We are flying into Rome on United Airlines and need to catch a connecting flight (that I need to book still) to Catania. We land at FCO at 8:10 AM and will have checked bags to collect, along with customs, etc. There are flights to Catania at various times on various airlines. There is a 10:40 AM, 11:20 AM, 1:10 PM. We are wondering if anyone has experience with this to know when would be a adequate time (without cutting it too close) to book our flight to Catania?
Posted by
Chicago
8231 posts
Stay in Rome the first day book the flight for the day after
Posted by
OP
toledo
29 posts
We are traveling to Catania to meet up with my teenage daughter who has been on exchange and have not seen since September - hence we would love to get down there as soon as possible! We will be spending 3 days in Rome before we fly back home.
Posted by
seattle
2147 posts
Iwould probably book the 11:20, just in case you flight into Rome is late.
Posted by
OP
toledo
29 posts
Thank you Becky for your reply. So that should leave us enough time to get our luggage and go through customs, recheck luggage, security, etc? We have never been to Italy before so I am not familiar with FCO layout at all.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12052 posts
I have not dealt with checked baggage at FCO, so have no idea how efficient that process is. Have you checked how close your arrival and departure terminal are? Where you pick you baggage and where do you go to check it on to the next flight?
I have flown FCO-ATH and we were taken from terminal by bus to the aircraft parked at a remote location. Obviously this adds time to the boarding process.
If I were doing it, I would do the 110PM flight. In March the weather can still be a factor in airline operations
How long the line is at passport control when you arrive........ no way to know
Its your choice as to what level of stress you are comfortable with.
If you have extra time you have time to have a relaxing lunch
Posted by
London, UK
71 posts
I agree with Joe. You may want to book the 1:10pm flight just to be safe. If you didn't have checked luggage, I'd recommend the 11:20am flight, but it's difficult to predict how long it will take for you to deplane, go through immigration, wait in line to recheck your luggage, and go through security. You most likely will have to switch terminals, though that is a short walk.
Posted by
OP
toledo
29 posts
Thank you - I think we will go with the 1:10PM to avoid any extra stress!