JaimieCollins

My fiance and I are planning a two week trip to Spain and Portugal in September. We are flying from San Francisco to Barcelona, where we will then jump on a train to travel across Spain and into Portugal, ultimately ending our trip in Porto. Since our trip is beginning and ending in two different cities (and two different countries, for that matter) we are trying to determine the best option for our flight itinerary that will be the least expensive. We have done the multi-city flight option before, where we fly into one airport and out of another, but it is much cheaper to fly roundtrip from SFO to BCN and BCN to SFO.

So here is the main question - a flight from Porto to BCN only costs $20. We are contemplating following our original travel plan and then on the day we fly home, fly from Porto to BCN where we will then jump on our return flight to SFO. Question is, if we book the Porto to BCN flight separate from our roundtrip SFO to BCN flight, what will that look like in terms of connecting? After arriving from Porto, do we need to exit the airport, go through customs and security again to get on our flight to SFO? Or is it as simple as landing and walking to the terminal for the SFO flight? Also, if we want to check bags, would that require an exit and reentry as well?

Wasn't sure how to search for this at Google, so I figured you fellow jet setters may have some handy wisdom to provide. All info is much appreciated!!

jacketwatch

I don't think you need to pass thru customs and immigration when going from Portugal and Spain. See below;
Schengen Agreement
Spain is part of the Schengen Agreement, which means that there are no routine immigration checks when travelling to/from another Schengen country. The terms 'Schengen Area' and 'Schengen zone' refer to all Schengen countries as a whole.

In addition, a visa issued by one Schengen country is valid for all member countries, unless otherwise specified on the visa. With a Schengen visa, you may enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen zone according to the validity and conditions of the visa. If you plan to visit several Schengen countries, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your main destination or, if spending an equal length of time in each country, the first point of entry.

At present, there are 26 Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. All these countries except Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are European Union members.

However I am not sure about your luggage if you have checked bags. I would say check with the airline you choose to see if they can f/w them to your returning flight to SFO.

Kathie

A couple of thoughts: If you have a $20 flight from Porto to BCN, I'm guessing this is a budget airlines. Budget airlines typically do not have interline agreements, so you would have to transfer your own luggage.

Also, since this is on two different tickets, if you miss your flight home you have no recourse, you'd have to buy a new ticket. If it were me - and it isn't - I'd fly back to BCN the night before so there would be no question of making my flight home.

janisj

Kathie is 100% right. When connecting on an unlinked booking from a budget airline (or any airline for that matter) you need to fly in the day/night before.

jacketwatch

True. I would do what Kathie suggests. You can get an inexpensive hotel near the airport.

dotheboyshall

<i>a flight from Porto to BCN only costs $20</i>

Are you sure? That will be a fare that doesn't include luggage, booking charges, card fees. Have you gone beyond the headline price and tried a dummy booking?