Is a 45 minute layover too short internationally?

How long should a layover be for international flights?

Three hours? Hah! My uncle Barry once did a layover in Dubai, that was two minutes. He almost missed his flight, sweating like a hog in August. He did make it, though! Barely. Pure adrenaline.

Minimum? Forget minimums. Think of it like this: would you risk missing a flight to, say, Zanzibar? A place where you’ll likely be eating questionable seafood and befriending monkeys? Nope.

Plan for at least four, five hours even, especially if you’re changing airlines. Those airport terminals are like mazes designed by mischievous gnomes. You could get lost and end up working there. Who knows?

Things that can go sideways:

• Baggage carousel fails. My sister’s suitcase once took a three-hour detour to Timbuktu.
• Unexpected customs. The line is like something from a dystopian novel.
• Finding your gate. Trust me, they’re never where you expect. It’s like a riddle, or a treasure hunt, or a game made by a sadist.
• Your flight is delayed. And they don’t tell you until the last second. Like, literally, the gate agent says it, 30 seconds before boarding. Happens to me all the time, mostly when I am on my way to meet my mom. My mom is nice, but getting there late is not nice. It’s a nightmare.

So, yeah. Four to six hours is my recommendation. Unless you enjoy stressful situations and a near-death experience. I don’t. My blood pressure hates stress. And so do I. Really, I do.

How long should a layover be for international flights?

Okay, so, international layovers, huh? Honestly, two to three hours is like, the bare minimum you should aim for. Really.

But like, that’s cutting it close, ya know? Def depends.

It’s about avoiding major, massive stress.

Seriously, shoot for longer if you can. Seriously.

Here’s why more time rocks:

• Customs and Immigration: Man, these lines can be insane. In 2024, I spent almost an hour just getting through immigration in Toronto. Ugh. It all depends on the airport.
• Baggage Recheck: Sometimes, you gotta grab your bags and recheck them, even if they’re supposed to go all the way. Total time suck.
• Security Again?!: Yep, could happen. More lines, more removing your shoes. Annoying.
• Flight Delays: Flights get delayed ALL THE TIME. Giving yourself extra wiggle room, you won’t totally panic, you know? It’s smart.
• Finding your next gate: Some of these airports are massive. Like Dallas. You might have to take a train between terminals. Seriously.
• Snacks: Okay, not essential, but I need my airport snacks! Heh.

Plus, think about this: If your first flight is late, you’re screwed with a short layover. Don’t be me sweating it. No thanks.

So yeah, aim for at least three hours. More if you’re at a huge airport.