I am traveling from the USA to Ethiopia. I change carriers in Frankfurt (from United to Lufthansa). Does it matter if I carry on my baggage or check it all the way through to Ethiopia regarding customs procedures in Frankfurt? What can be expected for passport control and baggage or carry-on inspection? Thank you for your attention.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
You can check your bags all the way through to Ethiopia if you want- you won't see them again until you land in Addis Ababa. You won't have to go through passport control in Frankfurt, but you will have to pass through at least two security checks. Frankfurt Airport is very thorough when its comes to security.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8943 posts
Passport control is usually pretty quick and painless. I have found going through security also to be fairly straightforward and not so time consuming. That said, I always get there early and have lots of time to spend shopping. I carry medication in my carry-on that includes syringes and they never blinked an eye after I told them. Just carried on, business as usual.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
Just to remove any confusion - what Michael said is accurate. If you check your bags through to Ethopia, you will not need to go through either passport control or baggage claim - just security depending on which terminal your next flight leaves from.
In fact, do not attempt to do this, i.e. check bags only to FRA - there are times when security at Frankfurt can be bad and you will have a difficult time making your connection if you have a short layover.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8943 posts
Oh, I guess I assumed that Patty was going to go out and possibly visit Frankfurt if she had a long layover.