Airport customs and immigration help from any Australian friends!

[bobbie68]

Hi I am having my kid's friend from Australia visiting and we will be doing Disney. I have never travelled international, so I could use some help. I did try looking it up on the internet, but I got two different answers. Here goes my question: When my kid's friend goes back to Australia they will leave from MCO then go to LAX for a stop over then onto Melbourne. Do I need to have them to have a long window for stop over? I wasn't sure if they have to go back through customs or immigration. I can only find either a 1 hour stop or 11 hour stop over. I really don't want to make the kid be in the airport for 11 hours. Can I do the 1 hour, will it be enough time?

Thanks so much!

 

[EACarlson]

The US has almost no formal procedures for leaving the country. They will have to present their passport when checking in at MCO, possibly again at the gate at LAX. If they are selling a one hour layover at LAX, it should be fine, but one hour to transfer from the domestic terminal to TBIT at LAX isn't one I would feel too comfortable with.

 

[KPeterso]

The TBIT (Tom Bradley International Terminal) is separate from all the domestic ones. So, the guest would have to get from one terminal to the other one. I am pretty sure I have seen the Delta terminal have a way for someone to get direct from Delta gates to the TBIT (during Covid Delta had a lot of flights go out of TBIT since their terminal was under major construction). Otherwise, the terminals can be easily walked - TBIT is in the middle. Honestly, I would not be ok with a 1 hour connection at LAX to go from Domestic to International, but that is just me. I would rather be early. What airline are you looking at? Delta has 3-4 flights per day from MCO to LAX, American usually has 2-3, United has 2. And those are morning, afternoon, and evening flights, so it would seem there should be a fair amount of options to get a better layover length.

 

[rwdavis2]

LAX is a huge airport but if they don’t have to change terminals it should be OK. See if you find out.

 

[Woodview]

How old is this person age under 12 or over 16 ?

how are they Arriving from Melbourne to Orlando ? is it via LAX ?

Will this person Be " SAVVY " enough to do this trip on ones own ?

 

[rwdavis2]

How old is this person age under 12 or over 16 ?

how are they Arriving from Melbourne to Orlando ? is it via LAX ?

Will this person Be " SAVVY " enough to do this trip on ones own ?

Excellent points. As I mnetioned above, LAX is huge with multiple terminals.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi everyone, thank you for the information and opinions. I decided to do an 11 hour layover going back out of San Francisco. I had to use United so not many choices. I am having them come into LAX from Australia. There is a 3 and a Half hour lay over. I am also hiring a private VIP specialist to help them at LAX . They are 20 but has never travelled international.

 

[Woodview]

Thank you for the update

Age 20 ........ you are not giving them due credit .

They can drive , drink etc at that age AND They have Google Maps *
& Google Search to find their way

 

[macraven]

Hi everyone, thank you for the information and opinions. I decided to do an 11 hour layover going back out of San Francisco. I had to use United so not many choices. I am having them come into LAX from Australia. There is a 3 and a Half hour lay over. I am also hiring a private VIP specialist to help them at LAX . They are 20 but has never travelled international.

you are such a good and kind lady for taking care of all the set up for safe travel for your teens friend

Not many people go out of their way to be as helpful you are to them.
you are a very dear person!

Wish there will be more peeps that will do the things for others like you are doing.

I admire what you are doing

You give a lot to all and it’s because you care

 

[jimmymc]

There is no special immigration for leaving the country going to Australia. They'll walk right up to the gate as if it were a domestic flight. If the airline lets you book a 1 hour connection, I would go for it.

 

[_19disnA]

They are 20 but has never travelled international.

I am a bit confused. How did they get here from Australia?

 

[cedricandsophie]

Don’t forget to get their Australian visa, unless it is not required under certain ages. You can do it online.

 

[SirDuff]

Don’t forget to get their Australian visa, unless it is not required under certain ages. You can do it online.

I don't think Australians need a visa to go back home?