European Airport Connections - Times & Best Airports

I always prefer to make the connect in Europe and fly direct to the states rather than make a connect in the US. It is a pain to go through customs/immigrations and then have to recheck your luggage. We have never had a good experience with Dulles. And what is it with the extra numbers and letters in your post. It makes it difficult to read.

Thanks for the reply. Apparently this system doesnt like apostrophes or parenthesis and wouldnt accept my line breaks. I could not fix the formatting once it was posted.

Stacy, the site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, that is what is causing the formatting problem. If you can check back later.

I second Franks post about making plane changes in Europe - NOT in the US. The only connection I have ever made in the US was in Chicago at OHare and I will never fly to/thru there again. And, I was born there.

Stacy, Munich is my first choice for a European airport. It's not as huge as Frankfurt and easy to navigate.

Thank you for the connection suggestions. I will definitely transfer in Europe on my way back. Is the connection time of 1:15 - 1:30 coming or going in Munich or Frankfurt a cause for concern? I do have an arrival option that gives me more time for a connection but it gets me into Venice much later than I wanted to be. Thanks again.

That connection time should be fine if using a single ticket which makes them responsible if your arrival flight is delayed. But if using to separate tickets then you need more time as back up for delay problems.

I should be on 1 ticket. United from Chicago to Frankfurt/Munich then connect to Lufthansa (partner airline) to Venice. On the way back its all Lufthansa. Seems so short but I guess I'm just used to horrible connection times. Thanks!

You won't have to go through passport control until you get to your final destination (someone correct me if I'm wrong there). You will, however, have to go through security while in Frankfurt or Munich. We had to go through 2 security checkpoints in Frankfurt last summer on a layover. It's tight, but it should work. If you're ticketed all the way through (should be, it's probably a codeshare between the airlines), then Lufthansa will be responsible for getting you to Italy if you miss your connection. I'm going to agree with the others about connecting in Europe vs. the US. If something happens and you get delayed on your flight back, where would you rather be stuck, Germany or Washington?

Stacy, a few comments regarding my recent experiences in Frankfurt. My flight to Rome this year involved a change of planes in Frankfurt. I had ONE HOUR from time of landing to departure of my connecting flight. I asked the Flight Attendant about the short time frame, and was told "don't worry, it's Germany, you'll have no problems". I was fortunate that I was sitting in the front, just behind first class so I was able to disembark quickly once the doors opened. I went through Passport control (since it was my first point of entry to the E.U.), through security and was at my departure gate in 20 MINUTES! As I was on a "code share" flight, I didn't have to worry about my checked luggage. I'm assuming the same efficiency would exist in Munich. Happy travels!

Based on my experiences, on your return flight I would absolutely make your connection in Germany and then fly non-stop to Chicago, especially if your stopover time in Dulles is the least bit tight. Getting through customs in Dulles can be a nightmare, especially if they're dealing with 2 or 3 incoming flights from Europe.

Thanks for the helpful replies. I will be booking my ticket tonite and making both connections through Munich. And Yes - if something happens I would much rather be stuck in Germany than DC.

Maureen, i'll have to correct you. You always go through passport control at your first point of entry into the Schengen area, in this situation, Munich. The Munich to Venice flight, being an intra-Schengen flight, is treated almost as a domestic flight.

But it's correct that when you arrive from outside of the EU and connecting to a destination within the EU, you have to go through Security again. This rule came into effect a few years ago forcing European airports to expensive reconstructions.

stacy, good call. as stated above, the munich airport is small and very efficient. i guess that is all of germany actually. frankfurt is much larger but would work in your time frame. have fun, be safe.