Another International Travel question

[sam_gordon]

Just because I don't want to assume...

We'll be flying from the US to Barcelona next year. Some the itineraries include connecting through Paris. I ASSUME we wouldn't have to clear customs in Paris (or whatever connecting city), and we'd just remain in the international part of the terminal.

Is that a correct assumption?

 

[FigmentSpark]

It's been 20 years since I've been there, but make sure you don't have to change airports to make that connection. Used to be that they had some international flights in to one airport, but then the continental ones out of another. It may well have changed though. Be sure before you book.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You clear customs/immigration at your first point of entry, which would be CDG. There is no international terminal.

 

[nacho113]

My DD flew to Spain through Paris (from JFK) last year and she had to clear customs after landing in Paris.
She said that the next leg, Paris to Madrid was like a domestic flight at home, even though she was flying to a different country (but part of the EU) Security was still present but definitely more relaxed than the International portion of the flight.

 

[dis_guy]

Paris to Madrid was like a domestic flight at home, even though she was flying to a different country (but part of the EU) Security was still present but definitely more relaxed than the International portion of the flight.

The last time DW and I were in Europe, in 2013, we visited London, Paris, and Rome. Arriving at Heathrow we did the full customs/immigration process and it probably took us longer than average because DW was born there and they wanted to know if she had a UK passport or intended to work while there, etc. We took the Eurostar to Paris and French customs pre-clearance was a glance and a wave by the agent who was having a deep conversation with his co-worker. Our flight from Paris to Rome was the eye opener for us. FCO in Rome was just as I remembered it, with their vast array of signs announcing this door or that door for various kinds of immigration services, but the doors all just emptied into the outdoor pick up zone of the terminal.

Coming home we had to take our shoes off for security in Rome which to me up to that point was a requirement only in the US in my experience. Connecting in Munich there was a passport control desk which involved a glance and a quick scan of our passports. So yeah, travel around most of Europe is now pretty much like a domestic flight at home.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I flew US through Paris to Italy a couple of months ago. I had to go through passport control in Paris and security which was similar to going through security when you first board a plane here. I barely made my next flight which was already boarding by the time I reached that gate.

 

[Capt_BJ]

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/schengen-fact-sheet.html

you will be entering the part of EU that is covered by the Schengen treaty which provides free movement across boards. You will "enter" at your first arrival location and then crossing country lines is like moving state to state in the US ... until you exit the Schengen area ....

"When you first cross any external border of the Schengen area and present your passport for entry, an immigration official will determine if you qualify for entry into the Schengen area. You may be denied entry if the officer determines you do not qualify for entry. When moving from one Schengen country to another, you do not need to show your passport until you exit the Schengen area. "

What countries are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement?

• All European Union countries, except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom, are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement.
• In addition, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are also members of the Schengen Borders Agreement (but they are not European Union members).

In our most recent EU trip we arrived in Warsaw and on exiting the plane went directly to an immigration area where passports were checked and stamped. Then we exited this controlled area and were free to roam the airport waiting for our flight to Budapest. In our 3 week stay the next time we had to produce our passport was when we were entering the UK - a non Sheng' country. Movement around Poland, Hungary, Germany and Austria was like driving around the states . . .

 

[nacho113]

Just because I don't want to assume...

We'll be flying from the US to Barcelona next year. Some the itineraries include connecting through Paris. I ASSUME we wouldn't have to clear customs in Paris (or whatever connecting city), and we'd just remain in the international part of the terminal.

Is that a correct assumption?

Don't want to add any anxiety to your trip planning but, currently the EU is on heightened security which has been causing delays and slowdowns at security checkpoints (and could be when you travel next year) similar to when the US is on Orange or Red alert status.
As I said , not wanting to cause anxiety, just be ready for longer lines and heightened security similar to when travelling in the US during similar periods of heightened security.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Don't want to add any anxiety to your trip planning but, currently the EU is on heightened security which has been causing delays and slowdowns at security checkpoints (and could be when you travel next year) similar to when the US is on Orange or Red alert status.
As I said , not wanting to cause anxiety, just be ready for longer lines and heightened security similar to when travelling in the US during similar periods of heightened security.

I think that's probably what slowed me up going through the Paris airport. And I can appreciate that, but I hadn't realized it would take quite as long as it did. But I made my flight, which was the important fact to me.

But yes, assume there will be additional and visible security when traveling in Europe.