Flights with transfer - basic info needed for inexperienced traveller

Tunstallstoven

Hi peoples

I've recently moved house... I go to Czech Rep once a year and in the past have usually flown from Stansted and Luton. My best option now is Cardiff to Prague, but it requires a change in Amsterdam; something I have never done before.

So please excuse the basic questions!...

But I wondered if anyone can tell me how this works? On one of the flights there is only a 55 minute gap between getting to Amsterdam and leaving off again. What happens? Does my luggage switch flights automatically or do I have to check it in again? Do I just head straight to the next departure lounge or go through passport control etc again? Anything else to consider? Does it make a difference if the two airlines are different?

As I'm sure you can tell, I've no idea what the procedure is so any words of enlightenment would really help! Any general advice would be great too please regarding the pros and cons of getting there this way.

Cheers

The_Fat_Controller

Even the same airline would not normally allow a connection of less than one hour, so it looks pretty much impossible to use two.

https://www.schiphol.nl/en/transfers/

https://www.schiphol.nl/en/page/smooth-transfers/

Tunstallstoven

Damn, that's a shame.

So when I punch my details into skyscanner and they offer me it as an option to book, and likewise when it takes me through to the airline site to compete the booking, is that in error? Why do they offer it as an option if they cannot fulfill it?

Thanks for your help

The_Fat_Controller

If it's one airline only, they may have changed the rules at Amsterdam.

Put the actual flight numbers into the transfer checker and see what the results say, it's the first link I added.

Also, be aware that the walking distances at Amsterdam can be quite long.

Tunstallstoven

The flights I was looking at are two airlines

Unfortunately the flights are not until August and I couldn't get the checker to go beyond April 1st when I tried....

eDicky

If the flights are all part of the same booking with KLM you will have a boarding pass for the second leg - just go from your arrival gate to the departure gate for boarding, your luggage will be checked through and arrive with you in Prague. If any delays etc prevent this, KLM will put you on the next flight and provide overnight accommodation if necessary.

If you are booking two separate flights through some third party online agent, requiring you to pass immigration, collect your bag, check it in, pass security and immigration again, all in 55 minutes, forget it (unless you travel hand luggage only).

Voyager2002

Firstly, use Skyscanner to find flights but please buy only from the actual airline (many of the travel agents who advertise on Skyscanner are unreliable and may offer impossible connections).


Ensure that what you buy is ONE ticket for the entire journey: that is something very different from having a ticket to Amsterdam and then another one from there to Praha.

If an airline website (KLM?) offers you a ticket for this journey, with the short connection time, then you might like to contact them to confirm that it is not a mistake. With such a ticket (i) your checked luggage is taken automatically from the first 'plane to the second one, so you do not see it at Amsterdam; (ii) if there is any delay and you miss the connecting flight, the airline is responsible for finding another flight to get you to your final destination, and for taking care of you if there is an extended delay. You lose both of these benefits if you buy two separate tickets, and some travel agents will do this while giving the impression that it is all on one ticket. So you really need to take care.


Amsterdam Schiphol airport is large but extremely efficient, and I have always found that a transit through it is quick and easy. The opposite is true of Paris CDG.

jpsartre

The_Fat_Controller wrote: »

Even the same airline would not normally allow a connection of less than one hour, so it looks pretty much impossible to use two.

There are plenty of airports with minimum connection times below 60 minutes and AMS is one of them. I'm guessing the OP is looking at a single ticket, connecting from KLM to Czech Airlines.

stevie11

I think the main question as stated is are the flights on one ticket/same airline network. Book via the airline so if there are any delays it will easier to manage.

Re the 55 min connection. I booked a flight over the weekend to Montreal. Booked on Delta but flying via Ams with Klm, on the return via jfk with Virgin. I was happy to take a risk with a 57 minute connection at Jfk knowing that there should be a number of options back to the UK should we be delayed. There was an option of a 5 hour connection but I preferred the more convenient flying time from Montreal.

With the short connection time there may also be a risk of the OP's luggage not making the connection should there be any delay.

Tunstallstoven

Many thanks for the helpful replies.

Good advice re using the airline and not a third party to book. That's what I've always done in the past with straight forward flights, but then I've never been in a position like this so the reminder is helpful.

Yes, the two flights would be combined on a single ticket; they're not separate flights as such. As the great existentialist jpsartre guessed, it is indeed a single ticket, connecting from KLM to Czech Airlines. So it's not the same airline throughout. Could that be problematic? In the event of a delay, which one looks after me?

It would be interesting to hear from more who have done a similar flight. I'm going to a festival and the idea of missing some of the festival and/or arriving at the festival with no text or clothes is not an appealing one!!

Cheers

stevie11

KLM and Czech Airlines are boht part of the Sky Team alliance so if as you say all flights are on a single ticket if you have any delays/problems then it should make things easier for you.

I haven't flown your routing so cannot comment on the frequency of the flights. It may be worth checking what other flights can get you to your destination as a back up plan, if you are delayed. That way you can let the airline know your proffered options if needed.