 Poster: A snowHead
|
My understanding is that you are perfectly entitled to travel from Switzerland to France without a lateral flow. The French rule concerning Brits, is direct entry to and from the UK rather than on people who have been in the UK in the last x(i.e 24 hours).
So a brit, flying say from London to Geneva, but then traveling onto France to ski, only needs to fill in SPL and have a covid pass (fully vaxed).
For peace of mind, people could do a lat flow, and I notice that this is the advice Inghams and Crystal are giving their passengers, but I think this is more a case of British over preparedness rather than an official law.
So to clarify it's the point of entry into France rather than where you may have come from that matters in the eyes of the French law. A silly rule I know, but the rule nonetheless.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| maliziacgo wrote: |
My understanding is that you are perfectly entitled to travel from Switzerland to France without a lateral flow. The French rule concerning Brits, is direct entry to and from the UK rather than on people who have been in the UK in the last x(i.e 24 hours).
So a brit, flying say from London to Geneva, but then traveling onto France to ski, only needs to fill in SPL and have a covid pass (fully vaxed).
For peace of mind, people could do a lat flow, and I notice that this is the advice Inghams and Crystal are giving their passengers, but I think this is more a case of British over preparedness rather than an official law.
So to clarify it's the point of entry into France rather than where you may have come from that matters in the eyes of the French law. A silly rule I know, but the rule nonetheless. |
This is my take on it all. I'm not going to take a LFT when I'm not entering France directly from UK. That's the rule, so I'm not breaking them. Hearing far too many reports of nothing being checked anyway, so no need to go over the top just to be sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Yep I've just ordered 8 LFTs to cover tests into France then again tests into Italy from CH via G St Bernard tunnel. We won't do the second lot unless asked for them at tunnel and then they can be our fallback tests in case they ask us on the way home at the Ch-France border.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Live update. Just had a text from my Brother, who flew into Geneva 2 hours ago. Transiting to France in a hire car and nothing but passports were checked. LFT were not even requested. Pointless paying for them unless flying directly to France!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
What about if your hire car is from French side, do you think they will check in airport boarder?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@maliziacgo, et al., yes, fine, sure, and it was 4 months ago but we were asked for our French declarations and test results at GVA passport control ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@under a new name, Yes, but what were the swiss rules at the time? Did you have to take a test to get into Switzerland?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
@maliziacgo, pretty sure we needed tests for CH but they checked our French stuff as well. YMMV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@under a new name, well you still have to fill in a declaration traveling from Switzerland to France, so that would make sense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| maliziacgo wrote: |
| @under a new name, well you still have to fill in a declaration traveling from Switzerland to France, so that would make sense. |
My Brother didnt need to do this. Just had the signed French declaration, which again wasn't checked. He completed the Swiss PLF, but that is all he did and needed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
We flew from Edinburgh to Geneva with Jet2 yesterday on our way to Morzine. (This was flight only, not a package holiday.)
We were a bit surprised that we were asked to show our pre-departure LFT certificates at the check in / bag drop, so were glad that we hadn’t chanced it and not bothered. He also wanted to see our Swiss PLFs and proof of vaccination.
That said, our friends at the desk next to us weren’t asked for their LFT certificates and I’m not sure that our guy even knew we were going to France so maybe he was reading his checklist wrong.
Geneva airport only wanted to see our passports and there were no checks at all at the French border.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is all doing my head in. If you follow the law it appears you don't need any tests to fly to Geneva (swiss) and then you can transfer into France without anything.
I just want it all to go away
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
My experience of travelling to Italy last week.
The only people interested (during travel) in PLF/Anti-gen/PCR was the Carrier - My documents were thoroughly checked ; Border/Passport control not interested.
Would I risk not being allowed to board for the sake of a £15 anti-gen ? -- NO...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| albob wrote: |
My experience of travelling to Italy last week.
The only people interested (during travel) in PLF/Anti-gen/PCR was the Carrier - My documents were thoroughly checked ; Border/Passport control not interested.
Would I risk not being allowed to board for the sake of a £15 anti-gen ? -- NO... |
But it appears the law states you don't need one to fly to Switzerland. The carrier does not know where you are skiing so why would they ask for a test.
Not going until 12th March. Please just do away with it all
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| rickyp2 wrote: |
We flew from Edinburgh to Geneva with Jet2 yesterday on our way to Morzine. (This was flight only, not a package holiday.)
We were a bit surprised that we were asked to show our pre-departure LFT certificates at the check in / bag drop, so were glad that we hadn’t chanced it and not bothered. He also wanted to see our Swiss PLFs and proof of vaccination.
That said, our friends at the desk next to us weren’t asked for their LFT certificates and I’m not sure that our guy even knew we were going to France so maybe he was reading his checklist wrong.
Geneva airport only wanted to see our passports and there were no checks at all at the French border. |
That was all I needed to know, not worth risking for £25 for 2 people with a Fit to Fly. Thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Sory if off-topic.
I'm in France now and will go to Verbier on Wednesday.
I took the Dover Calais ferry
No trouble at Dover.
All I had to show was my passport and my vaccine status app.
No customs check.
No test certificate required. (Although I paid £30 for a 48hour Lat Flow test) you don't need it.
No checkpoint on the French side
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
So, to bring this back on track..........
Notwithstanding some people having experience of not being asked for tests, it is a variable experience.
It sounds like the following is actually what is needed (as of 8th Feb 22) when flying into Geneva and transiting on to France.
48 Hour LFT
Swiss PLF
On your return all you need is a UK PLF
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| GreenDay wrote: |
So, to bring this back on track..........
Notwithstanding some people having experience of not being asked for tests, it is a variable experience.
It sounds like the following is actually what is needed (as of 8th Feb 22) when flying into Geneva and transiting on to France.
48 Hour LFT
Swiss PLF
On your return all you need is a UK PLF |
You don't need the LFT. Its only law if you are flying directly into France.
Brother was just back from a weekend in Morzine. Flew into Geneva, was never once asked for proof of LFT. Just had to compete the Swiss PLF and then the UK PLF on their return flight. They had the printed French declaration but were never asked for it. In resort they just showed their NHS covid app QR when asked, which again was very rare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@Roscoe, Sure, but people are being asked by check in at UK airports - the transit rules seem a wee bit vague (even to airline staff) so isnt it sensible to take a LFT to be sure you dont get turned away?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| GreenDay wrote: |
| @Roscoe, Sure, but people are being asked by check in at UK airports - the transit rules seem a wee bit vague (even to airline staff) so isnt it sensible to take a LFT to be sure you dont get turned away? |
They flew with Easyjet to Switzerland so were not asked for a LFT as it is not a legal requirement to fly into Switzerland.
If people are in doubt, they should speak to the airline they are flying with a few days before they travel. But not sure with an Airline would enforce something that is not law?
From reading the responses to this, it seems most that have been asked for a pre-flight LFT when flying to Switzerland have booked with a tour operator with organised transfers to France. I assume they are being belt & braces but not sure why?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Roscoe, Just went through the Swiss govt entry / transit requirements and you are right.
Dead frustrating though, it is worrying that check in staff are asking for things they dont need.................
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I think the biggest confusion is people confusing what is required and what may be asked for.
As has been shown these things are not the same.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
@Roscoe, Your Brother would have needed to take a DAY-2 LFT/PCR on return to the UK as well as filling out PLF ;
No LFT/PCR required for return to UK from the 11th of Feb
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| GreenDay wrote: |
So, to bring this back on track..........
Notwithstanding some people having experience of not being asked for tests, it is a variable experience.
It sounds like the following is actually what is needed (as of 8th Feb 22) when flying into Geneva and transiting on to France.
48 Hour LFT
Swiss PLF
On your return all you need is a UK PLF |
@GreenDay
On the Swiss TravelCheck site if you click "Transit without stopover: I enter only for transit, with the intention and the possibility of continuing directly to another country (without stopover)" option the result says you do not even need the Swiss PLF !!
"..On your return all you need is a UK PLF..." LFT/PCR needed until the 11th of Feb..
Note -- Airline might think differently...
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| albob wrote: |
@Roscoe, Your Brother would have needed to take a DAY-2 LFT/PCR on return to the UK as well as filling out PLF ;
No LFT/PCR required for return to UK from the 11th of Feb |
Yes he has done his 2 day LFT today.
I detailed what he needed to physically get himself to Morzine and home again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| Mike Pow wrote: |
I think the biggest confusion is people confusing what is required and what may be asked for.
As has been shown these things are not the same. |
Extactly! You do not need a pre-flight LFT to fly to Switzerland. There is no requirement to do so. If people chose to do one that is there preference but it is not a requirement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Roscoe, Ahh....
I did mine yesterday and the result was 'inconclusive' -- had to fork out for a Randox 'click and collect' : Roll on the 11th of Feb...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| albob wrote: |
@Roscoe, Ahh....
I did mine yesterday and the result was 'inconclusive' -- had to fork out for a Randox 'click and collect' : Roll on the 11th of Feb... |
Ouch!!
I'm flying out next month. So all i'll currently have to do is the Swiss PLF and that's it. Hopefully they drop that too by the time I fly, not that its much hassle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Having flown into GVA today, Swiss PLF was all that was required, following bro in law's experience of same on Sunday. Confusingly, GVA airport staff were not sure of requirements when travelling out last week.
In other news, did confirm that holders of Titres de Sejour can use the EU passport lanes 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Roscoe wrote: |
| Mike Pow wrote: |
I think the biggest confusion is people confusing what is required and what may be asked for.
As has been shown these things are not the same. |
Extactly! You do not need a pre-flight LFT to fly to Switzerland. There is no requirement to do so. If people chose to do one that is there preference but it is not a requirement. |
True, but who knows what would have happened if we’d said ‘we don’t have one’ when we were asked for our LFTs by Jet2? They could see our PLF said we were transiting through Switzerland and I may have told them we were going to France. Perhaps they would have looked more closely at the rules and agreed we were ok, perhaps they would have said they wouldn’t take us on principle. Either way, it’s not a conversation I would have wanted to have at the airport with my whole holiday depending on it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@rickyp2, which was why we had LFTs ready to use, chums had asked at GVA if they needed them to return but no-one knew.
In the end we forgot to do them and went to EDI Easyjet checkin to make sure we'd be OK. The nice agent asked if we had vacc certs and Swiss PLFs. we said yes so she took our boarding passes, scribbled "checked" on them and that was it.
No interest this time at Swiss passport control.
YMMV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
This will all go the same way as "checking in at pubs and restaurants" has - i.e. the way of the dodo.
Looks like PLFs only in a couple of weeks for France as well, so any confusion should be removed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| rickyp2 wrote: |
| Roscoe wrote: |
| Mike Pow wrote: |
I think the biggest confusion is people confusing what is required and what may be asked for.
As has been shown these things are not the same. |
Extactly! You do not need a pre-flight LFT to fly to Switzerland. There is no requirement to do so. If people chose to do one that is there preference but it is not a requirement. |
True, but who knows what would have happened if we’d said ‘we don’t have one’ when we were asked for our LFTs by Jet2? They could see our PLF said we were transiting through Switzerland and I may have told them we were going to France. Perhaps they would have looked more closely at the rules and agreed we were ok, perhaps they would have said they wouldn’t take us on principle. Either way, it’s not a conversation I would have wanted to have at the airport with my whole holiday depending on it. |
Of course, which is why I said about contacting the Airline a few days prior to travel for confirmation.
I know Easyjet do not request it as it is not a requirement to fly to Switzerland. So therefore I have no need to do a pre flight LFT.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Announcement that French are going to drop LFT requirement is obviously welcome but its now a question of timing. We are leaving on 16/2 and Swiss PLF will have to state that we are transiting through GVA on way to France. So if the announcement has not been made (or has been made but only becomes effective in the future) we could get caught. Assume this will be mostly enforced by airlines (in our case Easyjet) at UK airports?
Is it worth the risk/stress to take a chance?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| 1556garyt wrote: |
Announcement that French are going to drop LFT requirement is obviously welcome but its now a question of timing. We are leaving on 16/2 and Swiss PLF will have to state that we are transiting through GVA on way to France. So if the announcement has not been made (or has been made but only becomes effective in the future) we could get caught. Assume this will be mostly enforced by airlines (in our case Easyjet) at UK airports?
Is it worth the risk/stress to take a chance? |
Flown via GVA for last 2 weekends on BA and the Swiss PLF does not ask final destination - only need to tick “Transit” box. Furthermore BA only cares about meeting Swiss requirements as that is the destination of the flight - this is via tge VeriFly app which confirms CH requirements are met before allowing online checkin (there is no way of adding French docs in the app for GVA) . Never stopped at CH>FR road border as it’s frictionless.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1556garyt wrote: |
Announcement that French are going to drop LFT requirement is obviously welcome but its now a question of timing. We are leaving on 16/2 and Swiss PLF will have to state that we are transiting through GVA on way to France. So if the announcement has not been made (or has been made but only becomes effective in the future) we could get caught. Assume this will be mostly enforced by airlines (in our case Easyjet) at UK airports?
Is it worth the risk/stress to take a chance? |
There is no risk. Easyjet do not require a LFT to fly to Switzerland. There is then no hard boarder to have to cross into France for them to check, and if there were, they have no idea of when you flew into Switzerland to check a 24 hour LFT is even valid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Roscoe wrote: |
| 1556garyt wrote: |
Announcement that French are going to drop LFT requirement is obviously welcome but its now a question of timing. We are leaving on 16/2 and Swiss PLF will have to state that we are transiting through GVA on way to France. So if the announcement has not been made (or has been made but only becomes effective in the future) we could get caught. Assume this will be mostly enforced by airlines (in our case Easyjet) at UK airports?
Is it worth the risk/stress to take a chance? |
There is no risk. Easyjet do not require a LFT to fly to Switzerland. There is then no hard boarder to have to cross into France for them to check, and if there were, they have no idea of when you flew into Switzerland to check a 24 hour LFT is even valid. |
Unless your hire car is from French side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
| Jonny996 wrote: |
| Roscoe wrote: |
| 1556garyt wrote: |
Announcement that French are going to drop LFT requirement is obviously welcome but its now a question of timing. We are leaving on 16/2 and Swiss PLF will have to state that we are transiting through GVA on way to France. So if the announcement has not been made (or has been made but only becomes effective in the future) we could get caught. Assume this will be mostly enforced by airlines (in our case Easyjet) at UK airports?
Is it worth the risk/stress to take a chance? |
There is no risk. Easyjet do not require a LFT to fly to Switzerland. There is then no hard boarder to have to cross into France for them to check, and if there were, they have no idea of when you flew into Switzerland to check a 24 hour LFT is even valid. |
Unless your hire car is from French side. |
I thought the French side was currently closed?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Roscoe wrote: |
| Jonny996 wrote: |
| Roscoe wrote: |
| 1556garyt wrote: |
Announcement that French are going to drop LFT requirement is obviously welcome but its now a question of timing. We are leaving on 16/2 and Swiss PLF will have to state that we are transiting through GVA on way to France. So if the announcement has not been made (or has been made but only becomes effective in the future) we could get caught. Assume this will be mostly enforced by airlines (in our case Easyjet) at UK airports?
Is it worth the risk/stress to take a chance? |
There is no risk. Easyjet do not require a LFT to fly to Switzerland. There is then no hard boarder to have to cross into France for them to check, and if there were, they have no idea of when you flew into Switzerland to check a 24 hour LFT is even valid. |
Unless your hire car is from French side. |
I thought the French side was currently closed? |
I hope not, I'm picking up my hire car from there Saturday
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
