Hi. We're flying to Boston logan from Manchester in august and land at about 5pm. We're looking to book something in at 7.30pm that night but unsure of how quickly you can get through security as have never been to America before. Any help much appreciated. Thanks
Most of the flights from Europe arrive in Boston between 5-7 PM. This is rush hour at Logan International Airport. I have passed immigration, collected bags and gone through customs in anywhere from 25 minutes to 80 minutes.
Add some extra time to get to your departing terminal. Here is a link:
You are advised to check in to your departing flight at least 90 minutes prior to departure. I think that a 7:30 PM flight is possible to make, but not advisable.
Edited: 10 July 2017, 16:48It sounds like OP is looking to book a ticketed event for 2 1/2 hours after his international flight lands. There is virtually no way he will get through Immigration, collect luggage, go through Customs, get to his hotel to drop his luggage and get to his event for 7:30. If it's the type of event that doesn't require you to arrive on time (theater vs. sporting event), and he doesn't mind the risk of losing his money entirely if his flight is delayed or cancelled, he can always take the chance of booking it.
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Since you have never been to America before, this might be risky. At the very minimum it will take between 45 minutes to an hour after landing to get out of the airport, but can easily take up to two hours. And then factor getting to your hotel, checked in, and then back to your venue.
Not saying it's impossible, but even best case scenario would require every step to go off efficiently.
I don't think you'll make a 7.30 appointment.
We went to Boston a few weeks ago and it took us around 1.5hrs from getting off the plane to collecting luggage BUT we were travelling on an ESTA that we had used before so we could go through the self service machines (don't know the proper term for them!).
However people travelling on a new ESTA were being directed into the queue where all visa tourists were and that queue was massive and slow moving.
Thanks All
With it being the first visit to the states its probably not worth the risk, although if (by any miracle) everything is on time and we get through efficiently we could always try to make the event if tickets left.
Agreeing it isn't happening. What event are you trying to make? Post on the Boston forum and let them respond if they think you can get last minute tickets.
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