Connecting in Zurich on way back to the US

In the link you have there’s a section regarding security and passport control. That section indicates that you just follow the signs to your next gate. In my experience airports have set up signage and corridors that will funnel you to the correct passport control point. My guess is that all the flights to non Schengen destinations depart from a common area. Connecting passengers go through a common passport control checkpoint for that area not at the gate.

Since you are checking bags I would show my passport at the Swiss air counter/desk in Rome. Probably be able to get both of your boarding passes then.

Have a fun trip!

I believe you will have to go through the big passport control, before you get on the little train to Terminal E. There are still additional passport checks at the gate for US flights too.

If for some reason you don’t get both boarding passes in Rome, there are transfer desks at all gate areas in Zurich.

Flights to the USA depart from Terminal E, which is a remote terminal reached by underground rail link. You go through passport control on the way. All the times I have transferred there on the way to the States, it is very quick. They check your boarding card and stamp your passport exiting Schengen. I went through last month and the connecting time was 1 hours and 30 minutes on the schedule, but due to a half hour delay in the connecting flight, it as less than 1 hour. No problems, although they had already begun boarding when we arrived at the gate.

In years past, if you arrived at the gate more an hour early, you may have gotten randomly chosen for "extra" security. They check your boarding card to make sure it as not counterfeited and go through your carry on items and give you a pat-down. When it happened to me, the Swiss TSA (Swiss equivalent) guy rolled his eyes and said "Hey, its YOUR government that makes us do this (complete waste of time)." So getting to the gate late will avoid this as the Swiss like to keep the plane on time.

Thank-you rocket, hopper and sam!! This information is very helpful.

Sam, I was selected on my last trip for the extra screening. All they found in my carry on was about 8 bags of paprika potato chips. 😊