There aren't many things more stressful than trying to make a connecting flight on a tight deadline, especially if your connecting gate is across the terminal — or worse, across the airport.
So what are the best places to get stuck with a tight connection? The following list might make it easy for you to save time while you step up your travel game to a better experience on the move.
Our team looked at airport maps and measured distances between gates at 50 of the busiest airports in the country to find out where you’ll have a better chance at making your next flight.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Richmond International Airport (RIC)
![richmond international airport with sunset in background](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/richmond-international-airport.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 8 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 4 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 4 minutes
It takes just two minutes to walk from one side of an average-sized terminal at Richmond International Airport to the other side, and only four minutes to do the same in the airport’s largest terminal, both of which are among the shortest walks of those types in the country.
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
![passengers walking in tampa international airport main terminal](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/tampa-international-airport.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 13 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 5 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 2 minutes
The terminals at Tampa International are set up so that travelers are very near their departure gate once they are through security.
As a result, it only takes 2 minutes to walk from a security checkpoint to the gate situated farthest away in the terminal, the shortest walk in the nation.
Boise Airport (BOI)
![welcome to bpise sign at boise airport](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/boise-airport-welcome-sign.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 3 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 3 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 6 minutes
The longest walk between any two gates and how long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal at Boise Airport are the same walk, one that takes just 3 minutes.
In both of those metrics, that walk time ranks as the best in the country.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
![passengers walking inside jacksonville international airport](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/jacksonville-international-airport.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 8 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 3 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 6 minutes
Jacksonville International scores highly in multiple categories, as walking between any two points after security will take less than 10 minutes.
Bradley International Airport (BDL)
![passengers walking inside bradley international airport in hartford, connecticut](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/bradley-international-airport-bdl.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 9 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 3 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 6 minutes
Walking from one side to the other in the largest terminal at Hartford’s Bradley International Airport takes just 3 minutes, tied for the shortest walk of that kind in any of America’s busiest airports.
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
![Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/ontario-international-airport-california.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 15 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 7 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 4 minutes
In addition to gates that are located near security, the largest terminal at Ontario International Airport in California takes less than 10 minutes to fully traverse from one end to the other.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
![airplane and hanger at Seattle-Tacoma international airport](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/seattle-tacoma-international-airport.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 19 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 5 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 6 minutes
Small terminals and security checkpoints that afford relatively quick access to departure gates help make SeaTac one of the 10 best airports for connecting flights.
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
![outside of San-Antonio international airport](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/san-antonio-international-airport.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 19 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 8 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 5 minutes
San Antonio International Airport’s average terminal takes 50% less time to walk end-to-end than average.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
![rdu welcome sign at Raleigh-Durham International Airport](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/raleigh-durham-international-airport.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 11 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 11 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 6 minutes
RDU is another airport where passengers can quickly get to their departure gate through security, as the farthest gate from the checkpoint is just a 6-minute walk.
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
![Panoramic view of Ronald Reagan National Airport across Potomac River at sunset](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/25/ronald-reagan-washington-national-airport.jpg)
- Longest walk between any two gates in the airport: 18 minutes
- How long it takes to walk end-to-end in the largest terminal: 5 minutes
- How long it takes to walk from security to the farthest away gate: 7 minutes
Ronald Reagan Airport has some of the smallest terminals in the country, as it takes just 5 minutes to go from one side to the other in the airport’s largest terminal, and just 2 minutes to do the same in an average-sized terminal.
Bottom line
![15 Ways Credit Cards Can Make Your Travel Delays Suck Less](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2021/09/22/woman-waiting-at-airport.jpg)
Ultimately, the next time you travel you may want to make sure you plan your trip with these airports in mind. Not only can making the right connection save you time and money but it can help you enjoy the experience.
Not making your connection can cause havoc with your schedule and you might end up missing out on something important. Plus, it can just be frustrating and cost you more money staying in the airport longer.
So if you're looking to keep more cash in your wallet and want to enjoy your overall experience, consider these airports for your next layover.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
- Are you a homeowner? Get a protection plan on all your appliances.
- 6 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know.
- Learn how you can escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
![Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/0x0/filters:quality(100)/images/2023/08/22/boa-travel-rewards-credit-card.png)
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now