We are arriving FRA at 0855 on a Wednesday [presumably a relatively heavy arrival time-of-day] We are taking the train from there but I'm reluctant to buy tickets in advance without some idea of how much time to allow for EES. We did an abbreviated EES in France back in April, but as they did not do fingerprints at that time I'm guessing we'll need to do the whole registration over again. For anyone with relevant experience, how long is that likely to take in Frankfurt at that time of day?
Posted by
Bend, OR
2284 posts
As you can see by reading this one link of which there are many, this question is asked quite frequently and everyone is having a different experience. No one can guarantee that your experience will be the same as theirs.
Posted by
Chicago
1490 posts
There is no way to accurately predict how long it will take given the situation. You can
either buy ahead of time and take the chance of delays affecting your train travel, or
buy after you get into baggage claim, when things are a bit more deterministic.
Assuming you are going to the Fernbahnhof to catch a long-distance train, at least
there are seats, restaurants, and a grocery store.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
589 posts
I added my EES experience on the link posted above. Regarding train tickets, we were heading to Mainz, so plenty of options, so once we cleared EES we went down to the station (maybe 10 minute walk....super easy) and bought our tickets then. Of course if you're taking a less frequent train connection, that could alter your thinking. I would rather err on the side of caution if booking non-refundable tickets and plan for a lot of cushion for potential late flights and EES issues.
Posted by
129 posts
Took son & I 5 minutes or so to EES upon Frankfurt arrival in June 26. Venice airport then to Frankfurt a couple weeks later involved a kiosk & a 27 minute line to exit. Lucky us. ab
Posted by
240 posts
Just came thru Frankfurt 5 minutes. I guess. It just didn't figure in to a delay. I wish bloggers would stop trying to scare people. All done just to get views. I put my passport in the machine and gone. My wife had to put the passport in and fingerprints. Oh I am sorry that was a next 30 seconds.
Posted by
51 posts
Just adding our experience. Our plane landed 9:15 AM on a Monday. Was about 10 minute wait to get to the kiosks for fingerprints and photo. Then about a 40 minute line to wait for final clearance from representative. Those with connecting flights were being ushered into a separate line, but I don’t know how long that line took.
Posted by
18 posts
Good information - we fly US > Frankfurt > Venice in a couple of weeks.
QUESTION: what about luggage if Frankfurt is a layover airport? Get it there, or final destination?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
9578 posts
Before EES the advice was that you don't really know, it could be 10 minutes, it could be two hours to get through immigration, and that buying a train ticket after a transatlantic flight, with possible flight delays, was not recommended. The advice really has not changed, though if there are delays, EES is now to blame.
I can't speak to Frankfurt, but my experience has been, if they are using e-gates, then it is quick, a few minutes at the kiosk, and then through the gates (if no issues). My wife gets through in minutes, I have to go to a manual line (fingerprint issues on my right hand), which is where the wait is.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7706 posts
Bhorner3
If your flights are on a single ticket, your luggage will be tagged through to your final destination. You will pick them up there. Double check that they are correctly tagged when you check in for your originating flight.
If your flights are on separate tickets and different airlines, you would have to pick up your luggage in Frankfurt and check them in for your second flight.