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Arrive FCO from US, will I miss tight connection? Help!

After a long transatlantic flight to Rome, I only have 1.5 hours to catch a connecting flight and am concerned. Do you know how long it may take to go through customs in Terminal 3, pick up a bag (if it's not sent on automatically), and then go to Terminal 1 at FCO? Is there any way to expedite, as we have in the US, such as Global Entry? If I miss a connection, it will be a mess, but you may have a suggestion? What is your reality here?

Posted by
9013 posts

Need more info
Which airlines?, all one ticket?, final destination?

Customs is likely not a concern, passport control might be

Posted by
24086 posts

Our experience from several trips through Rome, is that they will bump you up in the immigration/passport control line if you tell them you have a short connection. Is your connection on one ticket or two separate tickets? criticial to know.

Posted by
7085 posts

Depends on a few things. Are your flights on the same ticket? If so, your checked luggage should be automatically moved to your connecting flight. If on a single ticket, you can stay airside when transitting between T3 and T1, but still need to go thru Passport Control and security. And of course, the big question: will your arrival be on time or delayed. Airlines are not permitted to issue tickets for flights that dont meet the minimum time allowed for connections. There are Connection Assistance Services available at FCO. For a fee and booked in advance.

However this all goes out the window if your flights are on separate tickets. You would need to pick up your bags from the carousels and go to the airline check in desk to check the bag and obtain your boarding pass. All in addition to Passport Control and security check. I doubt there is any way to do this in 1.5 hours even with Connection Services.

Posted by
1915 posts

Won’t be a problem if your flights are all on one ticket and your international flight is not delayed. And even if it is delayed and you miss your connection, the airline will be obligated to get you on another flight……as long as it’s all on the same ticket!

Posted by
4 posts

Yes, one ITA ticket in hand: SFO to FCO to Brindisi. It sounds like the checked bag won't need to be secured by me, as it will hopefully be pushed to the new flight. FCO to Brindisi. As for my tight schedule, I read here that someone could be paid to pluck me from this into the new Terminal for a fee. My recollection is that once I go through passport control, it's a matter of finding Terminal 1, I will be in in 3, so unless this savior has a cart and can whisk me there faster, I would be best to do it alone. I don't know if FCO has a train to go from 1 to 3, do you? Any other thoughts welcome and thank you, grazie mile!

Posted by
13364 posts

Looking at the ITA site I see a SFO-FCO-BDS routing that has a 1 hr 5 min transfer at FCO (NOT 1.5 hrs)

They are selling it as a single ticket so it should work.

My advice:
1) make sure you see you checked bag(s) have a tag showing BDS on it when you drop them off at your SFO departure.
2) Use the restroom on the plane as close to landing in Rome as possible so you do not need to make a stop in the airport

3) Make sure your sneakers are laced tightly.

If 1st flight is late, it looks like ITA has 2 more flights to Brindisi after the one you are schedule for.

Posted by
1840 posts

I don't know if FCO has a train to go from 1 to 3, do you?

FCO is one very large structure, so think of terminals as separate areas. You will arrive at the non-Schengen area and will have to walk a relatively long distance to get to your departure gate. You will pass through immigration/passport control along your walk - just follow the signage to your departure gate.

Posted by
4 posts

Subject: Tight ITA connection at FCO (SFO→FCO→Brindisi) — Questions on baggage, rental car insurance, and meet-and-assist

Ciao everyone — grazie mille for any guidance.

I’m flying SFO → Rome FCO → Brindisi (BDS) on one ITA ticket, but the connection at FCO is only 1 hour 5 minutes. With runway construction delays at SFO and what can be long passport-control lines at FCO, I’m concerned I may miss the onward flight to Brindisi.

I have three questions:

1) If I miss the FCO→Brindisi flight: rebooking + baggage hold
• If there are seats on the next ITA flight to Brindisi, where do I go to get rebooked — an ITA transfer desk/counter, or can it be done fully in the ITA app?
• If my checked bag is already tagged to BDS, I assume it may travel on the flight I missed and end up in ITA baggage hold in Brindisi.
• Has anyone experienced this at BDS?
• Where is the ITA baggage office at Brindisi (easy to find, hours, process)?
• Any tips on retrieving a bag that arrives earlier than the passenger?

2) Rental car insurance in Italy (Avis) — how to know the “no excess” cost in advance

I’ll be picking up a rental car in Brindisi and want full coverage with zero excess (or as close as possible). The problem: I cannot get anyone at Avis (or other agencies) to tell me the cost of “full CDW/no excess” in advance — they keep saying it’s handled at the rental counter, and the Brindisi location phone number doesn’t answer.
• Is there any reliable way to get the exact daily cost of “full coverage/no excess” before arriving in Italy?
• What is a realistic daily cost range for full coverage? I’ve been told $20–$30/day, but I’m not sure that’s accurate.
• Important note: my Chase card coverage won’t apply because my rental will exceed 31 days, so I’m likely stuck buying Italian coverage.

3) Meet-and-assist / airport agent at FCO — worth it?

Has anyone used a paid meet-and-assist service at FCO (someone who helps you navigate connections, passport control, terminals, etc.)?
• Are they actually effective for tight connections?
• Do they help you move faster through passport control or only through security?
• I’m hearing pricing around $200/€200 — does that sound right, and is it worth it?

Thanks again — any first-hand experiences (especially at FCO and BDS) would be hugely appreciated.