Flying from United States to Frankfort with a connecting flight from Frankfort to Bilbao, Spain. Only 45 minutes to make the connection in Frankfort. Lufthansa told me that I do not go through customs/immigration until Bilbao. This is completely new to me, I always thought that coming from the US the first entry to another country was the point at which you went through customs/immigration, but was told differently. If I do NOT have to go customs/immigration until Bilbao , I may have a hope of making my connection in the 45 minutes I have. Anyone have experience of this situation or Frankfort airport in general?
(I will just have my carry-on no checked baggage)
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16058 posts
Customs will be in Bilbao. But Immigration (Passport control) will be in Frankfurt, Germany (not Frankfort, KY). However lines are generally not that long and the process is shorter than when you enter the US. They just look at your passport and stamp it. Then you proceed. I'd be more concerned with the distance to your Bilbao gate, because FRA is a big airport and, at least in my many experiences, I always have to walk a long way to my gate to Florence. Maybe your Bilbao flight boards at a gate closer to your arrival terminal. Wear running shoes, just in case your arrival flight is late. But don't worry. Even if you miss it, LH will rebook you on the next flight to BIO. Next flight departs at 3:45pm. I'm sure you'll make that one.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Ann, Based on my experience in travelling through Frankfurt / FRA on many occasions, the information that Roberto provided about "immigration/customs" is accurate. If your first stop in the E.U. is Frankfurt and you'll then be connecting with a flight to Bilbao, you WILL be going through Immigration/Passport control at FRA, where your Passport will be stamped. You WON'T be dealing with "Customs", which will be mostly a "walk through" at your final destination. A 45 minute connecting time is a bit "short", but if you're travelling on a code share flight it's probably a "legal connection". If you're travelling in Coach, I'd suggest choosing a seat right behind Business Class so that you can get off the plane as quickly as possible. On one of my past trips, I had a one hour connection in FRA, and I found that being able to get off the plane quickly and get to Immigration before the queues formed made a big difference. Did you buy your air tickets online or through a Travel Agent? You might want to check with a T.A. to get another opinion on the matter. You'll also be going through Immigration prior to boarding your flight back to the U.S. at your last location in Europe, and your Passport will be stamped again. Happy travels!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Passport control is usually very efficient at Frankfurt. I don't think I've ever waited longer than 10 minutes, and usually, far less than that. Nothing at all like the horror of entering the US lately...
Posted by
OP
Washington, Nc, US
167 posts
Thanks guys, sounds like I may luck out and make this flight. No travel agent, my ticket is US airways with the code share connection Lufstansa in Frankfort. Probably too late to change my seat,leaving on the 4th of June.
My seat is now at the very end of the plane.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5457 posts
45 mins is the minimum connection time in FRA - but regularly scheduled by LH.