We have a Delta Skymiles reward ticket flying into Frankfurt and want to connect to a Lufthansa flight to Berlin. Since they are different tickets, I'm guessing that we cannot check bags in the entire way and will have to go thru immigration, customs, and collect bags as if leaving the airport and then re-check in at the Lufthansa desk. Can anyone confirm? If that is the case, how much time is recommended between international arrival that will likely be in Terminal 2 and departure from Terminal 1? Or if there is a way to avoid it, how? I appreciate any info. Wish I would have thought of this before booking the award travel!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
If you are flying from North America to Europe (Schengen) and landing first in Frankfurt, you will have to go through immigration in Frankfurt, regardless of whether it's on one ticket or two. Customs is usually a walk through, assuming you actually have "nothing to ". However, with checked bags, you will have to wait for them at the carousel and later check them at the Lufthansa desk. The way to avoid this (carousel and Lufthansa check) is to pack only a carry-on. With carry-ons, you only have to check in with enough time to get to the gate. With checked luggage, you have to check in with enough time (at least an hour more) for the luggage to get onto the plane. Also, you need to provide plenty of time to allow for a late flight into FRA. Lufthansa is unlikely to make allowances for your missing your flight if the Delta flight arrives late. Hint: there are more than hourly direct and one change ICE connections from the airport to Berlin that make the trip in under 5 hours. I don't know what you would pay for a flight, but these fast trains cost 123€/pers, one way. There are some only slightly slower connections for 105€/pers.