I am traveling to Prague next September and am looking at airfares and schedules. I am wondering how long people from the United States allow for getting through customs in Europe during a layover. I've heard a couple of horror stories about almost-missed and missed connections because of how long it took to get through customs. I'm looking at a flight schedule from Seattle that lays over in Toronto with 1hr and 50 min. I'm concerned that any delay in my flight leaving the US, and however long customs takes that I may miss my connecting flight. Is there a minimum lay over time that people who travel regularly like to have for getting through customs unstressed? 2hrs? 3hrs?
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1746 posts
Is the entire flight (both legs) on one ticket? Depending on the country or airport, you may stay on the air side in the terminal and not go through customs in Toronto, and will just have to get to your new gate. Are you checking bags? As I said, if on one ticket you don't need to pick up your bags and recheck them. The airline will transfer them through to your final destination.
If on two separate tickets, perhaps someone familiar with Toronto Airport can chip in some advice about the airport terminals.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Judy - I am an inexperienced traveler. How do I know if it's on one ticket or two? It is all Air Canada, but two different planes.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5971 posts
Just to clarify, it's Immigration, not Customs that takes up time. Also, Toronto isn't in Europe.
First of all if you made a single reservation from Seattle to Prague on AC, with a connection in TO, then it would be a single ticket. When you do your online check in you should be able to get boarding passes for both flights. Or, if you are checking bags, you can get them at check in at the airport. Your bags should be checked through to Prague
Next, you will have to clear Immigration at Pearson. You can save time by downloading the ArriveCan app and using it to make an Advance CBSA declaration (within 72 hours of your flight), then follow the Connections signs and use the Advance CBSA express lanes and the kiosks. This is all outlined on the airport website. Then follow the signs to the gate for your next flight. Don't dawdle, though. Pearson is really spread out.
An hour and 50 min should be plenty of time to make the connection. If your arriving flight is late, and you miss the connection, then it is up to AC to get you on the next available flight.
Posted by
Freedonia
16867 posts
Just to reiterate what CJean said....
Customs is for your stuff, immigration/passport control is for you. In most places, customs is just a walk through. The delays can be with immigration.
If on one ticket, and you miss the connection, the airline is obligated to get you there. It will be on the next available flight. Not necessarily the next flight but the next AVAILABLE flight. It may also be different routing than what you expected but they have to get you to Prague. At no additional cost. In fact, if you are delayed for a certain period of time, they have to give you vouchers for food and even a hotel.
Under normal conditions, the airline will offer a connection that they feel is doable. However, things happen and delays do occur. No one can predict what's going to happen on your day of travel.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21691 posts
angelafrench, if you have one locator number (the funny number in the corner of the ticket looks like WGX45U) then you have one ticket.
I like 3 hour layovers but there isnt a flight that I would not take if the layover were 2 hours. The two exceptions to that are layovers at LHR and CDG, then it would have to be 3 hours.
As for immigration, generally not in transit, just at the end point or when entering Schengen. But dont ever think about it. Just relax and follow the line.
That simple.
Go have fun.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7499 posts
We’ve had too many instances of late departures, having to circle before landing, and parking on the tarmac and having to take a bus to the terminal, so we try to get 3 hours layovers. On one trip in 2023 it took 1.5 hours to clear immigration, but that was at our destination, not a layover airport.
Posted by
Miami
373 posts
I would try to get on an earlier flight to Toronto to allow for a bigger buffer. If your flight is late and you miss your connection, the airline has to put you on the next available flight, but that flight might not be until the next day. That happened to me, and it was no comfort that the airline rebooked me the next day.