Hello all - i'm not finding andy clear answers on this: We are traveling to Italy at the beginning of July. Flying United from SFO to Zurich, then Swissair (a United partner) from Zurich to Rome. We may have to check a bag... In Zurich, are we going to have to go through passport control/immigration and pick up and recheck our bag before boarding our Swissair flight to Rome, or can we just go straight to the gate for our Swissair flight? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Western Canada
3552 posts
If you booked all your flights on one ticket, you just go through official formalities.
Your bags will be checked through to Rome from SFO.
Check the tag for correct labelling to Rome, before your bag goes down the ramp when you check in.
Also, pack a change of clothes in your bag you carry on board, just in case your bags are delayed or lost.
Another trick is to cross-pack with your travel partner: some of your clothes in their bag, and some of theirs in yours.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16168 posts
Passport control: yes.
Bag retrieval and customs: No.
Bags go through to Rome and you don't have to worry about it.
Customs officers in Rome may randomly stop you and check your bags but generally it's a walk through if you have nothing to declare. I've never been randomly checked by Customs in Italy, in maybe 40 trips since I live in the US.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Ok thanks! But since we will be going through Passport Control, do we have to go back through security screening as well?
Posted by
NM, USA
911 posts
Generally no you don't have to go thru security. We did once transiting Amsterdam Schiphol airport flying Basel to Amsterdam to Atlanta. Normally it's just a passport control check.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16168 posts
Haven't flown via ZRH in a few years, but I am pretty sure that you will have to go through security screening again (xray machines) somewhere between passport control (which is right after you deplane) and the gate where you board the intra-Schengen flight to Rome.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
18 posts
Reading replies with interest, as we have essentially the same flights in October. Stephanie, after you actually do this trip in July, would you please come back (if you remember!) and tell us what happened? Thanks in advance!