Austria removes UK from Virus Variant List


Skiing in Austria just got a little easier!

Hiking tour at the Sonnenplateau Mieming- © Österreich Werbung, Photographer: Robert Maybach Photo: Austria National Tourist Office

Good news for British holidaymakers: From 24 January, the UK is no longer classified as a virus variant region in Austria. Double-jabbed or recovered travellers can enter the country with a PCR test (valid 72 hours) OR proof of a booster jab (received at least 120 days after the second shot). Proof of recovery (within the past 180 days) also counts as a booster. Please find more info on the new entry rules here.


		The new entry rules in a nutshell (update shortly)

Austria shortens validity of vaccination on 1 February

When in Austria, gaining “2-G” status is essential to enter hotels, restaurants, ski lifts etc. From 1 February, two-dose vaccinations are only valid for 180 days in Austria, after that a booster is needed. The third jab remains valid for 270 days from day one. Proof of recovery is also valid for 180 days. BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca (except Covishield), Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Novavax – including mix and match vaccines – are currently recognised in Austria.Travellers can show their vaccination status using the NHS app, the EU Digital Covid Certificate (Green Pass) or a printed equivalent in English or German.


		Everything you need to know about Austria’s Covid rules

Rules for children and teenagers

• Children under the age of 12 do not need proof of vaccination/recovery or a PCR test (exception: in Vienna mandatory testing applies from the age of 6)
• Teenagers (12 or over and born on or after 1 September 2006) who are not yet fully jabbed can use the  Holiday Ninja Pass both to enter Austria and to maintain “2-G” status
• For teenagers born before 1 September 2006, the same rules as for adults apply.

PCR tests are available for both locals and visitors free of charge in Austria.


		More information about winter holidays with teenagers

Start planning your next trip!

You can search for your own accommodation in the snow for your next ski holiday through our Accommodation Search tab. Or if looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check Il Coure della Valdigne review here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using, you can always write me a private message if interested to info@the-ski-guru.com

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

You can book directly through Airbnb through this link

Or check Booking.com on this link.

If you want to take your family skiing and you don’t know where to start, read here. And search for your ski transfers from all airports to the Mountains here. And for those that are like me, that are lazy to cook, you can get your food, even gourmet mountain food delivered to your home with Huski.

If renting equipment (skis or snowboards) check our agreement with Skiset– you can get up to 50% off ski or snowboard rental rates. I have been using them for years every year when I go to America and Europe and they are great!

Shop for the Alpine Look with The-Ski-Guru HOME

Already selling some alpine design items for your house. #bringthemountainshome with The-Ski-Guru HOME and put a smile in your face. These are hand-paintings done by me, applied to cushion covers, coasters and mugs.

Cushions, paintings and homewares from The-Ski-Guru HOME. To see the shop go here.Featured Image: Ozzy at home after a long trip from London to Morgex in the Italian Alps. Getting an European Passport for your Pet to travel to Europe? Not for everyone!

Featured Image: The Flexenbahn has connected all the Arlberg region. Photo: Ski Arlberg- Lech Zürs Tourismus. Austria removes UK from Virus Variant List

The Mad Rush of the Last Days to get out of Britain in Time before Lockdown

What a couple of days. As Omicron made its way with exponential vigour in the British Isles- more so in England, and Boris Johnson was saying that a tidal wave of infections were looming upon us, all European countries started to freak out and make it more difficult- if not impossible, to travel for Christmas. Therefore, we had a mad rush during the last days to get out of Britain in time before lockdown.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

It was Thursday morning and I needed to get into my computer early due to my work. It was then when I’ve seen one pop up on the News of my computer, with Sky News saying that France was cancelling travels from UK starting on Saturday. Our ticket was for crossing the Eurotunnel on Saturday morning. The story was being developed, so I’ve figured out that it was really fresh!

Queue of frantic drivers trying to get to France before the frontier was closed to us. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. The Mad Rush of the Last Days to get out of Britain in Time before Lockdown.

A French minister has been hinting that more restrictions were going to be done to the UK, as the UK was imposing more severe restrictions to French. But within the twiteratti world of tourism gurus, nobody was seeing this- they’ve thought that maybe the antigen tests were going to be requested 24 hours earlier, as Italy has recently done, or maybe a PCR test would be asked- which was still going to be difficult, as you need to get the result quite quickly if you want them for travelling. You can get PCRs fast, but they tend to be more expensive.

We were making it, getting on board of the Eurotunnel early morning before France closed its borders. Photo: The-Ski-Guru.

But this was the crude reality- the same was happening pretty much, that happened last year. I’ve grabbed my computer and took it to bed, while my husband was seeing I was trembling. Got into my Eurotunnel reservation, and as I have a trade account, I needed to ask for any changes via email. I’ve figured out that it was going to be impossible to expect an answer in time now, as Eurotunnel will have a lot of people wanting to change their tickets, so I went ahead and bought a new one way. Now, I should have bought a return ticket, but I did not think that at the moment, but that is for next time. (I could finally talk with Eurotunnel once in France, and buy the return ticket, as if you have your outgoing portion as a no-show, the whole ticket gets cancelled!)

Month: January 2022