Layover time through Frankfurt

I will provide 2 answers, based on my connection through Frankfurt about a week ago.

The first is based on my own experience arriving from Spain to Frankfurt, heading back to the US. We landed at 315pm. It took me about 30 minutes to get from the "apron landing" (not at a gate) onto the bus, into B Concourse, through immigration and to my departure gate on Concourse Z. I walked at a VERY fast pace, and it included two sets of stairs/elevators. The EES pre-registration machines were not being used. There was no line at immigration and I walked directly up to the agent, who registered me himself for EES. That part took 1 minute, at most two.

The second answer is based on my conversation with the immigration agent. I told him I was relieved and surprised that there was no line. He said, you should have seen it this morning. He indicated it was a madhouse during that time. I asked him what time that would be and he said in the morning until about Noon, when lots of connecting flights were arriving. I didn't take his time to ask any further questions as to how long were the lines or the wait times.

So, the answer is that it really varies based on how many flights are arriving at the same time as you, how many non-EU passengers are going through immigration, and how well the kiosks and staff are able to process the volume.

Based on just those 2 data points, I would not consider a 1.5 hour layover for a morning arrival, but I might consider it for an afternoon connection, though I would breathe easier (and could walk more slowly) with 2-3 hours.

To expand on what CW says about an "apron landing", when you step out of the plane and realize that you're nowhere near a building it can be a surprise, even moreso if it is dark, raining, and the bus operators are German. Forewarned is forearmed.

There is a zen bit of wisdom that says if you're setting off on a journey during rainy season, expect to get wet.

This won't stop you from getting wet, but it will make it seem less bad when it happens.

Thank you both for your time in responding to my question, very much appreciate the insight.

CWsocial, I am kind've expecting we won't make the connection. Looking at other flights, they all have the 1.5 hours in Frankfurt with various point of entry layovers in the US, so doesn't look like an option for a longer layover with a different flight. We also fly through Frankfurt at the beginning of the trip (3 hour layover). My plan for the start of the trip is to fly in the day before the tour we are taking, so if there are delays we have the extra time to get to the starting point. For the flight back, I will book our pet/house sitter for an extra night in case we get stuck and can't get home with the original flight so we know our dog is taken care of.

avirosemail, thank you also for your thoughts. I speak some German (it was my first language as my parents were German), just haven't used it in a long time, so basic, but might be a little useful!

With what you have outlined here, I would risk it. I have made all of my connections through FRA, but some years I have had to jog (and have been the last person on the plane, not fun!).
On the incoming flight, I would want the three hours, and you have that plus an extra day, so all set there.

One nice thing about an "apron landing" is that the bus will usually (always?) drop you off at the center of the concourse. So, for example, instead of arriving at gate B973 (there isn't such a gate, but you get the idea) and having to walk the length of the B concourse, you are right in the middle of things. It doesn't offset time, as the bus ride consumes that, but it does save some energy.

And my flight, again a single data point (I've never paid close attention because I was never concerned with the time required for queues for EES) was scheduled to "arrive" at 3:30pm. We landed at 3:15pm and the bus got us to the terminal by the 3:30pm arrival time. So, at least in our case, the bus didn't take "extra time." Unless, of course, your first flight is late, in which case it may feel that way.

"We also fly through Frankfurt at the beginning of the trip (3 hour layover)"

This is excellent. Hopefully (very likely) you will go through EES registration in Frankfurt on entry and have plenty of time for it, with your 3 hours. (I didn't, Brussels had the machines turned off and were handling things with agents and passport stamps.) That could save you the time of making a stop at an EES registration kiosk and improve your chances with the 1.5 hour connection.

Thanks for the additional information. Something else I hope might help with the Slovenia trip is that we are going to Portugal in a couple weeks. We have over a 6 hour layover going over in Frankfurt (not my original choice to be that long, but airline changed the flights). Now kind've glad that our first stopover in the EU with EES now in place has a very long layover. Maybe being in the system already from Slovenia, plus another 6 months for things to get figured out, will help our chances for that short Frankfurt layover. Will still make sure to have our dog covered at home so I don't have to worry about that if we don't make the connection!

We have over a 6 hour layover going over in Frankfurt

Marvelous! That should be way more time than you need for your first entry.

As for Portugal, I've heard their airports have had problems with EES. If you're flying directly from Portugal back to the US, you'll want to research how early to arrive. I don't know if US citizens have had problems with return flights from Portugal that entailed a further connection in Europe.

My return flight was from Valencia to Frankfurt, so no EES in Valencia, just normal checkin and security. No lines, no delays, just easy.

CWsocial, yes, I'm hoping our long layover in a couple weeks will get us into the EES system to help with this trip in Oct. But it is clear I need to make sure to have a backup plan (at least to make sure our dog is taken care of coming back - number one priority!), and the information on this thread has really helped me figure that out, thanks so much.

Yes, I have read not great stories especially about Lisbon - we're flying into Faro and out of Porto. I've heard Faro is also not great, but that's our final arrival so it will take however long it takes. I've heard Porto hasn't seemed to have the same issues, but will make sure to get there in plenty of time to be sure!

I've heard Faro is also not great, but that's our final arrival so it will take however long it takes

Since you'll have gone through immigration in Frankfurt, and Frankfurt to Faro, Portugal is a Schengen to Schengen flight, you won't go through EES/immigration, only checked bags, if any. That arrival should be easy breezy!

Thanks again, everyone, for your thoughts and experiences!