International Flights and Customs

I flew to Italy last year with my (then) 2 year old son and I can't remember, but I think the outbound flight was no problem; it's just inbound that you go through customs. The time it takes for that really depends on the airport - how busy it is, how many international flights take off, etc. Just bring a passport! Even the kiddo had to have one.

Yes.
3 hours ahead of time.

Traveling internationally... going through customs etc., takes time. And yes, security.
Going and arriving back to the US.

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Hi Catsplus2-

I flew internationally out of Chicago two weeks ago. For O'Hare (notorious nightmare) we were there 2 hours and 45 minutes with 2 adults and a very well-behaved 11 year old and we didn't have extra time to "lounge". I would have been rushed had we gotten there any later.

But it depends on your airport. 10 years ago I flew out of Oklahoma City to London Heathrow and I got to the airport (not on purpose) 45 min before my flight. But that's a smaller airport and there was almost no one there at 6am, so we didn't have any problems. It was just me and 1 other adult - no kids, so that makes it quicker. And we followed all the "rules" so it was pretty quick to check in and get through security.

A couple things....

1. Find out which terminal you fly out of - for many international flights if you are on a domestic carrier you won't go out of the international terminal (we did, but my mom flew internationally to Mexico the month before and flew out of the regular terminal on United). If you are flying out of Sky Harbor I don't think there is an "international terminal", so it would just be the regular terminal for your airline.

2. Boarding for your flight will be no different than any domestic flight - you want to leave the extra time because many times international flights are larger, so there are more people and it takes longer. Also, many times you have visitors returning to their country with extra forms (VAT /tax refunds etc) which will also take longer.

3. As another mom said you have to have your passport. This will be for ALL travelers, including children (and infants). And typically your passport has to be valid for travel in the next 6 months (can't expire before then).

4. Security is the same security you would go through for a domestic flight - no difference, even if you are at an international terminal. When you arrive in Canada you will have to go through customs - they will give you paperwork to fill out on the plane. Depending on how old your kids are they will have to answer for themselves to the customs agent (which can add time on that end) - just basic questions... how old are you, where do you live.... that sort of thing. Although the guy in Bali did ask my 11 year old if she's been sick with the sniffles at all in the past month. Luckily she knew to answer no!!!!

5. You will also go through customs on the way back when you re-enter the USA. You'll get your forms on the plane to fill out and turn into customs agents when you land.

I've only driven to Canada - never flown - but the border patrol is pretty nice to Americans, so you shouldn't get too much static from them.

Have a fun trip!

Check with your airport(s) -both coming and going- because the ahead of time changes periodically. I've had as little as '2 hours', and as much as 6. Some flights will automatically drop you from the flight if you aren't checked it (before security, the very first in-person or e-check in) x hours ahead of time, others won't until 15 minutes before departure. ((I've been bumped because we were only 4 hours ahead, and that day's check in time was 5 hours. Ha. And we thought we were an hour 'early' because the day before the notice had been 3 hours.))

So check with the airports in advance AND day of.

I've found security to be wildly different. Sometimes it's so easy my head spins, and sometimes it's such a nightmare my head spins. (lol...obviously for very different reasons!). I've whisked through and I've creeped.

Showing up at an 'off' time helps with security. When the airport says 3 hours, they get MOBBED exactly 3 hours before every flight. Go for 3.5.

Yes, I would give yourself that much time, especially if you have kids. Have a great time!

I would allow the extra time, although probably not needed , but you are going through customs and extra security.

Just do it. Have a little extra time for a treat maybe and much less stress.

It depends on the airport. It varies country to country and airport to airport. Dulles is a pain in the butt. Heathrow was great.

I would give yourself more time than you think. We got to Heathrow 2 hours ahead and got stuck in the slowest baggage check line ever and if we had not literally RUN through the airport, we would have missed our flight. That stank. I will never again travel with my family on that short of a timeframe for an international flight. It was much better when we got through on the first leg and had to wait but could relax, get a snack, take a potty break, etc.

Also, airlines have different times you must be at the terminal. If you are not there for some 30 minutes ahead of departure, they may close the doors and depart without you. I got stuck in Florida that way once. And your bags may need to be checked an hour or more ahead of the flight or you may not see them at the other end. Ours were checked by the SKIN of our teeth at Heathrow because the woman was trying to print boarding passes first!

Put your kids' meds in ziplock in the front compartment so that you can show them. Don't have liquids you don't need. Don't leave liquids in sippy cups. I ended up drinking my DD's water just to get rid of it.

Customs is pretty easy. We had a line returning to the US from the UK but they didn't care about our souvenir t-shirts and trinkets. Unless you bring in non-commercially processed food or expensive items, you should be fine.