Berlin Tegel Airport Custom Time & Experience?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: California
Posts: 10
Berlin Tegel Airport Custom Time & Experience?
Hi, I will be flying from krakow to san francisco with a 50 minutes connection in Berlin Tegel Airport. I will be switching airlines, from Berlin Air to American Airlines. May I ask if I have to go through customs? If I have to go through customs, is the transfer time too short or alright and what are your experience with this airport custom? (How long to process and queue at the custom)
Another question is if I am switching to a different airline, do I have to collect my luggage or will it be transferred automatically? And how do I find out if I have to switch terminals or just the same terminal but a different gate number?
Thank you
Another question is if I am switching to a different airline, do I have to collect my luggage or will it be transferred automatically? And how do I find out if I have to switch terminals or just the same terminal but a different gate number?
Thank you
#2
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NAP
Programs: LH, BA, TK
Posts: 2,409
You have to make both immigration and security checks, but overall still doable if your incoming flight is on time.
Recently had a connection AB to UA and yet managed to get my boarding passes printed at UA desk.
TXL is small and taxi time upon landing really short.
Not sure about the luggage question sorry. I'm always with a carry-on.
Here's the map: http://www.berlin-airport.de/de/_dok...inal-de-en.pdf
Recently had a connection AB to UA and yet managed to get my boarding passes printed at UA desk.
TXL is small and taxi time upon landing really short.
Not sure about the luggage question sorry. I'm always with a carry-on.
Here's the map: http://www.berlin-airport.de/de/_dok...inal-de-en.pdf
#3
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
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AA and AB are in the one world alliance and will check the luggage thru to the final destination. You will leave the EU in Berlin, so there will be a passport check. Should be short and painless.
Note that AA doesn't fly to Berlin, they codeshare with AB
Note that AA doesn't fly to Berlin, they codeshare with AB
#4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
I don't know why there would be customs in Tegel. You arrive from a EU country and as such your flight will be of no interest to the Zoll. They will really only check your ID (in a very cursory manner) on entry from Krakow. There could be more extensive security checks before you board the U.S.-bound Air Berlin flight, but no customs. You will clear customs at your U.S. port of entry.
#5
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No customs, but the connection is a bit on the short side. Was this booked as one ticket? If so, you check in your bags at Krakow all the way to San Francisco. You will not see it in Berlin at all. TXL is a very small airport, and you'll likely arrive at the C gates with AB and fly from an A gate with AA, a walk of about 5 minutes. You will need to go through an additional passport check in TXL for US flights, but this is relatively quick. Just a friendly reminder...I assume you have your ESTA sorted out.
If you are on separate tickets, then it's a different story. You may get AB to check bags all the way through, but if you miss you AA flight you may be stuck in Berlin on your own, with limited protection for a flight the next day.
If you are on separate tickets, then it's a different story. You may get AB to check bags all the way through, but if you miss you AA flight you may be stuck in Berlin on your own, with limited protection for a flight the next day.
#6
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Hi, I will be flying from krakow to san francisco with a 50 minutes connection in Berlin Tegel Airport. I will be switching airlines, from Berlin Air to American Airlines. May I ask if I have to go through customs? If I have to go through customs, is the transfer time too short or alright and what are your experience with this airport custom? (How long to process and queue at the custom)
Another question is if I am switching to a different airline, do I have to collect my luggage or will it be transferred automatically? And how do I find out if I have to switch terminals or just the same terminal but a different gate number?
Thank you
Another question is if I am switching to a different airline, do I have to collect my luggage or will it be transferred automatically? And how do I find out if I have to switch terminals or just the same terminal but a different gate number?
Thank you
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Posts: 122
I'm thinking of flying from ORD to PRG on Air Berlin with a connection in Berlin. Both of the segments are on Air Berlin. The connecting time is 50 minutes. Would I have to go through customers and immigration in Berlin and is this doable?
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
Last edited by World2Travel; May 19, 2015 at 3:40 pm Reason: Delete
#8
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That's very tight and I'm surprised that was bookable within MCT, but it is doable if your incoming flight is on time.
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Yes, you'd go through immigration and customs at TXL as you're entering Schengen. If you decide to book it, make sure you have your connecting boarding pass printed at ORD, and try to be one of the first ones off the plane.
#10
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But if the OP has not been to TXL, they should know that it is a tiny airport with immigration/customs all within a small area immediately around your arrival gate area, not like the zoo in FRA, for example.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
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Correct, which is why it's important to be first off the plane -- with only two or three immigration booths open for each gate, the line can move rather slowly.
#12
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Good for business class pax, not good for economy pax. If you are last to get off the plane, immigration can take very long.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: BER
Programs: LH FTL
Posts: 278
Generally correct if you happen to get a terminal position at terminal A. But with the extensive utilization of Tegel airport, an apron position is very common, especially when flying on AB. Then you'll be bussed to the terminal and your headstart of leaving the aircraft first is worthless.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 5
Not sure if you guys have experienced it - but i have a connection in TXL (FCO to TXL to JFK). I have to get my VAT Tax refund customs stamped - do you think I'll have enough time? from terminal C to terminal A with a window of 2hours
#15
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No problem. The VAT office is located in an office behind the big main departure/arrival panels. Is the VAT refund for items bought in Germany or Italy. If it's the latter, I'm not sure you'll have much luck in TXL.