We are Americans and will be flying from our starting point in London to Amsterdam and then several more flights within France, maybe Italy - will we have to go through the whole immigration thing at every location, or will we not have to at all? Novice traveler, in case you couldn't tell, and I had read on another post that we should plan to be at the airport for our flight out of London into Amsterdam several hours early. Why would that be, unless we have to go through all that immigration or customs business? Thanks in advance for all the helpful advice.

TTT

What's your question got to do with the EU?

Britain usually has no outbound passport or customs control. I've no idea why "you were told" to get to your Amsterdam flight hours early (do you simply use a typically incompetent Americam travel agent, for example?). Airlines' and airports' requirement vary: at London City Airport, for example, checkin for Amsterdam is 10 mins before takeoff. Check with your airline: preferably in Europe.

There is passport control at Amsterdam if you're arriving from Britain, but no Customs control.

There is usually no passport or customs inspection between Italy, Franvce and Holland, which are in a collective scheme called Schengen that imposes ridicuouly restrictive limits on how long non-Europeans can stay (one of the reasons Britain stays out of the system), but normally dispenses with controls within the Schengen area.

Most Schengen countries require outgoing passport control if you're on a flight leaving the zone. All flights in Europe are liable to security checks, even if you've just got off a plane from somewhere else.

You will have to go thru all the immigration and customs "business" each time. Members of the EU do not, but Americans do. Some airports take longer than others. Also, in London, you often have to take a bus to your plane. Listen to what the airline says and be there. I've almost missed planes b/c of long lines.

The reason for allowing plenty of time at the airport before departure that need to get through check-in and security. If your flight to Amsterdam is from one of the major airports at a busy time, then two hours before scheduled take-off time is only wise, and even then might (depending on how the queues go) leave you no time at all to spend in the shops in the departure lounge (which looks more and more like the prime object of BAA).

Immigration controls per se are the least time-consuming bit.

"You will have to go thru all the immigration and customs "business" each time. Members of the EU do not, but Americans do."

Wrong, wrong, wrong. See my post.

Hi L,

>flying from our starting point in London to Amsterdam and then several more flights within France, maybe Italy ...<

What's your itinerary? Trains might be better for some parts.

Whoa, flanneruk, what's the "typically incompetent Americam travel agent" crap supposed to mean? I am American and as a matter of fact, find all things American typically competent, including this message board and that is where I got the info to get there 2 hours ahead of time, thus my question....did not expect that bit of ugliness, especially when it is encased in such pertinent and hopefully "competent" answers you gave to my questions. So, thanks for your knowledge and I'll advise you to leave off the chip on your shoulder when replying here so that people will learn from your wisdom. Thanks to all who replied, I even recieved an email from EasyJet saying we could print our boarding passes beforehand and not wait long at all, so thanks to all.

Flanneruk's attitude is completely ridiculous.

For the purpose of the non-European TOURIST the EU does not exist.

What you need to know about is Schengen which has had a few mentions on these forums

For non-Europeans treat Schengen as a as a single country, so there are no immigration controls between countries within Schengen - there can be however security & customs controls (bit like some US state borders).

If you wish to go between a country in Schengen & a country outside Schengen or vice versa then there are immigration & customs controls

Even for European citizens as myself, security lines can be big...so even if you have the boarding pass printed at home, don't go to the airport less than 1 hour and a half before. Maybe you're lucky and the line is short, but maybe you're not..and easy jet and all the low costs are very very rigid with the schedule.

lol This is going to be an interesting post to follow.

>..I've no idea why "you were told" to get to your Amsterdam flight hours early (do you simply use a typically incompetent Americam travel agent, for example?). <

And I've read Leslie's question over and over again and flanneruk, NOWHERE does she say "she was told" to get flights early. She says she read it on another post. So keep the attitude to yourself if you are going to answer ?s instead of starting something inflammatory that doesn't even address what the issue is.

Immigration is a little quicker if you are an EU citizen.

Regarding check in times, I would allow 2 hours. Sometimes security can take a long time, recently it has taken over an hour on many occasions to get through security at Gatwick.

Carolena

I misread the poster's posting - bizarre though that might sound, since it really is pretty clear. Someone's way of telling me to get new glasses, no doubt.

So for that, my apologies.

Fascinating, though, how many posters get upset at my remark - which in fact answered Leslie's question fully and accurately - and seemed unmoved by the collection of downright nonsense we get from mclaurie.

Don't any of you care about giving useful answers?

I am always wondering how some people come to give answers that are completely wrong.

Within the Schengen zone, all flights are treated as domestic flights. There are no passport controls and thus Americans are treated the same as Europeans.

If you leave the Schengen zone, there are usually two immigration booths, one for European citizens and one for non-European citizens. Passport check for the Europeans requires about 20 seconds, passport check for Americans between 19 and 21 seconds. I usually take the line which is shorter.

This statement is not based on hearsay or speculations, but here is a European frequent flyer writing.

traveller lol great post, just what I've been thinking as I read these. oh yuk that 21 second line, how unfair lol

FYI...We do all care about accuracy, just care about one another a little more. But thanks for all the good info. I am now looking into traveling w/my American passport or with my Italian one - does any or all think it would make the travels smoother with the Italian vs the american passport?

I have both also. I use my italian one mostly once outside the US. This is not for any reason from any experience, but I'm just used to it. I'm saying this because I don't want Americans to feel there is some problem at all with being an American abroad. Not at all!!!!

Travel with both passports. You need to use your American passport when reentering the US, and it will save time if you use it when checking in for your return flight.

When entering the UK, there are separate queues for EU passport holders and 'All Others', the EU passport holders being more or less waved through, and the 'All Others' more closely scrutinized. It would make sense to use your Italian passport whilst travelling between EU countries.