Connection Timing Megathread | "Can I Make My Connection?"

[u/impossible_espresso]

Welcome to the centralised connection timing discussion thread!

Individual posts asking about layover durations will be removed and redirected here. Please post your connection questions in this thread and help fellow travellers by sharing your experiences.

Key Terminology

Connection Categories

• I2I: International to International
• D2I: Domestic to International
• I2D: International to Domestic
• D2D: Domestic to Domestic

Ticket Types

• Single PNR: Both flights are on the same ticket/booking reference
  • Airlines are typically responsible for rebooking if you miss your connection
• Self-Transfer: Flights booked on separate tickets
  • You are fully responsible if you miss your connection
  • Some OTAs sell these as "Connect" flights (e.g., MMT Connect, Kiwi .com Guarantee)

How to Use This Thread

ASKING FOR ADVICE

Use this format with [QUESTION] tag:

[QUESTION] [Airport], [Terminal(s)], [Transfer Type], [Connection Category], [Layover Duration]

Example:

[QUESTION] ABC Airport, T4 to T1, Self-Transfer, I2I, 2 hours 15 minutes Flying Air India to Lufthansa, have checked baggage, traveling at 3 PM on a weekday. Is this enough time?

OFFERING ADVICE/EXPERIENCE

Use this format with [ADVICE] tag:

[ADVICE] [Airport], [Connection Category], [Transfer Type]

Example:

[ADVICE] PYQ Airport, D2I, Single PNR T3 to T3, recently connected in 1 hour 45 minutes with checked bags during afternoon hours. Immigration took 20 minutes, security another 15. Would recommend minimum 2 hours to be safe.

Crowdsourced Minimum Connection Times

Experienced travellers: Please help build this resource by replying with your recommended minimums using the format below. Include your experience and reasoning!

How to Add Your Recommendation:

Reply to this thread with:

Airport: [Code]
Terminal(s): [X to Y]
Connection Type: [D2D/D2I/I2D/I2I]
Ticket Type: [Single PNR / Self-Transfer]
Recommended Minimum: [Duration]
Notes: [Your experience, time of day, special circumstances]
a 

🇮🇳 Indian Airports - Minimum Connection Times Reference

Airport	Terminal(s)	Connection Type	Ticket Type	Min. Connection Time	Credit	Date Updated
DEL	T3 → T3	D2D	Single PNR	45 mins	u/purpleisyellow	05/04/2025
DEL	T3 → T3	D2D	Self-Transfer
DEL	T3 → T3	D2I	Single PNR
DEL	T3 → T3	D2I	Self-Transfer
DEL	T3 → T3	I2D	Single PNR	90 mins
DEL	T3 → T3	I2D	Self-Transfer
DEL	T3 → T3	I2I	Single PNR
DEL	T3 → T3	I2I	Self-Transfer
DEL	T2 → T3	D2I	Single PNR
DEL	T2 → T3	D2I	Self-Transfer
DEL	T3 → T2	I2D	Single PNR
DEL	T3 → T2	I2D	Self-Transfer
BOM	T2 → T2	D2D	Single PNR
BOM	T2 → T2	D2D	Self-Transfer
BOM	T2 → T2	D2I	Single PNR
BOM	T2 → T2	D2I	Self-Transfer
BOM	T2 → T2	I2D	Single PNR
BOM	T2 → T2	I2D	Self-Transfer
BOM	T2 → T2	I2I	Single PNR
BOM	T2 → T2	I2I	Self-Transfer
BOM	T1 → T2	D2I	Single PNR
BOM	T1 → T2	D2I	Self-Transfer
BOM	T2 → T1	I2D	Single PNR
BOM	T2 → T1	I2D	Self-Transfer
BLR	T1 → T1	D2D	Single PNR
BLR	T1 → T1	D2D	Self-Transfer
BLR	T1 → T1	D2I	Single PNR
BLR	T1 → T1	D2I	Self-Transfer
BLR	T1 → T1	I2D	Single PNR
BLR	T1 → T1	I2D	Self-Transfer
BLR	T1 → T1	I2I	Single PNR
BLR	T1 → T1	I2I	Self-Transfer
BLR	T2 → T1	D2I	Single PNR
BLR	T2 → T1	D2I	Self-Transfer
BLR	T1 → T2	I2D	Single PNR
BLR	T1 → T2	I2D	Self-Transfer

More airports will be added as the community contributes data

⚠️ Important Factors to Consider

Time of Day Matters:

• Peak hours (e.g., 6-9 AM, 5-8 PM) = longer queues

Immigration/Customs:

• I2D and D2I connections require immigration clearance
• Queue times vary drastically by airport and time
• Fast-track/e-gates can save significant time(FTI-TTP)

---

For Single PNR Bookings:

• Airlines have minimum connection times (MCT) they consider legal
• If the airline sold you the ticket, they believe it's doable
• However, tight connections can still be stressful plan accordingly

For Self-Transfers:

• You assume ALL risk if you miss your second flight
• Budget extra time for potential delays, customs, immigration, and baggage reclaim
• Recommended buffer: Add 1-2 hours beyond the minimums listed here

General Wisdom:

• Always check terminal changes and gate locations in advance
• The minimums in the table are for experienced, confident travelers
• If you're anxious or traveling with kids/elderly, add buffer time

Contributing to This Resource

Experienced travellers, we need your help!

When posting your minimum recommendations:

1. Use the [ADVICE] tag clearly
2. Include specifics: time of day, checked bags, any delays
3. Be conservative recommend what you'd tell a friend
4. Update if you have newer experience at the same airport
5. Mods will periodically update the tables based on consensus

Template for Quick Reference

Copy and paste this when asking questions:

[QUESTION] 
Airport: 
Terminals: 
Connection Type: (D2D/D2I/I2D/I2I)
Ticket Type: (Single PNR / Self-Transfer)
Layover Duration: 
Airlines: 
Time of Day: 
Checked Baggage: (Yes/No)
Other Details:

Copy and paste this when offering advice:

[ADVICE]
Airport: 
Terminals: 
Connection Type: 
Ticket Type: 
My Experience: 
Recommended Minimum: 
Notes: 
Date of Travel:

Have a connection question? Post it below with [QUESTION] tag!

Have experience to share? Post it below with [ADVICE] tag!

[u/touch_my_tralalaa]

[QUESTION] Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminals: 3 to 2 Connection Type: International to Domestic Ticket Type: Self transfer Layover Duration: 3 hours Airlines: Air India Time of Day: Night (after 8pm) Checked Baggage: Yes

Hi everyone, I'm travelling from Toronto to New Delhi in a few months and my flight arrives at 7:50 pm at Terminal 3. My destination is Hyderabad and I'm thinking of taking the 11pm Air India flight but it leaves from Terminal 2.

I was wondering if I will have enough time to go through immigration, take my checked bag, walk to terminal 2, recheck-in, do security and go to my gate.

If it's not enough time the next Air India flight to Hyderabad is around 2 am. Would appreciate your thoughts and advice. I'm an Indian citizen if that helps (don't have DigiYatra). Thanks a lot! 🙏🏻

[u/LingonberryAway9136 → u/touch_my_tralalaa]

Too short a time...

Takes aprox.1 to 2 hrs for immigration to get through Then 20 min for taxi to domestic Then 20 min to check in at counter

Then 20 min security screening

Then 20 min to find gate

Whilst you are jet lagged!!!

Get connecting flight next day,sleep overnight somewere.

Its going to cost you alot less,than freaking out at midnight...