Athens to Crete Layover

I am sorry. I misread your inquiry. I thought you were going to N America not from.

I would be comfortable with this itinerary with your layover.

If your flight from N America to Greece is a nonstop, you can rest assured that your flight (almost all of these are between 9 - 12) -- will NOT be late arriving. In my experience of 13 trips, dthe nonstops from East coast were 100% on time or early... even when there was a take-off traffic delay from Phily or NY.... that's because there's all that looooong stretch over the Atlantic when planes can make up time -- with a west wind too. Delays mainly occur when one transfers IN Europe at a busy airport, in late morning or early afternoon. Relax ... you'll have plenty of time... buy a beer, read a book.

As for "customs", that's an outmoded concept -- you just pass a desk that says "anyting to declare?" and (unless you are a major merchant bringing good for European sale), you jst say NO. The only line is for passport control, and those usually move quickly. Even when several planes are landing, it hasnt taken longer for me than 20-30 mins after getting in line. The only glitch i remember was when there was some big China jet arriving same time.... but lately, I don't think those have been in the mix. Relax.

Is there any thing we can do to speed up the customs/EES prior to
travel?

EES : NO

Customs:

The exit to the public area from the baggage claim area, with the "Nothing to Declare" and "Goods to Declare" signs mentioned by Janet (never seen a customs officer here).
You can take the opportunity to grab a map of Athens while you're there; it's on the rack with the ATHENS sign, just to the right of the exit.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vwVPmrnB3EYHxa8A8

I don’t want you to stress unnecessarily but here in England the BBC is advising four hour layovers to cope with EES. you are probably close enough to that to be safe but gory details are here if you’re interested

https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20260313-how-to-prepare-for-europes-new-travel-entry-rules

I’ve not had any luck finding out whether there is a problem at Athens. I’m flying in next week and just keeping my fingers crossed (and taking a book).

Alan

Thanks to all who replied.

We fly Lufthansa into Frankfort from Detroit then to Athens on Lufthansa as well. Then Aegean to Chania.

Vin

How long is your connection In Frankfurt? Since that will be your first entry into Schengen, I believe that’s where you’ll have to go through EES and face a potential delay.

We have a 1 hour and 20 minute layover in Frankfort. It was booked like that through Lufthansa.

I’ve just seen in another forum that someone spent two and a half hours in a queue in Athens this morning. The problem, of course, is that waiting time will fluctuate throughout the day and throughout the week depending on what has come in.