How long to get through customs

[Dave2013]

On average how long does it take to pass through customs in Madrid when coming from US?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I was not even aware of it; it was mostly a long walk through the terminal to get to the passport counter, where my passport was stamped. Then a long walk to my connection gate. My checked pack went on to my final destination in Spain, where there was no inspection at baggage claim.

If you have carry-on, it might take longer??

 

[jeff001]

Just about everywhere in the EU customs is just a walk-through. If you have nothing to voluntarily declare you just walk out through the green door. Immigration (passport control) is different and can take longer depending on the time of day, the number of passengers on your flight, etc. If you have made a connection in the EU prior to Madrid you will go through immigration there.

 

[dougfitz]

If you have made a connection in the EU prior to Madrid you will go through immigration there.

This is only true if the connection is made in a Schengen Area country. Ireland and the UK do not do this, and you will do the immigration checks at the first point of entry into the Schengen zone if you transit through these countries.

As falcon269 and others have said, there are many variables, perhaps too many to give any real indication of an average time even if we could as individuals. My recent experience is that international airports take between 30 minutes to an hour to leave from disembarking from the aircraft. Even in London arriving during the Olympics, the total time was still under 90 minutes, most of that spent in the immigration queue.