Frequent mistakes when traveling with a layover

The margin above the published minimum connecting time

Booking a connection just above the minimum connecting time published by the airport leaves zero room for a minor departure delay; at Paris Charles de Gaulle, for example, the minimum is 60 minutes between Schengen flights and 75 if exiting the area, while at Frankfurt it is 45 and 60 respectively.

Terminal change: verify in advance, not during the layover

Failing to check in advance whether the connection requires a terminal change means discovering only during the layover that the distance is greater than expected, perhaps with a shuttle or internal transfer to add to the journey.

Shopping and stops that eat up precious minutes

Stopping for extended shopping during the layover, convinced you have plenty of time, is one of the most common mistakes precisely because the real margin is almost always tighter than it appears on paper.

Baggage in transit: when you need to collect it yourself

Not checking on baggage transfer leads to assuming automatic passage that, at some layovers and for certain routes, does not happen: it may be necessary to collect your suitcase and check it in again at the check-in counter for the next flight.

Practical advice: always add at least 30-45 minutes to the airport's published minimum connecting time, especially if the connection involves passport control or a terminal change.