Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in Chicago?

If you arrive on an international flight (excluding those who have arrived from a preclearance airport), you must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checkpoints and claim all checked luggage before being allowed to enter the United States, including travelers with connecting flights.



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There are many factors that impact how long it may take travelers to complete the immigration and CBP process, but it is rare for it to take more than two hours. Passengers connecting to another location must recheck their luggage.

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If you were in the same terminal, it would be doable. Technically, you can walk between terminals without having to go outside of security. But it's still a long walk and I wouldn't feel comfortable with less than an hour to do so. My suggestion - since you won't be checking luggage - is to book the later flight.

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????Airport Transit System ?If connecting between domestic Terminals 1, 2 & 3, you DON'T have to leave the secured side and take the ATS, you can simply follow the overhead signage to guide you between all domestic terminals. ? To get between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1, 2 & 3, take the Airport Transit System? (ATS).

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Overall, passengers usually have to re-clear security for connecting flights, though there may be some exceptions depending on the airport and flight itinerary. To make this process easier, checking with the airline or airport ahead of time is recommended.

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All connecting passengers must go through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening.

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Transferring between an international and domestic flight is more complicated than a domestic-to-domestic connection. Here's what you're expected to encounter: If you checked a bag, you'll have to collect it from baggage claim from the international flight. You'll need to clear customs and immigration.

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You might have to go through customs during a layover, especially if your layover is in the Schengen Area (which consists of most countries in the EU). For example, if your final destination is Paris, France, but you have a layover in Madrid, Spain, you will actually go through customs in Spain, not France.

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If it is separate reservations you will have to claim and recheck your bags. If it is international coming into the US connecting to a domestic flight, it depends upon the airport. You will have to claim your bags and recheck them for all flights.

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The recommended layover time for domestic flights is normally one hour. However, as previously stated, you may require longer if your flights are booked with two different airlines, if you are traveling to a very busy airport or if you require special assistance.

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The terminals take between 10-20 minutes to walk between depending on your gate. If you're connecting internationally, you can take the shuttle to Terminal 5, which takes 10 minutes between the two farthest points.

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24 hour layover in Chicago On a long layover, you can really get to grips with the city. An overnight layover means a hotel stay, but it also means you can experience the city's nightlife and dining scene.

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Generally, the first three terminals are considered domestic terminals and are easily traversed. All three of these terminals are connected by pedestrian walkways, making them so much easier to cross than having to wait for transportation to take you to them.

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