How is the transfer from plane to plane. Should I fly with a short layover? What you can see in Istanbul during a transfer

First of all, let's figure out what a flight with a transfer is. This is a flight where you are not flying directly to Right place, but two or more flights. For example, a regular flight looks like this: “Kyiv-Amsterdam”, and with a transfer like this: “Kyiv-Warsaw-Amsterdam”.

These flights are usually needed in several cases, for example:

• There is no direct flight to the right direction.
• There is a direct flight, but the date or time of departure does not fit.
• With a transplant, it turns out much cheaper than with a direct one (yes, this also often happens).
• Tickets for direct flights in the right direction have run out.
• You missed your flight, but you really need to get to your destination.

Most often, with transfers, they fly far away - for example, in Asian countries. Because the distances are huge and direct flights cost a lot of money, many fly with multiple transfers, which is faster and cheaper in the long run.

An important nuance! Sometimes for a transit flight you need to apply for a so-called transit visa, especially for long transfers. Specify in advance whether this procedure is needed in a particular country - for example, in the USA a visa must be issued even if you do not leave the airport building itself.

What are connecting flights?

There are several types of transfer flights, and each has its own nuances:

• A “single ticket” is a situation where you fly with the same airline throughout the entire flight. This option is the best, with a minimum of inconvenience. In the event of a flight delay or other problems, the airline takes care of their solution - you will be replaced tickets without any problems. If the transfer is long (from about 8 hours), then good airlines will even accommodate you in a hotel or take you to free tour if the airport is tourist city. In this case, you go through baggage and check-in only once - at the beginning of the journey.
• A slightly more complex option is called “code sharing”. In this case, you also fly on a ticket of one carrier company, but cover some part of the journey on another aircraft of a partner company. In this case, there is also a minimum of inconvenience - both you and your luggage will be checked in from beginning to end, all organizational issues are decided by the airline. In case of loss of luggage at this stage, you should contact the partner company.
• Another option is called an interline agreement. This is such an agreement between carriers when one recognizes the tickets of another as valid. In this case, one company sells you tickets to another. The benefit lies in the price - often cheaper than retail.
• The last option is a self-transplant. This is when you first separately buy a ticket to one point, and then, separately, for another. In terms of security, this option is the most inconvenient - you yourself will have to check in for each flight, pick up and return luggage yourself. And in case of being late, you bear all the responsibility yourself - there will be no compensation.

How does a connecting flight usually work?

In fact, the procedure is not at all complicated. A passenger lands at one airport, looks for the next flight and transfers to it. In most cases, no further action is needed.

If you bought tickets yourself, then after landing, you must first pick up your luggage. After that, find a check-in for another flight, go through it, check in your luggage and go on board.

One of the unpleasant moments with a transfer is just luggage - because of the rush, it is very often lost even by the most best airlines, and sometimes suitcases can be damaged during transportation, so it’s worth packing your suitcase in advance. This is done using the most common food film Just roll up your suitcase.

What should I do if I miss my transfer?

Statistics show that passengers are often late for connecting flights. Sometimes the matter is the delay of the previous flight, and often passengers are simply lost in an unfamiliar airport. Whether there will be any compensation at all in case of being late depends on several factors. Firstly, do you have a single ticket, and secondly, whose fault was the delay.

• If you bought tickets separately and independently, most likely you will not be able to return the money or receive any compensation. But in such a situation, it is always worth trying to come to the counter of your airline and ask for help in a human way. If you are lucky, you will be picked up by the next flight in the same direction or in some other way will be helped to get out of the situation with minimal losses.
• If you bought flights with one ticket and were late due to your own fault (for example, you got lost), you can also try to resolve this issue at the counter of your airline.
• If the delay happened due to a flight delay or for another reason for which the airline is to blame, then you will definitely be put on another flight or the situation will be resolved somehow.

It is advisable to fly direct flights - it is much more reliable. But if you still need to fly with a transfer, it’s better to buy everything with one ticket. Thus, you will be able to demand compensation from the airline and another ticket.

If you bought just such tickets, google information about the airport where the transfer should take place. IN major cities getting from one terminal to another can be quite long - for example, in Amsterdam, just moving takes about 40 minutes. Plan ahead for a route that will take you to your next flight and make sure you have time to spare. In this case, the transplant will most likely go well.

15.04.2016, 11:30

Direct flights are, of course, the most convenient and comfortable. But there are simply no direct flights to some parts of the world, and you can only get to them with a transfer. In addition, despite some inconvenience, transit flights have a significant advantage - flights with transfers are usually cheaper.
How does a transfer flight work, how does a transit flight differ from a direct one

• Direct flight- this is a flight when the flight from the airport of departure to the airport of destination is carried out on one aircraft.

• Transfer flight- this is the case when you fly to your destination on several planes, most often on two, and during the flight you will have a stop during which you will need to transfer from one plane to another.

Features of transfers depending on the airlines serving flights

• In case when the flight is operated by one company, you will first need to board the first plane of this airline, and at the transit airport, transfer to another plane belonging to the same airline. Such flights are also called connecting flights.

• In case when flights are operated by several airlines, you first board a plane of one airline, and at a transit airport, you transfer to a plane belonging to another airline. These airlines may or may not be affiliated with each other.

• If you are doing flights with partner airlines, you will have one itinerary receipt in your hands, in which both of your flights are included, and the airlines are responsible for connecting and transferring.

• If airlines are not affiliated with each other, itinerary receipts there will be two - for each flight separately, and it is no longer the airlines that are responsible for the connection and transfer, but only you.

How is baggage handled on a connecting flight?

If itinerary receipts will be two, then you will need immediately after arrival at transit airport collect your luggage on your own, and then check it in again when boarding the next flight.

Moreover, if you are transporting items subject to mandatory declaration, then at the transfer you will also have to receive luggage and check it in again for a connecting flight.

Where exactly does the transfer to another plane take place

Another plane in the same airport terminal

most convenient and fast option transfers during the flight - for a transfer you will not need to leave either the airport or the terminal.

Another terminal at the same airport

This option is less convenient and a little more complicated than the first - here you will need a little more time to orient yourself and move to another terminal.

Other airport

The most difficult transplant option. How does a transfer flight work in this case? In order to transfer to another plane, you will need to move to another airport, and this will require Extra time and requires special attention and preparation before the flight - you will need to study the route to another airport, the visa rules of the country of transit and possibly get a transit visa.

Airports are vast labyrinths at their core, and it's no surprise that many travelers seek to avoid unnecessary travel through their convoluted passages. If for some reason you decide to fly with a transfer, choose an option with a large margin of time between flights. Then you don't have to pretend to be an Olympic sprinter trying to find your way out of this labyrinth. If you have already booked your tickets, find out how to transfer with minimal disruption to your nervous system.

Steps

Part 1

Check your route. When booking tickets, as a rule, it is not reported about the need for a transfer to waypoint following. Find the following information to track your milestones:

• Direct flights use the same flight number for each leg of your journey. Traditionally, this means that you will not need to transfer from one aircraft to another, although today many "direct" flights require a change of aircraft. Contact the airline representatives to clarify this issue.
• Connecting flights use different flight numbers for each segment of the journey. You definitely need a transplant.

1. Find a map of the airport. Most airport websites have their maps. Print it out and put it in your hand luggage, this will save you time looking for the boarding gate. The magazines that you find in the cabin of the aircraft, as a rule, also contain maps of some major airports.

   • If there is a separate card for each terminal, print each one. You may need to change to another terminal when changing aircraft.

2. Calculate the time it will take you to transfer. Sometimes this information can be found on the airport website or from your travel agent (if you have one). If official data is not available, try to make a rough estimate yourself:

   • Transfer from domestic to domestic flight takes about 60 minutes. 45 minutes is already risky, but doable if both flights are operated by the same airline.
   • For a transfer at the airport of a foreign country, you will need at least 2 hours, the same amount if you have to change a domestic flight to an international one. A 90-minute time reserve may not be enough in this case.
   • Add 30 minutes if you are checking in luggage compartment aircraft, if your mobility is limited due to health reasons, if you are traveling during a period of high passenger traffic or with adverse weather conditions.

3. Plan your actions in case of lack of time. If the time between arrival and departure is shorter than recommended, take steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly. You can rebook your flight for separate fee or take less drastic measures:

   • Select an aisle seat as close to the front of the aircraft as possible. Thanks to this, you will be the first to leave the board of the airliner.
   • Try to get by just hand luggage, in which case you will not have to collect your luggage.
   • Download an app on your smartphone that lets you track flight delays while you're in the air.

4. Confirm the movement of your baggage. On domestic flights, your luggage is almost always automatically sent to your final destination. On some international flights, particularly those with a stopover in the United States or Canada, you will need to collect and check in your luggage again. To make sure your suitcases move with you to your destination, ask the airport staff to check the movement of your luggage.

   Find out the visa requirements. If you are passing through the airport of a foreign country, it is possible that you need transit visa. For information on this subject, visit the website of the embassy of the country you are traveling to.

   • If your waypoint is one of the US airports, please visit this site for additional information. If the country you are traveling to is on the list visa-free entry then you don't need a visa.

5. Book a wheelchair if needed. If you are unable to move around on your own, consider ordering a wheelchair at the transfer airport. Contact the airline for assistance with making a claim.

   Part 2

   Preparation for disembarkation

   1. Listen to announcements during the flight. Sometimes, at the end of a flight, or when the aircraft is taxiing out after landing, the pilot or flight attendants will announce exit number changes.

      Pack your hand luggage. If you're pressed for time and need to leave the plane as soon as possible, start packing your belongings before passengers are asked to fasten their seat belts.

      Prepare documents. Get your boarding pass for your next flight, as well as your passport and customs declaration, if necessary. Put them in a safe but easily accessible place, such as an inside coat pocket.

      Try to move closer to the front of the cabin. If your flight is delayed and it threatens to miss the next one, ask the flight attendant to transfer you a few minutes before landing. Moving from the tail of the aircraft to the bow will save you 10-15 minutes.

      • You can also make a similar request directly to the passengers, but remember that you are asking for a favor. Be polite.
      • The descent of the aircraft can begin 30 minutes before landing. Don't wait until the last minute to request a swap, or you'll end up where you were.

   Part 3

   Boarding the next flight

   1. Find out your exit (gate) number through which the flight will be boarded. The first thing to do after getting off the plane is to find a place to board the next flight. You should not rely on the exit number indicated in your boarding pass, is correct, as they change frequently. Better find a board that displays information about the gates.

      • If you are in a hurry, ask the airport staff at the exit to help you find your way to the landing site.

   2. Get your baggage. This is usually required if you are flying international flight or if you purchased two tickets separately. If you are sure that you need to collect your baggage, please do so as soon as possible. The baggage claim area is often quite far from the security screening area, so it will take you a long time to get your things and get back.

      • After receiving your baggage, you will have to go through the screening procedure again, this time by the employees of the airline performing the next stage of the flight.

   3. Pass customs control if needed. If you have just completed an international flight, follow the signs to go to the customs post. It is usually divided into two zones - for citizens and for non-citizens. You may also need to go through standard security control (depending on the airport).

      Find your gate. Even if you have enough time, go to the gate through which the boarding will take place. Don't be afraid to ask any airport employee for directions.

      • If you are transferring from international to domestic flight or vice versa, then you will probably have to move to another terminal. In some cases, this may take 10-20 minutes.

   4. Relax. If you have left free time, there is no need to stay at the gate. Most airports have restaurants, shops, and even art exhibitions. But don't forget to look at your watch.

      • Keep your luggage with you at all times.

   5. Return to your gate with a little time to spare. Exact time boarding is usually indicated on the boarding pass. If not, please arrive 30 minutes before departure time.

   6. Contact the airline if you miss your flight. If you realize that you will not be able to board in time, call your airline immediately. Her contact information is usually on the boarding pass, but for faster results, contact her local representative at the airport where you are. You can find the number you need on the airport website or ask at the information desk

      • If you don't have telephone communication, ask for a telephone at the information desk.

   7. Develop a plan with your airline representatives. If you miss your flight due to the fault of the carrier (for example, a flight delay), then the airline is responsible for taking you to your destination. This rule does not apply if you booked two flights separately or if you missed a flight due to your own fault. However, in this case, most airlines are ready to meet you. Feel free to calmly and politely ask for the following:

      • Put you on the waiting list for your next flight for free. Reserve passengers are allowed to board the aircraft if there are empty seats or if someone canceled the flight.
      • If you can't wait, ask how likely it is to fly out soon while on the reserve passenger list. If the chances are slim, ask for a discounted ticket on the next flight with guaranteed departures (not always available).
      • Food stamp and hotel room if you have to wait overnight (unlikely unless the airline is at fault for your late flight).
      • Free phone call if you don't have a phone.
   • If you're flying between two US airports, look at the average flight delay on the Bureau of Transportation Statistics website. Add "average arrival delay" to the suggested transfer time.
   • Direct flights, as a rule, require a change of board if a flight to another continent is to be. On short direct flights, you have the option of staying on the plane as long as it is at the waypoint airport.
   • If you cross the border, the flight attendants will give you a customs declaration during the flight. Fill out the form before landing to save time.
   • If you have too much time between flights and you are tired of waiting, ask at the ticket office if you can be included in the list of reserve passengers for an early flight. Typically, this is only possible if you have several hours of waiting.
   • Many airlines offer more expensive tickets, which allows you to speed up the transplant. For example, you may be given the opportunity to be among the first to leave the aircraft or to go through security screening before boarding. It could be good option if you have multiple flights with two or more stops.

When buying tickets to a distant country, you can often see many offers of flights with transfers. As a rule, they are more attractive in price compared to direct flights. In some parts of the world it is generally impossible to get without transfers. In this article, we will talk about how flights with transfers are organized, and answer the most frequently asked questions about transfers.

What is a "docking" or transfer?

A connecting flight is two or more flights instead of one to a destination. First you fly to the docking point, then transfer to another plane. The transfer should not be confused with stopping or refueling the aircraft. In both of these cases, you are leaving on the same plane as you arrived, often without even leaving the cabin. In the case of a transfer flight, you leave the plane and, after some waiting at the airport, board the next one.

The term “connection” is often used for transfers on a single ticket without additional registration, and “transfer” for changing aircraft with the passage of all procedures. More about ticket types we will talk below.

The transfer point will not necessarily be "on the way" to your destination. Transfer airports are selected by airlines based on the optimal cost of filling aircraft. So do not be surprised if on the way to Bangkok from Moscow, you will need to change trains in Helsinki.

What types of transfer tickets are there?

All flights operated by one airline

most transparent and best option, When All flights are operated by the same airline. You buy a single ticket, and the company provides you with full delivery to your destination. This means that in the event of flight delays, you must be transferred to another aircraft. Also, you will be checked in your baggage immediately to the end point and will be issued boarding passes for all flights of the route, without the need to check in during the transfer.

When long layovers(more than 8 hours) or flight delays, many companies provide passengers with a hotel to relax. Check with the service of a particular company about the possibility of accommodation in a hotel. For example, Emirates has such an opportunity, but you need to buy a ticket without intermediaries, that is, directly through the website or office of the company. Keep in mind that links to buy tickets from search engines often lead to intermediaries.

There are airlines that specialize in connecting flights, carrying a huge passenger flow through the airports of its base. For example, the Middle East Emirates, Etihad or Qatar. Almost all flights of these companies are made with a transfer "at the base": Dubai for Emirates, Abu Dhabi for Etihad, Doha for Qatar.

Codeshare (code-sharing) by agreement between companies

An almost similar variant of transplantation is Codeshare (code-sharing) by agreement between companies. You buy a single ticket from one company, and fly on one of the sections on the plane of a partner company. It may not even be indicated on your ticket, as we did on the flight Abu Dhabi - Kuala Lumpur with Virgin Australlia on Etihad tickets. That is, the flight of the partner company can be sold under the code of the seller company.

You are also checked in with luggage immediately to the end point and a transfer is organized. Only one point differs from the first type of ticket: all claims for a flight (for example, loss / damage to luggage) performed by a partner should be presented to the partner company.

Flight of another company under an interline agreement

The next option is a single ticket with a transfer to a flight of another company under an interline agreement. An interline agreement differs from code sharing in that it is simply the recognition of documents (tickets) from one company by another company, and not the sharing of a flight.

One airline issues you tickets to another company, and does not sell seats on the plane under its own code. All carrier companies are always indicated on such tickets. As a rule, such agreements allow the sale of tickets at special rates, hence more low price for a single ticket compared to separate ones.

If you have such a ticket, you can also check in your baggage until the end of the trip, but you must tell the check-in staff about this when sending. The boarding pass for the next flight will need to be received at the time of the transfer, although this may depend on the particular company.

If there are overlaps with flights due to the fault of one of the companies, it is likely that you will be transferred to another plane for free. The network advises in such cases to be sure to put a mark on the ticket about the flight delay at the counter of the company that is to blame.

Buying Individual Tickets

The last and most undesirable option is buying individual tickets. If you buy separate tickets, then the risks of overlays with flights fall entirely on your shoulders. If you miss your next flight, you will most likely have to buy new ticket. At the point of transfer, you will need to receive and re-register baggage, as well as receive boarding passes (check in for the flight).

The total price of such tickets is usually higher than all the options listed above. If you decide to buy separate tickets, please allow a very large margin. It might even be worth scheduling a long layover at a transfer point and flying out another day.

On board an Emirates Airbus A380

Do I need to get a visa from the country where the transplant is planned?

A burning question that you need to ask yourself even before buying a ticket with a transfer. If your next departure is from the same airport and terminal as your arrival, and you do not intend to collect baggage, then in most cases a visa is not required. Docking takes place in the transit zone of the airport, without passing through migration control.

If the airport on the ticket is the same, but the terminal is different, then you need to clarify the location of the other terminal. Usually this is a neighboring or adjacent building, but it also happens that the terminal is located on the other side of the city. In this case, you will need to go through immigration control to enter the city, as in the case of changing airports. To enter the city, you need a visa that corresponds to the visa policy of this country in relation to your citizenship.

In many countries there is a special category of visa that allows you to transit through the territory of the country, or it is allowed visa-free transit subject to certain conditions. Some countries may require a transit visa even for an airport stay (eg USA). Be sure to check this question before your trip.

The baggage claim area is usually located after the immigration control area. Therefore, if you did not check in your luggage until the very end of the trip, and you cannot stay in the transfer country without a visa, you may have problems. We received luggage during a transfer at the Jakarta airport, having previously passed through migration control with an Indonesian visa. Since the final destination was also on the territory of Indonesia (Bali), this option suited us perfectly. In the Schengen zone without a visa, there could be a completely different ending.

Do I need to collect luggage during a transfer?

First of all, it depends on the type of ticket. If you are served one airline or used code share, you can ask for baggage check-in to your final destination at the check-in counter at the airport of departure, then you will not need to collect your baggage at the transfer. Many airlines do this by default, but be sure to check this point with the check-in officer if in doubt.

By interline agreement where multiple carriers are listed on the ticket, baggage claim may be required. In such a situation, it is better to clarify this point in advance:

1) by calling the airline (and/or the intermediary firm that sells the ticket). If a visa is required to stay in the connecting country, this should be done before buying a ticket;

2) at the check-in desk at the airport of departure, the check-in officer can tell you exactly which city the baggage was checked in to.

There may also be mixed options, when there is more than one transplant. For example, when flying Moscow-Denpasar (Bali) with Emirates, we had two transfers: one in Dubai, the second in Jakarta. The first two segments (Moscow - Dubai, Dubai - Jakarta) were operated by Emirates, the luggage was checked in Moscow. No passing required in Dubai passport control, no baggage claim, no boarding pass (both were issued in Moscow). The transfer took place in the transit zone of the airport. The third segment was performed by Garuda Indonesia, in Jakarta we needed to go through passport control, collect luggage and get a boarding pass.

If the transfer is carried out with a change of airport, then baggage claim may be required even with a ticket of one airline. Please check with your airline before travel for details and read your ticket carefully.

How long does it take to transplant?

The optimal transfer time is 3-4 hours. There are short one-hour connections within the same airline, when everything is worked out to the smallest detail. In most cases, laying less than 3 hours for a transplant is risky. Planes can be delayed for various reasons from 10 minutes to several hours.

Even if the plane arrived on time, you need time to orient yourself in an unfamiliar airport, time to go through security checks and find the gate (departure sector). If during a transfer you need to go through immigration control and pick up luggage, lay at least 4 hours. Remember that even at the most organized airports there can be queues! Waiting more than 8 hours at the airport can be tiring.

What else do you need to know about connecting flights?

• The gate number may not be indicated on the boarding pass, which is issued at the point of departure. In this case, the gate must be searched on the scoreboard by the flight number at the transfer airport;
• The time of departure and arrival on the ticket is indicated in local time. Do not forget to translate the clock, especially in the case of several transfers;
• (+1) on the ticket means a transition in a day, carefully look at the date of _arrival_ when planning a trip;
• If the airlines associated on your ticket are part of one of the global alliances and you are a member bonus program, you will earn miles for the entire route. Otherwise, miles do not add up.
• It is useful to study in advance the scheme of the transfer airport on the Internet. Unfortunately, not all airports are arranged in a logical and understandable way.
• At many airports, the transit zone is combined with big amount shops and cafes. You will have something to do and where to eat, waiting connecting flight- this is not necessarily a dull sitting on a bench;
• Showers are sometimes available at airports, which is especially important between long flights. But it is not always free;
• For long wait at major world airports there are special lounges with more comfortable conditions than in common halls. Lounge access is usually chargeable, but may be free for some airline passengers, especially for club card holders and business class passengers.

In most cases, tickets for flights with transfers are significantly cheaper than for direct flights. Moreover, long transplant- this is a great opportunity to see another city on a trip. The main thing is to correctly calculate the time and remember to comply with visa requirements.

Let's see in what cases transit passengers you can leave the airport during a transfer and what documents may be needed for this in different countries.

Transfer time

The first thing to take care of if you are planning a walk unfamiliar city is the timing. Will you be able to get back to the airport and board the plane?

Here is a list of what to consider when planning:

• type of your flight - you are flying from the starting point to end point traveling on a single ticket or two separate ones? (We will discuss the difference between these types in more detail below);
• Do you arrive at the same airport during your layover that you then depart from? Or are you arriving and departing from different airports?
• do you need to receive and then re-check in and check in your luggage during the transfer?
• how much time do you need to spend in public transport to get from the airport to the city and back, and how often does this transport run?

On average, it takes at least 7-8 hours to get luggage, leave it in a luggage room, drive from the airport to the city, take a walk and drink coffee, return to the airport, check in luggage again and check in for the next flight.

The exception is if you are flying on a single flight, you do not need to think about luggage and re-checking in, and the sights you are interested in are located 10-15 minutes walk from the airport. In this case, you can fit in at 3 o'clock. But such a coincidence of favorable factors is rare.

Let's take a closer look at each item in the list above.

Types of routes with transfers

Single flight. If you are flying with one or two transfers, but your entire flight is booked on single ticket- this means that during the transfer you do not need to receive and again check in your baggage and re-check in for the flight at the transfer airport. All this is done only once, when landing on the first segment of your flight. Therefore, at your disposal - almost the entire time of the transplant. But do not forget to check with the representatives of the airline how much time before the departure of the plane you definitely need to be at the exit of the gate. An airplane is not a train; you cannot jump into it a minute before departure.

Baggage exception: if you carry items in it that need to be declared separately (antiques, weapons, drugs, etc.), then even on a single flight, luggage at the transfer airport will need to be received and checked in again.

Separate flights. If your flight segments are issued on separate tickets, this means that you are flying on two independent flights, and during the transplant you will need:

• receive baggage from the first flight;
• check in and check in luggage for the second flight;
• go through check-in and passport control for the second flight.

Baggage claim takes an average of 20-40 minutes. After that, you will need to leave the arrivals area and go to the departure area of ​​the terminal from which your next flight departs. Further, the procedure is standard - at the luggage counter you check in and check in your luggage, and at the check-in counter you go through check-in (if you don’t do it in advance) and a security check.

Do not forget that check-in for a flight usually starts 2 hours before departure and closes an hour before.

In total you will need:

• 20-40 minutes to get luggage;
• 15-40 minutes to get to the check-in counter in the desired terminal (arrival and departure terminals are indicated on the tickets. Check in advance if you will need to transfer from one terminal to another and search the Internet for an airport map to find out how far they are from each other friend);
• 2 hours to check in for a flight;
• 1 hour you will need to spend in the transit area after check-in closes.

In total - 3.5-4.5 hours. Subtract this period from the total time of your transfer to understand whether you have time to go to the city or it is better not to take risks and relax in the airport lounge.

When is a transit visa required?

So, you have a transfer at the airport of a foreign country. How do you know if you need to apply for a transit visa in advance - even if you don't plan to leave the airport?

We analyze the main scenarios for the development of events.

Option 1. All segments of your flight are issued on a single ticket. There is a chance that you don’t have to bother with visa issues at transit points - you go through passport control only when registering for the first segment of the flight, and during transfers you don’t leave the airport’s transit zone, for which transit visas are not needed.

However, there are many exceptions to this rule. For example, transit through the airports of the USA, Australia, Canada. If you have transfers (or even technical stops for refueling on transcontinental flights) in these countries, you will definitely need to have the appropriate transit visa.

Far from all airports, the transit zone operates around the clock - for example, at Spanish airports, a visa-free transfer is possible only until midnight. If you have a night transfer, you will have to apply for a transit visa.

At Berlin Tegel Airport transit zone no, therefore a visa must be issued to everyone except passengers airlines Air Berlin - its flights arrive at a separate terminal, where transfers can be made without a visa.

If you have two and more transfers in the Schengen area and you do not have biometric passport, you will have to make a transit visa - even if you are flying on a single flight. To apply for a visa, you need to contact the embassy of the country of your first transfer.

Option 2. You are on a connecting flight and your flight segments are printed on separate tickets. As we mentioned above, this means that you will need to leave the arrivals area (aka the transit area) and go to the departure area in order to check in for the next flight. At the exit from the "transit" you will need to go through passport control - without a visa you simply will not be released from it.

But here, too, there were exceptions. Some airports, such as London's Heathrow and Gatwick, are designed so that you can get from one terminal to another without leaving the transit zone. This means that you will not need a transit visa for a transplant. An exception to this exception is a flight by one of the European low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, etc.) Passengers low cost airlines visa-free transit, alas, is not available even at those airports where it is provided for other travelers.

Option 3. You have a long layover and plan to get out into the city. Most likely, you will need a transit visa, although there are a number of exceptions here.

IN Singapore visa-free transit lasting 96 hours is available to all passengers who arrive at this airport and can present an air ticket for the next flight to a third country (but not return ticket to the point of your departure - in this case, you can not count on a transit visa).

At many airports China you can use a visa-free transit of 72 and even 144 hours. 24-hour transit visa-free is valid in almost all international airports China, except Fuzhou, Yanji, Mudanjiang and Shenzhen.

IN Great Britain for air travelers visa-free airside and landside transits are provided.

Airside is available to those who fly into London Gatwick and Heathrow or Manchester Airport. Unfortunately, Ukraine is included in the so-called "black list" in terms of British visa law. Therefore, you do not need a transit visa to transfer at these airports, only if the following conditions are met:

• you have an air ticket for an onward flight and the destination is either in Ireland or outside the UK;
• you depart before 23:59 on the day of your arrival;
• you have everything Required documents to stay in the country of your destination (if it is visa-free country- you need to present a hotel reservation);
• you will not leave the airport transit area.

Landside transit allows you to fully walk the streets of London, go to a hotel or another London airport. To use it, you need to present a number of documents to the passport control officer - but keep in mind that even if you have a complete set, the decision is made in each case individually, and you have the right not to be let out of the airport.

Documentation to obtain a permit for landside transit:

• air ticket for an international or domestic flight with departure no later than at 23:59 the next day;
• valid US visa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and an air ticket to these countries;
• an expired visa to these countries will also work as an argument - provided that no more than 6 months have passed since your last entry into them;
• a valid biometric visa to Ireland, a long-term category D visa issued by one of the EU countries or Switzerland, a residence permit in Australia, the USA, Canada or New Zealand. Moreover, there are a number of restrictions on the timing of issuance and types of residence permits, therefore, before traveling, we recommend that you carefully study the conditions of transit on the website of the UK Migration Service.

Timatic help base

As you can see, there are more exceptions than rules in the transit visa legislation. In addition, the laws of a particular country or even the rules of individual airports are regularly changed. Therefore, in each individual case, we recommend relying not on reviews on forums or the experience of friends and relatives, but on Timatic - a single international database that contains all the rules for crossing borders and air transit, and which is considered the only authoritative source for passport officers of all airports in the world .

Timatic is a paid service for airlines and agencies. But some of them on their websites allow passengers to use the base for free. For example, using this link you can use the Timatic database on the Emirates website.

Fill in the form with your citizenship, points of departure and arrival, as well as countries of transit and click the Submit button. You'll get full information about what documents you will need to stay in the country of your destination, and whether visa-free transit (TWOV - Transit Without Visa) is possible at all your transfer points.