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Transfer Question

Hi guys,

This coming summer I will be traveling from Austin to Dubrovnik, but I am currently unsure of whether I should keep my current flight. As of right now I am scheduled to fly out from Austin on Condor (on an overnight flight), after which I will have a transfer in Frankfurt. However it is only 1hr and 5 min, and I am concerned that I will not make my connecting flight to Dubrovnik. I do not know specific gates yet, but I do know that both my arrival and departure flights are within Terminal 1. This is my first time having to do an international transfer (as well as my first time traveling solo), so I am a bit unsure as to what to do on my arrival in Frankfurt as well as what to expect. Is this enough time to make the transfer? I have also been told that Frankfurt does a gate to gate transfer service, has anybody had any experience with this? If so would you say that this is worth the money? Any advice that you guys would have is much appreciated, and I thank y'all for taking the time to read over this post!

Thanks,

Alexis

Posted by
8889 posts

Is this one ticket or two separate bookings?

  • If it is one ticket, the airline would not have sold it to you if they didn't think it was possible. Sounds tight to me, especially as transatlantic flights can be late, but if the airline sold you the ticket it is their problem to get you to Dubrovnik if you miss your connection because the first flight is late.
  • If this is two separate tickets, no way. You have to pick up your luggage and check in again for the second flight, which will take too long.
Posted by
15560 posts

Is Croatia joining Schengen this summer? If you get there after it does and have to go through immigration, I don't think you can make it.

65 minutes is not 65 minutes. Unless they hold the flight for you (which they may do if you are on one ticket and there are several other passengers with the same connection), you still have to disembark and (probably) go through a security check and get to your departure gate before they close the flight. That's usually 15-20 minutes before scheduled departure.

If you have checked luggage, I'd be concerned that it wouldn't make the flight and that it might take several days to catch up with you in Croatia.

Posted by
3200 posts

Hi Alexis, When traveling solo I find my travel days to be the most stressful. As a result, I allow plenty of time between flights/trains, etc. and make those days as easy as possible. I don't mind sitting with a snack watching people if I end up with too much time. I would allow at least 2 1/2 hours between flights as a minimum...I usually shoot for 3 hours between flights. That being said, I might be overly cautious but there have been times I'm happy not to be the one stressing because I did not allow enough time as I observe others. My travel days are purely travel days, I have no set schedule afterwards that make me get there in a hurry. Just me. Wray

Posted by
3 posts

Hi everybody,

I wanted to start off by saying thank you to everybody who has replied, and to apologize for taking so long to post a response (I have been swamped with final exams). I purchased it as one single ticket and tried to get a longer layover in Frankfurt, however I have yet to find an option that is both within my price range and the dates I need to go. I do have checked luggage which is a concern for me, what I am thinking of doing is just paying for the gate to gate transfer and hoping that my luggage will make it with me! Thank you again for all of your advice, and hopefully everything works out.

Alexis

Posted by
1204 posts

Hi Alexis. My advice from experience transferring in Frankfurt several times is - there is a good chance you will make this connection just fine. There are many variables beyond your control, so just try to relax and flow with whatever happens. It's just impossible to predict whether your incoming flight will be late.. or early?? how busy passport control will be (last time we transferred in Frankfurt, passport / immigration took us literally less than 5 minutes), where your connecting gate is, etc, etc. Just think of it as a fun adventure, and remember that since you bought on one ticket, it's the airline's problem to figure out how to get you to Dubrovnik, one way or t' other. Enjoy your trip!

Posted by
167 posts

I had a connecting flight last year from Frankfort with only 35 minutes to make the transfer to the connecting flight.
I was totally convinced that there was NO way possible to make the flight and so mentally prepared myself to go with the flow and not stress.

Much to my surprise I made it with about 10 minutes to spare. I was met at an exit on the way to main terminal with a sign with my flight #, taken to a security control booth where my passport was inspected, then boarded a shuttle bus to the connecting flight.
I was amazed and impressed with the effective way the transfer was done.
As you may know, when transferring from one country to another within the Schengen zone, you go through customs and immigration in the final arrival country, which saves significant time for the transfer within the airport.