This is an airport change, not a walk between gates
The road journey takes you out of the first airport and into another. Confirm that your documents and entry arrangements allow this itinerary; do not assume an airside transit exemption applies. If your trip includes hotel nights instead, use our guide to different arrival and departure airports during a holiday.
Check both bookings before buying the flights
Write down both airport codes, local dates, operating airlines and flight numbers. Get the onward airline's recommended airport arrival time, check-in and bag-drop closing times, boarding deadline and terminal. Confirm any entry or exit paperwork for your circumstances. Departure time is not the last moment you can arrive at the airport.
Separate tickets, protection and baggage
Ask the airline or seller whether the connection is protected, who arranges the ground segment and what happens after a missed flight. Do not infer protection from one payment or the word 'connection'. Ask where checked baggage must be collected and whether it must be checked in again. Online check-in does not remove bag-drop, document checks, security or boarding deadlines.
Work backwards from the next airport's requirements
Add arrival formalities and baggage at LRM, the walk and vehicle loading, a realistic road allowance, the next airline's required airport time and a separate contingency. Our landing-to-driver guide explains the arrival stages. Use the LRM–PUJ airport transfer or LRM–SDQ airport transfer page for the actual route. Road estimates are not the total connection time; SDQ airport and Santo Domingo city are different destinations.
Two illustrative calculations, not minimum connection times
Example A: landing at LRM at 14:00 and departing PUJ at 20:00 leaves six hours. If you budget one hour to leave LRM, two hours for meeting, loading and driving, and three hours at PUJ, nothing remains for an inbound delay. Those are assumed planning blocks, not measured times or an approved connection.
Example B: LRM at 14:00 and SDQ at 22:00 leaves eight hours. With assumed blocks of 90 minutes for LRM, two hours for meeting and driving, and three hours at SDQ, 90 minutes remain. That arithmetic still does not establish suitability: replace every assumption with your airline requirements and dispatch's route assessment. Neither example recommends a minimum interval.
When to choose more time or an overnight
Reconsider an itinerary that depends on the fastest possible immigration queue, immediate baggage delivery or a drive without delays. A child seat, mobility assistance or substantial equipment also needs planning. If an inbound delay would remove your reserve, compare a later flight or an overnight before purchasing. Confirm accommodation and any extra transfer separately; do not assume the airport-to-airport fare includes them.
Send a complete itinerary for a transfer assessment
Send both airport codes, local flight dates and times, operating airlines and flight numbers, passenger count, children's ages and requested seats, suitcases, oversized items and mobility needs. Include the onward airline's confirmed deadlines. Ask for written route, price, pickup instructions and feasibility comments. Dispatch can assess the ground journey; it cannot alter airline rules or guarantee boarding.
If your arrival is delayed, reassess before setting off
Contact dispatch and your onward airline or ticket provider. Confirm the revised timing and available flight options; do not rely on faster driving to repair the schedule. Our delayed-flight guide explains pickup changes. If the original connection no longer works, agree a new destination or date and price before changing the transfer. A waiting driver is not evidence that check-in remains open.
Have the ground journey checked before relying on it
Prepare both flights, airline deadlines and your party's luggage and assistance needs. Request written transfer arrangements for the actual itinerary.
Prepare your pickup and transfer requestQuestions we get on this
- Is a six-hour gap always enough?
- No. The first example deliberately shows how six hours can be used up before any contingency remains. Assess your actual flights, airline requirements and road journey; there is no blanket guarantee.
- Does hand luggage make this an airside connection?
- No. It may remove the baggage wait, but the airport change still requires the ground journey and applicable arrival and departure formalities.
- Will my checked bags automatically reach PUJ or SDQ?
- Do not assume that. Confirm collection, any ground handling and re-check requirements directly with the airlines for your actual tickets.
- Who deals with a missed onward flight?
- Contact the onward airline or ticket provider about your booking's options and protection. Separately ask dispatch to reconfirm any changed ground journey. Flight tracking alone does not provide connection protection.