Assuming Luftansa will be flying from Frankfurt to Zagreb at the end of April, they have allowed us 55 minutes to arrive and get through customs, before the next leg to Dubrovnik. This doesn't seem realistic, but getting any assistance at this time is extremely difficult. Does anyone know whether Luftansa will either hold the plane (haha), automatically put us on the next flight @ 6 hrs later, or will we simply be stuck until something opens up? Also, unfortunately booked through Expedia, which I know is something I should never, ever do, but after 6 email changes and cancellations from them last week, was told that any the reimbursement would take 4-5 months with significant fines.
Posted by
Sweden
6396 posts
Do you have a through ticket or is it two separate bookings?
Posted by
OP
3 posts
It's through, roundtrip. Orlando to Frankfurt/Zagreb/Dubrovnik
Posted by
Wengen
1657 posts
Croatia has been in the EU since 2013, so you have not had to go through customs when coming from Germany for some time. Since this year it is also in the Schengen free travel area, so you do not need to pass immigration either.
So all you will do is walk from one gate to another. Like between to domestic flights in the US.
Note about word usage: Customs and Immigration are two different things, and you usually encounter them separately in Europe, not together like in some other countries.
So in your case immigration will be in Frankfurt (where you enter the Schengen Area and the EU) and customs will be in Dubrovnik, after you have picked up your luggage.
Immigration wants to see your passport. Customs will probably not be interested in you.
Last note: Both flights will probably be Croatia Airlines operated, not Lufthansa, and probably even on the same airplane. But I do not know if they now let you stay on board in Zagreb in this case.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for this info, WengenK! Will share with my family and so appreciate your clarifications!
Posted by
Berkeley, California, US
612 posts
An additional thanks for this info, WengenK. I have a flight to SFO-FRA-Zagreb and appreciate the information. One further question: is customs the same as passport control? I seem to remember seeing a passport control sign in Frankfurt when I went through the airport several years ago.
Posted by
Sweden
6396 posts
Croatia has been in the EU since 2013, so you have not had to go
through customs when coming from Germany for some time.
But the OP is not coming from Germany, they are coming from Orlando.
One further question: is customs the same as passport control?
No, customs is customs and passport control is passport control.