Hello,
I’m looking at flight options for a trip that has a connection through Frankfurt. I’ve never connected through Frankfurt, only as a final stop. The layover is 2 hr 30min. Knowing how large the airport is, would this be doable? Flight will be coming from Chicago.
Thanks
Amanda
A single ticket or a 2 ticket do-it-yourself combo?
Checked bags?
Destination?
Single ticket, checked bags (but can carry on), destination Florence Italy
I've done a connection from the US through FRA in 50 minutes, carry-on and single ticket. I didn't lolly-gag (is that still a word?), arrived, winded and anxious, at my departure gate toward the tail end of boarding. More recently, I had bought a ticket with 1hr50 minute connection, which felt entirely doable; I'm much happier with a change that has given me 2hr40 minutes, which gives breathing room even if there is a delay in my first flight.
Never had a problem in Frankfurt, even with two times that circumstances made the connection insanely tight. If you are flying Lufthansa, not only will is all be in the same area, but they will do everything they can to get you on your flight.
We've connected through Frankfort three times with no problems but each time on Lufthansa and I choose layovers of 2hr 30 min or longer.
Thank you, everyone for your comments. The flight is United then Air Dolomiti. I’ve looked & in the case the layover isn’t long enough, there are other flights during the day.
Amanda
You should have enough time. FRA is big but well-signed, and passport control has never taken long there for me. Worst case, you're on the next flight.
You should be fine with that time frame. FRA can be challenging. Sometimes they bus transport you from the tarmac to the terminal which is time consuming. It is a sprawling airport. I have cut it closes a few times. But with your time you should be okay.
As near as I can tell, your arrival flight (United) will come into "Concourse Z" (Hall Z), which is the upper level, for non-Schengen, of the building housing Concourses A and Z in Terminal 1, and your departure will be from Concourse B of Terminal 1. Of course, the airport could reassign your flights to other gates and Concourses, so ask the flight attendants before you land.
Assuming the gates don't change, you will pass through passport control and go downstairs to Concourse A. Look for signs to "Hall" B. There is a tunnel between Concourses A and B, but the signs might only say "to Hall B" (just don't be surprised if you go through a long pedestrian tunnel between the concourses).
