I have tight connections both going and come backing from Italy on my flight this spring. Going is: Seattle, connecting in Frankfurt, arriving in Florence. Coming back is Rome, connecting in Frankfurt, arriving in Seattle. Question: When do I go through customs both ways? I assume I will on the way there through Frankfurt, but will I do that on the way back, or rather is it done in Seattle since I'm flying within Europe? Sorry if this is a silly question, but this is my first trip to Europe. Also, if anyone has any experience(s) going through customs in Frankfurt that they'd like to pass along, I'd love to hear them. Thanks for your input.
Posted by
Freedonia
16411 posts
Going to Europe, you will go through Passport Control in Frankfurt but not customs. You can check your bags through to Florence. In Florence, you technically should go through customs but usually it's just a walk through. (No Passport Control in Florence.)
On the return, you won't deal with passport control or customs until Seattle. Again, check your bags through to Seattle.
If you're not checking bags, then it won't be a problem.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
3 posts
Thank you for the quick reply, Frank. I'm not checking any bags, so hopefully just having a carry-on will speed things up a bit.
Posted by
Freedonia
16411 posts
No passport check in Frankfurt coming home. If you have to change terminals, there is a transit side tram and bus so you don't have to go through Passport Control. You will have to go through security again.
This will probably confuse you even more, but here's the transfer guide put out by Frankfurt Airport:
Frankfurt Transfer Guide
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
3 posts
Thank you both very much!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23642 posts
I am sorry, Steve, but I cannot continue to ignore the misinformation that you post. The flight from Rome to Frankfurt is a domestic flight and you do not go into the international terminal in Rome. It is just a standard flight in Europe. Patti, DO NOT made the mistake of going to the international terminal in Rome. It does not become an international departure until you hit Frankfurt.
Posted by
Freedonia
16411 posts
Anytime you fly anywhere in the world, you will have your ID checked. For most of us traveling out of the U.S., that ID will be our passport. This is not done for immigration purposes but strictly for security. (And that's what confuses people.)Technically, you could show any picture ID but most of us use the passport.
No matter where you connect or how, you will always go through additional security before your direct flight back to the U.S.
Everyone on that Rome to Frankfurt flight has their ID checked. Again, this is for security and not passport control.
In most international airports, where connections are common, the additional security is done in the transit area or at the gate so you don't have to mess with passport control and customs.
The best thing to do is check with your airline to find out from which terminal your flight departs.
So as not to confuse people, let's keep the idea of "Passport Check" strictly to immigration as the security aspect is now a given.