ZRH vs. FRA
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ NJ
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,183
ZRH vs. FRA
Traveling from Schengen back to the U.S., am I better off with a 1 hour 15 minute connection in ZRH or 1 hour 40 minute connection in FRA?
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Although I prefer ZRH which is based on arriving and departing from The E Gates, having to arrive at a non E Gate and get over to the Es will take some time and a ride on the Cow Express (people mover with the Moo) and go thru a security check which at times has a very long line and moves very slowly. I prefer the lounges @ ZRH but it doesnt seem like the OP will hav etime for them
That said I never look forward to my Z to C gate connections (or vice versa) at FRA which can take 1/2 an hr to walk
I would say it would depend on what time Id be connecting and if Id want/need to grab a shower (assuming theyd be open again), more important would be my final destination and which airport would afford more ways to get there should I run into IRROPS, my gut tells me that FRA would offer alot more opportunties should IRROPS hit, but thats based on pre-COVID-19 and if LH is basically doing only 1 flight per day then its a moot point
But as its been said Price would be important
That said I never look forward to my Z to C gate connections (or vice versa) at FRA which can take 1/2 an hr to walk
I would say it would depend on what time Id be connecting and if Id want/need to grab a shower (assuming theyd be open again), more important would be my final destination and which airport would afford more ways to get there should I run into IRROPS, my gut tells me that FRA would offer alot more opportunties should IRROPS hit, but thats based on pre-COVID-19 and if LH is basically doing only 1 flight per day then its a moot point
But as its been said Price would be important
#7
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,281
* in normal operations. Dunno what goes on in current Covid-19 ops.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,945
I think he meant the passport control. Which at ZRH at times can be a real crowded zoo, often enough seen the lines up all the way to the start of the escalator which leads down to the check point area
#9
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,186
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,945
Not sure about last months but I was flying though ZRH to SFO and HKG three times each in the last year and 4 out of 6 times there was a huge queue for passport control.
For one of the HKG flights I asked one of the ladies managing the queues if I can skip the line since my flight would board soon as the inbound from CPH was delayed a bit and was told “well, booking a 60 minutes connection is just very risky!”.
Made it to the flight... at last call.
For one of the HKG flights I asked one of the ladies managing the queues if I can skip the line since my flight would board soon as the inbound from CPH was delayed a bit and was told “well, booking a 60 minutes connection is just very risky!”.
Made it to the flight... at last call.
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,427
If you got a Swedish passport, you can use the automatic passport lanes.
In general, for CH / EFTA / EU passport holders, I've not had any queues since they installed the automated machines.
The only time when I spotted (passing them to the automatic maschines) queues ever since was around noon, when several long haul flights depart within 60 minutes from the E Gates, those having much more pax with non CH/EFTA/EU passports compared to the evening wave.
The evening flights have mostly feeders from Schengen countries, and people arrive more spread out than for the lunch wave.
While ZRH in pre-Corona times certainly wasn't perfect, in average the experience there is much better than in FRA or even MUC. They tend to be well organized in MUC as well, but I've had some really crazy queues there at both immigration as well as security. Plus with lots of transfers there requiring changing to the satellite terminal, you never really know what to expect.
In ZRH, you can expect 99% of your transfers to be what you had in mind.
In general, for CH / EFTA / EU passport holders, I've not had any queues since they installed the automated machines.
The only time when I spotted (passing them to the automatic maschines) queues ever since was around noon, when several long haul flights depart within 60 minutes from the E Gates, those having much more pax with non CH/EFTA/EU passports compared to the evening wave.
The evening flights have mostly feeders from Schengen countries, and people arrive more spread out than for the lunch wave.
While ZRH in pre-Corona times certainly wasn't perfect, in average the experience there is much better than in FRA or even MUC. They tend to be well organized in MUC as well, but I've had some really crazy queues there at both immigration as well as security. Plus with lots of transfers there requiring changing to the satellite terminal, you never really know what to expect.
In ZRH, you can expect 99% of your transfers to be what you had in mind.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
The late morning peak for the US departures usually sees the passport queue being managed at the top of the escalator down to E gates transit. It usually efficient, but it does mean a short wait (I doubt the post-Coronavirus loads have the need for this queue management currently!)
#14
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Bear in mind that some airports / airlines, now have slower process in order to maintain social distancing. e.g. de-boarding the plane in small groups. I would think 1hr 40 is enough but personally I would go for > 2 hours to play it safe, especially since the inbound to the hub may be delayed. Worst case the airline will re-book you but it may mean waiting for the next day's flight.