I Just Got Back from Europe and Avoided Long Lines at the Airport

I went to Europe and came back. I used the new Entry/Exit System, but I didn't wait in line.

I went on my first trip of the year. The new border checks were easy for me. I only waited a few minutes at the airport in Vienna.

The new border checks have been rolling out across Europe. Some people have had bad experiences with long lines and problems with the EES kiosks.

My mom and I went to the airport with a lot of time to spare. We didn't see any lines at passport control. We had time to buy snacks and wait before going through.

Palermo Airport is small and only has one terminal.

We waited for our flight by buying snacks and filling up our water bottles.

There were only a few people in front of us. The EES machines weren't being used, and only one border control booth was open. It was easy to get through.

It was a typical experience. I didn't expect it to be so easy. My mom was happy that we didn't have to wait.

My mom and dad went to Portugal and had a different experience. They waited in line for an hour to get into the country.

My parents always arrive at the airport early. They went to Lisbon Airport three hours before their flight because of the problems with the EES.

My parents' experience at the airport in Lisbon was chaotic.

They had no problems with their hand luggage, but they had to wait in line for the EES and passport control.

There were only a few booths open, and many people were waiting. My mom and dad waited for over an hour and a half.

My mom was frustrated and worried that they would miss their flight. They made it to the gate just 20 minutes before it closed.

My mom thinks some people missed their flights because of the long lines.

Palermo Airport is smaller than airports in Rome or Milan. I thought there might be some lines, but we were prepared.

Not all airports have the EES set up, and it's hard to understand why some lines are so long.

We didn't have to wait in line, so we walked around the terminal and waited at the gate.

We don't know why we were so lucky. We asked travel experts if smaller airports are better for avoiding lines.

The experts gave us some advice.

One expert said that lines should be expected during peak travel times. Airports are still getting used to the new Entry/Exit System.

Popular destinations like Spain and Italy are seeing the biggest impact from the EES.

The expert said that peak travel times will have the longest lines.

Another expert said that smaller airports usually have shorter lines because fewer people are arriving at the same time.

The time of day and school holidays can make a big difference in how busy the airport is.

One expert said that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Smaller airports can be quicker because they have fewer flights and passengers.

Smaller airports can be easier to navigate, which can make a big difference for nervous travelers or families.

However, smaller airports may not always be better equipped to handle the EES. Larger airports may have more staff and equipment to handle more passengers.

The expert said that queue times depend on many factors, including how many UK flights arrive at the same time and how many first-time EES registrations are being processed.

Palermo is an example of how experiences can vary. One traveler may have no wait, while another may have a long wait.

The expert said that travelers should look at the whole journey, including flight times and connections, to minimize wait times.

For many travelers, the best option will be the route that gives them the most time to spare.

One expert offered some useful tips for British travelers going to Europe this summer.

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