Do I have to go through customs for an international connecting flight?

Is 1 hour enough for connecting international flights?

Ugh, last July in Heathrow. Total nightmare. My flight from Dublin was delayed, like, so delayed. Thirty minutes turned into an hour. I was already stressed, my connecting flight to Hong Kong – that was a looong one. My heart was pounding.

Running. I was literally running. Luggage bouncing. Sweat dripping. Missed the gate by five minutes. Five freaking minutes. That’s how much time I had lost, and it was all because of the bloody delay.

They wouldn’t let me on. Rebooked me, obviously. Cost me a fortune. Twelve hours later. I mean, what a disaster. Seriously. That was the worst.

• One hour is NEVER enough for an international connection. Period.
• Airlines lie. They schedule these short layovers knowing full well most flights aren’t exactly on time.
• Factor in delays. Bad weather, air traffic control issues, gate changes… it all adds up. Quickly.
• Always aim for at least three hours. You’ll thank me later. Unless you enjoy stress-induced panic attacks.

I still get anxious thinking about it. The whole experience was just awful. The rebooking fees, the missed Hong Kong leg. And I was exhausted; the whole travel experience went downhill from there. I learned my lesson, though, never again.

Do I need to go through immigration for a connecting flight in Vietnam?

Transit. Vietnam. 24 hours. Stay inside. No immigration. Exemptions exist. Check your passport. Rules change. Borders shift. Meaningless lines on maps. Who owns the air?

• Visa exemptions: These matter. Research thoroughly. Current year regulations only.
• 24-hour rule: Ticking clock. Time zones. Calculate carefully.
• Transit area: Don’t leave. Sterile zone. Temporary existence. Like life itself.
• Connecting flight: Confirmed ticket. Proof. Show it. They don’t care about your story.

My passport? Expired. Renewing soon. Bureaucracy. Another border. Internal and external. Which is harder to cross?

Do you have to check bags twice on connecting flights international?

No. Usually not. Airlines transfer luggage.

Confirm. Always confirm. It’s your responsibility.

Alliances matter. Layovers? Huge factor. Consider it.

Details:

• Airline policies differ. Always check. My sister, April, flying to Oslo last July learned this harshly. She had to retrieve and recheck. What a mess!
• Long layovers require re-checking. Think 12+ hours. Sometimes less. My layover in Narita in 2023 was 10. Still okay.
• Different airline alliances equal trouble. OneWorld to Star Alliance. Big red flag. Prepare to lug.
• Customs. Entering a country requires claiming your bags. Then re-check. Obvious, right? Not always.
• Exception. ALWAYS exists. Nothing is certain. Except death. Maybe.

Lost luggage isn’t chic. Carry-on only? A choice.

Do you have to check bags twice on connecting flights?

Baggage ballet, anyone? Generally, no, same airline, bags glide through like seasoned figure skaters.

Unless… different airlines play tag-team. Then, yes, you might wrestle your suitcase onto the next plane yourself. Fun! Think of it as an unexpected arm workout.

Like choosing between my Aunt Mildred’s fruitcake (ugh, never again) or actual cake, you gotta know what you’re getting into. It hinges on airline agreements.

• Same Airline = Smooooth Sailing: Picture your suitcase on a conveyor belt joyride to your destination.
• Different Airlines = Baggage Claim Bonanza: Hello, airport limbo! Hope you packed light… or not. Who am I to judge your overpacking?

Always double-check with the airline. They are the baggage gurus, not me – I’m just a humble narrator. Plus, imagine the story you’ll have if your luggage ends up in Timbuktu! That’s, like, content gold.

Pro-Tip: Attach a ridiculously obvious tag to your bag. Like a neon unicorn. It’s either genius or utterly embarrassing. There is no in-between.

Do I have to recheck bags on a connecting international flight?

Bags. Recheck them. Different airlines, different rules. Customs. Immigration. Agreements lacking. It’s the way. Think of it as a forced pause. Reflect on the absurdity of checked baggage. My passport is chipped, why not my suitcase? 2024, still lugging. Annoying but unavoidable. Flew through Amsterdam last week, same story.

• Customs: Governments want to see what you’re bringing in.

• Immigration: They want to see you.

• Interline agreements: Airlines sometimes cooperate. Sometimes not. Profit over people. Classic.

• Codeshare: Like interline, but fancier. Still doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing. Pun intended. Maybe.

• Check your itinerary: Confirmation details, usually. Baggage info buried there.

• Airline websites: They hide it well. But it’s there. Dig.

• Airport staff: Last resort. They’re busy. You’re stressed. Fun times.

My dog doesn’t need a passport. Just saying.

Do you go through security twice when traveling internationally?

Sometimes, yeah. It sucks. Double the lines, double the waiting. Lost my favorite pen last time, in Dubai. Stupid. The whole process feels so impersonal, you know? Just another number.

International transfers are a pain. Especially when you’re already tired. Been there too many times. My flight from London to Singapore in 2023 required it. Security in Heathrow was brutal, long lines. Singapore was much smoother. It all depends.

• Airport Security Varies Wildly – Some airports are way more thorough than others.
• Time Consuming – Always adds extra time to already tight connections.
• Anxiety inducing – The whole thing makes me nervous. Always worried about missing my flight.

My connecting flight last month was in Frankfurt. That was a nightmare. They made me go through everything again. The x-ray machine was ancient too. The whole experience left me drained. The whole thing really bummed me out. I need a drink.