Tampa to Cairo via Zurich

I believe the Cairo flight will depart from the same remote international terminal where you arrive, so it should just be a matter of walking the relatively short distance to your new gate. No Passport control. Luggage transfer could be an issue if you arrive very late.

Sam:
Thanks very much for the very quick response. It would be great if the two flights were in the “international” terminal. But I think the Tampa flight arrives at an E gate while the Cairo flight departs from a D gate. Do you know if this Would involve going through passport control and security ?

If the Cairo flight goes from D, you will have to go through passport control, since it is a shuttle train ride from E to the main terminal and everyone goes through passport control when they exit the shuttle train.

My question would be if the Cairo flight is direct or are you changing on the way. A quick look at the Swiss schedule seems to show the direct Cairo flight departs at 7 am, whereas the Tampa direct flight arrives at 10:55 am.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, the Tampa direct flight is scheduled to arrive at 10:55 AM. The Cairo direct flight is scheduled to depart at 12:50 PM. Seems like enough time to connect, but flight from Tampa typically arrives 1-1.5 hours late.

Yes, you will definitely land at E gates and have to take the shuttle train to the main terminal and go through Passport control.

If the Cairo flight goes from D, you will have to go through passport
control, since it is a shuttle train ride from E to the main terminal
and everyone goes through passport control when they exit the shuttle
train.

That is incorrect.

You can get from E to D without having to go through passport control. Just follow the signs to D, and when you exit the shuttle you will bypass passport control. You will however go through security again, as the E/D connection unfortunately does not separate passengers from "clean" and "not clean" origins.

Security is quick though usually. No need to take your shoes off. No full body scanners. Just common sense. ZRH is a great airport for transferring. If your connection is tight they may even decide to just drive you to your next flight.

Thanks very much for the additional information.
Bill