Anyone travel to Germany recently?

[Rick Lee]

My main destination is Austria, which has removed all Covid restrictions, but flights to Vienna are about double the price to FRA or MUC, and I do want to visit some friends in Germany. Several German official gov't. sites have conflicting info on Covid-related entry requirements, some are several months out of date, and rumor has it they're changing again in the next few days.

I'm not vaxxed (had Covid twice, most recently six mos ago) and there's not enough time now even I wanted to get vaxxed to be in compliance there. But they do allow entry with a negative test, which is easy enough to get at the free drive-thru right by my house. But how are things on the ground once in country? Are people really showing their (electronic) papers to enter bars, restaurants, museums and stores? I still see plenty of Covid signs at entrances in the US, but they're totally ignored. I imagine Germans aren't so casual about signs. But how are the real world restrictions there now?

[Joe Bob]

Fly to a cheap location then get a euro pass on the excellent trains they have.

[LeRoux Strydom]

I just returned this past weekend from Germany (Hanover) and Austria (Vienna).

Life has pretty much returned to normal. In Germany, the only time I was asked to wear a mask was in a museum. Nobody asked for electronic papers anywhere that I went.

In Austria, I only had to wear a mask on the U-bahn but even that is no longer required after 1 June. I went to see a performance of the Wiener Philharmoniker which was packed to the rafter with not a single mask in sight.

You will need a valid negative PCR test to enter either country and masks may be required onboard aircraft depending on airline. KLM did not care but Austrian required an FP2 mask.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

And in Oct. 2023 REAL ID will be required to fly internationally first then domestic travel.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by LeRoux Strydom

I just returned this past weekend from Germany (Hanover) and Austria (Vienna).

Life has pretty much returned to normal. In Germany, the only time I was asked to wear a mask was in a museum. Nobody asked for electronic papers anywhere that I went.

In Austria, I only had to wear a mask on the U-bahn but even that is no longer required after 1 June. I went to see a performance of the Wiener Philharmoniker which was packed to the rafter with not a single mask in sight.

You will need a valid negative PCR test to enter either country and masks may be required onboard aircraft depending on airline. KLM did not care but Austrian required an FP2 mask.

Good info. The friends I'm staying with in Austria are all doctors and they say it's all good again. I was just worried about Germany. I plan to go to the Czech Rep. too on my drive down to Austria. I understand they're as free as Austria now. I think I'll have to spring for the rapid test at the Munich airport when I head back home, as anything I get in Austria would likely be too old by the time I depart from Munich.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by 3rd_gear_Ted

And in Oct. 2023 REAL ID will be required to fly internationally first then domestic travel.

Lol a passport?

Say it ain't so

[Rick Lee]

I don't care about the ID stuff. I have it all and Global Entry. I'm good.

[Cajundaddy]

One of my friends is in Germany right now and says life is mostly back to normal. He has his negative test document for entry into each country and carry a mask but said it is rarely needed.

Enjoy your trip!

[Rick Lee]

Just got bloodwork done yesterday and results back already. Plenty of Covid antibodies, though I know that won't matter for this trip.

[David Inc.]

Even back in November when I was there I only had one place that did the QR code tracker thing. All the restaurants skipped it.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by LeRoux Strydom

I just returned this past weekend from Germany (Hanover) and Austria (Vienna).

Life has pretty much returned to normal. In Germany, the only time I was asked to wear a mask was in a museum. Nobody asked for electronic papers anywhere that I went.

In Austria, I only had to wear a mask on the U-bahn but even that is no longer required after 1 June. I went to see a performance of the Wiener Philharmoniker which was packed to the rafter with not a single mask in sight.

You will need a valid negative PCR test to enter either country and masks may be required onboard aircraft depending on airline. KLM did not care but Austrian required an FP2 mask.

Living in fear.
A cancer which spreads throughout the human mindset.
Sources unknown. Or very well known.
Best to fight it before it starts.

[red-beard]

The Extra Time in Europe No Traveler Wants but Everyone Should Prep For

https://www.wsj.com/articles/positive-covid-test-international-travel-flights-11654031367

[Rick Lee]

I don't do trains in Europe anymore, since I became old enough to rent cars about 25 yrs ago.

Really sticks in my craw that I have to show a negative test to fly back to my own country, but I can waltz across the southern border illegally with no test or other credentials. Oh well, I hope I don't catch the Covid in Europe, but I'm not worried at all, given my level of antibodies in last week's blood work.

[Vintage Racer]

I did Delta to Paris and back with no problems.

[Kraftwerk]

My buddy just flew back from Europe only about 1/3 of people were masked on the plane. I would wear a mask on the plane even if not required anymore and the U bahn and or wherever they require it & you will be fine.

[a2jon]

I was in Nuremberg, Hannover, and Amsterdam last week and the only place masks were required was on the DBahn train. Delta airlines (the EU) required proof of vaccination or a negative test if you have not been vaccinated to enter the EU. Once there, I could freely go to restaurants and about without having to show any proof of vaccination (my understanding that requirement has been removed). Most of the people on the plane and about didn’t have masks on.

As others have commented, getting back to the USA required a negative Covid test 24 hours prior to flying (not sure I would want to get Covid in EMEA and have to stay there for some undetermined amount of time until a negative test). There was a good article in NYT talking about Americans that tested positive are redirecting their flights to Canada since they don’t require a negative Covid test to enter the country. Once in Canada they drive back to the U.S. and are not checked at the border (only flights require test).

Once I got home, I found out my colleague that I attended Hannover Messe with tested positive on Friday and the last time I was with him was all day Tuesday so I’ve been isolating and daily testing (all negative). I understand a number of my colleagues in the booth got Covid while at the show. Glad I was negative and able to fly home.

[Rick Lee]

I went to the Hannover Messe when I was an exchange student in 1988. It was a ginormous sea of humanity. The fact that they're still holding it means they must not be too concerned about Covid anymore, even though people obviously caught and spread it there.

[Rick Lee]

It appears all restrictions have been lifted for entry into Germany and for boarding a plane back to the US. However, I keep getting emails from Lufthansa and United that I have an upcoming trip with Covid entry restrictions. I'm a little concerned about this. The place where I used to get the free drive-thru tests now charges $100. If I need it, no problem. But I don't want to get one just to upload proof on the airline apps when it's really not required. Flight is day after tomorrow.

[javadog]

Well, if you’re concerned about it, drive out to the airport and ask one of the airline check-in people what you need.

[Soterik]

I was in Germany a couple of weeks ago. We took the train from Venice to Munich... when we got on German soil we were advised to put on masks as Germany still requires masks on public transit. That's the only place though, I went to the Seahawks/Buccanneers game and there was no mask requirement at the stadium. Taxi's don't require masks, but the drivers seem to wear them. Restaurants were unmasked.