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Layover in Rome, headed to Malta

Probably a do over sorry! We are traveling on US airline to Rome, and changing airlines (different booking) (Malta Air) with a 2 hour window between arrival to Rome, departure for Malta (in late August 2015 if it matters). Just want to be sure this gives us enough time to catch our Malta flight. Assuming we'll have checked bags. thanks!

Posted by
5362 posts

You'll have to go through immigration in Rome and customs in Malta.

Posted by
15560 posts

Will your bags be checked through to Malta? If not, 2 hours isn't much if you add time to wait to collect bags, then wait in line to check them for your next flight, then security.

Posted by
23177 posts

I would book a much wider window. The probability of your US flight being late is very low BUT it could be. Second getting luggage and going through immigration is a wild card you cannot control. We have been through the Rome airport probably a dozen times or more and, generally, it is a typical airport situation with reasonable times for everything. BUT -- on one occasion it took over an hour to get our luggage because the conveyer belt broke. Last May, on a Sunday morning, it took over two hours just to go through immigration. I would be nervous with a two hour window especially since your second ticket is not linked to your first ticket.

Posted by
11294 posts

It all comes down to, Do You Feel Lucky? If there are no problems, you will make your connection, but if there are any problems (late arrival of your flight into Rome, hold up at immigration, delay getting your bags, etc), you may not. Since you are on separate tickets, if you miss the connection you are then on your own, both financially and logistically, for getting to Malta.

If the flight to Malta isn't too expensive, and if there is one much later on the day of your arrival, consider buying two tickets. That's what I did when I flew PHL to FCO on miles, then FCO to Palermo on a separate ticket. I had one ticket FCO to PMO for three hours after my scheduled arrival, and another one for 10 hours after my scheduled arrival. The plan was that I would use one and toss one, and simply consider the "double fee" as the cost of that leg. In the end, I made the first flight with time to spare. However, FCO to PMO is a domestic flight with many flights per day; FCO to Malta is likely to have fewer options and to be much more expensive, so my "solution" may not work for you.