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[mynetdude]

Edit: Thanks for the move!

I don't know where to start!

I am going to Germany for two main reasons, to meet someone I have known online for 10 years through an interest/hobby we like. and he has talked about CeBit quite a bit and I know CeBit is held in other locations other than Germany.

I looked at the dates to go and cheapest airfare, etc I wanted to arrive a day or two before CeBit, but airfare proved costly so the recommendation was to come a week before Cebit so with that in mind I have quite a bit of options.

I suspect CeBit will take 2-3 days to see all the cool stuff in comsumer electronics, IT, and various tech stuff. But there are also lots of possibilities. I could fly to London then go to Germany, etc.

I am still concerned about not knowing what I am doing, I do have some disabilities and I mitigate issues by taking breaks or requesting services but how do I show proof of disability in Germany?

I know that each country has its own language, and it would be preposterous to expect/require everyone to speak English on demand, it would be a challenge for me to learn conversive language, but learning simple words I could do.

My current plan is to depart for Germany Feb 22nd from the USA and arrive in Hannover on Feb 23rd, the reason for Hannover is because that is where my friend and his parents live and if I ran into problems they would probably be the best help I could get; and Hannover from my understanding is not too far from Berlin which is where CeBit 2010 will be.

I am fully aware of the European rail system to the point that I know that it is possible to get to several countries on rail rather than air. I don't have a problem flying, but you see nothing from the air (other than a flat piece of land ) if air travel is more sensible due to my 3 weeks of time constraints then by all means I would do that to have more time to see tings.

I don't have to be in Germany the first or last week, and I know that it will take more than 2-3 weeks to see all of Germany, perhaps not this trip... maybe next and perhaps I'd like to see a little tiny bit of everything.

How do I deal with customs? Am I able to pass through customs via rail? Every airport? (Hannover included?) If I decide to go straight to Germany my flights would connect in Seattle and Amsterdam do I need to clear customs when transiting AMS?

If I decide a different exit point, then planning will be more difficult or I just return to the city where I will depart but then that means I lose a day that i could be using to see something else before my departure.

Of course making changes to my airfare/itinerary could be done with a $250 penalty + any fare differences.

[starlagurl]

I moved your topic to the Europe forum...

What kind of disability do you have? I'm not sure what you mean by "how do I show proof of disability in Germany?"

How do you show proof of your disability at home? I assume it would be the same way.

I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what you want to know for the rest of it... Are you looking for advice on where else to go, besides Germany? Because that's really up to you.

There are lots of things to see in Europe, I love art, so I'd say spend some time in Amsterdam and the Netherlands, and maybe Paris if you can.

[huckabmm]

How do I deal with customs? Am I able to pass through customs via rail? Every airport? (Hannover included?) If I decide to go straight to Germany my flights would connect in Seattle and Amsterdam do I need to clear customs when transiting AMS?

If I decide a different exit point, then planning will be more difficult or I just return to the city where I will depart but then that means I lose a day that i could be using to see something else before my departure.

Of course making changes to my airfare/itinerary could be done with a $250 penalty + any fare differences.

Entering by air: First off, customs is a breeze. Coming from the US and entering the EU is super easy. I've been through EU customs in Paris, Madrid, and Rome and was barely questioned each time. You won't have anything to worry about. You will go through customs in your first European city. So if you go from Seattle to Amsterdam to Hannover you will go through customs in Amsterdam and then not again in Hannover since this is an EU-EU flight. I once went from New York to Paris to Madrid and they didn't even check my passport in Madrid, much less make me go through customs. It was a little disconcerting but it made getting through the airport much faster!

You will, of course, have to go through US customs upon your return, and this is slightly more intrusive, but nothing to worry about. Expect long lines, but the average traveler shouldn't have any issues clearing.

Inter-EU rail travel: Second, traveling by rail in Europe is a breeze. Once you are in the EU you don't have to show a passport/go through customs to travel between member nations. This is true of even "non-member" nations like Switzerland.

One note: When I took an overnight train from France to Italy the conductor did take my passport for the night. I'm not really sure why...maybe it was to check it at the border, maybe it was to prevent me from getting off the train early?? Then again I took a train from France to The Netherlands last summer and they didn't check my passport so maybe it was a fluke...

Every time I've been to Europe I've entered and left from different airports. It should not make your planning any harder and it will allow you to travel further and not have to backtrack to fly out of the same city. When booking your flights look for an option called "Multi City" or something similar.

Hope this helps, reply with any questions you have,

[mynetdude]

I moved your topic to the Europe forum...

What kind of disability do you have? I'm not sure what you mean by "how do I show proof of disability in Germany?"

How do you show proof of your disability at home? I assume it would be the same way.

I'm having trouble figuring out exactly you want to know for the rest of it... Are you looking for advice on where else to go, besides Germany? Because that's really up to you.

There are lots of things to see in Europe, I love art, so I'd say spend some time in Amsterdam and the Netherlands, and maybe Paris if you can.

Hearing, vision and walking are my primary disabilities though i can drive just stay out of my way j/k. I drive, I just try not to put myself into situations that would be severely problematic.

I read somewhere that you had to apply for disability to get disability services at least in Germany.

I know there are lots of places to see, but I am making this a short trip so would you stay in one country or would you try to go see some major spots, etc?

[mynetdude]

How do I deal with customs? Am I able to pass through customs via rail? Every airport? (Hannover included?) If I decide to go straight to Germany my flights would connect in Seattle and Amsterdam do I need to clear customs when transiting AMS?

If I decide a different exit point, then planning will be more difficult or I just return to the city where I will depart but then that means I lose a day that i could be using to see something else before my departure.

Of course making changes to my airfare/itinerary could be done with a $250 penalty + any fare differences.

Entering by air: First off, customs is a breeze. Coming from the US and entering the EU is super easy. I've been through EU customs in Paris, Madrid, and Rome and was barely questioned each time. You won't have anything to worry about. You will go through customs in your first European city. So if you go from Seattle to Amsterdam to Hannover you will go through customs in Amsterdam and then not again in Hannover since this is an EU-EU flight. I once went from New York to Paris to Madrid and they didn't even check my passport in Madrid, much less make me go through customs. It was a little disconcerting but it made getting through the airport much faster!

You will, of course, have to go through US customs upon your return, and this is slightly more intrusive, but nothing to worry about. Expect long lines, but the average traveler shouldn't have any issues clearing.

Inter-EU rail travel: Second, traveling by rail in Europe is a breeze. Once you are in the EU you don't have to show a passport/go through customs to travel between member nations. This is true of even "non-member" nations like Switzerland.

One note: When I took an overnight train from France to Italy the conductor did take my passport for the night. I'm not really sure why...maybe it was to check it at the border, maybe it was to prevent me from getting off the train early?? Then again I took a train from France to The Netherlands last summer and they didn't check my passport so maybe it was a fluke...

Every time I've been to Europe I've entered and left from different airports. It should not make your planning any harder and it will allow you to travel further and not have to backtrack to fly out of the same city. When booking your flights look for an option called "Multi City" or something similar.

Hope this helps, reply with any questions you have,

long lines in the US customs would be something I could not do for more than 20 minutes at this present time.

I am familiar with the multi city option, I do not want to spend more than 2 weeks this trip so getting in on the 23rd and going out the 8th or 9th of March would you fly all the way to Germany and meet up with your friend or would you fly to the next cheapest point of entry and then work your way down to Germany in time for CeBit and spend a few days there then continue on until it is time to exit?

I questioned whether air travel to different places or via rail in terms of hopping around I would like to maximize the amount of time available to me.

I have no idea how long it would like to stay at each place thus not knowing where my exit point would be at this time.

[starlagurl]

I know there are lots of places to see, but I am making this a short trip so would you stay in one country or would you try to go see some major spots, etc?

If it were me, yes, I would stay in Germany. But, that's because I've been to most of central Europe already.

If you haven't, maybe you want to make it a whirlwind trip. It all depends on your style, but if it were me, I would make it my "German trip."

I'm not really sure what kinds of services you would need with the disabilities you mention... sorry if I am ignorant. I'm thinking the only thing would maybe be a special seat on the bus or metro... or am I missing something?

[mynetdude]

I know there are lots of places to see, but I am making this a short trip so would you stay in one country or would you try to go see some major spots, etc?

If it were me, yes, I would stay in Germany. But, that's because I've been to most of central Europe already.

If you haven't, maybe you want to make it a whirlwind trip. It all depends on your style, but if it were me, I would make it my "German trip."

I'm not really sure what kinds of services you would need with the disabilities you mention... sorry if I am ignorant. I'm thinking the only thing would maybe be a special seat on the bus or metro... or am I missing something?

well if I were hopping around I probably would need help with my luggage, or I could simply take a break from walking until I was ready to go again. Or I could simply hire door to door luggage service to eliminate luggage issues.

I'm thinking staying in Germany for my first trip to get the idea of the EU is probably a wise decision. For transit/trains hearing the PA is difficult to understand for me so a text display of what they are saying or the next stop would help too even if I have to know what that stop is in German

[starlagurl]

Well... I don't think it's possible to get bags carried for you for free because you are disabled, is it? But of course, there's nothing stopping you from asking someone on the street to help you. Most people are nice, and most people speak English... and they will help.

As for hearing the PA, I would just bring along a copy of the transit map and follow along (provided you can see it) usually you can get one wherever you bought the ticket.

[mynetdude]

Well... I don't think it's possible to get bags carried for you for free because you are disabled, is it? But of course, there's nothing stopping you from asking someone on the street to help you. Most people are nice, and most people speak English... and they will help.

As for hearing the PA, I would just bring along a copy of the transit map and follow along (provided you can see it) usually you can get one wherever you bought the ticket.

never suggested free service, if they want to do it for free fine but their time is valuable so it costs. I did read awhile back, need to read again that they have services at the train station where someone meets you and assists you in transfers and luggage but that is within the station I believe.

I have no problem finding ways to make it happen whether it means hiring a service or asking for a little help in the communities, etc.

[sarahindenmark]

i personally found Germany to be one of the harder countries for not knowing the language. that being said, people were generally more helpful than other countries. i also know that many of the employees on the trains may only know very simple english. what i would do is type up something simple explaining your disability in german in case you should run into a problem.

personally, i think using trains would be much easier than dealing with airports. less time waiting in airports as well as seeing the scenery and having a chance to meet people. germany is a great place to start with because i remember it generally being very accessible as well as having an extremely efficient public transportation network in any semi-big city.

as i think you mentioned, you'll be very close to the netherlands. it seems like everyone speaks english there and travel between cities is never more than an hour or two. perhaps avoid going farther into eastern europe where sites still tend to be less accessible and the language becomes more of a problem. austria is another great and beautiful country which also speaks german.

if you end up doing a lot of travel, think about a rail pass. i remember tickets within germany and austria being really expensive. in the netherlands, however, nothing is really far enough to make a rail pass worth it.

[sarahindenmark]

and except for the US, i wouldn't worry about customs. usually you just walk straight through. you may not even see a customs worker.

once you are within the EU, you basically will not encounter customs while crossing borders. you may encounter passport control but they'll just take a quick glance and move on. you'll never have to get off the train.