Going through Customs
 

I have a friend who is traveling on Lufthansa from the US, landing in Frankfurt with a one hour layover and an ultimate destination in Salzburg. I thought she would have to go through Customs in Frankfort and therefore, one hour is not sufficient. However, a Lufthansa rep told her she would go through Customs at her ultimate destination and if the server allowed her to book the ticket, it was fine. His info showed you only needed 45 minutes in Frankfurt. The ticket is booked now, so no turning back. Any thoughts?

I haven't been through the Frankfurt airport in a while, but I do know that when I connect in certain European airports (e.g., NYC-London-Paris), I go through security in London but not Immmigration/Customs: that doesn't happen until I get to my final destination (Paris).

On the other hand, I never book 1-hour connections, even if the airline/computer offers the option. I prefer at least a 2-hr connection.

Your friend will go through passport control at Frankfurt as that is her point of entry into the Schengen zone. he will also go through security again. Customs, which is a non event, will be in Salzburg. SHe will just walk through the green channel there and not even realise she's been through customs.

Your friend should have asked about immigration/passport control, not customs.

As noted, she will have to go through passport control at FRA, but will clear customs at Salzburg.

Assuming the flight is on time, she should have enough time, but she shouldn't dawdle. Just as well, as FRA is a place where you won't to spend the minimum amount of time.

If she misses her flight, they will put her on the next available plane.

She should inform a member of Lufthansa staff of her connection time when she exits the plane. There is a special route to security for ongoing flights that takes much less time than the normal signed route, but when I was there, one had to be conducted by a member of staff, who gathered her little flock of people in the same situation and rushed us to the front of the line.

Thanks so much! I am passing this info along to my friend which I'm sure will be very helpful.

Hi bb,

>The ticket is booked now, so no turning back. Any thoughts? <

When your friend gets to Frankfurt, all questions will be answered.

((I))

I used to be of the opinion that FRA was an easy, fast connection airport, but after yesterday I've changed my opinion.

Europe bound a week ago I had no issues. Quick deplane, short line at immigration, and a quick walk to the departure gate for intra-Europe connecting flight. One hour is plenty of time.

It was the US bound connection that now seems to need more time. Total time from engine shut off (arriving flight) to departure gate it took me 50min.

The incoming flight from Dresden was parked at the far end of the field, so you need to take a bus back to the terminal. That's normal, and not the problem. I flew to the US on the A380 which they now park at Terminal C. It was a very long walk from the bus drop off all the way to C. Much, much further than before when US bound flights left from Terminal B. Once at TC you need to go through security again, passport control, etc.