Transferring flights in FRA

Posted by cdemarco2 on 08/02/26 11:18 AM

In 2 weeks, I will be flying from IAD Dulles (Washington DC) to Frankfurt (FRA) on Lufthansa LH417, then transferring to Air Dolomiti EN8870 to Pisa PSA. I have a total layover of 2 hours and 50 minutes between flights. I have a U.S. Passport. I am arriving from a non-Schengen country (the U.S.) into Schengen, then departing to another Schengen country.

My questions are:
1. is that enough time to pass through EES (I must register first) and to make my next flight in time?
2. I understand that both Flights arrive and depart from Terminal 1 - but which Concourse though?

3. Do I have to pass through airport security again after arriving in Frankfurt, and before I depart for Pisa Italy?

Posted by Paul

Eastern Iowa, USA

08/02/26 11:21 AM

9538 posts

The dependent question is: Was this all purchased on a single ticket, or did you purchase the Air Dolmati ticket separately?

Posted by cdemarco2 OP

08/02/26 12:25 PM

4 posts

It was purchased as a single ticket. Sorry, I should have stated that.

Posted by margie

Bend, OR

08/02/26 04:01 PM

2242 posts

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/new-exit-entry-system-at-frankfurt-airport

Posted by CJean

Ontario, Canada

08/02/26 04:32 PM

7635 posts

Providing your arrival in Frankfurt isn't delayed, that should be sufficient time. You may go through a security check, depending on which concourses are involved. When you deplane, follow the Connecting Flights signs. Gates could be in different concourse on different days. And you may arrive at a remote tarmac stand and be bussed to the terminal.

You dont need to register in advance for EES. It is all done when you arrive.

Posted by Mr É 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇭🇺

Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest

08/02/26 05:00 PM

27228 posts

I have changed in Frankfurt a number of times ... maybe 25 times? I haven’t missed one yet, and I have done them as tight at 1 hour. So, it will be more than enough time, unless circumstances are such that it isn’t enough time. In other words, probably, reasonably, you are fine. But "stuff' happens.

No, no more security ... except about 3 trips ago I got stopped in the hall, at random, and had my carry on searched. So, agian, never, unless it is yes.

Posted by margie

Bend, OR

08/02/26 05:49 PM

2242 posts

I might add that as far as security, a few years ago we were pulled out of line at our boarding gate in Frankfurt and our carryons opened and searched. So as Mr e said “stuff happens.”

Posted by John

CA, USA

08/02/26 06:21 PM

1470 posts

we had a connecting flight from the US at FRA recently. Even though the plane was a 777 it still parked out on the tarmac and we were bused in. That took about 20 minutes. When we got off the bus we went up some stairs and did the EES screening at the top of the stairs. EES was a breeze; there are several self-service machines where you scan your passport, your face, your fingerprints. Pro tip: look around the corner, there are more machines than just the ones at the landing at the top of the stairs.. However that is NOT entry, it is just the preliminaries. Then everyone from the US connecting to another flight within Europe in Terminal 1 follows the "connecting flight" signs about 5-10 minutes to the actual EU passport check. That was a long line and took about 30 minutes.

So provided your incoming flight is not delayed you should be fine.