Best Flight to Romania from JFK

[Rimbaud]

Gents, I'm headed to Romania for bear and chamois in late October, early November. I will be flying out of JFK with my rifle. Much appreciate any advice from hunters who have been to Romania on the best way to go. My guide told me to fly into Timisoara, ideally. From what I can gather, I will fly JFK, almost certainly on Lufthansa, into Germany or Austria and then make my way to Romania. I travel business class, and am curious about best-priced routes and general thoughts. Much appreciate everyone's time and help. R

 

[V.Veritas]

Fly on Lufthansa to Munich (ideally, not sure if it requires a firearm transit fee) or Frankfurt (larger airport and will need to pay the firearm transit fee) and directly to Timisoara (1.5hours flight).

 

[Sika98k]

I’ve flown into Timosara a couple of times. Lufthansa in Europe is my airline of choice. It would require transferring in Frankfurt or Munich. However Lufthansa handle firearms competently.
Are you hunting with Mihai ?

 

[Rimbaud]

I’ve flown into Timosara a couple of times. Lufthansa in Europe is my airline of choice. It would require transferring in Frankfurt or Munich. However Lufthansa handle firearms competently.
Are you hunting with Mihai ?

Thanks much. Hunting again with Pannonvad. Was just with them in September, and shot the stag in my avatar photo, and also took another.

 

[Russ16]

I’m going to Romania in November for chamois. Right now I’m looking at Turkish air through Istanbul to Bucharest. Business class tickets from Dulles are running $2700 give or take. That’s the best business class to Europe price I’ve seen in a while. I understand Turkish is very easy with guns. I’m waiting for one detail from the guide before I book. Hope to get it soon before prices go up.

I know that’s not to the same airport but might be worth looking at. Not sure how far you need to go from Bucharest or if there is a short haul connection.

 

[WAB]

I’ve only been once. I used Turkish through Istanbul. They were decent.

 

[Rimbaud]

I’m going to Romania in November for chamois. Right now I’m looking at Turkish air through Istanbul to Bucharest. Business class tickets from Dulles are running $2700 give or take. That’s the best business class to Europe price I’ve seen in a while. I understand Turkish is very easy with guns. I’m waiting for one detail from the guide before I book. Hope to get it soon before prices go up.

I know that’s not to the same airport but might be worth looking at. Not sure how far you need to go from Bucharest or if there is a short haul connection.

I've heard Turkish Air was reasonably priced for business. Timisoara is a few hours from Bucharest, so not terrible. I will check them out. Thank you

 

[Rimbaud]

I’ve only been once. I used Turkish through Istanbul. They were decent.

Would you fly them again?

 

[WAB]

Yes. Seemed on par with US airlines.

 

[Spearhead]

Thanks much. Hunting again with Pannonvad. Was just with them in September, and shot the stag in my avatar photo, and also took another.

Wow!!! What are gorgeous stag. Congratulations.

 

[V.Veritas]

Flying into Bucharest is OK if you hunt central România. If you hunt the West side, it is quite far from the capital. Think about assigning 1 day for driving. There is only 1 highway E-W and it's not complete as far as I know.
Check with your outfitter before booking that flight.
My 2 cents.

 

[LimbNoMo]

Having lived in NYC, I would not transit through JFK or LGA with a firearm of any sort. Too many horror stories.

 

[wesheltonj]

Turkish is great in Business. But their gun fee is high.

Istanbul is a great place to have a very long layover.

 

[Rimbaud]

Having lived in NYC, I would not transit through JFK or LGA with a firearm of any sort. Too many horror stories.

I have an NYC rifle and shotgun license. Still, always prepared for trouble.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Fly on Lufthansa to Munich (ideally, not sure if it requires a firearm transit fee) or Frankfurt (larger airport and will need to pay the firearm transit fee) and directly to Timisoara (1.5hours flight).

It's been several years, but I flew Lufthansa thru Munich to Bucharest. It required a no-fee transit permit but was otherwise was uneventful. (Frankfurt also requires a transit permit; these are processed by different offices associated with each airport). You do need to apply for the transit permit well in advance (I would suggest 90 days) as they snail-mail you the actual permit. As I recall, Lufthansa charged $200 each way for transporting a firearm.

More recently, I flew via Cluj-Napoca but that was without firearms. Arrival hall was simple enough. The departure side of the airport was undergoing remodeling and was rather hectic.

Can't help with JFK airport as it's been over 30 years since I've flown through there.

 

[Rimbaud]

It's been several years, but I flew Lufthansa thru Munich to Bucharest. It required a no-fee transit permit but was otherwise was uneventful. (Frankfurt also requires a transit permit; these are processed by different offices associated with each airport). You do need to apply for the transit permit well in advance (I would suggest 90 days) as they snail-mail you the actual permit. As I recall, Lufthansa charged $200 each way for transporting a firearm.

More recently, I flew via Cluj-Napoca but that was without firearms. Arrival hall was simple enough. The departure side of the airport was undergoing remodeling and was rather hectic.

Can't help with JFK airport as it's been over 30 years since I've flown through there.

Appreciate your post. What exactly is the no-fee transit permit? Thank you

 

[V.Veritas]

Appreciate your post. What exactly is the no-fee transit permit? Thank you

I assume you need to submit an application to the appropriate authority, but there is no fee/cost associated with it.

I flew through Frankfurt once on my way to Namibia and there was a fee associated with the application. I believe it was around 100 Euro, but I might be wrong.

I’m glad if Munich is no cost, as it is an easier airport to transit through.

 

[DieJager]

In use the flight connections site. Best connection would be via Lufthansa with a transit in Munich. Lufthansa has a firearm fee.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Appreciate your post. What exactly is the no-fee transit permit? Thank you

The document is entitled "Erlaubnis zur Mitnahme von Schusswaffen/Munition in die, durch die oder aus der Bundesrepublik Deutschland" (roughly, "Permission to take Firearm/Ammunition into, through, or out of Germany). Based on the approval stamp, it appears to be processed by the staat in which the airport is located (i.e., different offices for Frankfurt vs. Munich).

These are the documents which were required:
For the rifle permit I need the following documents from you:
- passport
- Firearm's License (if available) (Note: I used the CBP Form 4457)
- Invitation (for competition / training / hunting)
- Rifle data (type, manufacturer, caliber, serial number)
- Ammunition (amount, caliber)
- Flight data (date, flight numbers, arrival time in Munich)
- Address in the USA
- telephone number

This may have changed, but at the time all of this information was emailed to the office for that airport for processing. My application was processed with the usual German efficiency as well as the typical Bavarian cheerfulness. No fees were charged, but they do want to know who is transiting the country with firearms.

 

[Rimbaud]

The document is entitled "Erlaubnis zur Mitnahme von Schusswaffen/Munition in die, durch die oder aus der Bundesrepublik Deutschland" (roughly, "Permission to take Firearm/Ammunition into, through, or out of Germany). Based on the approval stamp, it appears to be processed by the staat in which the airport is located (i.e., different offices for Frankfurt vs. Munich).

These are the documents which were required:
For the rifle permit I need the following documents from you:
- passport
- Firearm's License (if available) (Note: I used the CBP Form 4457)
- Invitation (for competition / training / hunting)
- Rifle data (type, manufacturer, caliber, serial number)
- Ammunition (amount, caliber)
- Flight data (date, flight numbers, arrival time in Munich)
- Address in the USA
- telephone number

This may have changed, but at the time all of this information was emailed to the office for that airport for processing. My application was processed with the usual German efficiency as well as the typical Bavarian cheerfulness. No fees were charged, but they do want to know who is transiting the country with firearms.

Very helpful. Thank you.