dtraveler2006

On November 2, 2012 I will be flying out of Florence Airport at 6:55 AM. I will have to check in, check luggage, get my boarding pass and go through security. How early should I arrive at the airport? I am flying on Lufthansa City Line to Frankfurt, four hour layover, then a connecting flight on Lufthansa to Philadelphia.

Ackislander

What does the airline say?

It is an intra-Europe flight, so you are unlikely to have to be there as early as for a transatlantic flight. In general, I have found being there an hour before (Barcelona, Venice, Edinburgh, Paris) was fine but

What does the airline say?

GAC

I would arrive at the airport no later than 5:40. The check in desks open at 5:00 a.m. (but no reason to arrive that early).

I expect that you'll be able to check in and get through security in about 20 minutes (giving you a 30-minute "cushion" prior to embarcation).

Bear in mind that Lufthansa has two flights departing prior to 7:00 a.m.: one to Munich and the second to Frankfurt. If both planes are full, there could be 150 passengers checking in.

macanimals

We just did the same flight, although later in the day, 3 days ago--Florence to FRA on LH. The Florence airport was only 15-20 mins taxi from downtown--we were picked up near the car rental drop-offs on Ognissanti. Check in requires you to go to the computer check-in machines first to obtain a boarding pass then you must check your bags. Airport security lines are subject to crowds as usual but it was a bit cursory.

I would plan to arrive as GAC has suggested--it might give you a little extra time to wait but that will keep you at ease.

BTW-We checked an extra bag (filled with wine, oil and treasures) and were charged 56 euros--relatively cheap for trip all the way back to LAX. It did require an extra step at baggage check-in--I'd estimate 10-15 mins.

Also--to anyone dropping a car at the airport. The location of the drop-off has changed and it is very chaotic in the new temporary location which is poorly marked with signs I have never seen at any airport before. It also requires a shuttle back to the airport which appeared crowded (we didn't have to take it as we taxi'd into town)--so definitely add time if that is your itinerary.

kybourbon

>>>BTW-We checked an extra bag (filled with wine, oil and treasures) and were charged 56 euros--relatively cheap for trip all the way back to LAX. It did require an extra step at baggage check-in--I'd estimate 10-15 mins.<<<

How did you pack this and why was there a 56€ charge?

jnjfraz

In Florence for an early flight we get to the airport 1 1/2 hours before the flight leaves but we have to check in our dog as well as luggage. Never had a problem and have enough extra time for a coffee.

The way to get wine home is to either buy wine skins before you leave (blow up airbag thing for wine) or Bubble wrap at any Italian hardware store. You can bubble, then plastic, bubble again and then plastic and put in with softer clothing etc.

We also bring back 70-500ml of olive oil in the fall and ceramics in the spring. With ceramics you bubble and then put in a wine box and tape. The olive oil we buy in 500 ml tins and within cardboard boxes and we try to keep them packed tight with soft stuff around

As to the price of the luggage that has to do with your status with the airlines (frequent flier miles) and the airline you fly. Our airline allows four 50lb pieces of luggage so we get most in the 4 bags. But depending on the "stuff" in the extra bag then it can easily be worth the 50 or so to get it home as extra luggage.

macanimals

"How did you pack this and why was there a 56€ charge?"

The reason for the charge is b/c its an "extra" bag-we were allowed two bags and this was a third. The "bag" was a large strong duffel and we packed pretty much as jnfraz described. The "stuff" inside were 7 bottles of wine and two 3 ltr tins of artisan oil along with other good stuff like cheese. I reported all, as I have in the past, at customs without a problem.

I don't bring back wine or oil I could find here in Calif. --the cost of shipping this "stuff" would be at least 100-150 euros from Italy and has the hassle of extended time in transit, brokerage fees and rough handling by a common carrier. I was just pointing out the viable option of paying to have an extra bag with the airline accompany you home. U/A charges $70 or as they computed at the time of the euro's value at time of our ticket purchase-56 euros.

With ceramics--we hand carry and guard with our life during security check.