Travel to the US and back.

[tor 17,525]

I am not asking about taking the ICE to Munich,

 

I am not asking about driving to Denmark for a beach holiday.

 

Has anyone traveled the the US and returned to Germany recently? 

 

Is anyone planning a trip to the states in the near future?

 

what were or are your experiences?

[Space Cowboy 1,466]

I am planning a trip to the US in July.  I don’t know if that falls into your definition of “near future.”

[tor 17,525]

That's about my time frame. need to visit my folks and take care of some stuff... 

[Space Cowboy 1,466]

8 minutes ago, tor said:

That's about my time frame. need to visit my folks and take care of some stuff... 

 

I did a lot of research for this trip, due to the precarious travel situation.  If you have specific questions, just ask.

 

Tip:  avoid flying LH if you can for now. They are advertising flights to\from the US, taking payment, then cancelling the flights.

[tor 17,525]

I am just beginning my research because of an unexpected development.

 

I will probably fly KLM/Detla [whatever] to Seattle.

 

My first concern is about getting and proving test results on either end of the trip. then, of course, quarantine on either side. 

 

[Space Cowboy 1,466]

Tests results?  What???   No need.  No one will be asking if you have been tested - on either end.

 

At the moment, in both countries it will be stated that you should self-quarantine upon arrival; however, there is no checking or tracking of self-quarantined travelers in either country.

[Space Cowboy 1,466]

KLM is also regularly canceling flights like LH.  The US carriers are more reliable right now, especially in/out of Frankfurt, as they transport US military personnel back and forth on a regular basis. 

 

You can use Flightaware to look at the history of whatever flight(s) you choose, to see how often the airline has canceled in the recent past.

[snowingagain 5,464]

6 minutes ago, Space Cowboy said:

Tests results?  What???   No need.  No one will be asking if you have been tested - on either end.

 

At the moment, in both countries it will be stated that you should self-quarantine upon arrival; however, there is no checking or tracking of self-quarantined travelers in either country.

 

Are you suggesting that people should just ignore quarantine, and there are no consequences?

[Space Cowboy 1,466]

Just now, snowingagain said:

 

Are you suggesting that people should just ignore quarantine, and there are no consequences?

 

No, I am stating a fact.

[snowingagain 5,464]

 

1 minute ago, Space Cowboy said:

 

No, I am stating a fact.

 

oh good. 

[cacilia_1 80]

5 hours ago, snowingagain said:

 

Are you suggesting that people should just ignore quarantine, and there are no consequences?

 

Latest news out today was that the virus is weakening. Not that it has gone away but in order to survive, it can't kill its hosts so it is evolving into a less virulent form.

[snowingagain 5,464]

38 minutes ago, cacilia_1 said:

 

Latest news out today was that the virus is weakening. Not that it has gone away but in order to survive, it can't kill its hosts so it is evolving into a less virulent form.

 

That would be good.

[Metall 14,575]

3 hours ago, cacilia_1 said:

 

Latest news out today was that the virus is weakening. Not that it has gone away but in order to survive, it can't kill its hosts so it is evolving into a less virulent form.

 

Do you have a source, please?

[tor 17,525]

I checked KLM and it is only €300 for a round trip to Seattle. 

[tor 17,525]

Non-US citizens and residents who have visited/transited through one or more of the following countries/regions in the past 14 days are not permitted to enter:

Mainland China

Iran

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Brazil

 

Entry restriction exemptions

US citizens / lawful permanent residents including their spouse, parents, legal guardian, siblings (unmarried and under the age of 21 years), child, foster child or ward

Foreign government officials or an immediate family member of an official (visa: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, E-1, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, or NATO-6) who originated in, transferred from, or transited through the aforementioned countries/regions in the past 14 days

U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses and children (if have been to the aforementioned countries/regions)

Passengers who are exempted will only be permitted to arrive into one of the following 13 airports:

Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

New York (JFK), New York (EWR), Washington Dulles (IAD)

Seattle (SEA), Atlanta (ATL), Honolulu (HNL)

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Boston (BOS), Miami (MIA)

[tor 17,525]

so, in theory, it looks like i 'should' be able travel there and back....

[elizabias 4]

Yep, assuming you can get a flight, you should be able to get there. July and later seem more promising for this. Just also keep an eye out for new rules for the countries in which you connect. For instance, KLM says that people even just connecting through the Netherlands need to show this form saying they are healthy: https://www.rivm.nl/en/documenten/health-screening-form (from https://wecare.klm.com/nl_en/ "Do I need to bring additional documents to enter the Netherlands?" section). Only travelers have to sign it, no doctor's visit is required. Also, KLM will still give refunds or vouchers for flights you yourself cancel that were scheduled to fly before the end of August (same link, "Can I still travel to and from the United States of America?" section). Until the end of August they also require wearing masks from boarding through exiting the plane, with small breaks allowed for eating and drinking, during which the masks must be stored somewhere clean and not just slid under your chin ("Do I have to wear a face mask during my trip?" section).

 

We had planned to go in May but that didn't quite work out. Hopefully we can go later this summer. Hope your trip goes well!

 

[tor 17,525]

Thanks. i hope you get to make your trip as well. 

[Nkwal 41]

I traveled to the US in March (right before things really got shut down) and returned to Germany in mid-April (somewhat during the height of the siutation). I flew United and would recommend the same. I was at IAD and EWR and didn't see any KLM, Swiss or Lufthansa planes. It was fine, it all worked out, the service was just less than normal (ie I flew in Polaris and we didn't have real silverware or plates, no glass of champs, food was prepackaged but still better than economy). If you want more even more current info, you could also search flyertalk.com. It's a blog about all airlines and flying and includes lots of info about the current situation (ie current transatlantic food offering, disembarking, route info, blah blah).

 

I just booked a ticket to fly to FRA-IAD for a week in July. For these flights, certain seats were blocked off, whereas in April, it wasn't. I read on flyertalk they think some things will be returning to more of a normal flying experience with onboard service starting July 1. Probably have to wear a mask and have distancing, but it's improving. Also, they change rules as things go on, something to remember.

 

Good luck!

[BigKahanna 5]

My US colleague (US Citizen with spouse in Munch on Residence Permit) returned from Chicago via Amsterdam.  She reported no issues whatssoever on arrival into Amsterdam or Munich.  No major questions and no mandatory requirement of self-quarantine mentioned.