I am looking to book at trip for my 25th wedding anniversary to Italy. I was looking at booking a flight with Lufthansa airlines from Dallas to Frankfurt choosing business class because of the long flight and then booking from Frankfurt to Rome in the economy class. The arrival time to Frankfurt would be 09:10 with a departure time to Rome at 12:30. On the return I was looking at booking from Venice to Frankfurt in the economy class departing at 07:15 arriving in Frankfurt at 08:45 and then departing Frankfurt for Dallas again choosing the business class at 10:20. I know that in booking this way we would have to get our luggage upon arrival at Frankfurt and check in for the flight to Rome and then the same on the return we would have to get our baggage and check in for the departure to Dallas. Do you think there is enough time in between the flights to book it like this and by booking this way would we have to get a visa for Germany? I have flown international before with connecting flights in Frankfurt and Munich and no visa was required but the flights were not booked seperately either.
Seperate Flights from US to Frankfurt then to Rome
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The return flight may be tight depending on how far the gtes are from each other. We had a horrendous connection of 45 minutes and made it only because the attendant pushing my wife's wheelchair commandeered the two elevators and by-passed the line for passport control--we ran and made it with 5 minutes to spare.
It's not the same problem going to Europe because you probably will have no passport control once you get through German immigration.
I don't think you would have to claim your luggage just because you changed booking classes on a single booking with a connection on the same airline. If the Italian legs are also with Lufthansa, I would call them and ask them.
You have a 3:20 connection after an overseas flight and a 1:35 connection after a 90 minute intra-European flight, both at one of Europe's most efficient airports. You will be fine
A Visa is not required just because you change booking classes. Visas are required based on the travelers nationality not on the booking class.
You have an early departure from Venice. We, on this site, recommend flying into Venice and out of Rome. You get more time on the ground. And Venice is a great place to get over jetlag. Wandering around in a daze is appropriate sightseeing there. No cars or trucks -- or vespas.
<< by booking this way would we have to get a visa for Germany? >>
Do you need a visa for Italy? If so, isn't it a Schengen visa that will allow you access into all Schengen countries?
Call the German embassy/consulate, explain that you've applied for a visa for Italy and ask if you need a separate transit visa for Germany. A travel board is not the place to get this information.
It's unlikely that you will have to pick up your luggage in Frankfurt and recheck it. If you are flying Lufthansa for both legs then you can check the bags through to Rome. Even if you change carriers on the Frankfurt to Rome portion you should still be able to check everything through, especially if you are taking a Star Alliance flight.
I would seriously tell you to call Lufthansa and ask your questions. If the flights are both Lufthansa then they can offer 1 booking for both legs. Or tell you how to book your ticket for 2 different classes on the internet. Lufthansa has always been helpful to me.
Yes: Your desire for a business/economy combo is not a do-it-yourself project on the Internet. Call the airline, especially so you can be sure that your luggage is checked through and the airline is responsible for the connections in case of delay.
And take seriously the idea of flying into Venice and out of Rome. Getting to the airport in Venice in time for an 0730 flight is very stressful. Our water taxi gave up and left us at Piazzale Roma to take a land taxi: 110kph on a fog shrouded road. By the time the plane left, the fog had burned off.
The alternative is to stay at an airport hotel.