I plan to travel from the US to London, stay a few nights, fly to Switzerland (Zurich), stay a few nights, then later in the trip fly from Venice to Paris. When in these travels will I need to go through customs? Would I only go through customs and immigration when I enter Zurich? I understand the UK is not treated as the other cities.
OR I could fly from London, to Italy, stay a few nights and fly Italy to Switzerland, then later fly Switzerland to Paris. Would this avoid the immigration more then the first itinerary? Would I only go through customs/immigration entering Italy?
Linda
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32318 posts
st,
You'll go through Passport control (Immigration) when you arrive in London, but you won't have to worry about Customs unless you have some kind of goods to declare. It will be the same process if you fly to Zürich (that's what I found when I travelled from London to Geneva a few months ago). On the trip from Venice to Paris, you won't normally have to deal with either Passport or Customs (I say "normally" as who knows what border checks might be implemented with the current security situation).
Don't base your route on which one provides the easiest Passport control, as it's really not a big deal. Choose the most efficient and easiest route.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Linda,
- Between the UK and Switzerland you go through both Immigration (passport control) and customs. Though as the previous poster said, customs just amounts to walking through the green channel. Immigration at Zürich is fast. If you are a non-european your passport will be stamped for entering the Schengen area here.
- Between Switzerland and Italy (which you don't list) there is customs only, but they rarely stop travellers.
- Between Italy and France (Paris) there are no checks, neither immigration nor customs. The airline will want to see your passport for ID.
Do not base your route on these issues, it is a minor time penalty.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19232 posts
Essentially, Switzerland, Italy, and France are all part of the Schengen zone. UK is not. The UK (for now), Italy, and France are all part of the European Union. Switzerland is not.
You go through immigration (passport check) when entering or leaving Schengen or the UK. You go through customs (usually a formality) when entering the EU or Switzerland.
Posted by
Washington
6 posts
How far ahead of my flight should I get to the airport? I am flying out of Geneva and Paris.