EES in Nice?

No-one knows is the simple answer as there are so many variables involved, most importantly how many flights arrive at any given time. One person may make it through in five minutes whilst another person arriving an hour later may experience a two hour wait. It's impossible to predict.

Interesting how often this question comes up on here and the answer is always the same…someone else’s experience is not going to ensure yours is the same.

where is the flight from?

Flight coming from US, Philadelphia.

I’m asking for actual experiences, from which I can gather data. Of course my experience could be different. But I prefer to be armed with information rather than go in blind. Thanks to those who’ve done it lately and can share their personal experiences.

Hopefully anyone with the requisite qualifications who responds includes where they were seated on the plane, as where you are in a line of 200+ people will have an impact on the experience.

Hello! I landed in Nice from London on June 17th. My plane was certainly not as big as one coming from the U.S, but Nice was a breeze. I scanned my passport and the kiosk took my photo. No fingerprints and no stopping to speak with anyone.

Munich on the other hand seems to be confused. You go through the same steps at the kiosk (but they also require fingerprints) and then you wait in line to speak with an agent and get your passport stamped (everybody, not just if you are flagged for some reason). This was after I had already been through airports in France and Italy, so it made no sense at all.

Thanks Sara!
Good info about Nice EES. Some cities, as you noted about Munich, are more difficult than others.

I’m asking for actual experiences, from which I can gather data. Of course my experience could be different. But I prefer to be armed with information rather than go in blind.

Armed for what? There's nothing you can do about the time it takes to go through the process, it may be quick or it may be long and slow, no-one can say but if it is a long wait there is nothing you can do that will speed it up.

JC,
Not armed FOR anything. This isn’t combat. Armed WITH information.

If Nice has EES down to a science, if arrivals are spaced well, if their staffing and procedures are consistently efficient, that’s helpful to know.

If they’ve turned off the automated kiosks if lines grow to hours-long (as has happened in other places), that’s good to know as well.

It has been a problem in other places, if you are unaware - as Rick’s articles have outlined.

Others’ experiences are valid. They can help me plan. If you have nothing helpful to add other than the self-obvious “can’t do anything about it,” feel free to move along in your own travels.

We flew into Nice May 23 from Philly, arrival time 8:10am. Seated in Prem Econ, row 8. The line was very short, maybe 10-15 minutes at the most. Enough time to watch those in front of us to see what to do. Scanned the passport and took our photo. No fingerprints and no agent to speak to. The line moved quickly. We were very happy as we had a driver waiting to take us to our hotel and I was concerned they would leave if it took too long. We really enjoyed Nice!

Mhcharley,
Great info! That’s the flight I’m on too. I hope I can get moving with my day as well as you did.
Thanks so much.

Nice was great, and arriving so early meant we had the full day to explore. Our hotel let us freshen up in the lobby restrooms and they stored our luggage, as of course the room wasn’t ready at 9am. We did a walking tour at 11, then explored on our own, then a Mediterranean cruise at 3. The next day we did an amazing 4+ hour long Food and Wine tour by Nadia; I highly recommend it! https://www.nicefoodandwinetours.com/

In the end, it will take what it takes. EES is not the only possible delay. How do you know your flight will depart on time? How do you know your flight will arrive on time? How do you know your luggage will not be the last to get put on the carousel?

No luggage.
My single flight doesn’t change how EES is being administered.

Thanks mhcharley.
I may have breakfast in Nice and might even stop at the beach to revisit a spot I found years ago with a dear friend who has since passed. But I’m primarily just wanting to get on the train to Liguria, Italy, to scout potential retirement villages.
I got a smokin deal on a points flight to Nice, which was a nice surprise.

My single flight doesn’t change how EES is being administered.

No, but it can change how long it takes. That and the several other flights from non-Schengen airports that may arrive at around the same time as you. That is what can result in the long delays no matter how efficient the staff are. You may get lucky, you may not but all the anecdotal evidence you're reading will be of no use if you're not lucky.

If you have nothing helpful to add other than the self-obvious “can’t do anything about it,” feel free to move along in your own travels.

If "can't do anything about it" is so obvious then why not simply take that approach rather than trying to second guess what the process will be?

You're welcome! I think it's very helpful to have that type of information. Enjoy your trip! I also loved Nice and will certainly be back to that part of France again.

On August 2, you will have a United flight from Dulles scheduled arrival 10 minutes before you, and a Delta flight from JFK scheduled arrival 5 minutes after you.