Hello,
I am looking at booking a return flight from Dubrovnik to the US via Frankfurt. Is 1 hour long enough time for a layover, or should I allow more time? I'd also love to hear any recommendations on other places for a layover that might be more convenient.
Thank you!
pjwhitlow welcome to the forum. Where are you flying to from Frankfurt? What time of year? What airline? What are your other layover options? By the time your incoming Dubrovnik flight lands and gets you to the terminal (sometimes you have to be bussed in at FRA), your onward flight will already be well into the boarding process. That process often includes additional security screening at the gate. Flights usually close the door to boarding 15 min. before flight leaves (sometimes earlier, depends on airline). I myself wouldn't risk it, but if the airline sells it then it's a "legal" connection. I'd also suggest having a robust plan B and researching your passenger rights if you miss the flight to the US.
I would use Google flight to plot your itinerary and see which options come up. Sometimes a "better" connection may also mean a higher price. And the connecting city may depend on the airline and different hubs used in Europe.
But I agree with @CL that 1 hour is cutting it short especially when you are not familiar with the airport.
I would not be comfortable transiting FRA in less than two hours. Frankly, I wouldn't transit most anywhere with less than two hours. I've had too many delays leaving me running pell-mell down the concourse over the years.
You didn't say which airline(s) you are booking with, which could also be a factor. FRA just opened a new terminal, on the other side of the runways. It looks like the first airlines moving in are Asian and the big Middle East carriers.
I transited FRA last summer on Lufthansa/United. Even staying in terminal 1 with its stacked A and Z gates it can still be a long, long hike.
Expanding on my previous post, I'm currently also departing Dubrovnik for Portland, OR (PDX) (July 29) and transiting FRA and SFO. I'm on Croatia OU418 (07:30) to FRA, then UA59 to SFO. I have a 3:25 connection. My other concern is the EU's new Entry/Exit System, which has had a rocky rollout. Most of the issues have been on entry, but you still have to use it to exit. I think I saw a report the other da the CDG was having issues again.
FRA can be a zoo. I wouldn't be happy with 1 hour. I am not happy with less than 2 hourds for any connection these days. Of course I just booked a 1:10 layover at Madrid coming from IAD. It was too cheap to pass up, but I know I might end up on a later flight and there are a couple so I do it and see what happens.
Other choices? Instead of DBV, fly out of TGD. The options will be different and one might work. My airport of choice for changes is IST, even if does make the trip an hour longer. So easy, so efficient ... both the airport and the air line.
That’s too tight, I would not risk it—and I’m a get to the airport as the flight is boarding kinda gal.
Tell us your specific options and we can rank them.
For FRA, 2.5 hours is a good minimum.
