Flying from San Diego to London, with a stop in SFO. Am I clearing customs in SD or SFO?
The stop in San Francisco is for a "plane change". The flight number does not change. I'm trying to avoid connections, because they've been so tight, there's no way I'd make it what with customs and luggage and everything. Can you tell it's my first time flying internationally? I don't know the protocol! :) Anyway, any tips on what I should expect when flying out and then back from London would also be helpful. Thanks!
Air Travel - 6 Answers
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1 :
SFO, your luggage should be sent through to SD. Customs as soon as you land. You shouldnt have to deal with luggage.
2 :
Customs will be in London. You are in the US. You don't go Through customs/immigration until you enter a foreign country.
3 :
It is usually your first stop in USA,,,, although you will still clear customs in your final destinaton due to that's where they'll find out where you're goin and if you have any goodies in your checked luggage that you're not suppose to be bringin into the US.
4 :
Exactly -- when you fly from the U.S., your luggage is checked all the way through to your final destination. That means you'll check everything in San Diego and won't see it again until you pull it off the baggage carousel at Heathrow (or Gatwick, if that's where you're landing!) As for your short stop in San Francisco, you'll likely just get off the plane, stretch your legs, and get back on to the next plane. Once you get to London, however, you'll go through Immigration first (walk quickly once you're off the plane -- those lines build up fast and you want to be among the first to get through!), and then into the Baggage Hall, where you'll pick up your bags from the carousel. After that, it's a straight walk through the green "Nothing to Declare" channel at Customs -- 95% of the time, I'm not stopped, I just walk through -- and into the Arrivals Hall, where you'll be met by whoever's meeting you (or you can take public transport into London.) On the way back, however, if you're changing planes in the US again, you'll need to pick your luggage up as soon as you get to the US and RE-CHECK it between flights. This means that if you're flying from London to San Diego with a stop in San Francisco again, you'll check your bags in London, then pick them up from the baggage carousel in San Francisco, pass through Customs, and then recheck them onto your flight to San Diego. Other things to remember when flying back from London: if you're going from Heathrow, leave PLENTY of time between arriving at the airport and when your flight departs -- crowds at Heathrow are just horrific these days, and you can easily wait for 45 minutes in the security line (been there, done that!) Also remember that you're only allowed ONE carry-on bag when you're flying from London, regardless of which carrier you're flying or where you're flying to, and they're pretty strict about it. I've certainly had to stuff my laptop bag into my carry-on bag before, just to meet the guidelines. Rules about liquids are fairly similar to the ones in the US -- they must be in bottles no bigger than 3oz (or 100ml), and they must be in a plastic Ziplock bag. Other than that, remember to wear something comfortable, sleep as much as you can, refrain from alcohol on the plane, drink tons of water, bring a good book, and relax! You'll have a wonderful time -- good luck and safe flying! --Holly
5 :
You will not have to collect your luggage since it will be transferred to your second flight. As soon as you land in London you will go to Customs and then collect your bags
6 :
On the way there you will clear customs in London, on the way back ask the flight attendant you will probably clear customs in SD but you might be able to do it in SFO
