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Connections time in Rome FCO

Posted by on

We fly on 2 separate bookings (long story). The first is from Houston to Paris(Airfrance) then Paris to Rome (alitalia). We arrive Rome FCO at 1:05pm. The second booking is from Rome to Athens(alitalia) and leaves FCO at 2:50. The original flight into Rome from Paris was supposed to land at 11:00am, the airlines changed the schedule so we have less time and are worried. Anyway, my questions are:
1. Will we clear passport control when we arrive in Paris or when we arrive in Rome?
2. Do we have time to make this connection from Paris to Rome to Athens now? 1 hours and 45 minutes with checked baggage on 2 reservations?

I have called Alitalia but I get a call center in Albania and I have been told both its not problem you will make it and another time no way I wont make it

Posted by
1072 posts

you clear passport control when you enter the EU, so that's Paris. Did you buy trip insurance especially for missed connections and luggage delays? it doesn't guarantee anything but it does cover some expenses just in case. that said, you should have enough time. when you check in at the ticket counter in Rome you might ask if they have confirmed your luggage transfer. good luck and no matter what, have a great trip!

Posted by
8889 posts

You say two bookings, so I am guessing Houston - Paris - Rome is the first booking, and Rome - Athens is the second.
1) You will do immigration (Passport control) at Paris for entry into the Schengen Area. No passport control in Rome or Athens as those legs are intra-Schengen. The airlines and security will probably all ask to see your passports as in ID check,
2) You say Paris-Rome and Rome-Athens is both Alitalia.
Q1) Is it possible to get your luggage booked through to Athens? If so, this would make everything a lot easier.
Q2) Will you be able to check in and get your "boarding card" for Rome-Athens before leaving home?

If the answers to Q1 and Q2 is both yes, then Rome should be OK if everything is on time.
If not, you have to pick up your bags in Rome, exit, go to check in to dump your bag and get a boarding card, and enter again. 1h45 to do all this sounds dangerously short.

Posted by
12113 posts

When we flew FCO-ATH we took a bus from the terminal to the plane. This adds a little extra time to the boarding process.

Having to retrieve checked baggage and re-check it may be the bottleneck that could be your undoing, especially if your arrival in Rome is delayed. I had only carry-on so cannot speak to the issues with baggage claim at FCO.

Do you know if you have to change terminals at FCO?

My understanding from reading what others have said in this Forum, is that passport control should occur in Paris, which helps with your transit time in Rome

As it appears changing your flights is not an option, is condensing your luggage to just carry on possible? That looks to be the only thing in your control to speed up the transfer process at FCO.

Good Luck

Posted by
3 posts

Chris F,

Im not sure if the airline will go ahead and book the luggage for the second reservation through with the first. I just assumed the answer was no. Maybe someone else knows the answer and Ill try to call alitalia again, which i hate because I feel like I get nowhere :). I plan to check into the second reservation flights before I leave home and print a boarding pass so that should not be an issue.

Posted by
12113 posts

What about contacting AF at IAH and explain your situation and see if they can check your baggage to ATH.

Should be easier than dealing with the Albanian phone center for Alitatlia.

AF would have to tag it to ATH when you check-in, in Houston. As you describe you booking, you will not see or have access to your luggage in Paris. It will be a plane to plane transfer and not accessible to be "re-tagged" until you get to the baggage claim in Rome

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