Travel Tip Tuesday: How Long Should Your Layover Really Be? ✈️
Here's something I see all the time: a traveler misses a connecting flight, and everyone assumes it was because of a delay.
Sometimes it was. But a lot of the time, the connection was just too tight from the beginning.
That 45-minute layover looked great when you booked it. Less time sitting in the airport, earlier arrival, maybe even a cheaper fare. But on travel day, those 45 minutes disappear fast.
My rule of thumb for layovers
⏱️ Domestic connection: aim for at least 90 minutes
🌍 International connection: give yourself 2+ hours when possible
Could you make a shorter layover work? Maybe. Airlines do sell shorter connections, and plenty of people make them just fine.
But "you can make it" and "you can make it without sprinting through the terminal with a toddler and a carry-on" are two very different things. 😅
Why a little buffer matters
When you're planning connection time, think about everything that can happen between landing and your next flight:
Delays. Even a 20-minute late departure can eat up half of a tight layover.
Gate changes. Your next flight could move to the other end of the terminal (or a different terminal completely).
Airport size. Getting between gates at a big hub airport can take a lot longer than you'd expect, especially if you need a train or shuttle.
Customs and security. On international trips you may need to clear customs, grab your bags, re-check them, and go back through security before your next flight.
Deplaning. If you're sitting near the back, it can take a while just to get off the plane.
Real life. Bathroom breaks, diaper changes, snacks, strollers, bags, and the general chaos of travel day.
A little extra time gives you room to breathe. And a calm start sets the tone for the whole trip.
Extra tips for smoother connections
Book your connection on one ticket when you can. If your flights are on the same reservation and you miss a connection because of a delay, the airline is generally responsible for getting you rebooked. If you book two separate tickets and miss the second flight, you could be on your own.
Take the first flight of the day when possible. Early flights are often less likely to be affected by delays that build up throughout the day.
Download your airline's app. You'll get gate changes and delay alerts in real time, and it's often the fastest way to rebook if something goes wrong.
Traveling with kids? Add more time. Little legs walk slower, and someone will always need the bathroom right as boarding starts. Build that in.
Consider a direct flight. Sometimes paying a little more for a nonstop is worth it for the peace of mind, especially at the start of a vacation.
This is where a travel advisor helps
When I plan a trip for my clients, I don't just look at the cheapest or fastest flight. I look at the whole travel day. How long is the connection? How big is that airport? Are you traveling with little ones? Is this the first day of a Disney trip where you have dinner reservations waiting?
A missed connection can mean a missed dinner, a missed park day, or a missed cruise departure. A little buffer up front can save the whole trip.
Ready to plan a smoother trip?
Whether you're headed to Disney, a cruise, or somewhere new, I'd love to help you plan a trip that starts off stress-free.
Fill out my travel inquiry form here and let's start planning. 🤍
xoxo,
Katie