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International Airport Connection Question - Munich versus London Heathrow/Gatwick
Posted on 12/1/25 at 12:50 pm
Posted on 12/1/25 at 12:50 pm
Wife and I are planning a trip to Paphos, Cyprus next spring, not an easy place to get in and out of. Two options to get there:
#1 Atlanta to London Heathrow on Delta and then London Gatwick (no flights from Heathrow) onto Paphos on British Airways. There's a ~ 6 hour layover in which we would have to clear customs, claim our bags, catch a taxi from Heathrow to Gatwick (about a 40 min. ride I think), check-in and get to the next gate. Seems like the timing would work, but it is a lot to do in 6 hours.
#2 Atlanta to Munich on Delta and then onto Paphos on Lufthansa. The two airlines are not codeshare partners so we'd have to again claim our bags, clear customs, and check-in as new passengers in Munich. That layover would be 3.5 hours. Is that enough time to do all of that and get to the next gate, ideally with some cushion?
Luggage will include one very large case (~4 ft. x 3 ft. x 1.5 ft. and 50#). Not something I'm excited about pulling around airports or stuffing into taxis so minimizing that would be a plus.
Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!
#1 Atlanta to London Heathrow on Delta and then London Gatwick (no flights from Heathrow) onto Paphos on British Airways. There's a ~ 6 hour layover in which we would have to clear customs, claim our bags, catch a taxi from Heathrow to Gatwick (about a 40 min. ride I think), check-in and get to the next gate. Seems like the timing would work, but it is a lot to do in 6 hours.
#2 Atlanta to Munich on Delta and then onto Paphos on Lufthansa. The two airlines are not codeshare partners so we'd have to again claim our bags, clear customs, and check-in as new passengers in Munich. That layover would be 3.5 hours. Is that enough time to do all of that and get to the next gate, ideally with some cushion?
Luggage will include one very large case (~4 ft. x 3 ft. x 1.5 ft. and 50#). Not something I'm excited about pulling around airports or stuffing into taxis so minimizing that would be a plus.
Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!
This post was edited on 12/2/25 at 12:24 pm
7
Posted on 12/1/25 at 1:29 pm to Broadside Bob
Both appear very doable on outbound flight assuming no delays but would lean Munich. Also would lean Munich assuming return because the Gatwick>Heathrow return might be more trouble than it’s worth. Heathrow customs I find a breeze. Heathrow security is a nightmare.
Posted on 12/1/25 at 1:38 pm to Broadside Bob
Munich, definitely. Enjoy a Weißbier while you're at it.
Posted on 12/1/25 at 1:41 pm to BlackenedOut
quote:
Also would lean Munich assuming return because the Gatwick>Heathrow return might be more trouble than it’s worth. Heathrow customs I find a breeze. Heathrow security is a nightmare.
Thanks. We may do a "mix and match" for the return...Munich outbound, returning through Gatwick/Heathrow spending a few days in London as tourists. Our problem on the return trip is that flights leaving Paphos leave so late that by the time you get to your transatlantic hub, all westbound flights have already left for the day. Makes more sense to hang out as tourists than endure a 10+ hour layover at the airport.
Thanks again!!
Posted on 12/1/25 at 2:17 pm to Broadside Bob
I avoid London Heathrow like the plague 
. Have had some awful experiences there. Only done Munich once, but had a pleasant experience there.
. Have had some awful experiences there. Only done Munich once, but had a pleasant experience there.
Posted on 12/1/25 at 3:45 pm to Broadside Bob
quote:
airlines are not codeshare partners
Why do this to yourself? You can get to MUC via ATL-FRA on LH.
Why not use KLM, or AF, so at least you don't have to deal with luggage transfers at airports? Turkish would be great, if you were going to their part of Cyprus.
Posted on 12/1/25 at 4:06 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
quote:
airlines are not codeshare partners
Why do this to yourself? You can get to MUC via ATL-FRA on LH.
Why not use KLM, or AF, so at least you don't have to deal with luggage transfers at airports? Turkish would be great, if you were going to their part of Cyprus.
Oh, I agree, but it looks like I don't have any good options. We could do BA/AA, but that adds a connection and Philly (one more opportunity for a delay or lost baggage), and the flight into London arrives at Heathrow with the next flight departing from Gatwick (trying to avoid a cab ride mid-trip, and we still end up dealing with our bags).
Lufthansa goes ATL to FRA to MUC, but the flight into MUC gets in too late to connect to PFO (Paphos)...not listed as an option on their web site.
Posted on 12/1/25 at 4:14 pm to Broadside Bob
I'm going to suggest if you're going to a warm location it's even easier to not check bags. That might help your lost bag issue.
Posted on 12/1/25 at 4:19 pm to Broadside Bob
quote:
one more opportunity for a delay or lost baggage)
Your journey includes EU countries, you can file massive claims, and they will get paid (I'm assuming your trunk contains a 35mm camera or similar.)
I've had two problems with bags on almost 800 flights, but I never fly BA/AA (either Delta or *A.)
Posted on 12/1/25 at 5:53 pm to Broadside Bob
All I have is that when we went to Austria, we flew United from Denver to Munich and then Lufthansa to Vienna. No bag claim and no customs in Munich, 1.5 hour layover and everything was great. The claim bag and do security again thing when we connected in Chicago on the way back is annoying.
Posted on 12/1/25 at 8:46 pm to surprisewitness
If Frankfurt is an option would probably do that — all things considered.
Would def pay some extra to stay on a codeshare partner.
Would def pay some extra to stay on a codeshare partner.
Posted on 12/1/25 at 10:21 pm to Broadside Bob
quote:
Atlanta to London Heathrow on Delta and then London Gatwick (no flights from Heathrow)
I've done the Heathrow to Gatwick before and its doable but not something I would recommend. And both airports are very, very, very busy, crowded places. Do the Munich connection.
Posted on 12/2/25 at 7:19 pm to Broadside Bob
Munich is much nicer, but they both suck.
Watch the gates because they will both change gates to different terminals just before departure.
Watch the gates because they will both change gates to different terminals just before departure.
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