Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Enough layover? Flight Zagreb to Frankfort to Chicago.

Enough layover? Flight Zagreb to Frankfort to Chicago.

Old Mar 30th, 2012, 01:44 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Enough layover? Flight Zagreb to Frankfort to Chicago.

I was wondering if anyone can give advice about getting through customs in Frankfort, coming from Croatia. I need to connect to a flight to Chicago in 1 hour 20 minutes. Is this even possible??

Depart Zagreb HR (ZAG): 14:30
Arrive Frankfurt, Germany (FRA):16:05

Change Planes. Connect time in Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) is 1 hour 20 minutes.

Depart Frankfurt, Germany (FRA): 17:25
JessieKL is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2012, 01:52 PM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I forgot to add that I have a U.S. Passport.
JessieKL is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2012, 02:32 PM
  #3  
J62
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,924
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You should not have to pass through customs, immigration, or emigration at Frankfurt. A 1hr 20min connection should be fine.

You will need to pass through the airline run passport check and security (mandated by US Gov't). The lines for that can be long.

But come to think of it, the flights to the US now depart from a separate terminal, so I'm not 100% sure if you can get to that area without having to go to through German immigration.

Passing through immigration at FRA has never been more than a 5min wait for me in many years passing through there, so I still think you'll be fine.
J62 is online now  
Old Mar 31st, 2012, 02:19 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
An hour and 20 minutes should be fine but you won't have time to dawdle.

Since you're not stopping in Germany and not bringing anything into the country you would not need to go through customs. Besides, customs in any European country I've been to is nothing - you just pick up your luggage and leave.

There will be passport and security check. If your departure time is getting close speak to an airport official and ask if there is enough time to get to the gate or if they can help you get through security faster, if necessary.
adrienne is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2012, 02:28 AM
  #5  
ira
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi JKL

>...A 1hr 20min connection should be fine.<

I get jittery at 90 min, but I no longer run as fast as I used to.

ira is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2012, 02:48 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

Me neither, Ira!!
adrienne is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2012, 03:16 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
80 minutes is fine (unless incoming plane is late, obviously)
Many people won't arrive earlier than that landside and will have to check baggage, clear immigration and two security checkpoints.

You will not go through customs or immigration, but will have to clear the extra security and documents control for flights to the US.

Assuming you fly both legs on Lufthansa or any Star Alliance carrier, your transfer time will be monitored while still en-route to Frankfurt from Zagreb. If that flight is delayed, you will be either given an assisted fast-lane transfer or, worst case scenario, booked on next (day) flight and given hotel and meal and ground transportation vouchers.
Whether or not you "qualify" for the fast-lane assistance depends on the airline's caluculations on how much on-time your connecting flight is scheduled to depart.
Frankfurt in Europe's biggest hub and connecting flights is its prime business. So your "problem" is actually the airport's main purpose. Even though the airport stinks and is not very user-friendly ;-)
Cowboy1968 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
eliztravels2
Air Travel
10
Sep 17th, 2017 03:01 AM
STSahil
Air Travel
5
May 17th, 2017 05:11 AM
TxTravelPro
Europe
21
Jul 21st, 2008 03:42 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -