How long should the layover be? (entering the US with a visa)

[hir0 49]

Hi,

I'm purchasing my flight ticket to travel to the US, with my K1 visa and I was wondering how long my layover should be?

I've been a little through the reviews and it seems like for some it's pretty quick and for others it’s long.

Since missing a connection because of the customs doesn’t allow me to get a new ticket, I’d rather avoid missing it (some planes tend to have serious layovers especially December/January which shortens the layover time considerably -- I was stuck in Minneapolis for a couple of hours past January due to the snow storms).

Also, have you ever been through Chicago or Dallas?

How are the customs there? (full, very full, okay full lol)

Thank you

[kzielu 1,144]

I'd say 2 hrs minimum. If your whole reservation is on one ticket,if you miss it you will get re-booked on next available flight.

[hir0 49]

I'd say 2 hrs minimum. If your whole reservation is on one ticket,if you miss it you will get re-booked on next available flight.

Thank you,

if the plane is not late and I miss it because it took me longer at the customs I will have to purchase a new ticket >.<

[bowens44 213]

I went thru Chicago and it was a nightmare . Took me , a US citizen over an hour and the line for non-citizens was moving much slower.

[hir0 49]

I went thru Chicago and it was a nightmare . Took me , a US citizen over an hour and the line for non-citizens was moving much slower.

Thank you !!! This helps me a lot already

[Beautifulday 16]

Thank you,

if the plane is not late and I miss it because it took me longer at the customs I will have to purchase a new ticket >.<

are you sure?

you worried me a little now because I am landing at the Chicago O'Hare pretty soon and my layover IS 2 HOURS,lol.

[kzielu 1,144]

Thank you,

if the plane is not late and I miss it because it took me longer at the customs I will have to purchase a new ticket >.<

Again - if it's single reservation, most of time you won't have to buy a new ticket.

[hir0 49]

are you sure?

you worried me a little now because I am landing at the Chicago O'Hare pretty soon and my layover IS 2 HOURS,lol.

Ask the company you are travelling with to be sure.

I called BritishAirways for my reservation & I asked what if I miss my connecting flight because there are too many people at the customs? & he said unless the plane landed late, I would have to purchase a new ticket. If the plane is late tho, I will get a new ticket for free.

I missed a couple flights in the US (especially with US Airways! and even with a 2h layover I would have missed my flight in Philly -- TOO many people!! I connected 3x already through PHL and it was the first time it was that full)

So far, JFK is the worst to me.

However I do believe they could still give us a flight… we once arrived late at the airport & they gave us new tickets free of charge.

Delta & KLM are pretty flexible & I’m pretty sure they’d directly give you a new ticket J

[hir0 49]

Again - if it's single reservation, most of time you won't have to buy a new ticket.

It was for a single ticket ^^ I always book just 1ticket, helps me feel more secure.

Thank you very much for your helps

[TBoneTX 43,002]

Four or more hours is safest. Three hours is cutting things close. Two hours is unrealistic.

Remember that besides clearing Immigration and clearing Customs, you might have to claim your luggage and recheck it on your connecting flight.

Flights can be late, there can be weather delays, your luggage might be misrouted, etc. Take no chances.

Edited October 13, 2014 by TBoneTX

[hir0 49]

Four or more hours is safest. Three hours is cutting things close. Two hours is unrealistic.

Remember that besides clearing Immigration and clearing Customs, you might have to claim your luggage and recheck it on your connecting flight.

Flights can be late, there can be weather delays, your luggage might be misrouted, etc. Take no chances,

THANK YOU !!!

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I had the choice of a one hour or a six hour layover when I immigrated, obviously chose the six hour which was a pain but I was totally relaxed on the first flight and not stressed about my connection. I agree with TBone, three or more hours are good especially in winter.

[hir0 49]

Peace of mind when travelling is precious!

Thank you, I'll leave the 3h30 stop in Chicago & take the 6h layover in Dallas or Cincinnati (I forgot xD)

Thank you all for your help

[kzielu 1,144]

Peace of mind when travelling is precious!

Thank you, I'll leave the 3h30 stop in Chicago & take the 6h layover in Dallas or Cincinnati (I forgot xD)

Thank you all for your help

Well, strongly advise against 6hrs in Cincinnati. Since I live there and fly through this airport several times a year - it sees very little international traffic nowadays (used to be 2nd largest Delta hub after Atlanta back in 2001) and getting through CBP typically takes me 2-3 minutes (assuming you take DL229 flight from CDG which is only one from Europe directly into CVG), within 20-30 mins I am in my car driving home on I-275....

6hrs - you'll be bored to death there.

And if you are taking DL229 and flying further with Delta, I would target short layover at CVG - all concourse B Delta gates are within 10 mins walk from each other and even if you miss connection by being delayed at CBP inspection - they will reschedule you (have more than 300k miles flown with DL so kind of experienced).

Edited October 13, 2014 by kzielu

[annem 15]

I once had a layover in Chicago. It was last year - a few days before Christmas - and claiming my luggage and going through security there was really fast... there was no queue. Maybe I was lucky, but I would advise you plan a a few hours for the layover just to be sure.

What is your final destination?