What US Travelers Need To Know Before Traveling To Europe This Year

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With the world slowly opening back up to travelers we, as travel agents, are definitely seeing an influx of travel inquiries, mostly to Europe. Greece, Iceland, and Spain are just some of the hot spots I am seeing people want to travel to since they are some of the first countries to allow vaccinated US travelers. This is great news! However, traveling has definitely changed since the pandemic. So, before you book your trip, here are some things you should know before traveling to Europe.

Contact a trusted travel agent/advisor before booking a trip this year

I am not saying this just because I am travel agent, but because I have heard so many horror stories over the past year of people booking travel themselves and then having trip cancellations or delays that left them losing hundreds or thousands of dollars! A travel agent can not only save you time in booking trips but also save you time on the research of what each countries restrictions or travel requirements are. Even with countries opening up, COVID-19 regulations are changing all the time. Your travel advisor can help keep you up to date so that you have a safe and smooth trip to Europe. Another benefit with booking with a travel agent is that you have someone to assist you with an travel issues during your trip. This is something most people don\’t get with booking themselves. Booking with a travel agent gives you a personal point of contact during your entire trip. This benefit gives you peace of mind and doesn\’t cost you anything extra. Feel free to contact me for help booking your Europe travels.

Countries Open As of Right Now

The list for countries available to travel to in Europe is always being updated. Even the ones that are open still have requirements for US travelers to follow. Here is the list of Europe countries available right now to travel and their requirements:

1. Iceland – Open to vaccinated travelers/show proof of prior infections (No testing or quarantining required)
2. Italy – Rules vary by region. Americans must provide proof of vaccination or a negative covid test within 48 hours of departure. Travelers must fill out a self-declaration form prior to travel.
3. Ireland – Open to Americans, vaccinated or not. Unvaccinated travelers required to present a negative covid test with 72 hours of departure and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
4. Portugal – Americans must present a negative covid PCR test within 72 hours prior to time of departure or an antigen test performed 24 hours prior to time of departure. This information also needs to be presented to border officers at arrival spot. No other test or quarantine will be required. Passengers are also required to complete the Passenger Locator Card online for each passenger up to 48 hours before traveling.
5. Spain – Open to all American travelers, vaccinated or not. Travelers must travel directly to Spain from the U.S. or not leave the airport when connecting from another country. A prearrival form with QR code is required for each traveler.
6. Sweden – Americans must present proof of vaccination, a negative PCR, antigen test, or proof of recovery from Covid – 19. Negative tests must have been administered less than 48 hours before arriving in Sweden.
7. Switzerland – Open to fully vaccinated North Americans. Quarantine and a negative Covid-19 test will not be required to enter the country. Vaccinated travelers will need to complete the online form of the Federal Office of Public Health for incoming travelers.
8. Greece – Greece is open to US tourists with proof of vaccination or negative covid PCR test
9. Germany – Open to Americans with proof of vaccination, or results of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours of departure.
10. France – Open to vaccinated and unvaccinated American travelers. Unvaccinated travelers need to present a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours or a negative antigen test of less than 48 before boarding. Fully can enter without testing or qua ranting.
11. United Kingdom – American visitors can enter, however, testing and quarantines are still in effect. Visitors also need to fill out a pre-entry form. There are talks of opening a travel group between the U.S. and the U.K.

Country travel requirements are always changing so talk to a trusted travel agent or advisor for updates.

Getting to Europe

There are still some limitations on how you can get to Europe. Most cruise lines are not starting travel from U.S. until end of the year (November or December). This may change but, for now, flight is the better option. Major flight carriers like Delta, United, and American Airlines have resumed flight service to Europe. Travelers may have access to quarantine-free flights as well. Be prepared for higher volumes and wait times due to covid. If you are going to travel soon please give yourself more time then usual when arriving for flights. I have personally seen long lines for TSA and lines for covid check points. To help with TSA lines TSA pre-check and CLEAR are some options that can get you through the lines quicker. Just check or ask your travel agent if they are available at your departing airport.

I know we are all happy travel is opening back up. It is great thing! As long we are all prepared and taking the right precautions we can have a great time traveling back to the beautiful Europe nations we all have missed. If you have any travel questions or need help finding a travel agent in your area contact me and I can help you with your travel needs.