Hello. We will be traveling from the Washington DC area to Greece. Our layover will be in the Munich Airport. Is an hour and fifteen minute layover doable or should we choose a flight with a longer layover? We we be flying United/ Luftshana. We usually take carry-on luggage. Thank you!
Posted by
4961 posts
It is a tad tight but having done that connection several times, I would risk it. If you can choose a seat toward the front, that might help a little bit. Go to the bathroom on the plane so you need to make no pit stops and can forge ahead quickly. You will possibly not have time to grab lunch and water (a shame with those yummy pretzel bread sandwiches everywhere), but you might luck out.
They have added automated passport check machines and that expedited the process. If you have not used those before, make sure your fingers are not pressing against the top of the passport, as it hinders the reading.
PS if you pay for seat selection in economy, there is a row of two just behind premium economy that is super spacious. On United, we have purchased premium pconomy and it's a decent bargain.
Posted by
atlanta
186 posts
You do not mention when your trip will be . . . departing from DC during the summer could mean afternoon/evening thunderstorms or other weather delays due to incoming flights. Even a slight delay would mean missing your flight in Munich. Take a later one if you can and eliminate your stress.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
933 posts
I went through Munich on my way to Venice and only had an hour and I almost missed my connecting flight! It was an unorganized mess going through security. They had no marked lines and no staff assisting people. It was just a large room full of people. I only had carry-on as well, and by the time I got through security they were paging me and I had to run. If the connecting flight hadn't been late leaving I would have missed it. I was not the only person, either, that was trying to make the same flight and got stuck in the mass of people trying to get through security. It's the only airport I've experienced that. I was also flying with Lufthansa.
Posted by
NH (USA)
1222 posts
You should check with the airport what the Minimum Connection Time (MCT) is for that flight. If it's not enough time the airlines will have to re-book you with another flight that gives you time to make the connection.
You have to hope your plane is on time, you get off the plane in a timely manner, go through customs (maybe security?) and walk to your gate.
I booked a flight back from Greece with a short layover in JFK (1 -1/2 hours) and found to my horror that the MCT was far longer than that.
I called the airlines and they agreed and got my another flight with a longer layover.
Posted by
Atlanta
189 posts
On our return from Rome last year we had a short layover through Munich---maybe 1.5 hours. It was the most unorganized mess I have ever seen. No lines but a mass of people trying to fit into 2 entrances to get to the gate area. We did manage to make it for our flight back to the states but I'm sure my blood pressure was off the charts. First time I actually wrote a review about an airport. We were also flying Lufthansa.
Posted by
6 posts
Very doable and I have done it many times on my way to Greece via Lufthansa. The Munich airport is small compared to Frankfort and it is fairly easy to reach most gates in little time. You will have no trouble making your connection. Additionally, Lufthansa monitors how man passengers are connecting to its flights and will ensure you make it aboard. I wish you safe travels and an enjoyable visit to Greece.