I am flying to Amsterdam from a west coast state and have a connecting flight in Atlanta. Do I need to go through customs before my flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam? I only have a 2 hour layover so I am worried about time. I thought you don’t go through customs when leaving the country but I am not sure. Thanks
The US doesn’t have exit controls and there’s no pre-clearance like in Schengen countries, at least not in any US airport I know of.
You’ll go through customs and immigration in the Netherlands.
Atlanta is set up for layovers, you should have plenty of time. Just make sure to use their internal train system if you need to switch terminals.
No, you don’t go through customs.
A 2-hour layover should be fine, but of course, that depends on your first flight being on time.
Funny story (Well, I think it’s funny now)
I flew from Johannesburg to New York with a stop in Rome.
When I got off the plane in Rome, one of the Alitalia employees saw my flight time to New York, grabbed me, and took off running.
The gate I needed was really far from where I arrived in the Rome airport.
We made it, but it was close.
Since that day, I always give myself extra time between flights.
@Arielle
That sounds funny, but it’s hard to believe it was Alitalia. That airline was the worst I ever flew on. They lost my bag for five days.
Blue said:
@Arielle
That sounds funny, but it’s hard to believe it was Alitalia. That airline was the worst I ever flew on. They lost my bag for five days.
I flew Alitalia both ways and didn’t have any problems.
Nope.
Oak said:
Nope.
Would you say a two hour layover is enough time? My flight lands at 4pm and my next flight takes off at 6pm.
Oak said:
Nope.
Would you say a two hour layover is enough time? My flight lands at 4pm and my next flight takes off at 6pm.
Yes.
Oak said:
Nope.
Would you say a two hour layover is enough time? My flight lands at 4pm and my next flight takes off at 6pm.
There is no passport control either. They just check it at the gate.
@Oak
I agree, you’ll likely need to report to the gate for a document check. If you’re a US citizen, just make sure your passport is signed.
West said:
@Oak
I agree, you’ll likely need to report to the gate for a document check. If you’re a US citizen, just make sure your passport is signed.
They will check your documents at check-in.
Oak said:
Nope.
Would you say a two hour layover is enough time? My flight lands at 4pm and my next flight takes off at 6pm.
So with your flight landing at 4 and departing at 6, that’s really about a one hour layover. You should be able to get through ATL in under an hour and still have time for a restroom break or snacks if needed.
Assuming there are no delays.
Oak said:
Nope.
Would you say a two hour layover is enough time? My flight lands at 4pm and my next flight takes off at 6pm.
Are you able Bodied? That can really impact whether you make your connection or not, aside from any delays.
If you didn’t book separate tickets, the airline expects that most people can make the transfer, otherwise they wouldn’t set it up that way. If possible, try to sit closer to the front on your first flight.
Oak said:
Nope.
Would you say a two hour layover is enough time? My flight lands at 4pm and my next flight takes off at 6pm.
I would be comfortable booking this and I do not walk fast. Just head straight to the departure gate when you arrive in ATL. You need to be at the gate by 5:30, but that should be enough time unless you have physical limitations or are traveling with kids or something like that.
Oak said:
Nope.
Would you say a two hour layover is enough time? My flight lands at 4pm and my next flight takes off at 6pm.
You’ll have plenty of time. Even if your inbound flight is a little late, ATL is large but getting around is easy with the trams.
You will have your documents checked either at the check-in counter or the gate, but that’s just for the airline’s assurance that you can enter your final destination. There are no exit controls when you leave the US. You just go through the usual security and boarding process like a domestic flight.
If you booked the entire trip on one ticket with the same airline (even if it’s operated by different airlines), they won’t let you book a ticket with a connection that’s impossible. If your first flight is delayed, they’ll help you get to your destination eventually. If your plans are flexible enough, don’t stress about it. If you absolutely need to arrive on time, consider changing to an earlier first flight for extra safety, but things will probably go smoothly.
If you booked from ATL to Amsterdam separately, you might want to give yourself extra time (especially if you have to exit security to check in again). They won’t have any obligation to help you if you miss your second flight because of a delay.
No, as others said. The US doesn’t have exit controls. You’ll go through customs and immigration when you get to the Netherlands.
When is your trip? I noticed nobody mentioned this, so I thought I should. The ETIAS requirement for visa-exempt travelers to many European countries, including the Netherlands, is expected to start in mid 2025. Keep an eye on it. Once it’s officially launched, you’ll need to apply before you travel if it starts before your trip. This applies if you are a US citizen or from one of about 60 visa-exempt countries.
You can read about it here. I don’t think it will be a big deal personally (unless you have a criminal history, but that’s a different story). The US version, ESTA, has been around for a long time.
ETIAS - European Union
Have you ever been to Amsterdam before? I lived there and worked for 2 years, so if you want recommendations or anything, feel free to ask!
Customs is there to check goods and collect tariffs for items coming in or out of a country. For passengers on commercial flights, this check is done only when you enter a country, not when you leave.
Charlie said:
Customs is there to check goods and collect tariffs for items coming in or out of a country. For passengers on commercial flights, this check is done only when you enter a country, not when you leave.
Exactly. If people understood what customs actually was, asking if you clear it while leaving a country wouldn’t make sense.
@Shellymarsh
It’s not nonsensical because some countries do have customs checks for leaving. For example, in Jordan, you go through customs first, then immigration and security after (I can’t remember the exact order). They even open bags and ask questions about items. It’s not a one-time thing, there’s a customs desk for passengers. Random checks can happen too. The US CBP checks outbound travelers for compliance with currency laws sometimes. This usually happens at the gate and takes a few minutes, but they can still do that with anyone.