag? Considering just carrying on to avoid the hassle! Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi – yes, that might not be enough time if you have checked luggage. Do all carryons if you can!
Suzan
Hi Scott,
My companion is flying from US to Rome with connection in Dublin. Ticket was booked through Alaska Air but Alaska is only as far as Seattle and the Aer Lingus to Dublin and then Rome. Alaska did all the booking so I think it is one ticket but the Aer Lingus portion has a different confirmation number and to book seats she has to go to Aer Lingus website. Will she have to retrieve her luggage in Dublin and recheck it to Rome? And will she do immigration or anything else in Dublin or not until Rome? Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Suzan – yes, it should be all one ticket. And it’s completely normal that the only way to select seats on the Aer Lingus segment is to call them directly. That’s the one bad thing about booking flights on partner airlines from another airlines website.
Since Ireland is not in the Schengen Area (and Italy is), you will not have to go through immigration upon arrival in Dublin. There’s no need to, as you’ll be in transit and not entering the country.
Leonna
Hi Scott! Thank you for for all your information and your patience responding to all of us! I’m flying from US to Italy, via TAP Air, with a layover in Lisbon. I’ll have to go through customs in Lisbon (which I can find on the airport map I think you said?) and collect my luggage there and recheck it for the connection to Italy, correct? My layover is 1hr35min.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Leonna – yes, that is correct. You’ll need most of that 1 hour and 35 minutes to go through all the checks in Lisbon, but it’s definitely enough time. Have a good trip!
Sylvia
Hi Scott! Thanks for the great info. If I understand correctly, a flight from PDL-LIS-YYZ would require passport control in LIS? Would a 55 minute layover be too short for this?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Sylvia – good question! Because your final destination will be Toronto (YYZ), you will not have to go through passport control in LIS. You’ll simply stay in the transit zone to connect to your onward International flight. 55 minutes is plenty of time.
However, if your LIS-YYZ ticket was booked seperately from your PDL-LIS ticket, you may have to go though passport control before you are allowed into the gate area for your onward connection to YYZ.
Alia
Hi!
We’re flying from Atlanta,GA to Munich,Germany (Layover) to Athens,Greece.
Does this mean we will need to collect our luggage and recheck out baggage?
Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Most likely yes – I’d definitely choose a longer layover just to be safe.
Alia
Hi Scott,
Oh thats scary! We currently have a 2 hr layover in Munich. We have booked our flights through our cruise line and they can’t be change do you feel this is sufficient?
Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Yeah, 2 hours should be ok. A lot will have to go wrong for you to miss your flight!
Cheryl
Hi Scott,
Wonderful information! We are first time international travelers and all of this makes us nervous. We are taking a transatlantic cruise from the US to Barcelona where we are traveling through Spain for several weeks. The return flights we are looking at are on Iberia Express from Madrid with connection on British Airways flight from Gatwick to Orlando. The connection time for available flights are 60 minutes OR 4 hours. Should we go with the 4 hours or will the 60 minutes be enough time? From your information it looks like we will have to go through immigration and security at Gatwick (Schengen to Non Schengen) but not Border Control until in Orlando. Will any checked luggage have to be picked up and rechecked again or will it be transferred straight through to destination airport? Thank you for your time and help!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Cheryl. Sounds like a fun trip! If your Madrid to Gatwick to Orlando ticket was purchased as a single itinerary, you will not have to go through customs at Gatwick (because your bags will be checked all the way to the US and you’ll simply be a transit passenger). You’re not officially entering England, as it’s just a stopover point on the way back to the US. In this case, 60 minutes is sufficient.
If they are separate tickets, then yes – you will need to go through customs and immigration at LGW (which will involve retrieving your luggage). I’d definitely do the 4 hour layover in this situation.
Cheryl
Thank you so much! We are trying to keep it simple and purchase the entire ticket through Iberia with points, so we will go with the one hour layover. Thank you again!
Helen
Hi Scott
I am flying from Melbourne to Singapore
Singapore to Frankfurt
Then Frankfurt to Lisbon
I have a two hour transit period in Frankfurt
Do I need to go through immigration or customs at Frankfurt
I have a two hour layover
Kind regards
H
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Helen – yes, since both Germany and Portugal are in the Schengen Zone, you will usually go through customs and immigration at the first Schengen country you enter (which will Germany). FRA is a very efficient airport though, so 2 hours should be plenty of time.
Robert F Francis
Just want to check if I’m right on this. We are flying from the U.S. to Frankfurt on Lufthansa and then on to Cape Town, South Africa on Lufthansa. As long as we don’t get out of the secure area in Frankfurt, I assume we will go through customs only in Cape Town. If we were to get out of the secure area in Frankfurt we would go through customs in Frankfurt. Am i correct in this?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Robert – that’s absolutely correct. You’ll be a transit passenger at Frankfurt, which won’t require going through customs and immigration. Have a good trip (sounds like a fun one)!
Cathy Pence
Thank you for this information.
These flights were booked through Celebrity cruise line.
We are flying from Las Vegas to Amsterdam with a 5 hour layover on delta operated by KLM, then onto Rome on KLM. What can we expect in terms of customs, etc.
Returning from Barcelona to London Heathrow with a 2 hour 20 minute layover on British airways, then continuing onto Las Vegas. What can we expect on these flights? It looks like England is not part of Schengen.
Thank you for any information you can share with us.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Cathy – you’re very welcome! On the way there, you will most likely need to go through customs and immigration upon arrival in Amsterdam (since both The Netherlands and Italy are in the Schengen Area). You’ll have nothing to worry about with a 5 hour layover.
The way back will be even easier. Since you’ll only be transiting LHR (and not officially entering England), you won’t have to go through customs and immigration. You might have to go through a security checkpoint though (2 hours and 20 minutes will be more than enough time). The only place where you’ll need to go through customs and immigration on the return in upon arrival in Las Vegas. Have a good trip!
Cathy Pence
Thank you very much!
Sherri
Hello Scott, I feel pretty silly asking this question but here goes.
I am a flight attendant traveling with a very experienced travel companion in December we are traveling DEN-MUC on UA landing at 2:05pm and then MUC-PRG at 3:15pm on Lufthansa. Is 70 minutes going to be ok being MUC is a Lufthansa hub? And will global entry help in this case? Isn’t global entry just good for coming back into the US? Also we only pass through immigration in MUC and then customs in PRG correct?
Lol… as a flight attendant you would think I would know better. However the next flight is 6 hours later. Ugghh! Thanks for answering all our questions. Your really helping people out big time!
Thanks Sherri
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Sherri – yeah, actually I feel like I’d be the one to ask you questions like this. Haha! But I totally understand, because it can be complicated. Here we go:
1. 70 minutes will be tight, but if your inbound flight is on time, you shouldn’t have any issues. I’ve never been through MUC myself, but if it’s anything like FRA, everything runs like a fine Swiss watch. German airports are some of the most efficient airports I’ve ever been in.
2. Global Entry will only benefit you upon returning to the US.
3. The way some Schengen countries do the immigration / customs thing can vary, but you’re basically right about the process. You will be required to go through an immigration check upon arrival at MUC.
Have a great trip!
Lauren Donely
Hello,
We are travelling from the Uk to Thailand with stops in Munich and Muscat. In Munich it says we have to collect our bags and recheck them in. 3 of us have British passports, one Moroccan and one polish. Do any of us need a Schengen visa as we have to collect and recheck in baggage ? Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lauren – good question, and I fully admit that I don’t really know the answer (I’m a doofus when it comes to Visa requirements). I’d suggest contacting the airline you booked with – they will know for sure.
Wendy
Hello. We are looking at flights from Boston to Malta, flying through a European city. If we fly through Paris, with a ten hour layover, am I correct that we go through Immigration in Paris, can leave the airport and see the city, then return to the airport for the connection? Is this doable?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Wendy – yeah, with a 10 hour layover, you’ll have plenty of time to exit the airport and hang out in the city for a few hours. Upon arrival at CDG, head for the arrivals queue and not the transfers / connections queue (because it’ll be harder to get out of the airport). Have fun!
Abby
Hello!
I have a flight in January that leaves the US, then has a layover in France before reaching my final destination in England. I recently had my schedule changed so my layover in France went from 4 hours to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Since my layover is in a Schengen country and my final destination or origin isn’t I haven’t been able to find any clear answers. Will I have to go through customs, immigration, or baggage claim in France? I’m worried that if so, I won’t have enough time, and I should contact the airline to get my flight changed.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Abby – you will not have to go though customs and immigration upon arrival in Paris. Just follow the signs for international connecting flights, and you will avoid all that. You might have to go through a quick security/passport check, but it’ll be quick and easy (1 hour and 10 minutes won’t be an issue). Have a good trip!
Abby
Thank you!
Briana Miller
Hello! This is my first international flight. I go from Orlando to Chicago to London to Athens. My biggest concern is London i only have 1 hour and 5 minutes between flights, but i arrive and leave from the same terminal in London. Is this where I go through customs or do i go through once im in Athens?
Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Brianna! You’ll go through customs in Athens, but you will probably have to go through a quick security check in London. 1 hour and 5 minutes should be plenty of time, but I’d recommend moving as quickly as you can. Enjoy Greece!
Ricky
Hi Scott,
Random question
I will be staying a few nights in copenhagen ( Im from NYC ) and will be taking a day trip to stockholm by plane and coming back to copenhagen later that evening. Will i need to go through customs and all that again since I am a U.S citizen ? Appreciate the help
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Ricky – nope! Both Denmark and Sweden are in the Schengen Area, so moving between them is like taking a domestic flight back home in the US. You won’t have to go through customs and immigration.
Chris
Hi!
I’m traveling from Toronto (YYZ) to Terceira (TER) and from TER to Lisbon (LIS) booked through one ticket using Sata Azores airlines and TAP (Flight1)
Then I fly from LIS to Munich (MUN) as my final destination with 3.45 hours between my Lisbon and Munich flight. This flight was booked separately through TAP (Flight 2). Will this be enough time? Additionally, at which point do I do customs and immigrations and do I need to go through security again between TER AND LIS and LIS and MUN?
Thanks in advance!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Chris! Good questions, and I will admit that I don’t know the answer to 1 of them. But hopefully this makes sense:
1. I’m guessing that you won’t have to go through customs and immigration at TER since it’s only a stopover point and you’ll be continuing on to LIS. I’m not 100% sure.
2. If you don’t have any checked bags AND you will already have your LIS-MUC boarding pass upon arrival in LIS, you won’t have to go through customs and immigration (probably).
3. You will definitely have to go through customs and immigration at LIS if you have checked baggage and/or you need to check in for your flight to MUC.
4. In either scenario, 3.5 hours will be more than enough time.
Have a great trip!
Briana
I have a flight in december, AA from orlando to ohare, then using BA from ohare to heathrow, then heathrow to athens. This whole booking was booked directly with BA but we cant figure out where we would go through customs. Ohare? Heathrow? or Athens? We have only a 1 hour layover in London so should I change my flight?
Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Brianna – did you not see my reply to your previous question? It is a bit messy here in the comment section (my apologies!) so hopefully you’ll see this one.
You’ll go through customs and immigration in Athens. However, you will very likely have to for through a security check upon arrival in London. It usually goes fast though, so your 1 hour connection time should be fine.
Kris
Hi there! We have to send our son from San Francisco Bay Area to Berlin, arriving Jan 2 2023, and departing Berlin May 6 2023, for semester abroad. We’d been told not to have him stop in Europe, because he’d have to go through customs twice. It sounds like this information might not be correct. What route would you recommend we try to fly him? We are fine with him stopping on the East Coast overnight or for some time for a connecting flight. Most flights seem to stop either in France or London Heathrow, unless he flies across the US and stops at Dulles or Newark or something. Can you help? What would you recommend? Thank you so much!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kris – If you can’t get a nonstop flight from San Francisco to Berlin (I don’t think there are any at this time), having him make a connection on the east coast of the US or in continental Europe (France, Spain, the Netherlands) will only require going through customs once.
If he flies directly to Berlin from the US, he’ll go through customs and immigration in Berlin. If he makes a connection in continental Europe, he will go through customs in the first country that he enters.
The easiest solution would be for him to make a connection on the East Coast of the US. That way he can fly nonstop to Berlin and not have to worry about making a connection in Europe.
Angela Yonke
Hi Scott. Such great info on all these posts. Thank you! Just wanting to confirm that my research is correct; We are flying BA in December from DFW to MUC with a connecting flight in LHR. (2hr layover) #1: Please correct me if I’m wrong…. we do not need to go through customs, immigration or get bags…just proceed to “International connecting flights” and go through a security/passport check? When we leave MUC we are driving to Switzerland. #2: I’m assuming no big deal driving across international borders? Maybe a passport check? Then, taking train from Switz to Italy. #3: same as question #2…..just a passport check upon entering Italy? Our return to US will be MIL to DFW with a connecting flight in LHR. #4: Will we get bags or go though customs/imm in LHR or just proceed to “international connection flights” and do all that upon return to DFW? Thanks in advance for all your great advice/help!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Angela. Sounds like a fun trip! Let’s see if I can answer your questions:
1. You are absolutely correct. To make the transfer at LHR, simply follow the signs for international connections. You will not have to go through passport control and immigration, but you will have to go through a quick security check. Your bags will automatically be transferred.
2. Good question! 🙂 I’ve never actually driven across borders in Europe, so I’m not exactly sure what the process is.
3. Same for #2
4. It’ll be the same as #1, but in reverse. Just follow the signs for international connections – your bags will automatically be transferred as long as both your inbound and outbound flights are part of the same itinerary.
Have a great trip!
Angela Yonke
Thank you so much!
crystal
Hi! i don’t know if you’ll get this and i’ll be so grateful for an answer! i am traveling to sweden on nov.20th from miami, with a stop in jfk. i will have a 1 hr 20min layover. will that be enough time to make my flight to arn? also, i’m not sure if i was reading correctly, i won’t go thru passport checks until i arrive in stockholm correct? does this mean my connecting flight in jfk will be just as easy as flying domestic in terms of finding my gate and not having to go through check points and lines and all of that? sorry for all of the random questions!! loved the article!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Krystal – as long as all segments were booked together on the same reservation, 1 hour and 20 minutes will be more than enough time to make the connection at JFK.
It’ll be really easy – you’ll just have to walk from one plane to the next without any additional security/customs checks (it’ll be just like a domestic flight). Have a good trip!
Feven
Hii. I have a flight on Sunday, November 20th, 2022, which is this Sunday. I am traveling from Toronto, Canada, to Bergen Norway. I have a 14-hour layover in Frankfurt. My question is, do I have to go through custom and immigration in frankfurt? or Bergen, Norway? I am confused about this. I would appreciate the help 🙂
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Feven – yes, since both Germany and Norway are part of the Schengen Area, you’ll have to go through customs and immigration at the Frankfurt Airport. Your connecting flight to Norway will be exactly like a domestic flight in the US/Canada. Have a great trip!
Feven
Oh, that makes sense! Thank you so much!
Lita Delahunty
Hi Scott! Please help me with your expertise. My husband & I will be traveling from Phoenix on American Airlines and connecting on a British Airways flight at Heathrow to go to Lisbon , Portugal —our final destination. The reservation is all on one itinerary. We will arrive at Terminal 3 in Heathrow and will need to go to Terminal 5 for our flight to Lisbon. When do we go through immigration/passport control? Will our checked luggage be checked all the way to our final destination? I appreciate you providing the process to me. Thank you.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lita – it’ll be super easy, since you’ll only have to go though customs and immigration in Lisbon. When you arrive at LHR, follow the signs for International Transfers – that will take you to a quick security checkpoint. Once through that, proceed directly to your connecting gate. And yes, since it’s all one ticket, your checked bags will automatically be transferred. Have a great trip!
Lita Delahunty
Thank you so much, Scott, for your great response! You’ve given us peace of mind, and we sincerely appreciate your expertise.
Anna
Hi Scott, you are so patient and helpful! I am booked on a KLM flight from AUS to AMS direct arriving at 10:25 am. Final destination is BCN. Would a 1:15 (13:15) flight on Vueling (AMS to BCN) be a long enough layover considering we have ti go through immigration, collect our bags, and recheck them with Vueling? The next option is a 4:30 pm flight.
Thanks for your help!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Anna – yes, 3 hours will be plenty of time! I just recently made a connection at AMS and it seems as if the issues they were having over the summer have subsided. It was quick and easy, so you’ll very likely make it through with plenty of time to spare. Have fun!
Amy
Hi Scott, Happy Holidays! I’m going to Greece next month and also thinking to go to Istanbul. There’s a flight with Aegean Airlines from Santorini (JTR)-Athens (ATH)-Istanbul (IST). The layover is one hour in Athens. Is that enough time? Not sure if we have to go through customs and passport check in Athens since it’ll be an international flight to a non-Schengen country. Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Happy holidays to you as well Amy! Nope, you won’t have to go through customs and immigration if you’re continuing on to Istanbul (make sure you follow the signs for international connections).
It’s been a while since I’ve been in the Athens Airport, but if it will be anything like my experience, you may have to pass through a quick security check before continuing on. It’ll be quick though and 1 hour should be sufficient if you hustle. Have fun!
Jennifer
Hello
I looking at flying from the US to Birmingham, UK and the connection options are CDG or AMS. Would I need to go through immigration and customs or recheck my bags? Thanks for being so kind to answer all these questions.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Jennifer – you won’t have to go through customs and immigration at either CDG or AMS. You’ll only have to do that once you arrive in the UK. You will have to go through a quick passport/security check though (which won’t take long), so it behooves you to avoid a really short connection. Enjoy the trip!
Audrey
Hi I’m flying back home to the US from Scotland with an hour layover in Amsterdam. Is that enough time or will we likely miss us?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Audrey – I just did a US connection though Amsterdam (CDG-AMS-SFO), and it took less than 10 minutes. Upon exiting the plane, follow the signs for international / US connections. You’ll have to go through a quick passport check, and that’s it. An hour will be plenty of time. Have a great flight!
Joao
Hi!
I have an upcoming flight on December 19th with KLM/Delta all on one reservation. I will be flying from Lisbon to Amsterdam (4.5 hour layover) on KLM, then on to Detroit (2h20m layover), and finally Fort Lauderdale on Delta. If I understand things correctly, in Amsterdam is where they will stamp my passport since that’s where I exit the EU, correct? I’ll have to go through a security checkpoint and then find the gate for my connecting flight.
What I don’t know/understand is what will happen when I reach Detroit. Since I enter the USA there, I have to go through customs and immigration, but will I have to collect and recheck my luggage? Everything is on the same ticket, but will I still have to collect and recheck my bag before going through customs and immigration or will I not have to collect it until FLL? I’m a bit worried that 2 hours and change might be cutting it close if I have to collect, recheck, go through customs and immigration, and then run to find my gate. Thank you so much!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Joao – yes, you are exactly correct about the procedure at AMS. I recently had a 4 hour layover at AMS before a flight back to the US as well, and the passport check took less than 5 minutes.
You will have to go through the full US customs and immigration procedure upon arrival at DTW (which will include having to retrieve your luggage before going through customs). I’ve gone through that process at DTW many times, and it usually takes no more than an hour – most of the time, it’s less than that. You’ll be fine!
Joao
Thank you so much for your reply! One extra question that has crossed my mind: did you have to do/show any negative results for COVID? I had thought that practically all COVID restrictions and measures had been lifted pretty much everywhere, but talking with a friend the other day they said that to go to the USA I don’t have to do any test, but to come back I will and to make sure to bring the CDC card/QR code. I didn’t think I had to do any test neither to go nor to return, but now I’m a little unsure.
Shawne
Hi Scott! This is all extremely helpful, but I have a specific question I am hoping you can provide guidance on. The tricky part is this is for my daughter who is studying abroad in Prague and is required to arrive to the airport by 6 in order to be picked up through the program (otherwise she is on her own in a foreign country!!). So, our options are LAX-MUC-PRG with a 2 hour layover (then arrives in PRG at 4:05) or LAX-CDG-PRG with a 4 hours layover, but then doesn’t arrive in PRG until 5:10. So, I like the arrival time of the Munich layover but the layover allowance in Paris for the later arrival. The key there will be if there are delays in that flight, it could push them pass the pick up window. So my question, what would you do if it were your child:-)!?
Scott (SANspotter)
Ooh! You’re really putting me on the spot! (lol) This is a tough (but very good) question. I think if it were my daughter, I’d book LAX-MUC-PRG for her. 2 hours is plenty of time to make the connection (German airports are extremely efficient), and then she’d still have some buffer time at PRG if something went wrong. The CDG flight would be cutting it too close to the 6 o’clock deadline IMHO.
I’d probably also book a refundable hotel room for her at the PRG airport ahead of time as a backup emergency plan if I thought that she wouldn’t be able to handle being on her own. Good luck!
Gracie
Hi, I have a friend who is traveling with her family in a couple of weeks to Spain. Her problem is their flight back to US. They are flying from Barcelona to SFO with a connecting flight in Heathrow. Unfortunately, they are landing in London City Airport and have to transfer to Heathrow to catch their connecting flight with only 3 hours layover. Will they have to go through custom in London City Airport once they land from Barcelona? Is the 3 hour layover doable since Heathrow Airport is an hour away by train? Unfortunately, she didn’t realize when she booked the flights that they would have to change airport. Thanks so much for your help.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Gracie! Yes, they will have to go through UK customs and immigration since they will need to exit the airport to make the transfer to LHR. 3 hours probably won’t be enough time. By the time they deplane, go through customs/immigration, make the transfer to LHR / check in / pass through security, there will be very little time left to spare.
I would cancel the ticket and book a new one. They will have to pay a cancellation fee, but they will be able to apply the remaining balance to the cost of a new ticket. It sucks, but it’s the safest option IMHO.
Quick Edit: If your friend is feeling bold, know that I have done a transfer like this before with success. It was Dubai-London Heathrow-London Stagnsted-Dublin. I had 3 hours (just like your friend), and even though it took an hour and 20 minutes to get to LHR to STN, I made the flight without any issues. I didn’t have any bags to check though, so that definitely helped.
Veronica
Hey, Scott! I’m so glad that I found your post because it’s definitely helped answer lots of my travel questions. I’ve even read each and every comment’s real life situations and your answers to all of them. Someone already asked my question, but it doesn’t seem to have been answered yet. So I guess I’ll ask again for whomever needs it. What about COVID protocols (or the lack thereof)?
Could you please tell your experience flying between Europe and the USA and vice versa in these COVID times? Did you have to take any tests to go or come back, need to show any vaccination certificate, or have to do anything special in order to be allowed to travel?
I have to fly from ATL to JFK to AMS and then on to Oporto and the same the other way around. From what I’ve seen, pretty much all of the Schengen area has done away with COVID requirements, but I assumed it was for EU/EEA citizens only. The same with travelers from the USA. I just want to be extra sure and plan accordingly.
What has been your experience?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Veronica – I’m glad you’ve found this to be helpful! Anyway, good question. The good news is that there are no more Covid-related hoops to jump through when traveling between the US and Europe (and vice versa). There are no testing or vaccination requirements going in either direction. You won’t even have to wear a mask on most airlines anymore.
That said, it’s always wise to double check the requirements of the country you’re traveling to before departing. Things are back to normal right now, but that could change at any time I suppose. Have a great trip!
Ro
Hi Scott,
I am so glad to have found your page with the much needed information. I am just wondering if you think 55 min layover at Vienna airport is enough? I am travelling from Toronto to Porto with a layover at Vienna airport and I checked that they should be in the same terminal. I will arrive at VIE at 8:30am. Do you know if 55 mins is enough for that airport taking into consideration going through immigration and the time of day? The airlines are Air Canada then Austrian Airlines. Thank you for helping so many ppl out!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Ro! A 55 minute connection is going to be tight – especially if you are going to be seated at the back of the plane on your inbound flight from Toronto. 55 minutes is technically a “legal” connection in Vienna (they wouldn’t have sold you the ticket if it wasn’t possible), but you’re going to have to run to make it. It helps that both Austrian Airlines and Air Canada are part of the Star Alliance, which means that their gates will be somewhat near to one another.
Personally, I wouldn’t worry about it. If you don’t make it, they’ll just put you on the next flight (something that has happened to me many times making connections in Europe, and it’s not the end of the world). Have a good trip!
Ro
Thank you Scott! I arrive at VIE in the morning and I just have to be at Porto that evening. I checked Austrian Airline they won’t have another direct flight out to Porto that day but I guess they will put me on another connecting then? Thanks again for your insight!
Ro
I mean if I missed my connecting flight and they have to rebook me 🙂
Scott (SANspotter)
Correct, they can (and will) easily put you on any other Star Alliance airline to get you there same day. For example, if they do have to rebook you, don’t be surprised if they route you through Munich or Frankfurt on Lufthansa.
It’s good that you’ll be arriving in the morning! That’ll give you more options to get to Porto by the evening. I just can’t see how they wouldn’t be able to get you there same day though. I promise you’ll make it!
Kate
Hi Scott.
Thanks for handling all these individual questions and easing our travel stress. My college Daugther will be traveling alone from Washington Dulles to Marseilles France for a study abroad semester. She has two flight options. Layover in Brussels for 2hr 20min or layover in London for 4hr 10min. She would much prefer the shorter layover in Brussels only because her arrival in Marseilles would be 11am (vs 5:15pm through London) giving her time during day hours to find her transportation and check in at the university. Is 2hr 20mins going to be enough layover in Brussels? Will she have to collect checked bag in BRU or it’ll go all the way through to MRS? if I read correctly I’m thinking SHE will have her passport/student visa checked in BRU but bags/customs done in MRS? Fyi, flights purchased together but flying United IAD-BRU, flying United “operated by Brussels Airline” BRU-MRS. Final note, she has traveled international before but only twice. Again, much prefer midday arrival at destination but don’t want to cut layover too tight. Thanks for your insights!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kate – 2 hours and 20 minutes in Brussels shouldn’t be an issue, but it could get tight if her inbound flight is delayed. She sounds like she has some experience with international travel though (and she knows what to expect during the transfer), so if she’s up for it, that’s probably the way to go.
Not all Schengen airports do it the same, but what is most likely to happen is that she’ll do the full customs/immigration thing in BRU (hopefully someone here in the comment section can correct me if I’m wrong). 2 hours and 20 minutes will be plenty of time for that.
BTW, both United and Brussels Airlines are part of the Star Alliance, so everything will be seamless. It’ll also be to her advantage if her inbound flight from IAD is delayed (and she misses her original connection). In that case, she will automatically be put on the next flight.
Will
For connections through a Schengen airport, there’s a distinction between passport control/immigration and customs controls. In general, if you have a through ticket for the final destination, you’ll go through passport control upon entering the Schengen Area and customs checks once you have your luggage at the final destination. In this case, she’ll go through passport control in Brussels, but not customs (and she’ll just follow the signs for “connections/correspondances”). The customs controls will be handled in Marseille.
Gordon
I’m going to Malta through Istanbul with an hour and 40 minute layover. Will I go through immigration in Istanbul and is that enough time? Thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Gordon – at the time of this writing, Turkey is not part of the Schengen Area, but Malta is. That means that you won’t have to go through customs and immigration upon arrival in Istanbul. Just follow the signs for international connections – and be prepared to go through a quick passport check (which may or may not happen). Have a good trip!
Tiffany D
Greetings, Scott! I’m hoping you can advise on my best option … we are flying from Portland, OR to Dublin with a connection in AMS (Delta/KLM) on March 16/17. We could opt for either a one hour layover or a 5 hour layover. Would it be better to book the one hour layover, and if we don’t make it then hope they put us on the later flight? Or should we book the longer layover and try to get on the earlier flight if we get through Customs/Immigration quickly? (Will we need to go through both Customs and Immigration in Amsterdam?) Another thing to keep in mind – our flight to Dublin will be on St. Patrick’s Day, so it will probably be quite crazy! Thanks for your input!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Tiffany – personally, I’d do the 5 hour layover just for the peace of mind. Not having to worry about what will happen in case of a delay / missed connection is worth the wait IMHO – especially at AMS. It’s an amazing airport with many great restaurants and shops.
Also, even through there are many flights a day between AMS and DUB, they will all most likely be 100% full on St Patricks day. You might have a hard time getting on another flight if you miss your original connection!
That said, a 1 hour transit layover at AMS is definitely possible. There will be no need to go through customs and immigration – just follow the signs for international connections. You will have to go though a quick passport checkpoint, but that shouldn’t take very long.
Good luck!
Tiffany D
Thank you so much for the information! Happy Holidays!
Pat
Hi Scott, I have 2 situations I would really appreciate your help in answering questions about!
1st – Debating flying to Paris on SAS with two stops, 1h35m in Stockholm and 1h10m in Oslo. Do you think these allow enough time to get through? I assume I would have to go through customs in stop 1 (Stockholm), so just want to make sure that leaves enough time
2nd – If I fly back to the US from France with a 15h25m layover in Stockholm (land at 6:55PM and leave the next morning at 10:20AM), can I leave the Stockholm airport and explore? Obviously the timing would be weird (would have just a few hours to do things at night and early in the morning before the flight), but would I just have to go through customs to leave? I would be flying the same airline throughout, so would that mean my baggage is checked through to the next flight and I can just leave?
Thank you for your help!!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Pat – although I don’t think you’ll have any issues with either option to Paris, I’d choose the 1 hour and 35 minute layover in Stockholm (extra time is always nice to have when making connections). Note that not all Schengen countries handle arrivals the same (you may not have to go through customs in Stockholm), but you’ll be fine. You will definitely have to go through passport control though, which won’t take long.
In regards to your second question, yes – you can exit the airport (without retrieving your luggage) as long as you already checked in (and have your boarding pass) for your connecting flight. Have fun!
Dan
Scott,
My apologies if this is answered somewhere in the comments (there are quite a few). I have two option for a return flight to the US. Departing Amsterdam, through Frankfurt, to St. Louis. First option is to Fly Friday morning to Frankfurt, 2 hr layover, then on to STL. If I can do customs in AMS and avoid it in FRA, this feels like the best option. If customs would be required also in FRA, then I can fly the evening before to Frankfort, hotel at the airport, then go through customs in FRA in the morning for the same return flight to STL (just more time allowed for customs). Suggestions
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Dan – you won’t have to go through customs in Europe on the way back to the US. So, for example, if you fly AMS-FRA-STL, you’ll stay in the international transit zone at FRA before your connecting flight to STL. You may have to go through a quick passport check, but it’s fast.
Departing Europe to fly back the US is easy (it’s basically just like a domestic flight). Note that you will have go through US customs and immigration upon arrival at STL though.
Rita
Hi! I am going from Boston to Prague with layover in Frankfurt. I have 1 hour 20 min layover. Is it enough time to go through customs and to the gates at Frankfurt airport?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Rita – yes, that will be enough time. I did a very similar layover at Frankfurt once with just 50 minutes, and it was plenty of time. It was admittedly a bit stressful, but I ended up having plenty of time to spare. The Frankfurt airport is very efficient and easy to move through quickly.
Faiza
Hi! We just booked our very 1st international flight and are so excited! I am a little worried about connecting. We are booked from ATL to FCO (Rome) with a connecting in Ontario, 1hr 15 minutes. Both flights are through AirCanada. Will we have enough time? Do we need to do customs again in Canada before boarding the flight to Rome?
Our way back I think should be fine. Lufthansa is the airline and we go from Rome, connecting in Frankfurt and then back to ATL, with 1 hour connection time.
Thanks so much!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Faiza! Sounds like a fun trip. Rome is an amazing city, and I can pretty much guarantee that you are going enjoy it. Anyway, yes, 1 hour and 15 minutes will be enough time to connect in Canada (I assume you meant Toronto and not Ontario). Just follow the signs for international connections – you will have to go through a quick passport verification area, but not customs. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Have fun!
Jared
Hi Scott, thank you for providing all of your advice here, very helpful to so many people. I am planning to fly from JFK to Ibiza (IBZ) through MAD on Air Europa both legs. The two layover options are 1 hour 35 minutes or 4 hours 55 minutes. Do not plan to check luggage (just a carry-on), but believe I will still need to go through customs upon arrival in MAD – is this correct? In this case, which layover option would you choose (i.e. is 1 hour 35 minutes enough time)? Thanks so much.
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Jared! Yes, you will need to go trough customs and immigration upon arrival at MAD. I would definitely do the longer layover, as there’s really no telling how long it will take to go through the entire process. The Madrid Airport is huge (and not as efficient as other major European airports), so I would prefer the more relaxed and slower-paced transfer that the 4:55 layover would provide. Have a good trip!
Susan
Hi Scott, thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge with travelers. We are traveling from San Francisco to Venice, but want to stop over in Zurich with a 21 hour layover (4:00 PM – 1:00 PM the following day). Is this enough time to get out of the airport and see a site or two? Also, will we have to go through customs and immigration in Switzerland and again in Venice?
Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Susan – you’re very welcome! Yes, 21 hours will be more than enough time. Transportation into the city is very convenient via train (there is a train station right at the airport), and you’ll have plenty of time to see the sights. I’d recommend staying at the Radisson Hotel connected directly to the airport, as it’ll save you lots of time getting back to the airport from the city before your flight.
And yes – if you decide to leave the airport before your connecting flight, you will have to go through customs and immigration.
Joy
Hi Scott,
I’m considering booking a flight from Boise through Chicago with a 1.5 hr layover before a flight to AMS with 2 3/4 hr layover before final destination in Athens. My main concern is the 1.5 layover in Chicago. Flights are both on United. Will I have enough time in Chicago, and will I have to change terminals?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Joy – a 1.5 hour layover at ORD will be easy! That’s way more than enough time, and you’ll very likely have the opportunity to sit down to a good meal (or do some shopping) before your flight.
FYI, United occupies concourses B and C in Terminal 1. You might have to switch from one to the other, but it’ll be an easy 5 minute walk via an underground tunnel. Have a good trip!
Kim
HI,
I don’t think you’ve answered this one yet…thank you for your patience!
Have a return ticket to SFO from Amsterdam. Would like to book a flight from Geneva to Amsterdam that morning and will have either 2 or 4 hours layover in Amsterdam. We will have checked bags. Will the ticket agent in Geneva be able to book my bags through to SFO (different airlines) or will I have to get my checked bags in Amsterdam when I go to check in for my international flight. So do I need 2 or 4 hour layover…
Thanks for any help!
On another note, is 45 minute layover in Honolulu enough to catch an interisland flight after coming from SFO? (Different airlines again and carryon for that trip.)
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kim! If your Geneva to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to San Francisco tickets were purchased separately, you will have to retrieve your bags in Amsterdam and check them in for your SFO flight (they won’t transfer automatically). Definitely do the 4 hour layover!
And yes, 45 minutes will be enough time at HNL if all you have is a carryon. All terminals are connected in Honolulu, and you won’t have to go through any security checkpoints to get from one plane to the next. Have fun!
Kim
Thanks so much!!!
Laura
We have a flight from Florence, Italy to LHR. We arrive at LHR in the afternoon and our next flight to Chicago does not leave until the following morning. We are US citizens flying back home from vacation in Italy. Will we need to collect our bags when we arrive at LHR or will our bags be checked all the way through to Chicago? We plan to leave the airport and spend the afternoon and evening in London before returning to LHR the next morning for our flight to Chicago. Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Laura – if you are able to get check in and get your boarding pass for your flight to Chicago before you depart Florence Airport, then you will not need to retrieve your bags. However, if you will have to check in for your flight to Chicago in London, then yes – you will need to retrieve them.
Kirsten D.
Hi Scott,
We are booking our honeymoon trip to Italy. The flights we’re looking for are on AirFrance and go from Chicago (ORD) to Paris (CDG) and there is only a one-hour layover until the flight from CDG to Naples (NAP). Very apprehensive about the short layover time but the other options have 6+ hour layovers…
What do you think?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kristen – I highly suggest taking the 6 hour layover option. Since it’s your honeymoon, take things slow and enjoy the trip! The Air France Lounge at CDG is spectacular (and an excellent place to kill time) btw. Even if you have to pay for a day pass to get in, it’ll be worth it. Have fun!
Pedro
Hello, me (Portuguese) and my wife (Thai) are traveling from Melbourne, Australia to Porto, Portugal but we will have a layover of 80min in Gatwick (LGW), we have to change from Terminal N to Terminal S.
Will we go through customs? and do we need any visa? Will it be enough time to get the baggage from terminal N and go to Terminal S and do all the rest and check in on the flight to Porto on time?
Thank you,
Kind Regards
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Pedro – I can’t answer your visa question, but if your entire journey from Melbourne to London is all part of the same ticket, you won’t have to go through customs upon arrival in Porto. Just follow the signs for international connections.
If they are separate tickets, then yes – you will most likely have to go through customs before you can check in for your flight to LGW. Also, I am unfamiliar with the Porto airport, so I don’t have any first hand experience of how long it will take to get from Terminal N to S. Sorry!
Pedro
Sorry, I will be in transit in Gatwick waiting for the flight to Porto. My question is about if in LGW, before boarding to Porto, if I have to pick up my bags, go through customs and check in again because changing terminal and Airline company
My ticket has destination to Porto but from Melbourne to London is Emirates Airways and from London, Gatwick is TAP Portugal.
Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Pedro – if you booked the entire itinerary on one ticket (and you receive your boarding passes for all segments before leaving Melbourne), you will not have to go though customs at LGW.
If they are separate tickets, yes, you will have to retrieve your bags and go through customs.
Pedro
Is one ticket, do I have to check in again in LGW, I mean pick up my baggage and check in again in the other terminal? Or I dont need to worry about the baggage until arrive to Porto (OPO).
Thank you for your help
Karen
Hello Scott, Thank you so much for all this information and the effort of answering our questions. I’ve read your article ( I learned a bit about the Schengen Zone) and most all of the questions/answers. I think I understand how this will go but would appreciate the “yep, you got it” from you. We are flying AA from PDX to MSP; Icelandair from MSP to KEF then on to Rome. Customs and immigration at MSP to board Icelandair to KEF, yes? We have 2 hour layovers in MSP and KEF so I am feeling ok with that. Will we need to collect and recheck our bag in MSP? Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Karen – nope, you won’t have to go through customs / immigration at MSP. You will, however have to switch terminals. American Airlines operates out of T1 in Minneapolis, and Icelandair operates out of T2. This will involve having to go through a security checkpoint to get into T2, but not customs and immigration. 2 hours will be enough time, but you will have to hurry!
If your entire itinerary is part of one ticket (and you receive your boarding passes for all flights before departing PDX), you won’t have to retrieve your luggage at MSP. However, you will need to if your AA and Icelandair segments are separate tickets.
You’ll go though passport control at KEF – but not customs (and yes, a 2 hour layover is enough). Customs / immigration will happen when you arrive in Rome. have fun!
Anne
Hi Scott, I am so glad I found this site! I will greatly appreciate your opinion on my question: we will be taking a cruise and heading back home to Los Angeles from Bologna airport with a 75 minute layover in Frankfurt (flying Lufthansa). Is 75 minutes enough time to catch our connecting flight? Since we are going from the Schengen zone to a non-Schengen country, do we need to go through Customs in Frankfurt? Thanks so much for your information!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Anne – nope, since you are only transiting through Frankfurt (with your final destination being the US), you won’t have to go through customs and immigration. Just follow the signs for international connections. You might have to go through a quick passport verification check, but 75 minutes will be more than enough time. Have a good flight!
Anne
Hi Scott, thanks a lot for your response, I appreciate it!
Julio
Thank you for answering all our questions.
I will be flying from LIS-AMS-IAH. will I have to take my bags at AMS and check them back in at AMS for my international leg? I only have 1 Hr for the layover.
Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Julio – if your entire journey from LIS to IAH is one ticket (and you receive the boarding pass for the AMS-IAH leg upon checking in for your flight at LIS), you will not have to retrieve your luggage at AMS. Simply follow the signs for international connections, go through a quick passport check, and you’ll be on your way. 1 hour will be plenty of time!
Ina
Hello Scott, i would appreciate to have your support.
I will be flying from Mexico (Cancun) to Albania, with a layover in Vienna (Austria). the layover is on a very short time (1 hour & 10 mins). Do i need to pass though customs and immigration on Vienna. The airline company is same, but i bought separated tickets. How do you suggest me to do ? do i have enough time or i should check for another ticket.
thanks a lot
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Ina – since Albania is not part of the Schengen Zone (but Austria is), you won’t have to go through passport control / customs in Vienna. Just follow the signs for international connections, and it’ll be a quick and easy transfer. 1 hour and 10 is plenty of time. Have a good trip!
Ina
Thanks so much!
Michael Janowiak
We are traveling from Amsterdam to Chicago with a connecting flight in Zurich. There is 1Hr 10 Minutes between flights. Where do I clear customs, in Europe, and is that enough time to make the connection?
THANKS
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Michael – you won’t clear customs in Europe. That’ll happen when you arrive in Chicago. And yes – 1 hour and 10 minutes will be more than enough time to make your connection in Zurich IMH0. You might have to go though a quick passport check, but it’s a really fast process.
Follow the signs for international connections, and you’ll be on your way. Have a good trip!
Andrea
Hi there! So glad I found this and all the great answers you’ve given. I’m going on my first international flight from YEG-YYZ-ZRH-ATH, and I assume I’ll have to go through a security check/customs in ZRH but I’m having a hard time finding out if I’ll need to collect my bag and re-check it? My connection from ZRH to ATH is 2 hrs, is that enough time?! Thanks for the help!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Andrea – two hours is going to be easy! You’ll clear through passport control in Zürich, and then customs in Athens. Your bags will be checked all the way through, so you will not need to retrieve them when you arrive in Zürich.
Have a great time in Athens! It’s an amazing city.
Lea
Hello! First I just want to say THANK YOU for clarifying this process!! I have a much better understanding thanks to you!!! We will be traveling from JKF in NYC to LGW arriving around 6:40am, since London is not part of the Schengen Zone we will not have to go through customs correct just a possible security/ passport checkpoint, remain in the transit zone and find our connecting flight to Rome? (just wanted to make sure I had this right!) The airline flying into LGW will be Norse then we will connect on EasyJet to Rome. How much time do you think is necessary to make this connection?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lea – you’ve got it exactly right! Just follow the signs for international connections, and It’ll be an easy transfer that shouldn’t take more than an hour (max). You’ll very likely do it in less time, as the only thing you’ll have to do is go through a quick security check. Have a good trip!
Pam
Hi Scott, I’ve never been to Europe and your article and the comments are really helpful. We’re going to Italy (Naples) in October and I booked Delta flights a few weeks ago – LAX to Paris – Naples (partner Air France does the CDG to NAP flight). We were able to upgrade to seats with extra legroom for my very tall husband for the long flights. Our layover at CDG is 1 hour and 20 min and since we booked all flights with Delta, I believe that we don’t need to get our checked bag until Naples, right? I saw your earlier reply to someone taking a similar flight to Naples that a 1 hour layover is not long enough. Do you think 80 minutes is enough time to go through customs and immigration and still make our flight? The prices have gone up over the last week and Delta is saying to get similar seats on a flight that arrives in Paris 2 hours earlier would cost an extra $1,600 (can’t swing that) or we can pay an additional $250 and downgrade to economy seats, which would be really uncomfortable for my husband. The good news is that we have some time and the tickets are refundable if I find something better. Would LOVE your thoughts. Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Pam! I think you’re going to be completely fine with 80 minutes. You will have to go through passport control in Paris, but your bags will be checked all the way through to Naples (and you won’t have to retrieve them until you get there). Basically, you’ll do passport control in Paris, and customs in Italy.
If it were me, I’d stick with the reservation that you have. Have a good trip!
Pam
Thank you so much for your quick reply! I feel so much better and will keep our flights. Looking forward to reading more of your articles!
Kelsey
Hi Scott,
My husband and I are traveling to Venice to visit my son who is stationed at Aviano AFB. BOS -MUC-VCE on Lufthansa, (the MUC-VCE is Air Dolomiti. ) There is an hour and a half layover in MUC. If I understand from your article and reading all the comments and answers, we will go thru immigration in MUC, but do not have to reclaim and recheck our bags? And will that be enough time? Thanks for the article..it was so very helpful! I am just a nervous traveler…
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kelsey! If your entire itinerary is part of the same reservation, then you will clear passport control in MUC but not customs (that’ll happen in VCE). That means you won’t have to retrieve your luggage at MUC. An hour and a half will be easy!
However, if your MUC-VCE ticket was purchased separately, you will have to retrieve your bags and do the full customs and immigration thing at MUC. In that case, an hour and a half is going to be very tight (but doable if you hustle).
Emily
Hi Scott, I’m confused! I am travelling from London to Tokyo, with a transfer in Zurich. When I get to Zurich I believe I have to go through passport control, but will I also have to go through security too? I am wondering if I’ll be able to buy water etc in London ready for my long flight to Tokyo, or whether it’ll be confiscated at Zürich security.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Emily – it’s actually a lot easier than you think! You won’t have to do anything when you arrive in Zürich. Simply follow the signs for international connections, and head directly to your connecting gate. You might have to go through a quick security/passport checkpoint, but if you do, it will be quick and easy (it’s not the full customs and immigration process).
I would wait until you get to Zürich to buy water (just in case there’s a quick security checkpoint – in which case they will confiscate it). Have a great trip!
Karen
I am travelling from Toronto Canada to Cape Town South Africa, with a connection in Amsterdam, all on KLM. Do I have to collect my luggage or clear customs/immigration in Amsterdam. I have a 2 hour connection.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Karen – nope! Your checked luggage will automatically transfer. Just follow the signs for international connections, and that will lead you to a quick passport verification checkpoint (which normally takes just a few minutes to get through). 2 hours will be more than enough time. Have a great trip!
CHRIS
Hi Scott, I’m planning a trip from Milan to Chicago and there is a 1h35m layover in Brussels (arrive via Brussels Airline) and then onward to ORD (United) – will that be enough time and can you walk me through what to expect (US citizen, first time flying through Europe). All flights on one ticket. Thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Chris – an hour and 35 minutes will be plenty of time. Upon landing in Brussels, follow the signs for international connections. There’s a high probability that you will have to go through a passport verification check before reaching your connecting gate, but those checks don’t take long. You will not have to go through customs and immigration in Brussels.
The full customs and immigration procedure will happen when you arrive at ORD. Passport control will come first, and from there you will be required to retrieve your luggage (if any) before proceeding through customs. It’s an actually a fairly simple process – you can’t mess it up (just follow the signs). Have a good trip!
Craig
Hi Scott – I’m a US citizen, and will be flying from Krakow to New York via Munich. I have a 1 hour 15 minute layover in Munich. Is that enough time? Do you know what checkpoints I’ll have to pass through in Munich? All my flights are booked thru Lufthansa. Thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Craig – an hour and 15 minutes won’t leave you with much extra time, but it’s a completely doable connection. The only thing you’ll have to do in Munich is go through a quick passport verification checkpoint (but it won’t take long). Customs and immigration will happen in New York. Enjoy your trip!
Nancy
I’m traveling from Seattle to Heathrow on American Airlines. I then travel from Heathrow to Venice on British Airways. The flights are booked on separate itineraries. I’ll only have carryon baggage. I have a 2 1/2hour layover at Heathrow. Is that enough time to make the connection and can I stay airside to get between the terminals?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Nancy – if you can check in online for the London-Venice segment, I don’t think you’ll have an issue staying airside. If for whatever reason you can’t check in online, you will have to do the full customs/immigration thing to officially enter the UK and then check in with British Airways in the main ticketing hall.
2.5 hours will be easy if you can check in online. Simply follow the signs for international connections, which will lead you to a security checkpoint. In my experience, that checkpoint usually takes 20-30 minutes to get through.
You’ll have a lot less time to spare if you have to enter the UK before checking in with British Airways – but it should be enough. Have a good trip!
Lori
I am curious how this turned out for you as we are doing something similar next summer. Would you mind letting me know what you had to do Nancy?
Suzanne
Hi Scott! We have a flight from ATL that has a 1:20 layover in Amsterdam before our final destination of Vienna. Will we have to recheck our bags and go through customs in AMS? Trying to see if we have a long enough layover. We have global entry but don’t think it will help us in europe?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Suzanne – you are correct about Global Entry (it’ll be of no use to you in Europe). That said, an hour and 20 minutes will be enough time IMHO. You won’t have to claim and recheck your luggage at AMS, but you will have to go though passport control to enter the EU. You’ll go though customs in Vienna.
Have a good trip!
Melissa Beagle
Hello Scott,
Thanks for all the interesting info above. I am looking at a United flight, Denver to London getting in at 1220 pm local time. Then a London to Barcelona flight leaving at 240 pm on British Airways. Do I go through immigration in London? and then customs in Barcelona? Is this enough time to transfer through all the things if checking bags? And do you know if a Spanish visa is needed? I’m spending a week in Barcelona and then a cruise for a week to London. Return trip should be easier as only London back to Denver. 🙂
Thank you!
Melissa
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Melissa – you’re very welcome! Having a little over two hours to make the connection in London will easily be enough time. Upon arrival, follow the signs for international connections. That’ll lead you to a security checkpoint, which can take up to 30 minutes to get through in my experience. After that, it’s just a matter of walking to your connecting gate (your luggage will automatically transfer assuming that your entire journey is part of the same reservation). Customs and immigration will happen when you arrive in Barcelona.
Also, if you hold a US passport, a Spanish visa will not be required. Have a great trip!
Shelly
US citizen with KL flights
There: LAS-AMS (2:15 layover Sat AM)-LHR (carryon only)
Back: DUB-AMS (3:25 layover Tues AM)-LAS (checked bags)
AMS no longer has inside smoking lounges, so have to leave secure transit area during the layovers.
What controls do I go thru at each stop?
There: Passport check/immigration at AMS with customs at LHR? Or…. ?
Back: I’m assuming I won’t be eligible for US pre-clearance at DUB since I’m heading to AMS. So, Passport check/immigration at DUB and AMS with customs at LAS. Or… ?
Enough time at each with the layovers?
Thanks for all your helpful hints and reviews.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Shelly! Yes, needing to exit the terminal for a smoke will complicate things. The amount of time you have for each layover seems like enough to do it in both directions – but I will caution you that it’ll take longer to get through the customs / immigration / security process in the summer than it will be for other times of the year. Just something to keep in mind.
On the way there:
Exiting the terminal will require going through the full customs / immigration process at AMS. You’ll have to do it again when you reach LHR.
On the way back:
You won’t have to go though customs / immigration at DUB, but you will at AMS to if you need to get outside. And you’ll have to do it again when you reach LAS.
Good luck!
Shelly
Thanks Scott.
I’ll look for the longest layovers ech way for AMS since the secure smoking lounges are gone. That’ll allow me enough time to hit the KL lounge as well (hello wall of little huizen, nice to see you again )
Paige
Thank you for all of your useful information! It’s been a long time since we have traveled internationally. We are flying out from the United States to Iceland with a 24 hour layover in London, so we will be leaving the airport in London to get a hotel overnight. So we will have to go through immigration and customs in London when we arrive and then will we have to go through immigration and customs again when we land in Iceland? Is that correct?
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Paige! You’ve got it exactly right – the full customs and immigration process will be required in both London and Iceland. Have a great trip!
Paige
Thank you so much for your reply. Do you know if customs and immigration in Iceland are extremely busy or not? We arrive at 10:30 am, have to pick up our rental car and then have a reservation at The Blue Lagoon at 12:00, I’m wondering if our tour company made the reservation to close to our arrival time and if I should try to change it.
scott
If we leave from Charlotte USA destined to Switzerland with a stop in Amsterdam would we have to go through customs in Amsterdam? We have a 1 hour layover in Amsterdam and I’m concerned that is enough time
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Scott – you’ll go through passport control in Amsterdam, and then customs in Switzerland. If you have checked bags, they will transfer automatically.
1 hour should be enough – but you won’t have a lot of time to spare!
Kathleen
Scott, great info! It seems like there’s got to be an easier way to do all this! Such an anxiety inducing confusion process for so many.
Anyways, I’m traveling with carry-on luggage only SMF-DEN- Frankfurt-Oslo .
Concerned of less than 1hr stop in frankf/Germany. Why would airlines even suggest it? One of the layovers is shown as 10 minutesbut anyways, will my only customs or security check be in Oslo? And returning to US would take place in my 1st entry city in since coming from Oslo/Germany again. Thank you so much for your information.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kathleen – I agree! It does seem like a complicated process at first, but once you do it a few times it all starts to make sense. To answer your questions:
1 hour in Frankfurt will be tight, but it will be enough. You will have to go through passport control there (to officially enter the EU), but not customs. The full customs procedure will happen after you arrive in Oslo.
Upon returning to the US, you will go through passport control and customs at the first US airport you arrive at. Have a good trip!
Andrea
Hello! First, thank you so much for all the insight. My question is related to our trip from NYC US to Frankfurt. From Frankfurt, I have a separate ticket on a different airline to Paris. This is not a connection but two separate flights. We have 1 hour/40 mins from wheels down in Frankfurt to wheels up on the next flight. We are only bringing carry-on luggage. As it stands today, both flights are in Terminal 1.
1. Do we have to leave the arrival area through immigration & customs and re-enter the terminal to catch the 2nd flight? (I’m reading about a transit zone if connecting, but not sure it applies to completely separate tickets/flights)
2. If so, can we stay within the airport to go back through security or do we have to take transportation to another section to re-enter?
3. Either way, is 1 hour & 40 mins enough time to catch the 2nd flight?
Thank you again!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Andrea! An hour and 40 minutes will be enough to make this sort of connection in Frankfurt:
If you can check in online for your connecting flight (and are able to successfully obtain a boarding pass), then you will not need to go through customs in Frankfurt (customs will happen in Paris). You will have to go through passport control though. Just follow the signs for EU connections.
If for whatever reason you can’t check in for that flight online, you will have two options:
1. Check in at the transfer desk on the way to passport control. There’s no guarantee this will be possible however.
2. If the transfer desk thing doesn’t work out, you’ll have to go through the full customs and immigration procedure to officially enter Germany. That’ll be the only way to get to the main ticketing hall to check into your flight to Paris.
No matter what though, an hour and 40 minutes is doable (though admittedly tighter if you have to officially enter Germany). Have a great trip!
Tim
Hello! My wife and I are flying Play Airlines from BWI, layover in Iceland, then landing in CDG in Paris. We then want to change airlines and hop an Air France/KLM flight from Paris to Dusseldorf. The two airline trips are completely unaffiliated and booked separately. We will be returning the exact same way a week later. 1) Do we need to get our bags from Play baggage claim in Paris, and then check them again with Air France/KLM? 2) if so, are we forced to leave the international security area all together and grab our bags, then enter fresh as if we just came in from visiting Paris? 3) should I assume it’s the same returning? 4) what customs/immigration points are we going to hit along the way? Thank you sooo much for your expertise!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Tim – you’ve got it mostly right:
1). Yes, you will need to go through the full customs and immigration process in Paris. You’ll arrive at Terminal 2B, and Air France / KLM flights to the EU depart out of 2F. I’ve done that walk several times, and it takes about 10-15 minutes.
2). Correct. Once though the customs and immigration process, you will end up in the arrivals area (outside of the secure area). Welcome to France! lol
3). The return will be somewhat easier. You won’t have to go through customs and immigration in Paris. You’ll arrive in Terminal 2 F from Dusseldorf, and you’ll have to walk over to Terminal 2B. You will have to go though a security checkpoint to get into 2B, but that’s it.
4). The only customs and immigration procedure you’ll have to go through on the way home is once you arrive back in the US. You won’t have to do it in Reykjavik (just follow the signs for international connections).
Have a good trip!
Tim
Thank you sooo much for your help and expertise! It sounds like it’s much easier to convince my wife to stick to carry-ons! . I imagine our transfer in Paris would be much much easier. Thank you again!
Mary
Flying form USA to Istanbul with 1 hr layover going to Athens. Will I need to go thru immigration at instabul?
Will this be enough time?
Thanks, Mary
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Mary! Because Turkey is not part of the Schengen Area (and Greece is), you will not have to go through customs and immigration upon arrival in Istanbul. Just follow the signs for international connections. And yes – 1 hour will fine, but you’re going to have to hustle if it takes you a long time to deplane.
Anthony
Hi Scott – Just wanted to make sure I understand correctly..my family is travelling from US to London Gatwick on Norse Atlantic and then taking EasyJet from there to Lisbon. Since we’re on two different airlines, will we have to pickup luggage and clear immigration and customs in London, re-check with EasyJet, and then go through both again upon arrival in Portugal since it’s Schengen? Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
That’s exactly it Anthony! Full customs and immigration at both LGW and LIS.
Angela
Hi Scott! My daughter and I are flying from LAX to Frankfurt Germany on Condor, and then taking a connecting flight to Rome on Lufthansa. Will we have to collect our luggage at Frankfurt and check in for Lufthansa, then go through customs? Our return is the same situation: Rome to Frankfurt on Lufthansa, then Frankfurt to US on Condor. Our layover is 3 hours each time.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Angela – it all depends on whether or not your entire itinerary is part of the same ticket. So:
1). If your entire LAX-FRA-FCO itinerary was purchased together as one ticket, then you will not have to retrieve your checked luggage in Frankfurt. It will transfer automatically, but you will have to go through passport control. You’ll go through customs in Rome.
2). If they are separate tickets, you will have to go through passport control and customs in Frankfurt (which will require you to retrieve your checked luggage, and then check in with Lufthansa for the flight to Rome).
The way back to the US is somewhat similar:
1). If all flights are part of the same itinerary, you won’t have to go through passport control or customs in Frankfurt. You will probably have to go though a quick quick passport verification checkpoint, but that’s it.
2). If the flights were ticketed separately, you will have to go through passport control and customs in Frankfurt (which will require you to retrieve your checked luggage, and then check in with Condor for the flight back to the US).
3 hours will be enough time in any of these scenarios. Have a good trip!
Leonard Schwartz
We are flying on UAL from EWR to Brussels. We will transfer to Brussels Air for a flight to Tel Aviv. We infer that we do not have to collect baggage or go through customs, is this correct? Is a two-hour layover sufficient?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Leonard – you are correct. Assuming your entire itinerary was purchased together as part of the same ticket, you luggage will automatically transfer in Brussels. Also, you will not need to go through customs and immigration during the transfer (just follow the signs for international connections). Two hours will be more than enough time – have a good trip!
Paul Maddox
We are travelling from Vancouver (YVR) to Barcelona with a 2 hour layover in Munich. Do I need to go through customs and immigration in Munich after we deplane from our flight from Vancouver? If so, Is 2 hours layover enough time to do so?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Paul! Nope – you will go through passport control upon arrival in Munich (to officially enter the EU), but not customs. You will have to go through customs in Barcelona though. 2 hours will be plenty of time – the passport control process at MUC is fairly quick IMHO.
Mark
Hi Scott! We are traveling on multiple airlines and want to see if 3 hours is enough time inAthens Greece to get checked luggage off a BA flight from London and get it on a flight to Cappadocia, turkey on Turkish Airways? Do we have to exit the international security area and then re-enter security? Thanks! Yours is a fascinating website!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Mark – it’s been a long time since I’ve been through the Athens airport, but if it makes you feel any better, I wouldn’t have any issues booking a similar itinerary. 3 hours should be enough time.
You won’t have to exit the international terminal if your entire journey is part of the same ticket (and you’ll already have your boarding pass for your connecting flight). Just follow the signs for international connections, and your luggage will automatically transfer.
If each segment is a completely separate itinerary booked on two completely separate airlines, then yes – you will need to go through customs and immigration in Athens (which will require you to retrieve your checked luggage). Once through all that, you will then need to re-check your luggage with the other airline and then go through security to re-enter the terminal.
Have a good trip!
Jana
Thank you for your blog posts. They have provided a lot of insight as we book our trip to Scotland and England. I just want to confirm my assumption. My mother and I are flying to Edinburgh in September. We leave from Seattle (mother) and San Francisco (me) and both layover at CDG. We have a 2 hour layover in CDG before continuing on to Edinburgh. We both land in 2E and our flight from CDG to EDI is in 2E as well. We do not have to go through customs, immigration or security in CDG, correct? We are both flying Delta, no checked bags.
SEA-CDG-EDI
SFO-CDG-EDI
Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Jana – you’re very welcome! And yes, your assumptions are correct. Since Scotland is not part of the Schengen Zone (but France is), you will not have to go though immigration and customs at CDG. You’ll likely have to go though a quick passport verification check, but other than that, just follow the signs for international connections. Have a good trip!
Jana
Thank you, Scott. You are so appreciated helping all of us as we make our way around the world!
Garrett
Hi Scott – I’m flying from San Francisco to Naples, Italy with a 1hr and 5 minute layover in Munich. Will that be enough time in Munich? Will I need to go through customs in Munich?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Garrett – nope, you won’t need to go through customs in Munich. You will have to go through passport control to enter the EU though, but those lines move fairly quick. Just keep moving as quickly as you can and you’ll be fine!
Michelle
Hi Scott,
This is a great site, thanks for assisting us travellers. I hope you can answer my query 🙂
My sister and I are travelling Brisbane Australia/France/Croatia/Canada/Alaska-cruise/Canada/Brisbane Australia. We do not need visas for the Schengen countries of France and Croatia (only having 7 days in France and 8 days in Croatia). We depart from Dubrovnik in Croatia on a Croatia Airlines flight and transit via Rome (on the ground for 3 hours 25 mins) before getting our next flights with Westjet to Canada. From all of my reading, especially your site, I feel like we don’t require an airport transit visa for Rome? Can you please advise if that is correct and if not please advise what we need to do in Rome to be sorted and ready for our flight to Canada. We depart Australia in 5 weeks so if we need an airport transit visa for Rome we will have to organise immediately. We already have our Esta visa for Alaska and our eta for Canada.
Many thanks for your advice.
Michelle
Scott (SANspotter)
HI Michelle – you’re very welcome. Your assumption is correct! Since you will only be transiting Rome (and not entering Italy), you will not need a visa. Just follow the signs for international connections.
Sounds like an amazing trip btw. Have fun!!
Masha
Hey there! I’m flying SAS, going from Boston to Zagreb with a 4.5 hour layover in CPH. Now that Croatia is part of Schengen, does it mean passport control in Denmark, but customs in Croatia? And I’m always confused – since my ticket originates from the US and CPH is just a layover, when I land in Zagreb, do they consider me as coming from the US, or coming from Schengen zone since I passed through Denmark? If this makes any sense
Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Masha – you’ve got it exactly right. You’ll go through passport control to enter the EU in Denmark, and then go through customs when you land in Croatia. You’ll be processed as a passenger coming from the Schengen Zone and not the US, but going through customs will be the only way to exit the terminal. It’s confusing to me how they filter passengers through as well (lol), but it’ll all make sense once you’re there.
Eleanor MARINO
Attending wedding in Portugal and leaving on a flight ticketed from Porto to Naples with 45minute layover in Madrid. Will I need to go through more security and customs from Portugal to Madrid..? 45 minutes ..no a lot of time…
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Eleanor – 45 minutes will be tight, but you’ll be fine! You won’t have to go through any extra security (or customs) since you’ll be staying within the Schengen Zone. It’ll just be a matter of waling from one plane to the next in Madrid.
Jeff
We have a 1hr 10m connection in Brussels coming from US to Florence. That should be long enough from everything I have read above?
Scott (SANspotter)
Yup, you’ll have plenty of time. All you’ll have to do is go through passport control – and those lines typically move fast(ish).
John
I am an American and I am traveling from Amsterdam to Gatwick, and then have to switch to Heathrow to pick up the flight to Chicago. It is with British/American booked together. The transfer time between Gatwick and Heathrow is 3 hours and 10 minutes. Do I have to go through customs in that time? Do I have to collect my bag and bring it with me to Heathrow? Is this possible?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi John! I’m nearly 100% certain that you will have to retrieve your bag at Gatwick and bring it with you to Heathrow. It’s probably a good idea to check with British Airways for confirmation.
3 hours and 10 minutes is going to be tight with checked luggage IMHO. You’re going to have to go through customs and immigration upon arrival at Gatwick (which will likely involve retrieving your luggage), and that will take some time. It’ll also take some time getting over to Heathrow and then checking your luggage for your connecting flight. You’re going to have to hustle!
John
Thank you. That makes sense. If I miss the connection, do you think the airline will charge me to get on a later flight? It was one ticket through American Airlines (but the first leg is British Airways). I mean, they were the ones who provided the flight option).
I used AA air miles so I can’t change the ticket now.
Susan
Thank you so much for all of the great info! We will be traveling from the US to Rome with an 8 hour layover in Amsterdam. We were hoping to leave the airport for some quick sightseeing before returning to the airport to finish our journey to Rome. Do you think that will be enough time? What would the procedure for security, customs, passport control be in that circumstance? Do we claim our luggage when we land in Amsterdam and recheck it? How long will it take us to get out of the airport in Amsterdam? How early do we need to be back to the Schiphol airport for our connecting flight to Rome? Thanks so much for your help.
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Susan! If your luggage is checked all the way to Rome (and you already have your AMS-FCO boarding pass), then you can leave the airport without retrieving it. You will have to go through the full customs and immigration process though, which could take some time.
Whether or not you’ll have the time to do any sightseeing will depend on when you are going. Europe is expected to see a record number of tourists this summer (the airlines have said Transatlantic bookings have been off the charts), so you’re going to to have to plan for really long security and immigration lines if you’re doing this trip during the peak summer months.
I’d just play it by ear if I were you. Keep an eye on the news before you go, pay attention to what kinds of delays (if any) are happening in Europe before your trip, and plan accordingly. If everything seems normal, then yeah – hopping on a train and checking out the city for a couple hours will be doable.
If it sounds like it’s complete chaos (like last summer was), it’s not worth doing. AMS is a really nice airport though, so spending 8 hours bar (and restaurant) hopping is a great way to kill a long layover.
Have a great trip!
Jean
Trains, planes, boats and automobiles. We are travelling from US to Europe on a cruise. We will leave the ship in England, staying in London for 4 days. We then will take the Eurostar to Paris, and travel about a bit in France for 7 days. We will then fly out of Orly back to the US with a layover in Lisbon (TAP flight). Where are we going to hit customs and immigration points? We’re assuming we need 2-3 hours lead time in Orly, but is there anywhere else we’ll need to allow extra time? Thank you for being such an awesome resource!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Jean – that sounds like an amazing trip! You’ll need to go through customs / immigration when you arrive in England and then again in France. On the way back, the only customs / immigration procedures that you will have to will be when you arrive back in the US. You won’t have to do it in Lisbon – just follow the signs for international connections.
You will probably have to go through a quick passport verification checkpoint during the transfer in Lisbon, but it’s just a quick formality that’ll take just minutes to get through. Have a good troop!
Alexander J
Hello, great information on the article. First time traveling to Europe. I am traveling from the USA to Spain first and spend few days there, then I am going to Germany with a 1 hour stop in Munich, Since both, Spain and Germany are part of the Schengen Area, I would not have to go through customs at all? or at least in Munich? If I do have to go through customs/immigration?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Alexander – good questions! You will go through customs and immigration in Spain because that will be your destination for a few days before continuing onto Germany. If you were simply transiting Spain, you would go through immigration only – customs would happen in Germany.
It sounds confusing, but I promise it’ll all make sense when you arrive (signage and instructions are very clear – they basically tell you what to do). Have a great trip!
Alexander
Thanks! Would 1-hour in Munich be enough to get to the other airplane? My trip is Madrid to Leipzig, with the 1-hr stop in Munich
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re welcome! Yes, one hour should be plenty of time for that. I’d personally book that itinerary without any worries.
Angie
What a great service you provide! My college student will be traveling solo in May from Tampa or Orlando to Seville, Spain. I’m getting conflicting information (I think) from multiple websites. So the dilemma is go through London with 5 hour layover or Munich 1 hour 45 min layover. Schengen or Non-Schengen is best given these layovers? Does he really get to skip customs in Munich ( and just go through immigration line) or am I misinterpreting? He must be in Seville by a certain time, or extra $$ and figuring out his own accommodations if he misses the arrival time window.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Angie – going through London will be the easiest, since the UK is not in the Schengen Zone. This means that all he has to do is go through a quick security checkpoint to get to his connecting gate. Both customs and immigration will happen upon arrival in Spain.
If he connects in Munich (which is in the Schengen Zone) he will have to go through passport control there to enter the EU. He will then have to go through customs upon arrival in Spain.
Kate
I’m amazed at all the helpful information! Wondering if you can help me here… I’m looking at a flight from the US to England, with a 1hr 15min layover in Copenhagen. Since England is not a part of the Schengen Zone, will we have to go through immigration in Copenhagen? A little over an hour seems SO tight to me, especially with our 4 year old. We don’t check any bags, but we do usually gate check the stroller, and every airline/airport seems to be different as to whether the stroller is waiting for us when we get off the plane, or if we have to get it a baggage claim. Any thoughts?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kate! I can’t help you with the stroller issue (as I’ve never traveled with a child), but your one hour and 15 minute layover in Copenhagen will be really easy.
Since the UK is not part of the Schengen zone, the full customs and immigration process will happen when you arrive in the UK. Not Copenhagen.
Upon arrival in Copenhagen, just follow the signs for international connections. You may have to go through a quick passport check, but it’ll be fast. Have a good trip!
Omar
Hi, I’ll be traveling from Bergamo, Italy to Cologne, Germany via Ryanair (2 separate bookings), with a stopover at Vienna airport for 1:20 mins. Will I have sufficient time to get my check in baggage and drop it again at the next flight. I have purchased the fast track option for my flight from Vienna to Cologne.
Thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Omar – an hour and 20 minutes will be tight especially since you’ll have checked luggage to retrieve (and then re-check). The good news is that since you’ll be flying within the Schengen Zone, passport control and customs won’t be required.
You’re going to have to hustle!
Laura
Hi I am a bit confused, we sly on British Airways from Seattle to Lisbon with an 8 hour layover at Heathrow. Do we go through immigration At HeAthrow and then have to stay in transit zone? Do we have to get our checked bag? Snd then do customs in Lisbon?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Laura – 8 hours is a long layover! Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, exiting the airport and catching a train into the city is certainly doable.
If you don’t want to exit the airport, just follow the signs for international connections. You will be directed towards a security checkpoint, and then you will re-enter the terminal afterwards. No customs / immigration / baggage retrieval required. You will go through passport control and customs upon arrival in Lisbon.
If you want to leave the airport, it will require going through customs and immigration at Heathrow. There will be no need to collect your luggage, since it is going to be transferred to your Lisbon flight automatically. Note that you will also have to clear Portuguese customs and immigration when you arrive in Lisbon.
Have a great trip!
Craig
Hello and thanks for all of the helpful information! I believe I know the answer but don’t want to book flights without confirming. I will be flying into Milan from Atlanta, GA for a few days then taking the train down to Naples for a few more days. The only option with 1 stop out of Naples to get back to Austin, TX is from Naples to Frankfurt – (1hr20min connection) – Frankfurt to Austin. If I read this correctly because Italy and Germany are both in the Schengen zone, that 1hr20min connection should be pretty reasonable correct? All we have to do is follow international travel lines back, maybe do a passport check and the immigration and customs piece is only when we are back in the states? Also, would you feel comfortable with that layover time? Thanks so much for the help!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Craig! Your assumptions are 100% correct. Just follow the signs for international connections, and the only thing you’ll have to do is go through a passport check. An hour and 20 minutes is more than enough time, but keep in mind that lines will be longer (and slower) during the summer months.
I’d book it without any worries. Have a great trip!
Linda and Gary
We are senior travelers, haven’t been to Europe in many years. Hoping to use carry-ons only. We fly from Seattle to Keflavik, 1 hr 35 minute layover, then Keflavik to Oslo. After lengthy layover in Oslo we fly to Bergen. All 3 flights on same intinerary. Where will we do customs? Coming home we fly from Stockholm to Heathrow on British Airways. 3 hour layover at LHR, then home to Seattle. What do we need to do at Heathrow? I’m hoping British has all its flights in the same terminal so we don’t have to do a lot of walking. I’m assuming we do customs when we get home to Seattle. How strict are Icelandic, SAS and British regarding carry-ons? Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Linda and Gary! You’ll go through passport control in Iceland and then customs when you arrive in Oslo (before continuing on to Bergen). It’ll be very clear what you need to do as you go – just follow the signs.
On the way back, you’ll go through a passport and security check at Heathrow. It’s impossible to know far in advance where your flights will be arriving and departing from unfortunately, but that information is usually available 24 hours ahead of time.
Oh – and as long as there isn’t a lack of overhead bin space, most airlines aren’t all that strict about carryons IMHO.
Have a great trip!
Lynn
Hi, we are traveling from Charlotte, connecting in Dublin and arriving in Dubrovnik. We have a two hour layover in Dublin, and wondered where we go through customs there or when we arrive in Dubrovnik? We do not have Global Entry. Thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lynn – upon arrival in Dublin, follow the signs for international connections. You won’t have to go though customs, but you will most likely have to go though a passport check of some kind. You’ll go through the full customs and immigration process in Dubrovnik.
Two hours should be plenty. Have a great trip!
winnie chanlee
Hello Scott,
Thanks for explaining transitting through Schengen countries.
Situation: We will fly from SFO to AMS on United. Then we will have a 1hr 45 min layover at AMS before boarding Aegean Airline to ATH (Athens). The tickets were purchased through United since Aegean Air is part of United Star Alliance.
Questions:
*Since there are 2 boarding passes, one for the journey from SFO to AMS (on United), and another for AMS to ATH (Aegean Air), does this consider 2 separate tickets?
*If we checked our luggage (with final destination of Athens), do we need to retrieve our luggage at AMS by leaving the international zone and then go through custom, security as well as immigration before boarding our flight to ATH?
*If we checked our luggage (with final destination of Athens), do we just walk through Immigration with our passports? Do we go through the security check point as well?
*If we checked our luggage, do we go through custom at Athens? Do we go through Immigration again in Athens?
Scenario: We have always travel with carry on luggages only. Also due to the 1hr 45 min layover time, we would like to stick with Carry On Luggages from SFO to AMS to ATH.
*With carry on suitcases, we don’t have to go retrieve our baggage at the carousel. Can we just proceed through security, and immigration (passport control) at Amsterdam?
*Custom will be peformed in Athens, right?
*Want to make sure that we will not be held up or delayed with carry on suit cases transferring through Amsterdam .
Sorry if I am being redundant, all the information was not precise with respect to luggages. Also I cannot distinguish 2 separate boarding passes from 2 different airlines, vs 2 separate tickets.
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for answering my questions.
Regards
winnie
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Winnie! There’s a lot to unpack here, but I’ll try to break it down as simply as I can. Basically, you’ve got nothing to worry about. 🙂
Since your entire itinerary was purchased together on the United website (and because Aegean and United are part of the Star Alliance) everything will be seamless. You will receive boarding passes for all your flights (SFO-AMS-ATH) upon check in at SFO. Not only that, your luggage will transfer all the way to Athens. You won’t have to do anything with it at AMS.
Upon arrival in AMS, you will have to go through passport control (but not customs). Customs will happen when you arrive in Athens.
In a nutshell, it won’t matter if you choose to check your luggage or not, since you won’t have to deal with it at all in Amsterdam. Going carryon only isn’t going to save you any time except when you check in at SFO and go through customs at ATH.
Have a great trip!
winnie
Thank you Scott.
On our return flight to SFO, we leave Istanbul (IST) and the layover will be in FRA. We have 1hr and 20 min. Since Turkey is not part of Schengen, do we go through security and immigration in Frankfurt? If the flight from Istanbul arrived on schedule, is 1hr 20 min enough for transit?
Know that we do custom upon arrival at SFO.
You are the best. Thank you.
Regards,
winnie
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Winnie! Schengen or not doesn’t matter coming back. The only thing you’re going to have to do is go through a passport checkpoint – your bags will automatically transfer and you won’t have to go through security. Just follow the signs for international connections…
That said, an hour and 20 minutes might be a little tight (but you’ll be fine). The only reason why I say that is because I recently had 1 hour and 20 minutes to make a connection in Paris (coming from Munich and flying to San Francisco), and I almost didn’t make it! The passport control line was long and slow.
The Frankfurt airport is much more efficient than the Paris airport though, so you likely won’t have any issues. But be ready to hustle if it looks a little congested.
Katie
hi! this is so helpful even reading all the comments! I am flying from San Diego to Munich with a 70 min lay over and then off to Sweden! I called Lufthansa and they said recommended connection time is 50 mins.. Sounds like I will have to go through custom and back through security for my flight to sweden?
any insights greatly appreciated!
Encouraging they are efficient airports over there! Traveling can be so stressful!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Katie! You’ll only have to go through passport control upon arrival in Munich. Security won’t be required, and customs will happen after arriving in Sweden.
FWIW, I recently flew to Munich from San Diego on Lufthansa, and the lines to get through passport control (and into the terminal for connecting flights) didn’t seem all that bad actually. I wasn’t making a connection, but from what I saw, it looked like a 20 minute wait (tops).
You’ll be fine with 70 minutes. Have a great trip!
Vicky
Hi Scott. I land from Singapore in CDG at 7.35am at terminal 1 and have a seperate flight to London from terminal 2D at 10.20am. Will I need to pass through immigration and do you think I have enough time to make it?
Thanks,
Vicky
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Vicky – if your entire itinerary is part of 1 ticket (all segments were purchased together at the same time), you will only need to go through a passport checkpoint and not customs. Any checked luggage will transfer automatically.
If they are separate tickets, you will have to go through customs and immigration (which will require retrieval of your luggage), then walk over to Terminal 1 to check in with the airline for your connecting flight.
Even if you have to do all that, 3 hours will be enough time. I’d be shocked if you run into any issues. Have a good trip!
Twila Hurst
Hi! My boys and I are flying from NY to Paris then Paris to Barcelona. Our layover in Paris is only 1hr15min. Do we have to collect checked bags, go through customs and immigration before getting on flight to Barcelona? We fly into terminal 2f and catch flight to Barcelona in terminal 2e. It doesn’t look far but really worried about time. Have to catch cruise on time in Barcelona! Thanks for your help.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Twila – sounds like a fun trip! You won’t have to collect your checked luggage, but you will have to go through passport control.
Note that the time it takes to get through passport control at CDG varies depending on the time of year (summer is usually slower). I recently had a one hour and 20 minute layover there, and I spent most of the time standing in line for passport control.
It might take longer than you think!
Manzar
Hi Scott,
Hope all is well. I am flying from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Barcelona with a connecting flight at CDG – Paris. About 4 hours layover.
Jeddah to Paris is booked via Saudi airlines and Paris to Barcelona is Air France but both are in 1 ticket.
Do i need to pass passport control at CGD – Paris or Barcelona ?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Manzar – you’ll go through passport control in Paris, and then customs in Barcelona. Four hours will be more than enough time. Have a great trip!
Nancy
Hello- we are traveling to Munich in December from the US. One flight option has us getting a connecting flight through London Heathrow then on to Munich. We are just taking carry-on luggage. Will we have to go through customs in London?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Nancy – The only thing you’ll have to do in London is go through a security check (just follow the signs for international connections). Passport control and customs will happen when you arrive in Munich.
Have a great trip!
Manzar
Hi Scott, I have another question. I have schengen visa issued by France. is it ok if i land in Spain ?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Manzar – to be completely honest with you, I have no idea. Visas (and all the legalities that come with them) are something I know very little about.
Michael
Hello,
I apologize if redundant I didn’t see my exact example.
US citizens; we’ll be staying in Lonon a few days…….Then flying LHR-Munich-Prague with about a 90 minute connection. Do I read correct that I will need to clear customs in Munich but not Prague? Thoughts on 90 minute connection?
Thanks so much; great site.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Michael – you’ll actually go through passport control in Munich, and then customs in Prague. 90 minutes should be enough time, but keep in mind that summer crowds are going to make the queues longer (and slower).
I think you’ll be fine though!
Bri
Thanks for the informative post, Scott! I’m traveling from Boston to Porto, Portugal on Christmas Day and have the option of a stopover in Munich for 1h or in Lisbon for 1h20min. Seems like Lisbon is the safer route, but the draw back is another 1h20min layover in Lisbon from Zurich on the return trip (the Munich route is a direct return to Boston from Zurich). Do you have any advice? Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Bri! I usually book 2 separate one-way tickets in these types of situations. Most of the time it’s the same cost as a single round-trip. But even if it’s a little more expensive, it might still be worth it for the convenience alone. It would be to me anyway.
So yeah – I definitely recommend the longer layover in Lisbon on the way over.
J_
Scott.
I have a hard one for you. Hoping you can help.
I have an Indian passport and also a US permanent resident/ green card holder. I am traveling from Madrid (on Iberia/ AA Codeshare) via London Heathrow (1.5hr layover) on to my final destination home to Chicago (on AA). It is on the same ticket. I have a schengen travel visa for Spain so all good there.
My question is: When transiting at Heathrow – do I need a “visitor in transit visa” (because of the Indian passport) or do I not (because of the Green Card) as my final destination is the US?
It looks like we might be landing and taking off in different terminals at Heathrow. Landing in Terminal 5 at Heathrow from Madrid on Iberia and then departing from Terminal 3 for our AA flight to Chicago. So different terminals, but not sure if I will have to clear border control?!?!
We hope to be checking our bags straight through to Chicago as that is our final destination. Any help is much appreciated. We have called the airlines (both Iberia and AA) and they don’t seem to know!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi J – I know very little about visas, so it’s important not to take what I’m about to say as the definitive answer: basically, I think you’ll be fine because you will not officially be entering the UK (even if you have to change terminals).
Following the signs for international connections will keep you in the transit zone, and you won’t have to go through UK customs and immigration. You will have to go through passport control through (in order to verify your documents for entering the US).
I definitely encourage you to do more research on this, because I could be totally wrong.
Jason
Hello, I have booked a trip for fall from the US to Oslo, with a stop at CDG. The layover is 1 hour and 20 mins. Is that enough time to go through the immigration process and security? Also, will any checked bags be automatically checked through to Oslo or have to be rechecked at CDG?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Jason – for what it’s worth, I recently had a 1 hour and 20 minute connection at CDG and I almost missed my flight (because the line to get through passport control was long and slow). Granted, that was at the beginning of the busy summer travel season, so things might be better by the time you get there. Just be prepared to stand in line for a bit!
The only thing you’re going to have to do is go through passport control – no security check will be required. Your luggage will transfer automatically, and then you’ll go through customs in Oslo.
Elena
Hello! I’m looking at trips to Venice for October and I’m trying to make sure I won’t miss any connecting flights. Earlier this year I almost got stuck at CDG leaving Italy because of long lines and a surprise cross-airport bus ride and I am not looking to repeat the experience. The return flight I’m looking at right now is operated by Air Canada and goes from Venice to ZRH with a 1h 20m layover before flying to Canada. Is this enough time to get through whatever lines there are and to the correct terminal? I’m just working with a US passport btw. Your stuff has been really helpful so far, thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Elena – yeah, it’s best to avoid CDG for anything less than a two hour connection in my opinion. I’ve only connected through ZRH once, but I remember it being an extremely efficient and quick experience.
Personally, I’d do it without worry. I can’t imagine it’ll be all that bad in October since the busy summer travel season will be long over by that point. Have a great trip!
Lori R
Hi Scott!
Your post helped me the most (of any I’ve read) regarding transferring planes in Frankfurt. i still have questions , though!
I chose to have the cruiseline arrange my airfare from SFO to Oslo. They have me on United SFO to Frankfurt and Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Oslo. When I asked United if my bags will be checked through to Oslo, they said no and that I need to claim them and re-check them in Frankfurt. Is there any service or process to avoid having to do that? These don’t appear to be code share flights, but both airlines are in One World Alliance.
And, since it seems like I’ll have to fully exit the “sterile” area, should I just store my bags and go into town for a few hours? I arrive around 9am and departure flight is 4pm.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lori – I’m glad you find this useful! They must’ve really botched the booking process if United said that your bags aren’t going to be checked all the way through to Oslo. United and Lufthansa are partners in the Star Alliance, and everything usually works seamlessly between them. The only thing that I can think of is that they booked your San Francisco to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Oslo flights individually.
Anyway, there’s nothing you can do now since the tickets are booked. I would make sure to ask the person at the check-in desk in San Francisco if your bags will be transferred all the way through. They should be able to tell you right then and there if you’ll have to retrieve them in Frankfurt or not.
Either way, yeah, I would dump the bags in a storage locker at FRA and hop on a train to do some sightseeing. You’re not going have enough time to see everything obviously, but it’ll be a nice way to kill a few hours between flights. Have a great trip!
Anne
Hello Scott, we have tickets booked through American Airlines and are traveling from LAX to Florence: LAX to Chicago (AA) – Chicago to Madrid (Iberia) – Madrid to Florence (Vueling). Do we need to claim our checked baggage in Madrid and go through Customs or can we go through Customs without claiming our checked baggage in Madrid? Thanks for all your help. Anne
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Anne – this is a very good question, and one that I’m not sure that I know the answer to. The issue is with your Vueling segment. They aren’t part of the Oneworld Alliance (which American Airlines and Iberia are) so I’m not exactly sure about the luggage.
Basically, if you are able to check your luggage all the way to Florence when you check in at LAX, your luggage will transfer automatically (and you won’t have to claim it before going through customs in Madrid).
If you can only check it in as far as Madrid, then yes – you will have to retrieve it.
Basically, you’ll find out exactly what you’ll need to do upon checking in at LAX.
Mackenzie
Hi Scott. I booked a roundtrip flight on one ticket with Air Europa that goes from New York City to Madrid to Ibiza. Does this mean my luggage will be checked all the way through to Ibiza and I won’t have to retrieve it in Madrid? Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Mackenzie – you’re actually going to have to go through Spanish customs and immigration upon arrival in Madrid. This will likely require retrieving our luggage before going through customs, but the good news is that you won’t have to do anything upon arrival in Ibiza (just grab your bags and go).
Mackenzie
Thanks Scott. I have a 1.5 hour layover in Madrid before boarding my Ibiza flight. Is the process of retrieving my luggage, going through customs, and rechecking my bag quick enough in that time frame? Thanks!
Andrew
Hi Scott,
Thanks for this information. It is very useful!
I will be flying from JFK to OPO with a connecting flight in MAD. My layover is 1.5 hours. Would you know if I have to clear passport control/ security? Is 1.5 hours enough time, also factoring in changing terminals, from 4S to 4. Thanks for your help. Andrew
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Andrew – you’re very welcome! You’ll go through passport control to enter the EU upon arrival in Madrid, and then customs when you arrive in Porto. An hour and a half should be enough, but don’t waste any time getting to the passport control line. I think you’ll be fine.
Jim
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the helpful information! My minor daughter will travel to Toulouse from NYC in August. There are no direct flights, so we would like to minimize the hurdles of customs and immigration at her connecting airport. As I understand it, if she were to fly from NYC to a Schengen country and then to Toulouse, she would have to go through immigration before boarding her connecting flight. Whereas, if she were to fly to a non-Schengen country – say Britain – and then to Toulouse, she would go through immigration and customs in Toulouse, making her layover relatively easy. Am I looking at this correctly? Also, in the second scenario, we are considering a layover at Heathrow or Montreal. Any red-flags for either? Lastly, would a 1.5-hour layover be sufficient, or should we look for a longer layover?
Thanks again,
Jim
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Jim! Yes, your assumptions are correct. It’ll be easier for her to do the full customs and immigration thing all at once in Toulouse.
Montreal will be far easier! Connecting at Heathrow can be hit or miss, but it sucks when things go bad. Either way, keep in mind that she might have to go through some sort of security check during the transfer. It’ll be extremely straightforward though.
I’d recommend a slightly longer layover if possible. While an hour and a half would be sufficient in most cases, it might get really stressful if her inbound flight is delayed (and she has to rush).
donna
I will be traveling from the US to Tunisia with a connection in FRA. If I understand correctly, since both are outside the Schengen Area I don’t need to go through customs or immigration at FRA, but simply need to change gates? Thank you so much!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Donna – Germany is actually part of the Schengen Area, but Tunisia is not. Therefore, you won’t have to do anything in Frankfurt except for maybe a quick security check. Just follow the signs for international connections.
Tim
Scott,
My wife and I are Americans with just a Passport leaving Baltimore on Play Air, short layover in Iceland, and then landing in Paris. Then we are transferring to Air France to fly to Munich. I’m trying to determine how much time I need to leave before my Air France flight. We are only doing carry-ons (small suitcase and backpack each), because I was afraid of having to leave all security to get my luggage and then go back through security, etc in Paris. Is this smart? With only carry-ons, what will I have to go through in Paris and how much time should I leave before my Air France flight? Thank you!
Susan
Hi Scott, Thank you for the extremely helpful information you provide here, and apologies if this is redundant. I am flying from SD to Zurich, with a connection in AMS, through a single ticket booked through Delta with the AMS-Zurich portion flown on KLM. As both AMS and SW are Schengen and I’m entering the Schengen in AMS, will I have to get my checked bag there and go through customs, or will my bag automatically go through to Zurich and I’ll go through customs there (and only need to go through passport control in AMS?) I have an hour and 20 layover in AMS, so I’m hoping it’s the latter:) Thanks again!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Susan – nope, you won’t have to retrieve your luggage. You’ll go through passport control in Amsterdam, and then customs in Zurich. An hour and 20 minutes will be easy!
Emily Boyle
Hi Scott!
My boss is taking a trip to Copenhagen in August and had some questions regarding the Schengen Zone. He will be returning to the United States via this flight itinerary Copenhagen -> Prague -> Zurich (layover in Zurich -> home to the United States. Since the Czech Republic and Switzerland are both Schengen countries…does he have to go through customs in Zurich? I appreciate your assistance!!!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Emily! He won’t have to deal with customs and immigration at all on the way back actually (except for when he arrives back in the US). Having two layovers might be a little frustrating, but it’ll be a fairly easy and simple trip back.
Jennifer
My hubby and I have a return flight from Athens, Greece to Charlotte, NC with a layover at Heathrow. Will we have to claim our luggage and go through customs and passport control?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi – Jennifer! Nope, you’re not going to have to deal with customs and immigration at all during your layover at LHR. You’re more than likely going to have to go through a quick security check, but other than that it’s a fairly simple process.
David
Hi Scott, Thank you for this article, it helps. Just had a specific question on our itinerary that maybe you can help. We are US Citizens flying from LIS – MAD – ATL on the same ticket purchased from Delta Airlines Website.
LIS – MAD on Air Europa first flight 07:30 and will arrive T2 in Madrid
MAD – ATL on Delta Airlines
The connection time is 1:25 in Madrid. Is this sufficient time to make the next flight, going from T2 to T1 and looks like going through Immigration Control ?
I am contemplating changing the flight for a small fee but much earlier departure time (05:00) going from LIS – AMS – ATL with a 4 hour layover in AMS. Don’t really want to do this because it’s so early, but would if necessary.
Thank You
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi David – that’s a really good question. If it was any other airport (except maybe CDG), I would say that an hour and 25 minutes would be fine. Transferring between terminals in Madrid can be a bit of a challenge unfortunately – and if it were me, I would choose the earlier flight and connect through AMS.
Sue
Hi Scott, reading some of these, getting little nervous. We are flying from Toronto to Athens with 2 hours in Paris. Both flights are Air France, . All I have read before was to follow the Yellow border in Paris airport. Please explain what to expect. Grab carry on’s and run? Customs?? Confused!?
Thank you so much, :))))
Sue
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Sue – based on my recent experience, two hours is probably the minimum you’ll need to make a somewhat stress-free transfer at CDG. The only thing you’re going to have to do is go through passport control (you’ll go through customs when you arrive in Athens).
Passport control lines have been moving a little slow at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport recently – so try not to waste any time getting in line. As long as you keep moving, you’ll be ok. Have a great trip!
Austin Maxwell
Scott. Excellent Article! Question: My wife is flying back from Milan (MXP) to Barcelona (via United Partner Singapore Airlines). She will have cleared customs 9 days prior via JFK to MXP and be under the Schengen agreement. When she leaves MXP to Barcelona I assume she is not going to clear customs and the 2 Hour Layover in Barcelona will leave her plenty of time to exit the United partner (Singapore Airliens) and walk to her United Airlines Flight leaving for Dulles (IAD). Obviously she will clear customs in the USA at IAD. I am worried about her getting trapped in some line in Barcelona and missing her flight. Thanks . Austin
Scott (SANspotter)
Thanks Austin! The only thing she is going to have to do in Barcelona is go through passport control (and possibly a security check). Passport control is required for all passengers on flights bound for the US.
It should be a fairly easy and quick transfer for her. Following the signs for international connections will lead her directly to the passport checkpoint, and from there she can just walk to her connecting gate.
Carla Chelko
I’m flying from Atlanta to Porto with a 2 hr layover in Madrid. Do I have to go thru customs in Madrid? And will this be enough time to make my connecting flight to Porto. I only have a small carry on bag?
Not very good at navigating and walking is slow due to knee replacement and 72 years old. Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Carla – you’ll go through passport control in Madrid, but not customs. Customs will happen when you arrive in Porto.
Two hours should be enough time if you don’t have to change terminals, but it will be a little tight if you do. The Madrid Airport is huge by the way (but very nice), so it’s probably a good idea to study the terminal maps before you arrive. Have a great trip!
Mark Westhorpe
Hi Scott, sorry if you’ve already answered this already. I’m planning on travelling MME to JFK with a 1hr layover in AMS. I’m confused by the non-Schengen rules! Do you think I’ll have enough time to catch the AMS-JFK flight or should I be looking for a longer layover time would you suggest? Thanks for any advice you can give!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Mark! One hour should be enough time if your inbound flight arrives on schedule (or close to it). Upon arrival at AMS, just follow the signs for international connections. This will lead you to passport verification checkpoint. Once through that, you can proceed directly to your gate (no security checks required).
The passport control setup for transit passengers at AMS is usually very efficient – but it does slow down a bit in the busy summer months. I would personally choose a longer layover if possible, but I think you will be fine with just an hour.
Margo
Hi Scott! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I have read almost every Q&A and I remain confused :-{
Scenario: End of October flight from ORD-ZRH( one hour layover)-FCO. All on one reservation number. Ticket booked with United Miles on SwissAir. Both flights are operated by SwissAir. I prefer to check my luggage only if it can be checked all the way through to Rome. Can you please advise if I will have to claim and recheck in Zurich or if it will go through to Rome? TIA!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Margo – your luggage will be checked all the way through to Rome. You will have to go through passport control upon arrival at ZRH though. Customs will happen when you arrive at FCO. Enjoy Italy!
Rory Litwin
Hi Scott,
I’m traveling from Marrakech to EWR, via Lisbon. The Marrakech-Lisbon leg is on TAP Portugal, and the Lisbon-EWR leg is on United. I have a 16 hour overnight layover, and I’m wondering if am supposed to get my checked luggage in Lisbon and recheck it, or if it will transferred by the airlines. I’m not sure how to find out.
Many thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Rory – I ’m nearly certain that your luggage will be checked all the way through to EWR. You won’t have to claim it in Lisbon.
The way to find out for sure is to ask the ticketing agent in Marrakesh as you check in your luggage. He or she will be able to confirm whether or not it will transfer all the way through. I’m pretty sure it will though.
Lynn M. Gabbert
We are travelling from Denver to Rome with a 40 minute layover in Munich. Will that be enough time to go through customs?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lynn – even though you’re only going to have to go through passport control and not customs (customs will happen when you arrive in Rome), 40 minutes is going to be very tight. I would avoid a layover that short if at all possible.
That said, passport control for connecting passengers in Munich is often easier (and faster) than it is at some of the other major European airports. You have a decent probability of making it if for whatever reason you can’t change your flights. But you’re going to have to hustle though.
MaryBeth
Hi Scott,
Thanks for all the great info! I am traveling from Atlanta to Europe next May. I am flying home from Naples with a layover in Paris. My layover is 1hr 10m long. Do I just have to go through a passport check in CDG? Do you think that my layover will be too short? Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi MaryBeth! Yup, the only thing that you’re going to have to do is go through passport control. No security checks (or customs).
An hour and 10 minutes might not be enough time though. I recently had a 1 hour and 20 minute layover at CDG very similar to yours (flying in from Munich, and then connecting to San Francisco). I came very close to missing my flight. The line to get through passport control was so slow!
I learned a lesson on that one. From now on, I won’t book any connection at CDG that is less than two hours. I highly recommend changing your flight if you can. Good luck!
Shannon
Hi Scott,
I’m flying from EWR to Berlin on one ticket with a layover in Zurich that is 65 minutes. I’m debating trying to stick to a carry-on vs. checking a bag. Will we need to collect checked bags in Zurich to take through customs then re-check to Berlin? I hear Zurich is an easy airport but we will be on a big plane with not much time. Thanks for any insight!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Shannon – it won’t matter since you won’t be required to retrieve checked luggage during the layover. You’ll go through passport control in Zurich, and then customs in Berlin.
65 minutes is going to be a little tight, but you should be fine. As you said, ZRH is one of the easier European airports to transit.
Shannon
Appreciate the quick reply Scott!
John
Hi Scott – sorry if you keep getting questions like this but I’m flying from Dulles IAD (Washingon, DC) to Florence, Italy with a layover in Lisbon. No checked bags, just carry-on. It sounds like I will need to go through immigration in Lisbon. My layover is only 1 hour, do you think that’s cutting it too close? Flying TAP Air for my entire trip to and from Italy. Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi John! Correct – you will only need to go through passport control in Lisbon. One hour is most likely going to be a little tight (especially if your inbound flight arrives slightly behind schedule).
Be prepared to hustle IMHO.
Missy
Hi there! We are traveling from PHL to Heathrow and then onto Dubrovnik, Croatia. We land at 6:15 AM and have about an 8 hour layover at Heathrow before our departing flight to Dubrovnik. A couple questions:
– Do we go through customs/immigration at Heathrow?
– Will we have to get our luggage and re-check in between flights?
– Will we go through customs/immigration again in Croatia?
Thanks so much!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Missy! Eight hours is a really long layover – that’s easily enough time to go into London and do some sightseeing if you want. Anyway…
No, you will not have to go through customs and immigration at Heathrow as long as you follow the signs for international connections. You will probably have to go through a quick security check though.
As long as your entire itinerary is part of the same ticket, then you will not have to retrieve your luggage. It will transfer automatically.
Finally, yes, you will do the full customs and immigration process in Croatia.
Have a great trip!
Dorothy McParland
Hi there,
I am flying from Toronto to Faro with a stopover in Lisbon on TAP. Does our luggage go right through to Faro? Where do we clear customs?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Dorothy! You’ll pick up your luggage in Lisbon and do the full customs and immigration thing there. Your flight to Faro will be a simple domestic flight with no extra requirements.
sara
Hi! Sorry if this is a repeat question but we are travel back to the US from Barcelona and have a layover of 1.5 hrs in France. Will this be enough time or do I need to think about picking a different flight. I’m having trouble understanding the whole customs/immigration clearance. Thank you 🙂
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Sara! An hour and a half to connect through the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport would be my absolute minimum. I had a 1 hour and 20 minute connection there a few months ago, and it almost wasn’t enough time.
The only thing that you’re going to have to do is go through passport control. Customs (and security) will not be required.
Passport control at CDG can be slow at times though, so have some patience!
Maria
Hi Scott!
We are 2 weeks out from flying from LAX to Munich with a 1 hour 20 minute layover in Barcelona with Level Iberia/Vueling. We won’t need to retrieve our luggage as the entire trip is under the same ticket. Will this be enough time to get through customs and head to our gate?
Thank
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Maria – the busy summer travel season will be over by that point, so I don’t think you’ll have any issues. You’re probably not going to have a lot of time to spare though, so it will behoove you to move as quickly as you can.
Tom
Looking for info/tips – Have a United flight Washington Dulles to London Heathrow with a connection on TAP Airlines (United codeshare) with 2 hrs on ground in Heathrow to connect – so 2 questions: 1. Any customes clearance or immigration/UK border control to pass thru for US passport holders? 2. Will our baggs be checked thru to Lisbon or will we have to find them and recheck them in at Heathrow?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Tom! 2 hours should be enough time since both United and TAP use Terminal 2 at LHR at the time of this writing. The only thing you’re going to have to do is go through a security checkpoint (no customs or immigration). Your luggage will be transferred all the way through to Lisbon – you won’t have to retrieve them at LHR. Have a great trip!
F. L. Howsden
My wife (82) will be traveling alone from US to Istanbul through Amsterdam. Will she have to go though customs in Amsterdam? I think not if she stays in the transit area, but she is very nervous.
Scott (SANspotter)
No, she will not have to go through customs. Just tell her to follow the signs for international connections, and that will automatically keep her in the transit area. She will likely have to go through a quick passport verification checkpoint though. It’s easy (and fast) so she has nothing to worry about.
AMS is very easy to transit through!
Mary
We are flying from Chicago to Scotland with our connecting flight in a Paris. Our connection is 1hr and 25min in Paris, is this enough time?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Mary – chances are that it’s going to be really tight IMHO. I had a 1 hour and 20 minute connection at CDG earlier this spring (coming in from Munich and then connecting to San Francisco), and I darn near didn’t make it. The line to get through passport control was really slow.
The good news is that the airlines were aware of how slow that line was (and they were holding flights because of it). My flight to SFO was delayed a bit while waiting for connecting passengers to arrive, so chances are good that you’ll make it. But it’ll probably be tight!
Kirk
Hi Scott, I’m landing in Amsterdam at 9:15am from LAX and then I decided recently to go straight to Madrid. This is on a separate ticket. I assumed I needed to go through immigration and then get my check bag before then checking into my next flight. Is 3 hours enough time? Do I need to go in and out of security again?
Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kirk! Yes, because you have checked luggage, you will unfortunately need to do the full customs and immigration thing at AMS. This will require going through security again to get back into the terminal once you’ve rechecked your luggage.
3 hours will be enough time as long as you’re not doing this during the peak summer travel season (June through August) IMHO. Have a great trip!
Lori
I think I have thoroughly confused myself. I am wondering if we will have to clear customs at Heathrow for the following scenario. We board a Delta flight from Seattle to Heathrow. We land around 1:15pm. We have a flight booked separately on British Airways leaving at 5:30 from Heathrow to Venice. Do we need to clear customs or immigration or just go through security?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Lori! If all you have is carry-on luggage (and you are able to obtain your boarding pass to Venice via the British Airways mobile app), then no. Just follow the signs for connecting flights. You will have to go through security, but not passport control or customs.
You will have to go through the full customs and immigration process if you have checked luggage though.
Lori Dow
Thanks a million! Much appreciated. We are doing carry on so hoping we can just do the boarding pass via mobile app as you mention!
MARYANN
Hi Scott,
I am flying from Boston to Warsaw with a connection in Frankfurt. I will be switching airlines from Condor to Lufthansa. The connection is 2 hours. Based on your article, I know I will have to go through customs but will I have to also collect and recheck my bag? Will I have enough time?
Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Maryann – assuming that your entire itinerary is part of the same ticket, you’re actually going to be going through passport control in Frankfurt (not customs) – and you won’t have to retrieve your luggage. You’ll go through customs upon arrival in Warsaw.
However, if BOS-FRA and FRA-WAW are two separate tickets (purchased separately) then you will have to go through customs and immigration in Frankfurt. This will require retrieving your luggage.
Have a great trip!
MARYANN
Thank you for your quick response. Will 2 hours be enough time?
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re welcome! If it’s all one ticket, then yes. Two hours is enough. It won’t be if they are separate tickets (which requires you to retrieve your luggage) though.
Ed
Hi Scott, Im flying from CDG to MUC and then MUC to SFO on the same day with two separately booked tickets (Air France & United), I don’t have checked luggage, can I directly go to the US gates directly? Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Ed! Yes, as long as you can obtain your SFO boarding pass from the mobile app ahead of time, just follow the signs for international connections. You’ll have to go through passport control, but you can proceed straight to the gate after that.
Sonja
Hi Scott,
We have a 19 hour overnight layover in Madrid for our connecting flight to Casablanca. The travel agent is now telling me I can not leave the airport with a connecting flight. I would need to buy separate tickets. Do you know if this is true? The separate tickets are more expensive. I’m worried I am being given incorrect information to get more money out of me. Thanks.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Sonja. Good question! Yes, you will be able to leave the airport. You won’t be able to retrieve your luggage though (since it’ll be checked all the way through to Casablanca).
If you really want to leave the airport, I recommend bringing along carry-on bag containing all the things you’d need for an overnight stay in a hotel.
When you return to the airport the next morning, just head straight to the security checkpoint with your boarding pass to Casablanca (which you will receive when you check in for your flight to Madrid).
Susan
Hi Scott…first time international traveler here, and I’m starting to stress about a very short layover. Traveling from NY to Barcelona with a 40(!) minute layover in Zurich. From your article it sounds like we will have to go through passport control without having to claim our luggage before our flight to Barcelona. Is that correct and will 40 mins be enough time?? Any info you can give will be appreciated. Thank you!!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Susan – that’s a spicy layover for a first time international traveler! 40 minutes is going to be tough. And yes, you are correct –the only thing you’re going to have to do in Zurich is go through passport control. You’ll pick up your checked luggage (and go through customs) in Barcelona.
Is there any way you could change to a later flight to Barcelona? If not, I suppose all you can do is cross your fingers and hope for the best. Good luck!
Elahe Mostaghel
Hello – we are traveling with 2 kids ages 6 and 8 from SEA to BCN in July, trying to decide if should go via CDG (~2hr layover), AMS (~1hr layover ) or LHR (~1.5hr layover). As I understand we will need to go though immigration at CDG or AMS since entering Schengen but not in LHR. Question 1 – Are these layovers long enough and/or is one airport preferable over another? I’ve been reading good/bad/ugly about all of them. Question 2 – On the way back do we go through immigration in any of these cities or not until we arrive back in SEA? Thanks very much!!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Elahe – this is a tough one! July is pretty much peak travel season between North America and Europe. Of those three choices, LHR is my favorite (since, as you said, you won’t have to go through immigration). AMS is my #2 pick, followed by CDG. AMS is usually very efficient, though things do slow down a bit in the summertime due to the volume of people making connections. Finally, I don’t trust CDG anymore for tight(ish) connections – especially in the summertime!
On the way back, you’ll simply go through passport control (not customs) at all of these airports. Again, CDG would be my last choice unless I have a very long layover.
Have a great trip!
Clara
HI Scott, I’m flying into Paris from Iceland then catching a flight to Zurich. It’s not a connecting flight. They were booked separately. Is 2 hours enough between flights? What about customs and immigration?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Clara – two hours will be more than enough time if:
1. You don’t have any checked luggage
2. You can check in for your flight to Zürich online (and obtain a boarding pass)
If you can do that, just follow the signs for connecting flights at CDG. You’ll have to go through passport control, but not security or customs.
Having checked luggage and/or not being able to obtain a boarding pass before you arrive at CDG will require you to officially enter France (which involves going through passport control and customs), and then checking in with the airline. After that, you’ll have to go through security to get back in the terminal. Two hours might be cutting it close.
Good luck!
Karen
hello, I will be traveling from Italy with a connection in Munich to a final destination in the US. It is all one booking. Will i need to pass through immigration and customs during my Germany connection? I only have 1 hr and 20 minute connection. thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Karen! You will only need to go through passport control (not security or customs). 1 hour and 20 minutes will be plenty. Have a great trip!
karen
thank you!
Rid
Hello.. I am planning to travel from New york to Zurich and I am finding flights with connecting airport in another Europe countries like Paris (CDG), Copenhagen (CPH), London (LGW), Frankfurt (FRA), Lisbon (LIS), Rome (FCO) etc. All of the connecting airport have layover of either 45 mins or 1hr 30 mins.
Would this much time be enough to complete immigration, security, customs ?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Rid – 30 minutes is going to be a challenge at any of those airports IMHO. 45 minutes is probably doable everywhere else – except CDG. There’s no way I’d choose a 45 minute transfer at CDG! That’s an almost guaranteed way to miss a connecting flight.
Ying
Hi there. I am travelling from JFK to Frankfurt on Singapore Airlines and then hoping onto Lufthansa to Rome. Both airlines operate from Terminal 1 in Frankfurt. I will have check in luggage. Is a connection time of 1 hour 20 minutes adequate to go through passport control (US and Malaysia passports) and pickup luggage too ?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Ying! Assuming both flights are part of the same reservation number (purchased together at the same time), then yes – 1 hour and 20 minutes will be OK. You won’t have to retrieve your checked luggage in Frankfurt. The only thing you’ll have to do is go through passport control.
You’ll pick up your luggage and go through customs upon arrival in Rome. Have a great trip!
Amber
Hi Scott,
We are flying from Los Angeles to Milan for a week and then flying from Milan to London with a 60 min. layover in Zurich. Will this connection time be adequate? And because we are leaving the Schengen Zone with our flight to London, will we have to pass through immigrations and customs in Zurich? Thank you for your help.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Amber – no, you’re not going to have to go through customs and/or immigration in Zürich. Simply follow the signs for international connections. This will keep you in the transit zone, which might (or might not) require going through a quick passport verification. 60 minutes will be plenty of time.
Amber
Thank you, Scott!! Much appreciated 🙂
Jenna
Hi Scott, I am looking to travel to Europe for my honeymoon. We plan to leave Detroit and fly to Florence, there is a layover in Chicago and we switch from United to Austrian Airlines. We have a layover in Vienna for only 40 minutes and then fly into Florence. When we land in Vienna we don’t switch airlines, we are still flying Austrian to Florence. From the research I have done, it doesn’t sound like we will have to go through customers in Vienna (even if we have checked bags), but that we may have to go through passport control, but even that sounds like we might not have to if we still in the transit area. I was hoping you could confirm or deny my findings. 40 minutes is a short layover in general, but I feel like it could be doable if we never have to go through customers until we reach Florence, even with checked bags.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Jenna – you are correct. You’ll go through passport control in Vienna, and then customs in Florence. FWIW, “customs” hardly ever amounts to anything. Most of the time you’ll be able to walk right on through without being stopped by a customs officer.
40 minutes will be a little tight, but completely doable since it’s just a quick passport check. Have a great trip!
Emma
Hi Scott!! I have a question, im flying from ORD > Zurich > Spain.
Do you know if ill be doing customs and passport control in Zurich? Or Spain? Also, do you think 1:20min will be pushing it on the layover ? Thank you!!!!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Emma! You’ll be going through passport control in Zürich – and then customs in Spain. It’s been a while since I’ve gone through passport control in Zürich, but everyone that I know who has done it recently has said that it was a fairly quick process. You’ll be perfectly fine with an hour and 20 minutes. Have a great time in Spain!
Trisa
Hi Scott! So wonderful the help you provide here so I’m adding my question to the LONG list!
We are flying from the US to Barcelona with an 8 hr layover in London (Heathrow). It is all booked on American Airlines, Phoenix to Barcelona as one itinerary. My question is if we want to go sightsee a bit during our layover, will we be able to leave the airport with our bags being checked through and what would be the customs implications of that scenario when we get back to the airport. Trying to figure out how much time we would need to allow for getting back through security. I hope my questions makes sense and thanks in advance!
Scott (SANspotter)
No problem Trisa – glad to help! Yes, that’s totally doable as long as you can obtain your boarding pass for LHR-BCN ahead of time. Just go through the arrivals process (passport control and customs) without retrieving your checked luggage.
Then, upon arrival back at the airport, go through the security checkpoint to get back into the terminal (using your LHR-BCN boarding pass).
Plan for about an hour each way to central London and back via the train. If it were me, I’d want to be back at LHR two hours prior to the departure to Barcelona. That’ll still give you plenty of time to do some sightseeing in London IMHO.
Have fun!
Suzie
Thank you for this information! I believe I understand correctly that as a US citizen traveling home from Austria to the US via a connecting flight in the UK I will need to go through customs and immigration in the UK. It is all booked through United, however Austrian is the ‘sister’ airline from Austria to UK. I am quite anxious about the layover time, which is only 1 hour and 10 mins. Do you anticipate this as cutting it close. No other flights are available. Thank you!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Suzie! Nope – since you will only be transiting London (and not officially entering the UK), passport control and customs will not be necessary. Simply follow the signs for international connections. That will lead you to a security checkpoint, which will then spit you out into the international transit area.
One hour and 10 minutes should be enough time. However, I wouldn’t waste a moment of it getting to the security checkpoint. Those lines to get through can get backed up every now and then.
Have a great trip!
Shivani
Hi! I tried to read thru the comments but thought I’d run this case by you since you seem very kind to address unique scenarios.
I am flying from within Schengen (Luxembourg) to Scotland, with a layover in Amsterdam. The flight’s thru KLM airlines (same airline on both legs) but layover is 45 min. I see on your other article you recommend 1h10 min for non-schengen to schengen, so 1) I’m curious if this is enough time, and 2) what it would look like once I get out of the plane and head to catch my connecting flight. Will I need to go thru immigration/customs? Taking into account I feel like it takes 15ish mins to get out of the plane itself and don’t doors close like 30 mins before departure?! To recap: Lux -> Amsterdam (45 min layover) -> Scotland, is 45 min enough and what will those 45 min look like?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Shivani – 45 minutes it’s going to be tight, but you’ll make it as long as your inbound flight from Luxembourg arrives relatively close to on time.
Luxembourg is in the Schengen zone, but Scotland is not. This means you will be making a “domestic” (EU) to international connection at AMS. Simply follow the signs for international connections. You’ll go through a passport checkpoint only (which is usually quick at AMS).
For what it’s worth, Amsterdam is the only airport where I would feel comfortable making a connection like this. It’s by far the most efficient in Europe IMHO – they’ll get you through and on your way (on time).
Have a good trip!
Catalina
hello! I’m a US citizen and I have a flight to Sweden. My flight is from the US to Frankfurt Airport in Germany and the layover to my connecting flight to Sweden is 2 hours. what do I do when I get off my plane and arrive in Frankfurt? and what do I need to enter Sweden? And what can I expect at passport control?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Catalina – it’s a fairly simple process, and it’ll be impossible to mess up (because they’ll tell you exactly where you need to go and what you need to do).
Upon getting off the plane in Frankfurt, follow the signs for EU connections. This will lead you to a passport control checkpoint. Getting through shouldn’t take more than an hour (it’s usually a lot less time than that). Once complete, simply walk to your connecting gate to Sweden.
Upon arrival in Sweden, proceed directly to baggage claim. Retrieve your luggage and then go through the customs checkpoint to exit the terminal. That’s it!
Christina
Hey Scott! I am flying Boston to Seville Spain all on Iberia but I have a 1 hr 30 min connection in Madrid is this going to be enough time?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Christina – I think you’ll be OK as long as you don’t have to change terminals (which you won’t). The Madrid Airport is a bit less organized compared to other European hubs such as Amsterdam and Frankfurt, but I wouldn’t even worry about it. It’s a connection I would book for myself without even batting an eye.
Have a great trip!
Christina
Hi, Scott! Thank you for sharing 🙂 I have a flight returning to the US in late January from Munich to the US with a layover in Amsterdam. Is a one hour layover too short?
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Cristina! That’ll be no problem in January. It would likely be a little stressful in the middle of the busy summer travel season, but moving through AMS in the dead of winter has always been quick and easy for me.
Donna
asking for my sister….she is flying USA to Ireland with a change of planes in France. I believe she only needs to change gates in France and no customs or immigration until she gets to Ireland. Is this correct? Is there any security she will go through in France? No terminal change. Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Donna! Correct. Since Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, she needs to follow the signs for international connections. No customs or security checks will be required. Customs and passport control will happen upon arrival in Ireland.