We will need to get a test in Berlin before heading home to US. Unlike France, it appears that testing is not available for anyone by walking in at pharmacy. Since we are only in Berlin for 2.5 days, we need to be tested the day we arrive. We are arriving by train, testing there? I see the website "test to go" but seem unable to navigate it. Any experience out there getting a test in Berlin? I am assuming that it must be easy. Also, is there a cost for non-citizens? Just trying to cover all my bases!
Posted by
Chicago
2669 posts
You also have the option to bring a self-test/home test with you from the US. That to me seems like the easiest option.
Posted by
Karlsruhe, Germany
293 posts
There is a test centre at the main train station, here is the link to it https://termin.testzentrale.online/hbf
You can pre-book either an antigen test or a PCR test there: as far as I have read, the antigen tests (called Bürgertest) are free also for tourists, but I'm not positive of this -- you might also want to check what type of documentation they give you, and if it recognised by the airlines. The PCR test is something like 79 €.
There are also dozens and dozens of other centres in the city--if you say where your hotel is, there might be other better suggestions.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
Here's another firm to check out (it's in english):
https://covidzentrum.de/en/corona-test-berlin
They also offer a free and low-cost rapid test. Does anyone know if those tests are kosher for travel back to the US? The also have same-day day PCR tests for 79 which they indicate are for flights, but they might be saying that to make more money off those tests.
Posted by
Karlsruhe, Germany
293 posts
Here's another firm to check out (it's in english):
https://covidzentrum.de/en/corona-test-berlinThey also offer a free and low-cost rapid test. Does anyone know if
those tests are kosher for travel back to the US? The also have
same-day day PCR tests for 79 which they indicate are for flights, but
they might be saying that to make more money off those tests.
The tests offered as Schnelltest/Rapidtests in Germany are antigen tests. I believe that these are suitable for entry into the US -- many other countries do or were requiring PCR tests, which is I think why these are marketed as for travel.
The other thing to check, though, is what type of documentation the test centre will give to you, to see if that matches what the airline needs. The Testzentrum linked to in this post has a fairly large FAQ that details the documentation they provide.
Posted by
14 posts
Hi. This post is important--and it has me confused. I'm traveling to Germany on 8/21, returning to the US 9/13 (in and out of Munich). Not traveling anywhere else. I was so excited that Germany had removed travel restrictions for Americans...I never imagined I'd have to show a negative COVID test to get back into the US! Can someone tell me where this policy is documented/updated? Thanks!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
can someone tell me where this policy is documented/updated?
Official info is at the CDC site:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
Posted by
Germany
450 posts
Rules change with great regularity, so everything people are saying might have changed by the time you go. You should be prepared to keep checking in with your airline, the CDC, the RKI, and possibly the state department.
I flew into the US last week. I needed a simple antigen test. These test centres are EVERYWHERE in Germany, and while they are free to citizens and permanent residents, I do not know if they are free to tourists. However, our local one only costs 35 Euros if you are paying yourself. They are easy to sign up for on the spot, take almost no time, and you can get electronic and printed results at many of them. There may be fewer test centres by fall, but they should still be available easily enough. But who knows? Instead of having 5 within the 5km radius of my home, there might be 1-2. But they are seriously so prevalent you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a test centre.
A few things to note:
--Make sure they provide your results in English
--If provided electronically, make sure you don't need internet to get them (so a PDF or something). I had both the PDF and the printed copy
--Like many things in Germany, lots of test centres are closed on Sundays. If flying out Monday morning, make sure you find a centre in advance. The ones at train stations and airports are most likely to be open but also most likely to be crowded and require pre-booking
--If things change by then and you need a PCR test, you can generally get those at airports and train stations, too--they are more expensive, especially if you need it rushed (less than 24 hours). Most clinics and hospitals will also offer them, as do a number of other centres. They range in price from 70-150 Euros, maybe even more if you need the super rush. But googling PCR Berlin should get you what you need.