Help: Transit through Frankfurt on way to Turkey (from US)
 

Hi

We are leaving Saturday from Houston to Frankfurt (United) and then straight on to Istanbul, Turkey (via a United codeshared Lufthanza flight). I am not sure what happens in Frankfurt. We will be in transit: Do we go through immigration or is there a transit zone so we just head to our next flight without going through immigration? We are planning on checking our bags through to Istanbul, so we won't need to collect them in Frankfurt - correct?

If anyone has transited through Frankfurt to a non Schengen country, I would greatly appreciate your insights on the process. We don't have a long connection in Frankfurt ( one hour, twenty-five minutes) so I don't want spend time trying to figure out the process.

Thanks

Anytime I've connected in Frankfurt, going to a non-Schengen country, I've had to pass through immigration and security. 1.5 hours is enough time to do this. Just follow all the other passengers and the signs. It's impossible to do it wrong. Even I, who continually get lost, get it right.

If your first plane is late, approach the first airport person you see and tell them you have a connecting flight at whatever time. The airport folks are very happy to help.

Questions about airports should can very often be answered by airport websites. http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/con.../transfer.html
You will see that Lufthansa and United, as partners, use the same part of the same terminal (always subject to last-minute changes) and the website gives a step-by-step illustrated transit routine, plus maps. Passports usually are checked for security rather than admission to the country, since you are in transit to elsewhere and remain in the same terminal. The site even tells you the colour of the jackets worn by airport
tourist aides.

Hi Everyone

Thanks for your help. The transit went smoothly, of course we hiked an incredible distance to get from one letter to another, both coming and going. Had a great time in Istanbul; it was the height of tulip season and they were spectacular. Everyone is right - Istanbul is a beautiful city, the people are very friendly and the food is wonderful!

Thanks again

Pamela

Hi Everyone

Thanks for your help. The transit went smoothly, of course we hiked an incredible distance to get from one letter to another, both coming and going. Had a great time in Istanbul; it was the height of tulip season and they were spectacular. Everyone is right - Istanbul is a beautiful city, the people are very friendly and the food is wonderful!

Thanks again

Pamela