Paralegal1983

I am traveling to Argentina , but I have layovers in mexico city and Lima Peru and then from there my final destination of Argentina, i have never traveled internationally, can someone fill me in on the process once I land in both of those layovers , what exactly happens and where to go etc?

Thanks

suze

Are all your flights on the same airline and on one ticket? If so your luggage should be checked thru all the way to your final destination & you'll just pass thru the airport(s), going from where the plane lands to your next gate to reboard at the proper time. You'll go thru customs and immigrations when you enter Argentina.

If your flights are on separate tickets or separate airlines then it could be more involved.

Paralegal1983

I am flying AA to mexico city, and then from Mexico city all the way to Argentina on LAN PERU

robertino

A bit of advice about the Mexico City airport -

Departure gates are posted late, and are subject to change. Keep checking!

suze

You need to check to see if AA and LAN have a baggage arrangement or not. To know if your suitcase will be checked all the way thru to Argentina, or if you'll have to claim & recheck when you change airlines.

Paralegal1983

I will call the airlines about that

So what is general procedure once I touch down there in Mexico city ? Will there be people who will direct me or I can ask for help?

I just want to be totally sure

zootsi

I'm not familiar with Mexico City's airport, but most airports can be a bit confusing. If you want to be well prepared, there are websites where you can print out airport maps, showing all the gates, etc. As someone else mentioned, find out if your luggage will automatically be transferred from one plane to the other so you won't have to worry about that. Hopefully you have enough time between flights (at least 90 minutes) to find your way around to get to your next gate. It would help to know your departure gate in Mexico, but often these change. Do not pass thru customs in Mexico City, stay in the departures area. Your airline should have an information desk, or you could get help from an agent at any departure gate. Speaking Spanish will be a big plus.

suze

You will need to know the gate # of your next flight. You'll get off the plane and walk to that next gate. You can ask your flight attendant on the previous flight, or look in the in-flight magazine because often there are maps of the airports to familiarize yourself with the layout.

Sometimes there will be an airline employee you can ask for help, sometime you'll need to figure it out on your own.

Paralegal1983

Doesnt that only work like national flights? I will be coming from an international flight and catching a connecting international flight, dont I have to go thru immigration control before going to next gate?

suze

No, you'd stay within the airport security area. You don't go thru immigration on a plane change.

suze

If you want to confirm the answers to your questions, simply call the airlines and ask them.

Paralegal1983

that makes sense to now, but I will confirm by calling the airlines and asking again when i check in

Paralegal1983

All this info has been really helpful!!! I am excited but I think I am just nervous and will be fine , once I have done this once ha ha

suze

I understand. It's your first international trip & you're solo & it's not the simplest itinerary.

I'm no expert on these destinations, just saying that's usually how things go. Once you go thru security in your 1st airport, when you are changing planes you stay on the 'security' side of each airport when you transfer, so just continue on to the final destination where you claim your luggage and go thru immigration (your person) and customs (your belongings).

The one kink in the plan would be if your two different airlines do not have a baggage arrangements, so that you'd have to claim and recheck baggage. If this is the case (which hopefully it is not) then I would advise going with a carry-on only as far as your suitcase.

Paralegal1983

I am changing airlines but called the airlines yesterday and my suitcase will be checked all the way thru !!!

suze

Oh that's good (that much simpler). You'll be just fine. In Mexico City, and then again in Lima, you will simply get off your plane, and need to find the gate to board your next flight. Depending how long your layover is you may have time to use the restroom, get a bite to eat, buy a snack or magazine, etc. at the airports.

Continental_Drifter

Paralegal - I'm not sure you want to check all the way through Mexico City. Last time we were there, we had read that MEX has more lost baggage than any other airport in the world. Well, while we were laid over there, we saw it. All of it. There were literally thousands of bags sitting on the tarmac baking in the sun.

The time before that, we had checked our luggage through, but were directed out of the concourse to pick up our bags and then back through security. This required that we go through immigration twice. We still think there was some sort of security threat at the time, or this would not have happened. Life would have been easier if we'd just carried our bags on.

Also - Even if you think you know what gate in the Mexico City airport for sure, keep checking. They change often and are not numbered in an order that would make sense to most travelers.

Lima is easy. My 18 year old managed his trip there by himself in February. He does speak fluent Spanish, but had no troubles finding his way.

Personally, I really think you'd be better off with a carry-on bag. Too many transfers to rely upon and too many baggage handlers expected to get it right.

You'll be fine. Happy travels! And please check in and report back to us!

Paralegal1983

@ continental_Drifter , I am going to be gone over a week I can't put that much in a carry on, or I would. I am also carrying something down for the missionary I am going to visit and it cant go in my carry on. Plus i tend to pack more than I need because you never know. I am prepared if my luggage is lost for some strange un forseen reason, I am packing 2 days of clothes in my carryon.

Things happen everywhere and some places worse than others and thats just the reality of it all.

So when I land in mexico city and peru when I get off the plane will I be directed thru immigration? and then I just go find my gate?

thanks

suze

No, you don't go thru immigration at airport connections, only your final airport.

Paralegal1983

this keeps getting easier and easier You have been very helpful