connecting planes

[kerstfan1]

can some tell me if 4 hours is enough in chicago, philidelphia or washington dulles to a domestic flight from an intercontinal flight

 

[sam_gordon]

can some tell me if 4 hours is enough in chicago, philidelphia or washington dulles to a domestic flight from an intercontinal flight

While I have no practical experience with it, I'd be surprised if it wasn't enough time.

 

[DebbieB]

1 hour or more is enough.

 

[OKW Lover]

can some tell me if 4 hours is enough in chicago, philidelphia or washington dulles to a domestic flight from an intercontinal flight

Your airline is probably the best source of this information but I would be surprised if 4 hours was not enough.

 

[JessM]

4 hours should be plenty, too much imo. Philly especially isn't the best airport to be stuck waiting around in.

 

[OKW Lover]

1 hour or more is enough.

Not sure this would be the case for the OP. They are connecting from an international flight and presumably have to clear customs/immigration when they land.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

1 hour or more is enough.

Nope. It can take an hour to clear customs. I would recommend no less then 2 hours.

OP has plenty of time

 

[Sandi]

For an international flyer, you'd need at least two hours between flights for Chicago. I just flew through Chicago last week on business and the trams weren't operational for either my outbound or inbound flight. The walk from and to the concourses/gates was about 40 minutes and I was moving (I'm not counting the time I waited in a long line for Garrett's popcorn). Add onto that going through customs and you'd need a good 2 or more hours. I would think 4 hours would be plenty of time at Chicago O'Hare. Not sure about the other airports identified (although Dulles has also had tram issues whenever I've been there -- but it's been my destination, so wasn't trying to make a connection).

 

[kerstfan1]

Ty i cant book the flights yet but ty for the advise that 4 hours should be oke

 

[rwdavis2]

4 hours should be fine at Dulles.

 

[hops&dreams]

For an international flyer, you'd need at least two hours between flights for Chicago. I just flew through Chicago last week on business and the trams weren't operational for either my outbound or inbound flight. The walk from and to the concourses/gates was about 40 minutes and I was moving (I'm not counting the time I waited in a long line for Garrett's popcorn). Add onto that going through customs and you'd need a good 2 or more hours. I would think 4 hours would be plenty of time at Chicago O'Hare. Not sure about the other airports identified (although Dulles has also had tram issues whenever I've been there -- but it's been my destination, so wasn't trying to make a connection).

mmmm... Garrett's popcorn... YUM! Any line is worth it if there's Garrett's Chicago Mix (cheese/carmel corn) at the end of it!!! I've stood outside in the show down 2 store fronts for some of that... it's like a little bit of home (i'm originally from chicago).

OP - I'd give it at least 2 hours for customs in Chicago. O'hare is a large airport too, so have good walking shoes on. If you end up with too much time, there are plenty of good restaurants to wile the time away... If you like craft beer, check out Goose Island. There's a Rick Bayless restaurant (frontera?) , some good hot dog stands (Vienna? Get a Chicago style dog), some good pizza places (Chicago Style pizza - yum!), Eli's for delicious local cheesecake... Can you tell I used to spend a lot of time in that airport? Our international flights to japan always got delayed!!!

 

[DebbieB]

Not sure this would be the case for the OP. They are connecting from an international flight and presumably have to clear customs/immigration when they land.

I misunderstood "intercontinental", I was thinking across the country (transcontinental). I went through customs at Dulles coming back from India, it did take awhile. I would allow at least 2 or 3 hours.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Four hours seems to be enough time between an international and domestic flight. This is allowing two hours for customs and another hour to go between terminals.

However, among these three airports, is there one that you would have to leave the secured area and go through security again?

 

[kerstfan1]

Ty all

 

[DebbieB]

Four hours seems to be enough time between an international and domestic flight. This is allowing two hours for customs and another hour to go between terminals.

However, among these three airports, is there one that you would have to leave the secured area and go through security again?

I had to go through security again at Dulles. It was a separate security for people coming out of customs. I guess they didn't trust that the security you went through in a foreign country was OK.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I had to go through security again at Dulles. It was a separate security for people coming out of customs. I guess they didn't trust that the security you went through in a foreign country was OK.

Thanks, DebbieB. With that, I may be a little cautious, but I might not risk it at Washington Dulles then. I'd allow at least an hour for security. Worst case scenerio; you're right at the four hour mark.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have gone through passport control/immigration at Dulles many, many times and Chicago quite a few times as well. Even when it's crowded, you should make it through in an hour or less. If your international flight arrives on time, you'll have several hours to hang at your gate before your next flight. Personally, I'd be comfortable with a 2 hour connection, even without using Global Entry (which I have).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Forgot to add, the international arrivals section at Dulles was redone and it's pretty efficient now.

 

[DebbieB]

I have gone through passport control/immigration at Dulles many, many times and Chicago quite a few times as well. Even when it's crowded, you should make it through in an hour or less. If your international flight arrives on time, you'll have several hours to hang at your gate before your next flight. Personally, I'd be comfortable with a 2 hour connection, even without using Global Entry (which I have).

I agree. The security after customs was short, it was only for people coming out of customs, after you dropped off your checked luggage on the belt (you had to pick it up and carry it through customs).

 

[LadyBeBop]

I agree. The security after customs was short, it was only for people coming out of customs, after you dropped off your checked luggage on the belt (you had to pick it up and carry it through customs).

So security after customs at Dulles differs from the regular security there?