What is the situation in the country?
In order to get the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 virus under control, the whole of Italy has been a restricted zone since Tuesday. Around 60 million people are affected by the measures. Freedom of travel across the country is limited – even if Long-distance trains drive on and Planes still take off.
–
The Federal Foreign Office (AA) now advises against unnecessary trips to Italy. “Unnecessary transportation is to be avoided throughout Italy, restrictions on freedom of movement and controls are to be expected nationwide,” says AA’s travel advice for Italy.
I am in Italy. Can I get home by car?
According to the AA, returning to a place of residence both within and outside of Italy, i.e. also leaving for Germany, is still possible. Checks and inquiries from security and law enforcement officers must be expected. In addition, a self-declaration about the need for the trip had to be completed and carried.
–
Austria decided to largely stop Italy from entering Italy on Tuesday. Italians are said to be particularly affected. Passing through with the automobile of tourists from Germany, for example, should remain possible, provided that they did not stop in Austria. Among other things, the fuel gauge can be checked before entering the country.
Are the trains still running?
Long-distance traffic to and from Italy is generally as planned. According to Deutsche Bahn, the following restrictions currently apply due to official orders:
-
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) nightjet connections to Venice and Milan begin and end prematurely in Villach (Austria). The night train to Rome from Munich continues according to ÖBB.
-
The EC trains between Munich and Verona end and start in Innsbruck.
-
According to ÖBB, trains continue to go to Bologna, Udine, Trieste, Verona and Venice during the day, but from Monday only with Italian, no longer with Austrian staff. Freight traffic is still approved.
If you want to go to another location by train in Italy, you have to fill in a self-declaration of the reasons at a checkpoint, such as at Termini station in Rome.
–
And how is it by plane?
With the announcement of the exclusion zone, more and more airlines are suspending flights to Italy. Many passengers are therefore rebooked, flight times or even the day of the flight change.
-
The low cost airlines Norwegian Air Shuttle and Wizz Air from Hungary announced on Tuesday that all connections to Italy would be terminated by April.
-
The British budget airline Easyjet canceled most of their flights to Milan, Venice and Verona.
-
British Airways canceled all flights to Italy on Tuesday. The airline referred to the recommendation of the British government to make only necessary trips to Italy due to the spreading infection.
-
Ryanair cancel all flights to Italy by April 8th. From Wednesday all airline flights within Italy will be suspended, international flights to and from Italy from Friday. Air travelers who wanted to return to their home country can rebook on an earlier flight of the airline free of charge until Friday.
-
Set by the Lufthansa group Austrian Airlines air traffic between Vienna and northern Italy until March 28th. The Austrian Ministry of Health had banned flights from Italy. This eliminates up to three flights a day to Venice and Bologna and up to six connections from Vienna to Milan. Flights to Rome and Milan were maintained.
-
The main brand Lufthansa and the cheap flight daughter Eurowings still offer some flights to Italy.
Many airlines currently offer goodwill rules for free rebookings worldwide, some of them apply to existing as well as future bookings and some only for new bookings.
–
I have booked a vacation in Italy. Do I get my money back?
Since the AA advises against unnecessary trips to Italy, you can Package vacationers withdraw from the contract free of charge. This explains travel lawyer Paul Degott from Hanover, because: “Holiday activities are no longer possible.” There is an unavoidable, extraordinary circumstance and therefore force majeure. Organizers should now cancel trips on their own initiative. They have to pay back the money they have paid to their customers within 14 days.
–
Many book their vacation in Italy individually – These travelers also have good cards: According to travel law expert Ernst Führich, some can Hotel bookings can be canceled free of charge if the accommodation is no longer available. This also applies to Italian law. Anyone who has booked on a German-speaking hotel portal on the Internet is already subject to German law. Then vacationers turn to the intermediary – i.e. the portal – and insist on a free cancellation of the stay. In the event of a dispute, the consumer can be sued at the court of residence.
Even some Flights could be canceled free of charge, says Führich – here too, the existence of an unavoidable, exceptional circumstance counts. In his opinion, compensation or compensation payments under the EU Passenger Rights Regulation are excluded.
What is my booked Easter holiday in Italy?
The cessation of public life in Italy should initially apply until April 3. Anyone who has booked a vacation in the period thereafter – for example, over Easter – should first wait. If the booking conditions provide for a free cancellation until shortly before arrival, the stay can also be canceled and re-booked later. “You don’t have to worry now that there will be no more rooms available,” says Degott.
Vacationers have an advantage if they have booked accommodation with a free cancellation option up to one day before departure. Many hotel portals offer this, the price is then somewhat more expensive. “In this case, I would cancel and see how the prices develop,” recommends the travel lawyer. You should only book a new one with a generous cancellation option.
–
