Frankfurt airport transfer

Posted by Chris (Pittsburgh, PA) on 12/26/18 03:59 PM

I am looking into going back to the Christmas markets next year, but this time I am thinking of leaving from Prague. There doesn't seem to be any direct flights to the US from Prague, and instead I will have to go through Frankfurt.

My question is, how does that work as far as customs, security, etc.? Am I going to have to go through all of that in Frankfurt, then once again in the US? And the flight I'm looking at only has a 1 hour, 40 minute layover in Frankfurt. I don't know if that will be enough if I do have to go through all of that.

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

12/26/18 04:43 PM

8889 posts

Customs - Irrelevant as (assuming this is one booking), your bags will be labelled through to your final destination, you will not see them at Frankfurt.
Immigration (passport checks) - nothing at Prague, as both Czech Republic and Germany are in the Schengen Area. Exit passport checks at Frankfurt, which you will have to allow time for.
Security - both Prague and Frankfurt.

Conclusion: 1 hour, 40 minute sounds too tight for a change including passport checks. But if it is one booking, it is the airline's problem if you miss the 2nd flight, you will be put on a later flight.
If it is two separate bookings -no hope.

Posted by Barbara

Brooklyn, NY

12/26/18 05:11 PM

4273 posts

The airport at Frankfurt is huge. There is a loooong walk between terminals. We didn’t even have time to stop for a pretzel.

Posted by Chris OP

Pittsburgh, PA

12/26/18 05:19 PM

49 posts

Thanks, that's what I thought. I will just take the train down to Vienna, and leave from there. That's where I left from last time, and it's very easy from there. It's a shame that popular destinations like Prague and Budapest don't have direct flights to the US.

Last time I flew into Munich, then went to Nuremberg, Salzburg, then eventually Vienna. This time I think I will fly into Munich, and go Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Dresden, Prague, and Vienna. I will have to save Budapest for another time.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

12/27/18 03:27 AM

32357 posts

Chris,

I've flown through Frankfurt numerous times on the way home. Although it's a large airport, it's well organized and efficient and I wouldn't have any hesitation in transiting through there. 1H:40M should be enough time, assuming your flight from Prague is on time. Are the flights being booked on code share airlines? That may have a bearing on whether your luggage will be checked through from your Prague flight, or whether you'll have to retrieve it and then re-check.

When you arrive in Frankfurt, you will have to go through the police checkpoint to have your Passport stamped, since this will be your exit point from the Schengen zone. That usually doesn't take too long. You may have to go through security again.

Check with the airline to find out if they consider the 1H:40M a "legal connection".