Can anyone give me a good recommendation on how much time I should count on for connections, i.e, Houston Texas to Rome ( luggage booked straight through) with a connection in Frankfurt - is 2 hours enough time - don't you have to go thru customs? I want to get there as quickly as possible but don't want to stress out over not making the connection! Thanks!
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
At this very moment, I am sitting at JFK approaching the end of an 11-hour connection, that is TOO much time, I can guarantee! Then I fly to Munich where I have a 90-minute connection to a flight to Italy, enough time I hope. If that is not enough time, then the airlines wouldn't schedule it, right? They and their customers would have problems over and over again.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
If you're booked straight through on the same or a code-shared airline, they should take responsibility for any flight delays that affect the second leg. You will go through passport control, but not customs. Last time that passport control took 45 minutes at Paris CDG airport, the airline recognized that as not my fault and put me (and others) on the next flight connection.
Posted by
Poulsbo, WA, US
223 posts
Nice thing is in this case you have options... I have flown through Frankfurt several times and was worried about the connection (I made it each time). There were several flights each day still heading to Rome and Florence in my case so even if it hadn't worked as planned, at most I would have delayed a few hours.
I like flying through Frankfurt as I think the signage etc is good and to me, it logically laid out.
Lastly, once your plane leave Houston, you are simply along for the ride so don't stress it... It will work out and a great time awaits.
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
663 posts
2-3 hours is ideal. Less than 90 minutes is too tight for my sanity. 3.5+ Hours is a waste of my time.
Posted by
Toronto, Canada
415 posts
2 hours in Frankfurt is good. 90 minutes in Munich is also fine as I find it more efficient than Frankfurt and easier to use when transferring.
You have to clear passport control in Frankfurt which is usually not a problem. You will have to clear security again which can be a problem but with 2 hours you should have plenty of time. I wouldn't stop for food or drinks until you are past security and closer to your departure gate.
You will go through customs so to speak in Rome - I presume you have nothing to declare so take the green route.