1.Undergo security screening after arrival
Due to the difference in security screening criteria between Japan and other countries, passengers who have already been screened in the country of departure will be required to undergo screening again when transiting in Japan except for some cases.
After getting off the airplane, proceed by following the "International Connecting Flights" guide sign. To prevent hijacking and other hazards, baggage inspection and body check are conducted.
For more information, please refer to the following article.
Security screening proceduresFor the peace of mind of all passengers, we request you to undergo security screening of yourself and your carry-on baggage. Here is an explanation on security screening procedures.
Why is security screening required for connecting flights?
2.Go to the departure terminal
If the terminal you arrived at is not the terminal you will depart from, please use a shuttle bus to travel between terminals.
Terminals for arrivals and departures differ from airline to airline. Please check at the following in advance.
You can check the terminals for the arrival and departure on the date of flight on the flight information page
Passengers arriving at Terminal 1
Shuttle buses are available at Bus Gates No. 28 and No. 59 to get to Terminal 2 (T2) and Terminal 3 (T3).
Traveling time
- T1→T2: Approx. 8 to 12 minutes
- T1→T3: Approx. 12 to 16 minutes
Please refer to the following timetables for bus operation times.
- Timetable for Bus Gate No. 28（PDF:542.66 KB）
- Timetable for Bus Gate No. 59（PDF:536.58 KB）
* Please be aware that shuttle buses to Terminal 3 only operate at certain times.
* Depending on the airline, you may not be able to use the shuttle bus when connecting due to the requirement going through the immigration procedures once. Please contact the airline you use for details.
You can search the location of the bus gate for the shuttle bus on the map.
Search Bus Gates No.28 and No. 59 at T1
Passengers arriving at Terminal 2
Shuttle buses are available at Bus Gates No. 70 and No. 80 to get to Terminal 1 (T1).
Shuttle buses are available at Bus Gate No. 70 to get to Terminal 3 (T3).
Traveling time
- T2→T1: Approx. 12 to 16 minutes
- T2→T3: Approx. 4 minutes
Please refer to the following timetables for bus operation times.
- Timetable for Bus Gate No. 70（PDF:534.19 KB）
- Timetable for Bus Gate No. 80（PDF:39.33 KB）
* Please be aware that shuttle buses to Terminal 3 only operate at certain times.
* Depending on the airline, you may not be able to use the shuttle bus when connecting due to the requirement going through the immigration procedures once. Please contact the airline you use for details.
You can search the location of the bus gate for the shuttle bus on the map.
T2,Bus Gates No.70 and No. 80 at T2
Passengers arriving at Terminal 3
Shuttle buses are available at the international connection bus gate to get to Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2).
Traveling time
- T3→T1: Approx. 24 to 28 minutes
- T3→T2: Approx. 12 minutes
Please refer to the following timetables for bus operation times.
Shuttle Bus Timetable for Terminal 3（PDF:381.54 KB）
* Please be aware that shuttle buses to Terminal 3 only operate at certain times.
You can search the location of the bus gate for the shuttle bus on the map.
3.Connection procedure
When you get to the departure terminal, please undergo the connection procedure.
Check your flight time and boarding gate on your boarding pass or a flight information board. Follow the directions to the boarding gate shown on the terminal displays. Please make sure you arrive at the boarding gate well in advance of the boarding announcement time. Be aware that sudden changes can occur and pay attention to announcements and check flight information displays.
* If you do not have a boarding pass, please contact the airline of your connecting flight.
You can check the latest flight information on the flight information page.
4.Points to note when connecting flights overnight
Aircraft can only operate between 06:00AM and 12:00AM at Narita Airport. Passengers cannot remain in the passenger terminals on the airside (before arrival procedures and after departure procedures) outside of those times.
Passengers transiting overnight must complete arrival immigration and customs procedures. Some passengers may need a visa at that time. If you are in unsure about this, please contact your airline or the Immigration Services Agency of Japan directly in advance
5.Going outside the airport during your waiting time
When connecting between international flights, passengers are not required to undergo immigration procedures if they are staying in the departure area (airside) until their next flight.
However, immigration procedures will be required if passengers wish to leave this area to meet a friend or to go outside the airport. In some cases, a visa may also be required. Please contact your airline or the Immigration Services Agency of Japan directly in advance, if you are unsure of the requirements.
6.While waiting for your connecting flight
We recommend the following services to passengers who wish to take a rest or go shopping.
Duty free shops and brand boutiques
Various other facilities and services are available. Check the following for further information.
FAQs
If you are on an international connecting flight, it is more likely that you will need to go through security again. This is because international airports often have separate terminals or concourses with their security checkpoints.
When you have a connecting international flight when do you go through customs? ›
Usually, you go through customs when you exit the airport at your final destination. However, if you have a layover in a different city in your destination country, you may need to go through customs before your connecting flight.
Do you have to pick up baggage between connecting flights international? ›
At the connecting airport, you will need to collect and re-check in your baggage. (Even if your final destination is printed on your baggage tag, it is still necessary to pick up your luggage.)
How do I board an international connecting flight? ›
Connection procedure
Follow the directions to the boarding gate shown on the terminal displays. Please make sure you arrive at the boarding gate well in advance of the boarding announcement time. Be aware that sudden changes can occur and pay attention to announcements and check flight information displays.
How much time is needed for connecting international flights? ›
Two to three hours is the minimum recommended time for an international layover, but more might be needed. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020.
What happens when you have an international connecting flight? ›
Most (but again, not all) airports connect international terminals airside. When you're connecting from an international flight to a domestic one, you'll always have to exit and reenter security as you'll need to go through customs and immigration (unless you have gone through preclearance aboard, which is rare).
How do customs work when flying internationally? ›
When traveling internationally on a nonstop flight, you only need to go through customs and immigration once. This will happen at your arrival airport. The same is true if you have a layover, as long as your travels are on a single ticket and your bags are checked to your final destination.
What is the procedure for international flights? ›
Domestic passengers should have an ID card (Aadhaar, driving licence, PAN, voter ID), while international passengers must have their passport. Tickets: Depending upon your airline's policy, bring a hard copy/soft copy of your air ticket. Boarding Pass: For seamless boarding, you must have your boarding pass.
How do international layovers work? ›
Layovers are common in international and domestic flights that connect between distant locations that may not have direct flights. During a layover, travellers must wait at the airport for their next flight. Many airports provide amenities like airport lounges where passengers can rest, eat and drink.
Is luggage automatically transferred on connecting flights? ›
When layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.
To make your connection, follow signs for AirTrain. You will need to reclear TSA security once you arrive in your departure terminal. For international arriving passengers, you must claim all checked bags at Customs and recheck with your departing airline, even if the bags are checked to your final destination!
Do I have to pick up my luggage on a connecting international flight ANA? ›
For customs, you will need to collect your baggage at the international flight arrival airport and check in the baggage again. Baggage can be checked in only when it is a same day connection.
Do I have to go through customs if I have an international connecting flight? ›
If you have booked international connecting flights, you will normally have to go through customs and immigration at the connecting airport. This is particularly true of the United States and Canada.
Is 1 hour layover enough for international connecting flight? ›
International flights require longer connections as you will often have to go through immigration and customs upon arrival. For international layover flights booked on one airline, two hours is often recommended to make your connection.
What happens if you miss a connecting international flight? ›
Often, when passengers can't make a connection, they're automatically re-booked on another flight, usually the next one for their specific destination.
Is there separate security for international flights? ›
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses additional security measures for all international flights to the U.S. They include screening with questioning of some or all travelers, as well as extra screening of larger electronic devices.
Do I have to check in again if my connecting flight is a different airline? ›
If you're transferring between domestic flights or between international and domestic flights, in most cases you'll need to collect your baggage, check in again and transfer your bags.
Do I have to go through security again for connecting international flight at Lax? ›
Do you have to go through TSA again for connecting flights? No, you do not. As long as you don't exit the security area, you are okay. Upon arrival from an international destination, you will need to recollect your luggage, go through customs and immigration, and then re-check your bags after you have been cleared.
Do I have to go through security again for connecting international flight at SFO? ›
Please note that arriving international passengers who are connecting to onward flights must go through the federal inspection process, exit and re-enter security. International flights that have been precleared are not required to undergo the federal inspection process or clear security again upon arrival.
