We've booked a Lufthansa ticket USA to Budapest transferring through Munich, returning Vienna to USA. Our booking advises us to check requirements and "obtain the necessary visa according to your itinerary because it contains at least a double transfer within Germany/Europe". We're travelling exclusively within Schengen countries, and checking here and elsewhere seems to indicate we can travel within those countries, including multiple entries, without any type visa. First time to Europe for us and this is a bit confusing, so any advice clarifying whether we need any type visa would be appreciated.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
First what is your nationality? Your profile says "Granite Bay, CA". Is CA Canada? Even if it is, I do not know if you are a Canadian citizen.
If you are a Canadian citizen then you can enter the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180 without a visa.
This article lists which countries' nationals can enter the Schengen Area without a visa, and which require a visa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_the_Schengen_Area
"obtain the necessary visa according to your itinerary because it contains at least a double transfer within Germany/Europe".
That is rubbish. What matters is the Schengen Area. You will enter the Schengen Area, have your passport examined and, depending on your nationality, stamped when you land in Munich. No further passport check when you land in Budapest.
Leaving, you will exit the Schengen Area in Vienna, and that is where the passport check and possible stamping will occur.
Posted by
4536 posts
You can ignore that, it's a generic comment not intended for you. Rental car contracts are also filled with dubious requirements that only apply to Gambia or something but it's listed on every reservation.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
18052 posts
No visa required for Schengen countries if you are a US Citizen....
Posted by
San Francisco
14565 posts
CA is California.
Posted by
OP
California, USA
4 posts
Thanks one and all for the very speedy and informative replies. What a fabulous, helpful forum this is!
P.S. Changed profile location to reflect California, USA
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15595 posts
There's another regular here from Granite Bay - and there's a regular monthly travel group meeting in Larkspur which you might want to join.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32867 posts
total trip less than 90 days?
Posted by
OP
California, USA
4 posts
Well under 90 days. Budget, pets and commitments limit us to a tad over two weeks. Wish it could be longer!
Thanks for the heads up on travel groups, and yes Sacramento is closer. If anyone has contact info, I'd like to save it for future reference.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32867 posts
This link:--
gives the announcement of the most recent March Sacto meeting. They always meet the same day and place so you can predict what Andrea will be posting for April.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1041 posts
If I were you, I would check with the State Department, not a random but well intentioned group on the internet.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
If I were you, I would check with the State Department, not a random
but well intentioned group on the internet.
While this is often true for tricky legal issues, in this case, the OP is a US citizen traveling for less than 90 days. This was an easy one to answer.
Posted by
San Francisco
14565 posts
No need to check with the State Dept since the entire trip is under 90 days and on a US passport. My trips have included multiple entries but all within the Schengen zone since they include backtracking.
Last time in and out of Hungary from Vienna on a day trip in 2015, I saw the Hungarians not even checking my passport, but still they did check passports, ie, the Hungarian ones.
Posted by
OP
California, USA
4 posts
Thanks to all who replied. I'm looking forward to attending the Sacramento travel group one day, and in the meantime learning from all the helpful posters on this forum.