Not all airports are created equal. I understand this better than many simply because I have traveled quite a bit. Connections are the worst. When you have a ton of time, the gate is right next door but when you are tight on time, the gate is forever away. This is more challenging than necessary when the connection happens in another country. International connections sometimes means you have to clear immigration, collect your bags, clear customs, recheck your bag go through security and then get to your gate. It can take forever. Trust me when I say, I’ve sweat my way through many international airports.
If you hate the idea of sprinting through an unfamiliar airport in another country with zero idea where to go… and only 20 minutes before your next flight, this guide will help you avoid that nightmare.
It sounds simple enough: book your ticket, show up, and fly, right? But seasoned travelers will tell you that international connections come with their own set of rules, risks, and surprises that most first-timers don’t know about. I’ve made many mistakes in my flight booking choices and want to provide you with the insight I wished I had on that first international connection. If you’re even thinking about booking an international flight with a layover, here’s exactly what you need to know to avoid stress and extra costs.
✈️ 6 Things You Need to Know Before Booking that International Connection
If you’re planning your first big international trip, there’s one detail that can easily make or break your entire experience: booking a flight with an international connection. While connections are sometimes hard to avoid, there are a few tricks that will minimize the stress that comes with it.
Know the Difference Between Domestic and International Connections
This one trips up people more than you’d believe. The steps you will need to take for a domestic layover are quite different than what happens for an international layover. Let me clarify.
If you are going to Rio de Janeiro and have a layover in Sao Paolo that is considered a domestic layover because the final destination is in the same country (Brazil).
However, if you are going to South Africa and your layover is in London, that is considered an international layover since the final destination is in a different country. You should always allow extra time for domestic and international connections. If you’ve booked a flight with a domestic layover, aim for at least 2–3 hours between flights. Domestic connections often mean switching terminals going through passport control, collecting your bags, customs, and another security screening. You still need time for international layovers, but you won’t have to go through lengthy passport control lines or collect your baggage. Popular airports like London Heathrow or Paris Charles de Gaulle are notorious for long lines and confusing layouts.
Book One Itinerary When Possible (Avoid Separate Tickets)
On a recent trip to Paris, I made a last minute decision to add a hop over to Barcelona to my itinerary. I booked a totally separate itinerary with a low cost airline to save a few dollars. While I traveled with carry-on only, it still meant I had to move to a separate terminal.
Even with over 3 hours of grace time before my connecting flight to Barcelona, I found myself sweating it out to make my connections.
Here’s why one itinerary matters. If both legs of your trip are on one ticket, the airline will usually help rebook you if there’s a delay and you miss your connection. If you book separate tickets (ex: one budget airline and one full-service carrier), you’re on your own if you miss the second flight.
Additionally if you have checked bags, you will need to collect your bag then recheck it with the new airline. This will happen regardless of your connection being international or domestic if you have seperate tickets.
Make Sure The Connections are that the Same Airport
This might sound odd, but some big cities have multiple airports and it is not uncommon for an airline to offer tickets with connections in a totally different airport.
For example, Paris has two airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY) that cater to both domestic and international destinations. If you are flying from the US, you will likely fly into CDG. If your connection is in ORY you will need to take the train to get there. While there is a direct train connection between CDG and ORY, you will need to factor in a few hours to ensure you make the international connection.
London has a similar challenge with six main airports. You could easily find yourself with an international connection in one of the other airports. Be sure to double check the airport codes for all of your flights (not just the city name).
Research Airport Layouts Before You Book
Some airports are easy for tight connections (like Singapore Changi or Amsterdam Schiphol). Others are known for long terminal transfers and confusing signage (like London Heathrow and São Paulo/Guarulhos).
You want to know if your connection involves switching terminals, airport shuttles, or passport control checkpoints. This will help you gauge how much time you need to arrive at your gate without running a mini marathon.
Keep in mind you’ll likely be tired from a long flight and if you don’t speak the language the barriers there will only add to the amount of time you need. I would much rather arrive early to the gate and maybe hit the lounge over sprinting down the terminal on any day. Short connections are a recipe for disaster. If your itinerary shows a 45-minute international connection, think twice.
Understand Transit Visa and Entry Requirements for Layover Countries
When you are traveling internationally, you should always pay attention to visa requirements. Some countries require a transit visa, even if you’re not leaving the airport. Example: China and India often require transit visas for long layovers.
The best approach is to check Travel.State.Gov for the latest visa rules for US Passport holders. You should do this several weeks in advance of your trip to all for any applications and processing times.
The processing time if you need to apply for a transit visa in advance could take weeks. You don’t want to risk missing your departure or getting turned away at check in because you didn’t check far enough in advance.
Prepare for Security Re-Screening
This one is tricky. Let’s say you buy a bottle of rum at duty free in your departure airport to take back home but you have a connection. While you can carry the duty free liquor purchase onboard that first flight, when you arrive at your connection you should know that you can’t carry it through security.
Some international connections require going through security again, even if you never leave the airside area. Which means that duty free bottle of wine suddenly needs to go in your checked baggage.
If it was an international connection, you have the opportunity to transfer it to your checked back when you retrieve it for customs. That’s if you have enough space in it. If you don’t have the opportunity to retrieve your bag or you don’t have room, you might have to toss it to make it through security.
The Thing About International Airports
Keeping all the things mentioned previously in mind, international airports can throw you for a loop more often than not. When time is of the essence, wasting precious minutes trying to figure it out could be the thing that makes you miss that connection. I’ve hunted down airline staff, skipped ahead in line and even took advantage of airport cart service to get to my connection.
Additionally, you could be working with different airport naming conventions on those airport information boards. I spent 10-15 minutes trying to find my connection on the transfer boards in one country only to realize the local translation was totally different than expected. Always refer to your flight number no matter where you are. It is certainly more reliable than airline or city names.
Consider Airport Amenities for Long Layovers
If you’ve done it all right, and you end up with more time than you need in the airport book a day pass for a lounge. This ensures you can have food, Wi-Fi, and a quiet place to rest. Some airports even offer short stay hotel rooms or sleep pods inside the terminal.
When booking your flights, look for airports with lounges, nap pods, free Wi-Fi, or even layover tours (like in Istanbul or Doha). Just keep in mind when doing things like a layover tour that you are leaving the airport and will be subject to traffic and other dynamics outside of your control. If you can’t handle the pressure, just stay in the airport. I spent 8 hours in Doha on a layover and didn’t regret 1 minute of it. Check out my blog How to Maximize International Layovers for some tips on how to make this work for you.
My Perspective
My preference is direct flights over anything. Yet connections are oftentimes unavoidable and international layovers are more complicated than domestic ones. Nonetheless, there are ways to make sure you don’t fall victim to a bad connection strategy.
My advice, always give yourself extra time for customs, immigration, and security. Avoid separate tickets unless you have plenty of connection time and flexibility. Research your airports and visa rules before booking.
Missed connection? Lost luggage? Sudden visa change? Worst scenario protect your trip with travel insurance. It can help to cover some of the extra costs that you might incur. Some credit cards with travel perks also offer missed connection protection—check your benefits before you book. With these easy tips, you should be able to handle anything an international connection throws at you.
❓ FAQs About Booking International Flights with Connections
Do I have to go through security again during an international layover?
In many cases, yes. Even if you’re not leaving the airport, you may have to clear security again before boarding your next flight—especially if you’re changing terminals or entering a new country.
Is it better to book a longer layover for international flights?
Yes! Longer layovers reduce stress and give you time for customs, immigration, and unexpected delays. Aim for at least 2–3 hours, especially if it’s your first time navigating international airports.
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