Transfer in Frankfurt

[flychrisfly]

Hi, I've just transferred in Frankfurt and was surprised that I needed to enter Germany to do so.

I flew QF31 SYD-SIN then QF5 SIN-FRA then MA521 FRA-BUD (codeshare with QF). When I checked in in Sydney my bags were checked all the way through (and they made it) but the checker-inner could not give me a boarding pass for FRA-BUD. On arrival in FRA I passed a number of closed "service desks" on the way to the CX lounge (with thanks to this forum for FRA lounge advice). The lounge lady indicated that I needed to follow the exit signs and then check-in at the general check-in desk. I have a European passport so the border formalities were trivial.

I am curious to know:
a) Why I needed to enter Germany when I was just in transit. That is, why couldn't I simply visit a transit desk and get a boarding pass and be on my way, and
b) Is the Frankfurt transit process more difficult on an Australian or any other non-European passport?

Thanks.

 

[medhead]

Hi, I've just transferred in Frankfurt and was surprised that I needed to enter Germany to do so.

I flew QF31 SYD-SIN then QF5 SIN-FRA then MA521 FRA-BUD (codeshare with QF). When I checked in in Sydney my bags were checked all the way through (and they made it) but the checker-inner could not give me a boarding pass for FRA-BUD. On arrival in FRA I passed a number of closed "service desks" on the way to the CX lounge (with thanks to this forum for FRA lounge advice). The lounge lady indicated that I needed to follow the exit signs and then check-in at the general check-in desk. I have a European passport so the border formalities were trivial.

I am curious to know:
a) Why I needed to enter Germany when I was just in transit. That is, why couldn't I simply visit a transit desk and get a boarding pass and be on my way, and
b) Is the Frankfurt transit process more difficult on an Australian or any other non-European passport?

Thanks.

A) not sure, possibly something to do with the whole EU thing. But a bit strange as I didn't think hungary were in the EU yet
B) shouldn't be a problem for an australian tourist due to not needing a visa. I've got straight in at fra a couple of times without hassle. Probably only a hassle if you don't need a visa for Hungary but do need one for EU. I have no idea if that situation exists.

 

[flychrisfly]

Hmmm, you might be on to something there. I think Hungary are a signatory to the Schengen agreement (they have Schengen and non-Schengen terminals at BUD so...) so I guess a travellers needs to 'enter' the Schengen region by crossing the border so that they can then travel freely within it. Yeah, makes sense - thanks!

 

[medhead]

Or it is a case of having to enter the schengen zone at the first opportunity.
This must of changed in the last 5 years, as last time I went the Budapest we had to do the whole passport check thing when entering the country

 

[flychrisfly]

Yeah, that's kinda what I was trying to say while battling chronic jet lag - thanks for the concise summary

Found this on the http://www.malev.com website: "As of midnight, March 30, 2008, Budapest Ferihegy became part of the Schengen area. From this day onwards, passengers arriving from or departing to Schengen countries will be served at Terminal 2A, whereas non-Schengen traffic will be handled by Terminal 2B. The two terminals are connected via a transfer corridor; passengers connecting at Ferihegy may use this as the way to move between theterminals. Since passport control has been abolished, Schengen passengers are only required to go through the security checkpoint before entering the departure lounge. If, however, their final destination is outside the Schengen area, they are still subjected to the strict border control measures at Terminal 2B."

So, depending on your flight's point of origin you could still be subject to border formalities.

C

 

[Flashback]

Due to FRA-BUD being an EU-EU flight, you would have to clear in FRA. The person was right to not give you the BUD boarding pass till you had cleared passport control!

 

[simongr]

Not sure what the connection between the BP and the country entry should be. Given that people can OLCI for many flights then they have access to a BP before they enter a country.

 

[Synthetic]

a) Why I needed to enter Germany when I was just in transit. That is, why couldn't I simply visit a transit desk and get a boarding pass and be on my way

Both Germany and Hungary are part of the Schengen Agreement. Your SIN-FRA is considered an international flight, and your FRA-BUD flight is considered a domestic Schengen flight, which is why you will be required to clear customs at FRA. A lot of airports in Schengen countries have different terminals for Schengen-Schengen flights (domestic) and Schengen-elsewhere (international).

If you catch a train between Schengen countries you shouldn't need to show your passport at all, as it is effectively domestic.

b) Is the Frankfurt transit process more difficult on an Australian or any other non-European passport?

Australian passports are gold. No visa (you get 90 days), no landing card, no questions, just a quick flick through your passport and a stamp and you'll be off.

If you have a passport from a less-favoured country however (such as India), you may get pulled off to an interview room for a long chat and to verify your visa before you are allowed through.