Aircraft Spotting in Europe.

Hi Folks,

I'm looking at going aircraft spotting in Europe, in particular Frankfurt and Amsterdam and was wondering can anyone advise on what documents I would need (tickets and passport obviously) to visit these countries, also would it be advisable to try and learn basic phrases in the local tongue so at least to show I'm learning the language?

Cheers

James

Hi James - apart from advice on this forum I suggest you ask for help on the Flyer Talk Plane Spotter Forum:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/information-desk/1919720-plane-spotting.html
where you will find experienced enthusiasts

james60059 said:

Hi Folks,

I'm looking at going aircraft spotting in Europe, in particular Frankfurt and Amsterdam and was wondering can anyone advise on what documents I would need (tickets and passport obviously) to visit these countries, also would it be advisable to try and learn basic phrases in the local tongue so at least to show I'm learning the language?

Cheers

James

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You should have no problems in Holland as almost all the Dutch speak very good English. Shouldn't have any problems plane spotting either at civil or military aerodromes as many Dutch guys and gals are aircraft mad and the authorities seem very tolerant of the hobby.
Shouldn't encounter any problems in Germany either but it's been a while since I've been spotting there. Frankfurt Airport has a great viewing gallery on top of the terminal building but AFAI it's gained a fence since I was last there. A mate of mine makes regular day trips to German airports for plane spotting and photography and it's alway hassle free for him.

Just enter Schiphol and spotterplekken in your searchengine.

james60059 said:

I'm looking at going aircraft spotting in Europe, in particular Frankfurt and Amsterdam and was wondering can anyone advise on what documents I would need (tickets and passport obviously) to visit these countries, also would it be advisable to try and learn basic phrases in the local tongue so at least to show I'm learning the language?

Click to expand...

Here's a good site:

Frankfurt: https://www.spotterguide.net/planespotting/europe/germany/frankfurt-fra-eddf/
Schiphol: https://www.spotterguide.net/planespotting/europe/netherlands/amsterdam-ams-eham-2/

Generally no problems with spotting at all (I understand that Greece is still a problem and some eastern European countries).

Language: well the Dutch at least speak better English than the British so.... otherwise absolutely no problem - take a guide book, mispronounce some things and make friends.

Documents, as a UK and EU Citizen you only need ID, which in the case of the UK effectively means passport. If you're planning to travel after (or if) the UK leaves the EU then who knows - probably a visa application? This page explains "everything" as known as present: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/eu-citizen/index_en.htm

Ian

Thank You everyone for the replies, was very much helpful

farci said:

Hi James - apart from advice on this forum I suggest you ask for help on the Flyer Talk Plane Spotter Forum:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/information-desk/1919720-plane-spotting.html

Click to expand...

That's brilliant, I wasn't aware of such a forum but will head over. Many Thanks

rf_ioliver said:

Language: well the Dutch at least speak better English than the British so.... otherwise absolutely no problem - take a guide book, mispronounce some things and make friends.

Click to expand...

I'd agree completely with that - while you can get a bit stuck very occasionally, there are plenty of other ways of communicating with people to supplement the spoken word if you need to. And buying train tickets, booking hotel rooms and finding your way around etc. is far easier than it used to be now we have multi-language ticket machines, e-tickets, room-booking apps and maps on smartphones. Not quite the same feeling of adventure though that you got when you arrived at a foreign railway station and then had a wander around to find a decent room for the night.

You won't have an issue in Germany - engineering & technology is highly respected as an interest and is catered for - most airports have multiple outdoor & indoor facilities for spotting often free. It's common to see people going to airports just for a day out - not just for spotting but also shopping/eating/booking holidays as there's lots of facilities 'landside' at the large airports. The restaurants at Hamburg Airport have an outdoor terrace where you can eat and watch the planes without travelling anywhere - it is an absolute winner in my view.

English is widely spoken - younger Germans are often nearly as good at English as the Dutch - they have whole courses in English at Uni now just like in the Netherlands. But in the West of Germany older people often understand it well too, if not be able to hold a whole conversation. If you learn basic easy phrases like hallo, danke, people will like it and will make an effort to be understood.

Also if you are at Frankfurt Airport, consider an airside tour that the airport runs: https://www.frankfurt-airport.com/e...html/service/airport-tours/airport-tours.html

For travelling in Europe I would strongly recommend getting a (free) European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which will allow free basic medical emergency treatment in all the EU member states. It can be applied for on line here.

After Brexit it will, of course, no longer be valid - so buy some travel insurance.