Can I enter an airport terminal, go to a departure gate, then go to a different terminal?
I travel with my wife from Rome. Due to technical reasons, we have to take different flights. My flight goes out from FCO airport terminal 1, while her flight goes out from FCO terminal 3, at approximately the same time. Since she does not speak English/Italian and is quite anxious about being alone, I want to go with her all the way to the departure gate in terminal 3, and then go back to terminal 1 to take my flight. Is it possible?
On the map, it is only 7 minutes walk, so technically it should be easy. My main concern is the passport control - if I go through passport control at terminal 3, I am formally outside of Italy. Will I be able then to go back into Italy to go to terminal 1?
Are there any other potential problems in this plan?
Best Answer
Some airports will give you a “gate pass” which allows you to accompany a passenger to the departure gate (or from the gate for returning passengers). It’s mostly used for children or elderly passengers.
You can ask at the ticket counter if you can have one. Especially since your wife is passing through a sterile transit or emigration area, it’s unlikely in your case that you’ll get one. But you can still ask - and might want to ask on the phone ahead of time.
Otherwise, using a smartphone with video chat (FaceTime, Skype video, line, etc) can be a good way to guide her. Note she’ll have to turn off her video phone while in security.
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Can you enter a different terminal?
Each terminal has its own security checkpoint (except Terminal 7 and 8 that share 1), and any passenger with a valid boarding pass for that day can go through security at any terminal. Once you're airside (past security), each terminal has its own shops, bars, and restaurants, and some have airline lounges.Can I exit the terminal and come back in?
Re: Can I leave the terminal and re-enter through security? No issues, go in and out as much as you want.Is terminal and gate is the same thing at the airport?
Gates are the location in an airport that allow you to both: Wait for your flight, and enter/exit the aircraft. Terminals are a collection of gates.Can someone walk you to your gate at the airport?
A few airports will issue an airport gate pass to anyone who wants to go through to the airport terminals. However, most airports don't offer gate passes and instead issue escort passes, which only allow accompanying people in special circumstances, such as minors and people with special needs.Learn to Read this Piece of Paper (Don’t Get Lost!!!!!)
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