October 28, 2026

A 55-minute wait between flights can save you hundreds of dollars and get you to your destination faster. But can you really make your connection without stress?

Layovers are common part of flying, and how much time you need depends on the airport, the way you booked, and if you need to clear customs.

Tips on how to choose a layover that won't stress you.

1. Start with a simple rule of thumb

A common guideline from Thrifty Traveler's guide to airport connection times is 60 to 90 minutes for a domestic connection and at least two and a half hours for an international one. See it as a starting point because most airlines only sell connections that meet their minimum times, but that minimum means nothing goes wrong. If a longer layover makes you feel more comfortable, choose it. It is much better to spend extra hours in the terminal than a flight that may ruin your trip.

Getting cheap fares often come with tighter or longer connections, so price should not be the only thing you compare. Look at the full itinerary before deciding if the layover is worth the savings.

2. Check whether your flights are on one ticket

This is one of the biggest factors in how much time you need. When both flights are booked together on one ticket, the airline generally has responsibility for getting you to your final destination if a delay causes you to miss the connection, subject to the airline's conditions of carriage.

Separate tickets are different. Airlines are generally not responsible for a connection you created yourself between separate bookings, so a late first flight could leave you buying a new ticket. If you are booking flights separately, leave a lot more time between them.

3. Know if you'll clear customs or immigration

If you are entering a certain country from another destination, for instance U.S.A you will have to clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection at your first U.S. port of entry. After that, even if you decide to connect to another U.S. city, you won't have to clear CBP again at your final destination.

Although, this works differently in other places. Let's assume you're traveling from the U.S. to Copenhagen through Paris, you clear Schengen immigration before you get to your final destination.

Also, ensure to collect your checked bags and take them through customs before checking them back in for your connecting flight. CBP notes that there are some newer exceptions on specific routes, so check your airline's instructions for your particular journey.

4. Look at the airport, not just the clock

Two layovers of the same length can never be the same. At a small airport terminal, you may just walk to the next gate. At a large one, you may need a taxi or a 20-minute walk, and sometimes another security check.

Busy cities may involve long distances or make you spend unnecessarily, so give yourself extra time when connecting through a large airport.

Before you book, check and study the airport map to see how far apart your arrival and departure gates could be.

5. Get ready to move quickly

Even with a comfortable layover, always prepare yourself before you land. These simple habits can help:

●     Use a carry-on bag if you can do you  can easily bypass baggage claim when your itinerary allows it.

●     Check in online and keep your boarding passes on your phone.

●     Choose a seat near the front of the plane if you really want to get off quickly when the plane lands.

●     Look up your arrival gate and your next gate before you land.

●     Register with a trusted traveler program such as Global Entry or TSA PreCheck if you connect through U.S. airports often. If you need a faster entry, Global Entry provides expedited U.S. entry for eligible, approved travelers, and TSA PreCheck provides faster security screening for eligible travelers.

6. Have a plan for delays

Even a well-planned connection can go wrong. This shows nothing is one hundred percent guaranteed. If a delay or cancellation affects a flight on the same booking, check your airline's rebooking options as soon as possible. You can use the airline's app, website, chat, or phone line while you wait.

It also helps to know your rights. In developed countries like the U.S. and Canada, if an airline cancels your flight or makes a significant change and you choose not to accept the alternative offered, you are entitled to a refund.

You can check to  see what airlines promise for controllable cancellations and significant delays on the DOT Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard. The dashboard shows commitments such as rebooking, meals, and hotel accommodations, depending on the airline and circumstances.

It is important to keep your boarding passes and rebooking confirmations because you may need them later.

7. Keep your whole trip plan in one place

A layover is only one piece of a trip. When flights, hotel dates, and group plans live in different chats and screenshots, it is easy to lose track of how the pieces fit together.

My TripSheet allows you organize all travel plans in one place. Your Home screen shows your active plans, with each trip's dates and how many days are left, and the Plans tab sorts your trips into upcoming and past.

Are you traveling with others? Group trips carry a Group tag and show who is on the plan. You can use My Ceku to share trip ideas and plan with your travel circle, so the layover question gets answered together instead of in a long group chat. Are there new destinations you would like to go to? Save trips you like to your Wishlist and sort them into lists, such as Italy or Maldives.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a layover be?

It takes 60 to 90 minutes for domestic flights and at least two and a half hours for international flights. You can plan for more time if you booked separate tickets, need to clear customs, or are connecting through a large airport.

Is a one-hour layover enough?

Sometimes. It can work at a small airport when both flights are on the same ticket and the gates are close together. It is riskier if you need to change terminals, go through security again, or clear immigration.

What happens if I miss my connecting flight?

If both flights are on one booking and the airline causes the disruption, check with the airline for rebooking options. If you booked separate tickets, you may have to arrange and pay for a replacement flight yourself, so it is wise to leave extra time.

Do I have to collect my bags between flights?

It depends on your route and airline. When entering your destination from another country, travelers normally collect their checked bags, take them through customs, and check them back in for the next flight. There are some exceptions, so ask your airline at check-in whether your bags will go straight to your final destination.

The right layover gives you time to walk, wait, and recover from a delay without being rushed. Check how you booked your tickets, think about customs and the size of the airport, and give yourself a buffer you feel good about.

Are you ready to plan your next trip with confidence? Click here to download TripSheet to organize your trips, share ideas with your travel circle, and keep your dates and travel group together in one app.