Long queues, stress and also anger because of missed flights: There is currently a heavy rush at German airports. Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne / Bonn are particularly affected.
A press spokesman for Berlin Airport BER confirmed that travelers had to expect hours of waiting at the weekend due to the high demand. He could not rule out that travelers miss their planes due to the long lines.
Long waiting times arise during the entire passenger processing. So between check-in and boarding.
No mess, but long lines
Vacationers should be prepared for long queues in the next few days. Not only on the outward journey to the holiday paradise but also on the later flight back to Germany.
The queues come about because the staff at the check-in counter has to check the travel dates as well as the vaccination, recovery and test certificates. On average, employees need up to two minutes longer for each passenger. If the counters are not sufficiently staffed, there will be delays.
On top of that. Because airlines are liable, an additional check of the documents takes place at the security check. Here, too, is checked manually by hand.
You should know that before departure
Ideally, be at the check-in counter 2.5 hours before departure.
Travelers can save some time using the common online check-in procedure. This service is offered by all major airlines. At the earliest 24 hours before departure, holidaymakers can relax and check in from home, view their seat and book additional services. Including special baggage or meal packages.
At the airport you can go straight to the drop-off counter. Corona evidence is then checked there and the suitcases are weighed.
Find out in good time about the necessary documents that you will need before departure.
The following are absolutely important:
- Identity card or passport and
- Vaccination certificate or proof of recovery or negative result of a corona test.
A contact form also applies to some travel destinations. The document is known as the “Passenger Location Form” (PLF). There, travelers must indicate where they will be and how they and their relatives can be contacted by the regional authorities in an emergency.
You should always have all documents to hand. Ideally, you should use your smartphone for this. You can store your Corona evidence in the CovPass app. How exactly does it work show the colleagues from “CHIP.de” in the helpful video.
By checking your emails, you can view the contact details and other immigration forms (PLF) on your smartphone. It is better to send the PDFs to yourself via WhatsApp or to save them directly to your smartphone via Google Drive (Android) or Apple (iCloud).
Also pay attention to waiting times on the return flight
There are waiting times not only on the outbound flight, but also on the return flight. As in this country, all travel and corona data is carefully checked abroad. There could be longer waiting times, especially on the next two weekends. Abroad, the following applies: It’s not just German holidaymakers who want to go back, British, French, Italians, Spaniards and Co. also travel back then.
FOCUS Online advises: Always have documents to hand. Unvaccinated people should arrange a test appointment in good time. Not all airports have set up test centers and are not obliged to offer them.
How much do rapid antigen tests cost abroad?
Find out about the current prices on site. Ideally, any pharmacy in the holiday destination can also help. Also remember that there are many black sheep lurking with exorbitant prices. Sometimes they then charge more than 100 euros for a simple antigen rapid test (as of October 11, 2021).
- Belgium: Corona test for travel around 55 euros, test sites Is there … here.
- Bulgaria: Corona test at the airport between 40 euros (antigen rapid test) and approx. 120 euros (PCR test), in the pharmacy max. 20 euros (antigen rapid test)
- Denmark: Corona test at the airport between 50 euros (rapid antigen test) and approx. 450 euros (PCR test, for example Copenhagen 25 minute PCR test),
- Germany: Corona test at the airport between 30 euros (rapid antigen test) and approx. 180 euros (PCR test),
- Estonia: Corona test at the airport between 49 euros (rapid antigen test) and approx. 75 euros (PCR test) – the test sites are here
- Finland: Corona test at the airport between 130 euros (rapid antigen test) and approx. 158.60 euros (PCR test)
- France: Corona tests for tourists can cost a maximum of 29 euros (antigen rapid test) or a maximum of 49 euros (PCR test)
- Greece: Corona test depending on the pharmacy or doctor between 20 euros (rapid antigen test) and approx. 60 euros (PCR test)
- Ireland: Corona test at the airport between 45 euros (rapid antigen test) and 69 euros (PCR test) – the test sites are here
- Italy: Corona test, depending on the provider and city, between 20 euros (antigen rapid test) and 100 euros (PCR test)
- Croatia: Corona test depending on the private clinic and city between 20 euros (antigen rapid test) and 100 euros (PCR test)
- Latvia: Corona test depending on the provider between 19 euros (antigen rapid test) and 80 euros (PCR test)
- Lithuania: Corona test at the airport between 24 euros (rapid antigen test) and 37 euros (PCR test)
- Luxembourg: Corona test at the airport between 79 euros (rapid antigen test) and 119 euros (PCR test)
- Malta: Corona test at the airport between 35 euros (rapid antigen test) and 130 euros (PCR test)
- Netherlands: free of charge if you register in advance (here), otherwise 55 euros for a rapid antigen test or 75 euros for a PCR test at the airport
- Austria: Rapid antigen tests at pharmacies, doctors and test centers usually free of charge, PCR tests via laboratory up to 69 euros, children pay up to 49 euros.
- Poland: Corona test at the airport between 39 euros (rapid antigen test) and 130 euros (PCR test via laboratory)
- Portugal: Corona test at the airport between 20 euros (rapid antigen test) and 90 euros (PCR test via laboratory)
- Romania: Corona test depending on the provider between 5 euros (antigen rapid test) and 80 euros (PCR test)
- Sweden: Corona tests in the care centers (family doctor, clinic), PCR tests cost 122.05 euros (1,250 Swedish kronor)
- Slovakia: Corona test at the airport between 25 euros (rapid antigen test) and 69 euros (PCR test)
- Slovenia: Corona test, depending on the provider and city, between 20 euros (antigen rapid test) and 95 euros (PCR test)
- Spain: Corona test, depending on the provider and city, between 20 euros (antigen rapid test) and 100 euros (PCR test), on the Balearic Islands there is a maximum limit of 30 euros for antigen rapid test or 75 euros for PCR test.
- Russia: The necessary PCR test is available in many cities for around 40 euros. In big cities they are cheaper (Moscow about 30 euros).
- Turkey: The necessary PCR test is available for 30 euros in public test centers, at airports and in tourist facilities. The rapid antigen test costs around 18 euros.
- Czech Republic: Corona test depending on the clinic and provider between 20 euros (rapid antigen test) and 350 euros (PCR test via laboratory), the PCR test is usually available for 150 euros.
- Hungary: Corona test, depending on the provider and city, between 26 euros (antigen rapid test) and 130 euros (PCR test), the test sites can be found here.
- Cyprus: Corona test depending on the pharmacy or doctor between 20 euros (antigen rapid test), at the airport (PCR test) it costs between 30 and 70 euros.
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