I've searched this forum for over an hour. A lot of advice: one hour or 90 mins for a layover is too short, too risky!
I'm looking at options for Boston to Venice in late September. I'm disregarding layovers like "Paris 1:15" bc that seems too short, and I'd worry a lot beginning weeks in advance.
How about Zurich 2:15?
Amsterdam 2:00?
FCO/Rome 2:15?
Many thanks!
If it's on the same ticket with same airline (or partner) even if you miss the connection they will put you on the next available flight, and from the European gateways you mention, there are multiple flights to Venice.
2:00 hours is adequate anywhere, even Paris, although I've managed to connect in less than one hour (running)
All we can give you is advice on what we’ve experienced. You are going to be hard pressed to find anyone that can tell you exactly how much time you need. There are two many variables when traveling by plane. We have gone thru Zurich numerous times over the last couple of years when two hours has been adequate. We’ve also experienced occasions when we’ve missed our connecting flight because our flight has been late coming in due thunderstorms or sitting on the tarmac because a gate was not available, etc. etc. etc.
Amsterdam is my preferred connection in Europe because they’re fairly predictable and organized. I’m fine with anything over 1.5 hours there. I give Paris 2.5 hours or more. Zurich was fine, but we’ve only been at that airport once.
Shortish Aer Lingus layovers in Dublin have always gone well for me (75 to 90 mins).
If it's on the same ticket...
As Roberto notes this is the key.
If it is one ticket, the airline has figured out how much time 'is enough', because if it isn't they are the ones footing the bill to get you to your destination.
If you are stitching together multiple ( individually ticketed) flights, I think the majority of this forum would recommend 4 (or more) hours.
Paris CDG has multiple terminals; how much times is needed depends on which terminal you arrive and depart. I have managed once to do in an hour between different terminals; actually, we were a group of 80 persons (enough to stop the departing airplane!) and we did in one hour literally running. But if, for example, you are stuck at terminal 2G, two hours can be barely necessary.
Frankfurt is better organized but still huge, some gates may be 15 minutes distant just walking; or some little planes from minor airports (say, Florence) may end parked very distant from the terminal and a lot of time is spent bussing around. In most other airports an hour should be enough, if the incoming airplane is not delayed - a big if and your only protection is that if you have a single ticket the airline has to reroute you, but it is hardly convenient.
You know, prior to the Logan-Milan direct flights that start in May (YAY- FINALLY) we’d look at all the variables and think that an hour to transit through CDG won’t be enough and yet there we were at the gate with 20 minutes to spare. The great thing about transiting through European airports, if it’s on one ticket, is that if you miss your flight, or if it’s canceled, according EU law they must put you on the next flight because it’s their fault you missed your connection, whether directly or indirectly, unlike in the USA where it’s a “you fly at your own risk and we’re not liable for anything”. Same for lost baggage. In the USA good luck getting an airline to pay for your lost or damaged baggage. In the EU you can get reimbursed for your lost valuables.
Two hours is a minimum. Less only works if you have no checked bags and can run if necessary to get between gates.
