Enough Time?
 

We are arriving in Munich on Lufthansa and have 40 min to pick up our baggage, clear customs, and transfer bags to our connecting flight to Barcelona. Is this enough time? Should we take carry-ons? We took carry-on luggage to Italy last year (pre 9/11) and had no problems -- what's people's experience with trans-atlantic carry-on luggage now? Appreciate all helpful advice.

Your ticketing agent, expedia, orbitz agent, should advise you where you will clear customs. You may be just in transit in Germany. Call who you bought your tickets from for exact information.

Call the airline and ask what the "legal" connection is for your flight. Also ask when the next flights are. If you booked an "illegal" connection, ask for a different flight.<BR><BR>You shouldn't have to clear C & I in Munich. Lufthansa should have a flight connections desk to keep you airside.

Thanks to both of you -- apparently we "in transit" and don't have to clear customs in Munich -- bags go straight on to Barcelona (we hope). Appreciate your input.

A) You don't have to clear customrs until you reach your final destination. Your bags will be placed on your connecting flights for you. You do not need to claim them.<BR><BR>B) Minimum connecting time on an international flight is usually 1.5 hours. Typically in Europe you will fly into their international terminal and switch to an equivalent of our domestic terminals.<BR><BR>Good Luck,<BR><BR>Bobbi

Lori,<BR><BR>You bags should be checked thru to your final destination. Be sure to specify that with the airline when you check in for your first leg. 40 minutes should be ok too. Double check with whomever you purchased your tickets with though.

You will, however, have to clear Immigration, as both Spain and Germany are Schengen signataries. But this should be a piece of cake in 40 minutes - connections are a breeze in Munich.