International flyer newbie Qs

[AlexandNessa]

Hi. I have never flown internationally with a connecting flight.

We have a flight that goes Newark - Heathrow - Barcelona.

Can someone please walk me through what we will have to do in Heathrow? I am assuming we will have to go through a custom's check before boarding the plane for BCN? Will we have to go through customs again in BCN?

Sorry. I really wanted a direct flight, but it just didn't work out that way. Now I just want to be prepared. Thanks for any help!

 

[librarygal]

You will not have to go through customs at Heathrow if you do not leave the airport. Just make your way to the connecting flight. Keep in mind that Heathrow is huge so allow plenty of time to make it to the next gate.

 

[crashbb]

Which airline/airlines are you flying?

 

[AlexandNessa]

No customs, that is good news. Perhaps it was security I was thinking of? Will we have to get our carry-ons rescreened?

Thanks for your help.


We are on Continental EWR-LHR and then British Airways LHR-BCN (bought on Continental.com).

 

[crashbb]

Okay, so it looks like you'll have to go from terminal 4 to terminal 3. I've not done that particular change before, but there is usually a bus that will take you between terminals that keeps you "airside", which means that you do not have to go through immigration/customs or security. Just follow the signs for connecting passengers (I think they are referred to as "in transit" on the signs - but all airports are slightly different and they blur together).

Sometimes (i.e. if I have a long stop), I'll go through customs/immigration, just so I don't have to stay "airside".

Here's a little map:

http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/terminals.html

I'll see if they have a more detailed map of the relevant terminals.

 

[crashbb]

Okay, so the signs will say "Flight Connections". And, you will go through security again. So, your carry-on luggage will be checked - this means that any liquid that you bought after security in EWR will be a problem.

This should help:

EDITED because DIS doesn't like tiny url thingies.

Try this page

 

[AlexandNessa]

Ohhh, the dreaded **** site.

Thank you for your help.

We have a 2 hrs 35 min layover. I'm a little concerned that is cutting it close, since Heathrow seems so huge. I suppose that if Continental is on time from EWR-LHR, we should be OK. But I tend to be the Calamity Jane of Travel.

 

[crashbb]

LHR suggests 90 minutes for your connection - you have an hour "buffer". Also, there are likely many flights between LHR and BCN, so even if you miss your connection, you should get to BCN without a huge amount of trouble (baring things like volcanic ash, of course).

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

My recollection too is that the sign refers to TRANSIT passengers.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Katy Belle]

Sometimes it takes FOREVER to get through Heathrow and some flights close their gates freakishly early ... so just make your way straight to the gate. If you get there with lots of extra time, then you can go shopping at Harrods! But make sure you locate your gate first.

Katy

 

[ccudmore]

Since both the UK and Spain are EU countries, I think you'll only go through customs upon arrival at Heathrow. No need for "in transit".

 

[crashbb]

Since both the UK and Spain are EU countries, I think you'll only go through customs upon arrival at Heathrow. No need for "in transit".

Although the UK is an EU country it it not a Schengen country - you go through customs when traveling between the UK and Spain. Thus, it is an "International" transfer.

Everyone on the LHR-BCN flight will be going through customs/immigration upon arrival at BCN, regardless of where they started their trip.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Ok, if I've got this straight, we will land in LHR at terminal 4 and need to get to terminal 3, taking a bus for in transit pax. And we will need to be rescreened in security. Then once we land in BCN, we will go through customs.

Thank you everyone!

 

[ccudmore]

Although the UK is an EU country it it not a Schengen country - you go through customs when traveling between the UK and Spain. Thus, it is an "International" transfer.

Everyone on the LHR-BCN flight will be going through customs/immigration upon arrival at BCN, regardless of where they started their trip.

Thanks very much for the clarification. That's really good information to know. I didn't realize there was a difference.

 

[crashbb]

Ok, if I've got this straight, we will land in LHR at terminal 4 and need to get to terminal 3, taking a bus for in transit pax. And we will need to be rescreened in security. Then once we land in BCN, we will go through customs.

Thank you everyone!

You got it!

To be totally nit-picky, you go through immigration in BCN before you go through customs. In many European airports, customs is a matter of going through the green (nothing to declare) or red (something to declare) door, so you may not even realise that you are clearing customs.

Thanks very much for the clarification. That's really good information to know. I didn't realize there was a difference.

No problem. It is a rather confusing system (EU, Schengen, EEC, etc - all overlapping but not totally the same). Had the OP been flying via France or Germany, for example, you'd have been right.