Flight Experience to Germany

Do you have a friend or family member who can sort of do a mock exercise and walk you through the whole process? I actually mean like if you were a kid and "playing" airport. It is not the flying part so much that is a big deal--it is uncomfortable, but you are just sitting. It is the whole rigarmarole of airport security and all that stuff. If I was flying for the first time, I would want to have a clear idea of what to expect at all steps.
Are you flying in economy? Is it a direct flight with no stops, or do you have to change planes somewhere? Is it an overnight flight?
If overnight, and if you are medically able, use a sleep aid of some sort. Take a neck pillow and an eye mask. Wear neat but comfortable clothing. When you arrive, do things outdoors where you get sunlight, then just try to get on the local schedule.
If you encounter turbulence, just pretend you are on a bus and it is going over a bumpy road.
Good luck!

Thank you as this was helpful!
I have flown before but only in the USA. i just have not been on such a long flight. It is an overnight flight arriving in Frankfurt in the morning hours. So I am hoping to be getting sleep, so perhaps I will use my favorite sleep aid....

Thank you for your help,

Patty Walker

Patty, there are just a few things that are different about international travel and longer flights.
First: Check your passport. Check the expiration date and make sure that you have at least 6 months left after your return date of validity. We hear, at least 2-3 times a year, of people who are stopped at the airport on the day of travel because they had not paid attention to the expiration date on their passports.
Next: Choose a direct, non-stop flight if you can. Also, are you comfortable in a regular coach seat on the plane? I find that I desperately need extra legroom so I pay a bit more to select an extra legroom seat on the plane.

During flight: I fly from West Coast and we leave late afternoon. What usually happens is we board, have an hour or so, they serve a meal, and then the lights get turned down low and sleeping/quiet activity is encouraged. Sometimes I am able to sleep and sometimes I end up watching movies. Usually they will have some snack available during the flight in galley depending on your airline. About 1 hour before you land, they will turn up lights and often serve a light snack that is supposed to mimic breakfast.

Arrival: When you arrive in Frankfurt, you will follow the rest of the passengers to passport control. There you will go through a passport check. If you have checked bags, then you will collect your bags and leave the baggage claim area through one of two exits. One will be green and say "Nothing to declare" and the other will be red and say "Items to declare" or something like that. Once you go through those hallways you have been through customs and will enter the main airport.

Jetlag: This hits everyone differently. I find that if I keep going it is helpful, but sometimes just an hour power nap will help as well. It really just depends on how you are feeling.

Check your airline’s luggage size/weight limits and be prepared for them to be enforced. Especially on discount airlines that charge for baggage or European airlines.

Put a copy of your itinerary and contact info inside your suitcase in case it gets lost. Take a picture of your suitcase and the contents in case you need to file a claim.

Prepare for 10 hours to feel like 20. I never can sleep on a plane, and I fly from the west coast. Download movies to your phone in advance in case your entertainment screen doesn’t work. Bring headphones, snacks and a refillable water bottle (fill after security).

My experiences are somewhat different from yours since I fly out of the west coast, from SFO to Frankfurt, scheduled for 11 hours, non-stop in Economy. I take the overnight flight, which arrives in FRA ca. 10 AM. I manage always to sleep on the fight.

Regarding jet lag, I don't deal with it, don't get it upon landing, never take any OTC or prescription meds for jet lag. I'm in my early 70s.

The main thing is to concentrate on sleeping. Focus on that. If you need earplugs or headphones, use them. I don't, unnecessary. I land basically refreshed having slept and fit to go. Resist all the temptation distractions, such as the movies, etc. Based on experiences, I much rather have the 11 hour flight than one broken up .

Passport check takes between 15 to 40 minutes, I hardly notice it. The main difference I find is FRA is my final destination after the long flight, then I stay in Frankfurt or take the ICE train for the next few hours. Not doing a connecting flight helps too.

Regarding jet lag, you will need 2-3 days to adjust to the time change and lack of sleep.

I have always found that the day you arrive in Europe, try to stay awake until about 7PM, the go to bed and get a nice long sleep.
Plan to eat dinner a little early, say 5- 5:30PM.

Also, don't drink too much alcohol on your flight.
I rarely am able to sleep much on transatlantic flights, but the airline will issue you a package with a blindfold for your eyes if you try to sleep.

I have found that a good pair of noise canceling head phones allows me to sleep. Also, much better to wear for any video entertainment you would watch other than the issued hearing apparatus. Nice to have with a tablet or laptop too. A sleeping mask also helps. Masks for Covid are generally no longer required, but an adjustable strap the goes behind your neck rather than over your ears is more comfortable. Some get cold on long flights. The suppled blankets help, but a sweater with is comfortable too. I would plan a good nights sleep the first night in Germany, and a good German style breakfast with coffee or tea the next morning. Keeping hydrated helps too. I'm 65 and prefer isle seats nowadays. Easy to get in and out. I like business class, but the price usually puts me into economy/economy plus. Chicken or pasta…

I am scheduled for a flight SFO to FRA and then connecting to flight to VCE. Anyone know current time needed for the connection due to arrival from international? Many of the itineraries allow only 1 hour or 1 hr 15 min for the connection. Is that enough at FRA?

Since 2006 we have flown to Germany 21 times. Neither of us can sleep on the plane. We prefer to just live with it. Good that you have a known sleep aid.

Almost always something gets screwed up a bit or a lot. Be prepared to accept flight time adjustments, etc. In my 70's at least I no longer worry about making a fool of myself. This travel business would have been much harder in my 40's. Pack your sense of humor in your carry on.

Delta Airline food used to be mostly bland. Now it is often too spicy for me. I carry emergency rations.

People have different plans to adjust to jet lag. We try to stay on our feet and keep walking until about 4pm, and then take a short nap. After supper we take as long a walk as we can. We try not to go to bed too early as we would then wake up too early. Laying in bed wide awake at 4am is about the worst for us.

In addition to things like travel docs, my carry on includes a small bottle with a few of my likely OTC meds (Tums, aspirin, and the like as well as one or two chewable Pepto Bismols). Headphones--with a cord, not bluetooth--and phone/charger/powerbank are important. I make sure to update my Kindle Unlimited and have my reading glasses. Oh, and two pens for filling out forms and a moleskine or small journal. Gum and two snacks--one sweet, one salty--as well as a Nalgene I fill at the airport after going through security. For snacks, I like things you can eat slowly / in pieces such as M&Ms and Cheezits. Tissues and a few disinfecting wipes are also important. A small travel kit of toothbrush / paste, mouthwash, deodorant, hand sanitiser, lotion, a toothpick, and lip balm as well as clean socks, underwear, t-shirt (I prefer a workout type) and some lightweight shorts are also part of my kit. I carry a workout band for stretching, but that is completely a "me" thing.

Neck pillows--see if you can borrow some of varying consistency to find what works best for you, but don't travel without one. I don't use ear plugs or masks, but a lot of people I know do. Personal preference, weigh nothing. Some people swear by noise cancelling headphones. Regardless, make sure your headphones, whether ear buds or the bigger ones, are comfortable.

I find being well rested the day of departure and hydrating aggressively to be super helpful. Constant, small drinks--6 fl oz or so every hour--for two days before, eating as healthy as I can in that time, getting proper rest--these help your system handle the flight and the jet lag. I try to do some gentle and stretching yoga in those days even if I don't normally, and I try to go for a workout the morning of my flight.

Dressing carefully matters. Jeans are fine if they aren't super tight or restrictive. Otherwise loose clothing is preferred all around, as are layers as the plane can get a bit chilly. Again, being rested and hydrated helps, but so do layers--long-sleeved t-shirt and a sweatshirt are my summer go-to for that trip (I have done MCO-Europe/Germany often enough). But the key is footwear. You ABSOLUTELY should wear comfortable socks and shoes--no heels, nothing tight. Talk to your healthcare providers about compression socks. Consider that if you are connecting (we always are), you might need to run or move quickly. For me, it's always comfortable walking shoes that are relatively easy to remove/put on. I take them off once we have ascended and generally only put them on to go to the bathroom or as we descend. Socks are key here--I cannot understand the people who walk around the plane barefoot.

We like to leave for the airport early--being there two hours before is a minimum and has been since long before it became a requirement. Online check in and selecting good seats (we often pay for the Economy Plus upgrade) help. Check in, go through security, and find your gate. Fill your water bottle, use the toilet, and pick up any last-minute items such as snacks you may have forgotten to get. Try to use the time to relax, but also to stretch and move. Don't eat at the airport if you can avoid it or stick to salads.

Once settled in your seat, try to go straight into the zone. You'll get your meal, and they will dim the lights. Try to go for a quick bathroom break and walk/stretch after the meal. If you can, try to sleep. This is where a book is better than movies, but if you are like me and can't sleep, movies work. I find watching the same stupid movie twice helps. Dumb SciFi like The Meg work well for me--no need to concentrate on the plot or feel badly if you do fall asleep and miss the ending. If you are awake mid-flight, walk and stretch, but pay attention to your surroundings so you don't have issues with a flight attendant with a beverage cart or another passenger headed to the bathrooms.

More next post:

I forgot to mention that once seated, you should wipe down your armrests, tray table, and screen with a wipe. Oh, and if you have prescription meds or things like an inhaler, those go in carry-on.

Anyway, hopefully you will have slept some. They will turn on the cabin lights and serve breakfast. Eat something, but try to refrain from too much coffee or tea--water is your friend. Get your things organised, settle in with your shoes on, put on that last show or read a book for the end of the flight. Don't be in a hurry when you land--people deplane in an orderly fashion, one row at a time. Just grab your stuff--from the overhead bin or under your seat--and follow the signs (and your fellow passengers) to immigration (passport control) and customs (declaring items if you have them in your luggage--most of the time you won't if you are just visiting and have paid attention to what you are allowed to bring in). I am assuming your final destination airport is FRA.

When you arrive, it will be morning. Note that it will feel colder than it is because you are tired--your body will think it is the middle of the night. You will feel bleary. NOW is the time that, if you drink coffee, you can have some. Additionally, the subconscious assault to your system is not to be underestimated. Remember, everything smells, tastes, sounds, and feels slightly unfamiliar. I spent over 30 years growing up / living in the US, and after only a few years of living here I find that assault happens when I go back to visit my parents in the same house I grew up in. It's worse when you are tired. So give yourself some grace if the first day is a bit weird or you feel off.

Some people prefer to push through. Some people prefer a nap. I am the latter sometimes, but ONLY if I know I will only sleep for an hour or so and I was on a flight that landed particularly early. If, by the time I get to my destination, it is past about 11 am, I stay awake. As others have said, being outside and moving are the absolute best ways to help. Walking, stretching, being outside, getting vitamin D--these are critical. Try eating on the local schedule--even if you want breakfast, get lunch. Getting an early dinner and going to bed at around 7 is a must for me. If I give myself 12 hours of proper sleep, making sure to hydrate, I find I am in much better shape by the next day and fully functional.

Talk to your doctor, too. I actually take blood thinners (from a doctor) because we have a family history of embolisms. Many people swear by things like melatonin. Your doctor might also have some good exercises for your trip. There is no single right way to travel, but being aggressive about health is key to regular flying.

I know I sound like a health nut from these posts. I can assure you that I am not. But I do cut sugary drinks and eat healthy the days before a flight, work out, and do a lot of stretching yoga poses (I am not a yoga person really, but I have found a number of stretches that are super helpful before and during a flight) to ensure I minimise the effects of air travel--more aggressively so the older I get.

I would seriously consider an aisle seat so you can get up easily and upgrading to economy plus if you can. I actually prefer windows for shorter flights, but the older I get, the more I like the aisle unless I am with hubby in a 2 seat configuration and have to only climb over him and not some stranger ;)

I hope that helps!

@Fred -- The airline food has changed because there is research into how altitude affects your taste buds now. Caterers now test their menus in simulated conditions to determine how to spice the meal. It would probably be way too spicy or salty for on the ground consumption. That's across the industry, not just particular airlines. I remember watching a mini documentary on this and realising that is why the airplane food used to taste like cardboard but now is edible.

Also, I am SO JEALOUS that you can sleep on flights. I struggle and always have, even before the days of entertainment systems. And yeah, I did the SFO flights many times as well (lived on the west coast for a long time). Longer time difference, but I found that I handle jetlag similarly to my East Coast travels, at least when heading TO Europe.

Patty, how exciting for you! Good advice above about what to expect and lots of differing views about jet lag. I’d add - if you don’t have a chance to use the restroom just before the plane starts the decent, definitely find an airport restroom before you get to immigration/passport control. Hopefully, you won’t encounter a long line at immigration but if you do, there’s nothing worse than needing to go while stuck in a long line. Do I speak from experience? Uh, yes.

One other thing about Frankfurt airport in particular and Germany in general - maybe this is just me, but we were there in September and were struck by the scarcity, or maybe I should call it an “economy,” of directional signs. We got off the plane and saw one sign pointing the way to immigration/passport control and then we went down a very long series of corridors without seeing another sign. We just kept walking and eventually we came out the other end just fine. : )

In general though, we found that we often needed to pay close attention to the signs upon entering a space because there were no additional “reminder” or encouraging “its OK, you’re going the right way” type signs. We did have to double back a time or two in the Munich subway to re-read the directional signs. Don’t hesitate to ask for directions if you feel lost. Have a wonderful trip!

Set your watch to Germany time when you take off. And start believing it's that time. You will find it easier to adjust and possibly sleep.

Drink plenty of water. Flights dehydrate people and water will help you feel better upon arrival. Stay away from too much alcohol.

Get up every couple of hours and stretch your legs. Ignore this if you are sleeping.

Bring your own entertainment in case what is offered on the plane is not to your liking or not working. Bring movies, audio, reading material and headphones or ear buds. The type you plug in for the plane.

I find that audiobooks are often a good way to doze while on the plane, if you aren't in business. Usually a soothing boring book will lull me into a light sleep. I would suggest if you can at least flying in Premium Economy as the seats are a bit bigger and more comfortable. I find that my comfort as I'm getting older is worth the extra money.

Have a bottle of water with you before you get on the plane. It is good to keep hydrated.

As for jetlag, all I can add depending when you get into Germany, either try to stay up until at least 8 or 9pm at night to get acclimated. My parents are in their 80s and take an hour nap after getting to the hotel so whatever helps. Certain people feel jet lag more than others. It always takes me a couple days to get acclimated to time difference.

I feel so rich with all these wonderful responses to my inquiries. Very helpful advise from all and I most appreciate HowlinMad how you broke down each detail of the flight and that is what I was looking for. I feel like you took me on the plane and through the flight to the other side. I feel I am as prepared as I can be at this time!

Thanks to all,

Patty Walker

I've did the airline flight from Spokane to San Francisco to Iceland and then on to Munich, in 2019 I was 59. 63 now and getting ready for another Europe flight. Anyway, at 59 when I did it, I didn't really have any problems. However the first and most important decision for me was choosing an isle seat on the long flights. Gave me a chance at whim to simply stand up-without bothering my fellow travelers next to me. That helped alot. I took a small book and several magazines along to read. Plus the flights now, or at least mine did, had a monitor screen on the seat in front of you, showing the planes location as we traveled across the earth, and it was interesting/time consuming to follow along. Simple little things to keep your mind from going crazy. I didn't have any noticeable jet lag, I was too excited to be in Europe at my designation-I probably didn't care, but I did get a good nights sleep that first evening.

@ Howling Mad.....When I take the overnight flight to FRA or Paris from SFO, dep between 2:30 to 3:30 PM, I can pretty much count on what's going to happen, assuming the plane dep. relatively as scheduled.

I keep my watch set on west coast time, ie, I don't change it until arrival. By 7 PM thereabouts dinner will have been served and finished, it's time for that after dinner coffee. After all that is disposed of, say 7:30 , time to go to sleep or try to. By mid-night or so, I'll most likely wake up from sleeping...no big deal. Time to take my prescribed meds. Definitely keep hydrated. After that I go back to sleep, avoid the distractions of movies, etc. I'll sleep until the "breakfast" snack is called, by which time I will have slept 6 hrs if it's one of those lucky (sleeping) flights.

After the perfunctory matter with Border Control, finishing Baggage Claim, and WC, I am fit to go, without jet lag taking the public transport into the city.

@fred--If I had coffee at all after about noon I could pretty much forget sleeping, even in my own bed. I don't know how people can drink coffee on a red-eye unless it's at breakfast!

You are fortunate.

@patty--glad I could help. 40+ years of transatlantics are paying off ;)

Wow...some hefty responses provided!
A few additional comments from a long-time traveler.
First, if I am not in a business class seat, I want the window seat for any flights that are not regional. I want to be able to sleep and if I sit on the aisle, the other passengers in that row are going to be continuously climbing over me to go to the bathroom, run to the snack station, whatever. I would rather be the one disturbing them. Horrible but true.
Next, don't overthink this. As has been said, set your clock to the local time when you get on the plane and from that point forward think of yourself in the new time zone. Eat when you should eat, drink when you need to drink but don't think about what you would be doing in Florida. If it's breakfast time in Germany, have breakfast and don't think it should be anything else.
Finally, there is no "jet lag". There is tiredness from a long uncomfortable day. It's that simple. Expect to be tired and deal with it. When you arrive in Frankfurt, collect your bags and head to wherever you plan to stay. Go out for lunch, take a walk, don't go to bed or take a nap. At dinner time, have a nice meal, a pils (always two) and stay up as long as you possibly can. For the next day set your alarm for an early wakeup and go at it like a local. Have some coffee, a nice soft boiled egg, a brotchen....lot's of sweet butter. On your third day you might find yourself a bit tired in the afternoon. That's it.
I'm jealous. I used to visit that area at least 4 or more times a year and once lived not too far away in Lieblos. A handkäse mit musik would be on my list along with a few sips of pils or apfelwein, or snapps......home made of course.
Relax, don't over think this.

Thank you Mack for your friendly advise! It has put me at ease to receive so many helpful responses. Your response was a simple and relaxed method and I loved it! I fully expect to be tired, but I like your description of jet lag or none there of. Your description of waking up and having coffee and a brotchen with lots of sweet butter tantalized my taste buds and made me feel like I was there already. I feel you strolled me through a day in Germany. My cousins will pick us up at the Frankfurt airport and travel to Kaiserslautern where they live then we will go to Landstuhl where I was born. I feel like I will be coming Home! We will then travel north to Koblenz, Hamelin and further north to visit other cousins. I do live a simple life and I look at each day as a brand new day with a new adventure. I am getting more and more excited each day for my Germany Adventure.

Thank you Thank you Thank you,
Patty

Hi,

Hameln is a nice town, went there in 2007 for an afternoon trip from. Minden. The Zentrum is picturesque. You'll see references made on the story of the rat catcher, (der Rattenfänger von Hameln).

My first impressions were I should have visited this town in the 1970s or '80s, especially on the '87 trip when I stayed in Goettingen.

I take a Dramamine after dinner. It helps me sleep some and I don't wake up "hung over."

@Fred - My dearest cousin lives in Hamelin and we will spend several days there!

There has been a trend in all the responses to my inquiry, which has been very helpful. Wunderbar!

Danke Schon!

Patty

There are quite a few YouTube videos showing the new Orlando International Terminal. You can watch those to get an idea of what to expect as you move through the airport to your gate. This video happens to have an example flight departing for Frankfurt at 10 minutes 45 seconds into the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHFIQJGEnGE

@ Patty....You're welcome.

Since you have a relative in Hameln, I heartily suggest you do a day trip to Minden (the reverse of what I did) and see also from Minden ( just about in the area) Porta Westfalica, which I am sure is familiar to your cousin. You'll get a great view and panorama of this scenic and lovely area.

The turn-off going up is when you see the sign "Kaiser Wilhelm Denkmal." (Monument) At the base there is parking but it's a pretty long hike, preseumably over one hour upwards. I did part of that until I saw the ground a bit too muddy to risk a slip and fall, dislocating my shoulder and all that..

Not too far up from the base is the German WW1 monument in this forest. Part of the inscriptions are still clear to read , part no longer. This is not the only military monument in Minden, more are located in the Zentrum.

You can instead also drive all the way to the top to see these huge Monument I ended up doing this by prearranging for a taxi, one of those at the train station in Minden.

@ CWsocial - I am getting more and more familiar with the Orlando International Airport as I have been there about a dozen times now. The video was welcomed giving good information!

@Fred - Thank you for the suggestion of going to Minden. I googled where it is and found out it is only 38 minutes from Hamelin. In my next conversations with my dear cousin I shall ask him about Minden. They have 4 large dogs that they take out to run in the forest everyday and enter in championships. We may have to take them for a run before we take the hike upward. Not sure if this is a good place or not for them to go. Will ask my cousin. The two of us and my cousin and his wife are very energetic and would enjoy a hike like this, but we also have several other cousins that we will be meeting up with during this trip. My mother was the last sibling of 11 children so you can imagine how many cousins there are!

Thank you,

Patty

@ Patty..... From Hameln you have numerous choices, places well worth all of your time as day trips. in this area of Lower Saxony. Aside from Minden's Zentrum with its half-timbered houses, (Fachwerkhäuser), and Porta Westfalica, I suggest getting to Hildesheim, and if you like North German beer, a bit farther is the small brewing town of Einbeck. (Luckily, Einbeck beer is available in SF)

I like Minden, spent a few nights there , plus should you be interested in history, Minden was a garrison city (Garnisonstadt), the "Prussian Museum in Westphalia " is within walking distance from the train station.

You can see a piece of German infrastructure in Minden as the city is on the Weser River. Minden is where the Mittellandkanal , the canal linking the Weser with the Elbe can be seen. I didn't get to see that going on foot, ie, time-wise.

Bottom line.....Lower Saxony has both cities and small peaceful, relaxing towns worthy of exploring. It's a matter of time and level of interest. Your cousin knows these towns for sure.