Planning transit and onward travel with transfers

• The airport, station, terminal and transit country all affect how a transfer works.
• Luggage, checks and changing modes of transport take time between legs.
• Separate tickets may be subject to different provider conditions.
• Passport and entry requirements depend on nationality, route and transit country.
• Keep your accommodation address and contacts accessible until you arrive.

A travel plan starts with departure, the first transfer, the next leg and the final journey to the accommodation. For each leg, note the location, terminal or station, and arrival and departure times together. For every leg, plan the transfer, transfer point and route to the next mode of transport as part of arrival and transport.

A transfer involves getting off, making your way through the terminal, completing any required checks and boarding for the next leg. If you change airports, allow for the journey across town and your luggage. You may need a longer buffer when separate tickets or different modes of transport are involved. Allow extra time when travelling with children, older companions or a lot of luggage. A personal schedule should include enough time for long walks, checks, luggage and changing modes of transport.

International transit requirements depend on your passport, purpose of travel, airport and route. If you leave the transit area, collect your luggage or change airports, you may need to pass through border control and have the required entry documents. Keep your booking reference, address and onward travel contact details together with your entry documents and paperwork. Save your travel documents offline so that your address, booking details and contacts are available without an internet connection.

Border crossings between Belarus and Ukraine, as well as several crossings into Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, are closed. Ukraine’s civilian airspace is closed, and entry and exit are possible only by land.

EU citizens can travel to the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, with a passport or national identity card valid on the day of travel. Children also need their own valid travel document. The countries crossed in transit also matter for your route; the EU rules on travel documents set out these requirements.

With separate bookings, you may need to collect and recheck your luggage at the transfer point. Allow for check-in time, the walk to the baggage area and the return journey to the next checkpoint. When changing luggage, keep your passport, medication, booking details and items needed for the connection accessible; separate luggage and carry-on baggage according to the next leg and any checked bags.

A delay on the first leg may affect your next ticket, depending on the provider’s conditions. Booking references, contact details and an accessible means of payment make it easier to change your plans. With separate tickets, keep an alternative onward journey, an accessible means of payment and important contingency funds, contacts and a backup plan close at hand.

After arrival, the address, final connection and route to your first accommodation are all part of the same leg. Staying near your arrival point shortens the final journey; keep the address in the local script and as copyable text. For the journey, save accommodation details offline, along with useful words and addresses from language and communication.

A paper note with your accommodation and contact details is a simple backup. In case of loss or illness, keep the accommodation contact, emergency number and a reachable trusted person’s details close at hand; these details are part of staying safe while travelling. For your arrival, put practical travel information such as the address, route and an alternative connection in a personal list.

How much time do I need for a transfer?

It depends on the terminal, checks, luggage, connection and ticket. Changing airports, stations or modes of transport each involves its own journey.

What is the difference between separate tickets and a single booking?

Separate tickets may be treated independently. A delay on the first leg of your journey therefore does not automatically guarantee onward travel with another provider.

Yes.

Which documents are important for transit?

Your passport, the transit country’s entry requirements, ticket details and documents for your final destination should all be included in the same travel plan. Requirements depend on your specific route.