I am in the process of looking for flights to Rome from Vancouver for next spring break 2027, and I am wondering what the state of the EES is at FCO? Or other transit hubs like Munich and Frankfurt? Has it improved? Last time over in April 26, it was a 2 1/2 hr lineup.
How much layover time is recommended from the first leg across the pond to the second leg to Rome from a Schengen zone city?
Thank you!
Janet
Posted by
Angleterre
2875 posts
Unfortunately, no one can know what the impact of ESS will be in 2027.
I leave the layover time to the airline selling the ticket and how many other onward flights there are to my final destination. If your first plane arrives on time, two hours will be plenty.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10497 posts
Why not fly either Alaska or Delta new nonstop out of Seattle? Eliminate all worries about connections in Europe.
Posted by
503 posts
EES was just the support act, the main (and payable) system is ETIAS, which is just about to miss another deadline for introduction. Next spring may see that appear, in which case nobody has any experience of what will or will not happen but the events of EES do not bode well. Then again EES might have settled down, ETIAS gets further delayed and all will be happy for a while!
Posted by
OP
45 posts
Good points about the potential ETIAS system. As I have the UK's ETA, it may be best to transit through Heathrow from YVR and take my chances on lineups at FCO, but at least Ill be at my destination!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10497 posts
FYI, an ETA is not necessary for transiting Heathrow. In transit, you do not enter the UK. Having one is nice in case of irregular operations.
If Rome is your final destination, why even worry about FCO EES times? It took me less than 10 minutes on April 16.. Others have spent up to 90 minutes. There is no predicting, but I assume a year into implementation it should be better, not worse.
I can see your concern if transiting in the EU, but it sounds like you are planning on Heathrow. I did take the Alaska Airlines Rome -Seattle route home this year and loved the non stop.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7530 posts
Since at present there are no nonstop flights, I think any connecting flight with a 2 hour stop over would suffice. I did notice a Westjet flight that connected with a 2 hr stop in Calgary. Thus no EES until you arrive in Rome. And no potential hassle dealing with US Immigration if you connected at a US airport. But I only checked one random day in March . And I agree that worrying about wait times at FCO 8 months from now is pointless.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1781 posts
I flew in and out of FCO last month. From the time we touched down until I was on the Leonardo Express, it took only 45 minutes. Deplaning was very efficient, EES was a breeze, checked luggage arrived quickly. One important caveat is that we arrived early in the morning which probably helped. On the way back, maybe 10 minute wait for exiting Schengen.
Posted by
OP
45 posts
Thank you for all responses. Im planning well in advance, I know, but Im taking my 16 year old grandson to Rome (his first European trip!) and I want to avoid border chaos as much as possible. Avoiding a landing in a Schengen zone hub bfr the leg to Rome is my best bet. No direct flights from YVR unfortunately. Seattle could be an option on Alaska, but we generally also try to stay in Canada and fly over to Europe.