When you’re catching a connecting flight, there can be many concerns. How long do you need to catch a flight? Do you need to recheck your baggage or will that be done automatically?

If you’re catching a national connecting flight by the same airline, and most often affiliate airlines, and they will transfer your luggage. Always book your luggage through to the final destination, if possible.

However, if you are catching an international connecting flight, you will have to recheck your luggage at the first port of entry. For example, if you were flying Paris, London – New York – Los Angeles, you will have to re-check your bags in New York, as that is your first port of entry into your destination country.

How long you should budget for your connecting flight depends on a number of things regarding your ticket. Generally speaking, if you buy a ticket with a connecting flight with the same airline, the airline will make sure that you catch your connection or book you on the next flight.

If you buy two separate tickets, however, you should always budget for more time, as you don’t have the reliance of the airline to make sure you connect.

If the connecting flight is international, you may have to re-check your luggage, and go through immigration and security before catching your connecting flight. Also, keep in mind how big of an airport your connecting flight is at. At some airports, there may only be a terminal or two and even if your flight is on the other end of the airport, it may only be a quick walk, however at some airports you may have to take a commuter shuttle or have a long distance to walk to catch your connecting flight (and there is always the possibility that your flight’s gate or terminal may change).

On the day of your flight, you may also want to check ahead to make sure your flights are scheduled on time, so you have time to make any changes if necessary. For any questions or concerns, always call ahead and check with your airline. They will provide specific answers related to your specific itinerary.

For additional layover tips, check out “How Much Time Do You Need To Leave The Airport” , Can I Leave The Airport During A Layover? and “Tips For Making The Most Out Of Your Layover.”

A lot of people want to know: how do you know when you can leave the airport on a layover? For most layovers, you can leave the transit area in between flights, as long as you go through customs and immigration on the way out, and of course you’ll have to pass through security again on your way back into the airport. However, some tickets may not permit you to leave the airport. Always check beforehand with your airline to see if your ticket allows you to leave the transit area.

You will also check ahead of time to see if you’d need a visa to enter the destination that you’re arriving at. Check out our widget (right hand side of the blog) for a quick check to see if you’d need to apply for a visa.

Take into account that at many countries, you will have to go through Customs and Immigration upon your first point of entry, regardless of whether you’re connecting.

Another thing to be aware of is your luggage. If you have a layover, always check beforehand with your airline to see if you can check your luggage through to your final destination. Many lengthy layovers (often times up to 24 hours) are actually considered a connection, so often times you can check it all the way through. In a lot of airports, you will sometimes have to pick up and re-check your luggage. If you need to pick up or hold onto your luggage, you can always leave it in the airport at a locker or Left Luggage facility. You can find out where these facilities are at the airport’s website. If the airport does not offer storage for luggage, you can always leave them in a cheap hotel room while you explore the city.

Always check with the information desk about the best (and if applicable, least expensive way) to get out of the airport and around the city. If you are not familiar with the area, or the language, budget for plenty of extra time to get back to the airport, in case of delays or navigational errors. Also, take into account traffic, and distance when computing the time that you have to see the sights.

For additional layover tips, check out “How Much Time Do You Need To Leave The Airport,” Catching Connecting Flights: What You Need To Know and “Tips For Making The Most Out Of Your Layover.”

For a quick idea of whether you’d need a Visa to be allowed foreign entry into a specific airport, try layoverguide’s right hand widget.

To get more specific information on U.S. entry into foreign countries, check out The U.S. Department Of State Travel Site.

The website covers:

Location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties.

There are many factors to take into account when deciding whether you have enough time to leave the airport during a layover and venture out into the surrounding area.

Before you leave, check with your airline to see if your ticket permits you to leave the transit area. Some tickets may not permit you to leave the airport. It is also helpful, if possible, when checking in for your flight to check your baggage through to your final destination. If you can’t, you can always ditch your bags at airport lockers, Left Luggage offices, or even a cheap hotel room while you explore.

When determining your time frame, and whether you have time to leave the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Figure out how far the airport is from the area you’re looking to explore. Many airports are close to the city centers, while some aren’t. For example, the Narita Airport in Japan is quite a distance from Tokyo, while the airport in Amsterdam is about a 15 minute train ride. Always plan for delays, so budget extra time to and from for getting lost (if you’re not familiar with the destination), and if traveling by taxi, keep in mind traffic and rush hour.
• Check to see if, at the airport you’re having the layover, whether you’d have to clear customs to leave the airport and then go through it again to re-enter. The website to your particular airport can help you learn the procedures, as well as calling your airline.
• If you need to store luggage, keep in mind the time to both drop it off and pick it up.
• If you need to transfer money to the local currency, budget time to do so.
• In addition to immigration and customs, budget time for security. At some airports these lines can get lengthy. Layoverguide suggests arriving back at the airport two hours before your flight.

For additional layover tips, check out Can I Leave The Airport During A Layover, Catching Connecting Flights: What You Need To Know and “Tips For Making The Most Out Of Your Layover.”

Before you leave:

For additional layover tips, check out “How Much Time Do You Need To Leave The Airport,” Catching Connecting Flights: What You Need To Know and Can I Leave The Airport During A Layover?