Going Through Customs
We're flying from O'Hare to Rome to Florence. When do we go through customs? Do we get our bags in Rome, go through customs, then recheck them on to Florence?
Linda
Louisville 10/31/09
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Yes...immigration (passport control) and customs in Rome. The Rome to Florence flight is domestic so you won't face either in Florence.
Oh, you'll probably have people tell you that it's better to take the train....but....in this case....it's not.
so I do need to get my bags once we land in Rome? and then recheck them through to Florence?
We are flying Alitalia, which is why i was hoping someone would tell me that i had to physically get my bags in Rome and then recheck them through. I kind of feel like a little kid holding a toy, saying "NO! MINE!" I REALLY don't want a hassle on this trip.
Steve, sorry, you looked this one up wrong.
Linda, you will get your bags in Rome. You are entering Italy in Rome thus go through customs at your first port of entry into a country. (Steve, check your geography, Florence is also in Italy.)
A flight between Rome and Florence is a domestic flight.
Once you get through customs in Rome, there should be a counter that will allow you to recheck your bags onto your next flight. You will have to go through security again.
When you check in at ORD, Alitalia should give you your boarding pass for the Rome to Florence flight assuming you're flying Alitalia for that leg.
Sorry, I got confused between international to international transit, and international to domestic transit.
Funny enough I found the correct answer at Cathay Pacific.
"Fiumicino Airport Transit Information
Domestic Transit:
Clear customs and proceed to the domestic terminal.
International Transit:
Check in at transit lounge. Automatic baggage transfer is provided. "
Note to be sure where your bags are checked through to on your first flight and look for the counter to recheck. Its been relocated in recent months.
Things changed last week at FCO. On 25 October 2009 Fiumicino airport experienced a mini revolution. During the night of 24 October a small "army" of technicians changed the Terminal, road and car park sign system as well as the signs in all areas open to the public at large.
Here are links to the new maps, showing how passengers (and their bags) are handled under the new systems.
Steve, thanks for correcting the spelling on your post above.
Hello Just a quick tip, which I'm sure everyone is aware of. On your return, don't pack any favorite liquids like wine or liqours in you carry on bags. Pretty obvious, but sometimes overlooked if you are not checking any bags. We knew all about the liquid/gel rules but stupidly packed a nice bottle of melon liqour in our carry on. At the screening in Rome they didn't seem to have a problem with it so we thought all was well, until we changed planes in Amsterdam. Then our bottle was confiscated along with many many others from other travelers. One of the downsides of not checking bags. Totally our fault and something we should have thought about before, but just forgot about.