As a US citizen coming back to the states from Europe, how long should I estimate to clear customs and immigration and get to my connecting flight (since I have to go back through security again). I am considering buying a ticket, but the connecting time is 2 hours 50 minutes and I am not sure that is enough. I'll be arriving at Dulles. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Kristie
Posted by
2081 posts
Kristi,
The TSA works in mysterious ways.
On my trip to Europe last fall, i had spent less time thu customs/immigrations in Europe than i did back @ PDX. It took me 1.5 hours to get thru PDX. I dont think its ever taken that long.
I decided to try the Global Entry route since i plan on traveling outside the USA once per year.
happy trails.
Posted by
OP
Knoxville, TN, USA
189 posts
Ray, do you think 3 hours is enough time? How much is the global entry program? Do you know if the interviews take place in your hometown?
Kristie
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16057 posts
2 hrs and 50 minutes is long enough. How long do you want to be in Dulles?
Actually more than the TSA security, it is the immigration and the customs that takes longer, especially if you have to clear checked baggage (which you must retrieve after immigration but before customs) in case your checked baggage is one of the last ones to appear on the carousel. Immediately after customs remember that you need to re-check your luggage to the final destination (generally you just hand it back to one of the many baggage handlers just past customs). That is why I like SFO (my home airport) to be my first port of entry in the US.
If you travel with carry on only, it will be faster, because you don't have to wait for your luggage at the carousel and you can go straight through customs right after immigration.
Also as you deplane try to walk faster to be one of the first in line at the US Immigration desk (use the restroom before landing). You could also try to trip some of your fellow passengers who try to run faster than you if you want (whatever works! you'll never see them again so you don't have to be nice to them)
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8972 posts
Kristie, the interviews are in some but not all major cities - a list is on the website. $100 fee to apply. I wouldn't do it for one flight.
Posted by
PA
2858 posts
This should be enough time, but depending on when you come in the wait at Immigration can be frustratingly long. At my "home" airport, PHL, a ton of international flights seem to come in between 3 and 4 PM, and the lines become enormous at Immigration then. We did fly into Dulles once and don't remember it being an issue - but we did need to connect and their TSA screening was terrible - we lost well over 1/2 an hour from security alone, since my metal hips are a no-no, and they wouldn't do anything with me until they had someone come and first deal with the 90+ year-old woman in a wheel chair ahead of me (not making this one up)that they were making wait for even longer.
Posted by
2081 posts
@ kristie,
Ray, do you think 3 hours is enough time?
I personally dont know. I would assume so. I usually plan for 2 hours traveling internationally to get thru all of the red tape. But im on the conservative side. Again, i was surprised how long it took for me to get thru PDX at home.
How much is the global entry program?
Its 100 USD for 4 or 5 years. i forget. But i see it as 20 ish buck per year.
If youre not going to travel anymore, then its not worth it. I just did it to try and see how well it works for me.
Do you know if the interviews take place in your hometown?
If they have an office setup. There is a listing of where they do the inteviews. Im guessing that if there is an international airport near you, it has an office. but, again, im guessing.
Happy trails.