We are US citizens traveling to Rome from USA in spring 2023, then going to Croatia and then back to Rome by air. What sort of customs backlog are we likely to encounter upon arriving in Rome from Dubrovnik? Are we going to be put into the same sort of queue as when we arrive from USA? Is there anything like Global Entry we could register for to speed things up?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13934 posts
First, just to define some things. Immigration is for people, customs is for goods.
Coming from the US to enter Italy you will go thru Immigration and then Customs is just a green door you walk thru that says "nothing to declare". You may be in line in Rome for Immigration. There is never a line for Customs. No, there is not a special program to get you through quicker.
Croatia to Rome, I'm not sure of as I've not done it. Croatia is in the EU but they are not yet a part of the Schengen Agreement which allows free movement in this zone without checking passports, once you've entered.
When you leave Rome you will have to go thru Exit immigration but it is pretty quick. I just did it in October and I actually can't recall even standing in a line, lol, so it did not make much of an impact.
**editing to add - Cross-posting with CJean. I thought Croatia was not yet admitted to the Schengen area?
Posted by
OP
Santa Fe
3 posts
Sorry for my ignorance about customs vs immigration. To clarify, yes we have nothing to declare so it is just passport control. When we arrived in Lisbon in May 2022 we had to wait in a torturous long line for passport stamping. Took at least an hour. So my question is are we looking at this sort of line to get into Rome from Dubrovnik as US citizens. Is there a separate line because we arrive from Croatia vs arriving from USA? Thanks.
Posted by
Sweden
6372 posts
So my question is are we looking at this sort of line to get into Rome
from Dubrovnik as US citizens. Is there a separate line because we
arrive from Croatia vs arriving from USA?
No, there are usually separate lines for EU citizens and foreigners. But there are no separate immigration lines depending on where you arrive from.
And to clarify things a bit: Croatia is not part of Schengen. But they are very close to joining, the European parliament voted in favour of admitting them recently and it is now up to the council to decide. So they might be a Schengen country next year.
Posted by
OP
Santa Fe
3 posts
Thanks. I was afraid we would have one long line.
Anyone have a thought on the typical length of immigration lines at Rome airport in late May? I am trying to figure out how late we will get to Sorrento after arriving in Rome.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6046 posts
We flew in and out of Rome this past May
Both entry and exit were lightning quick ( this was when we needed COVID vax and test)
Posted by
Manitoba, Canada
1 posts
If I am interpreting your last post correctly....Rome is not your final destination. You are actually going Dubrovnik - Rome - Sorrento on the same day. That being the case, why fly to Rome? Dubrovnik - Naples flight could be a better option. First, to answer your initial question - I went through the Naples airport 5 weeks ago (October 2022). It was busy, but very fast. Travelling in the spring is pre high season, so should be much the same traffic. Second, arriving in Naples puts you much closer to Sorrento and will eliminate several hours travelling. From Naples, you could take the train or the ferry. You could also rent a car here, but IMO, a car is not a great option.
Posted by
Alpharetta, Ga, USA
265 posts
In April at FCO they had the electronic passport scanners, took us maybe 30 seconds to complete and walked outside to our driver
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11177 posts
I am trying to figure out how late we will get to Sorrento after arriving in Rome.
After doing a quick look at skyscanner.com, it appears flying to Naples is either a) expensive [ $385] or b) results in an arrival around 11PM and still an hour from Sorrento.
I saw a $252 flight from DBV-FRA-FCO that arrives around 1230PM and gives you time to get to Sorrento at a decent time of day.
The other choice is take the cheap flight to Rome and spend the night and got to Sorrento the next day.
Taking the non-stop DBV-FCO ($50) flight and then train to Naples looks to get you to Sorrento well past 10 PM
Its the never ending battle of " Quick/cheap/good--pick 2"
The time at passport control ( if Croatia is not a Schengen member) is not the primary problem; it looks to be the flight schedules.
Good luck.
Posted by
10 posts
We arrived in Dubrovnik from Amsterdam and it was very easy. It’s not a large terminal but went quicker than our bags arrived (this was in June, a lot busier than Spring). You shouldn’t have any issues