How to Plan, Pack, and Prepare for a Pandemic Trip to Europe

Planning, packing, and preparing for a trip to Europe takes a lot of work. And even more so during a pandemic. I’m back in Europe now, having cleared all of those hurdles. A few months ago, when I began planning my trip, I hoped things would become clearer over time. Instead, the opposite happened. But with a little extra preparation and flexibility, coming to Europe has turned out just fine. And I must say, it feels fantastic to be here.

Here are some details about how I prepared for my first trip back to Europe in two years. Keep in mind that, especially in uncertain times, I’m a “belt-and-suspenders” traveler who tends to overprepare. You may find some of these steps overkill. Even more important, be aware that things are changing fast — including several new restrictions that have come about even since I arrived — so don’t take anything in this post as definitive. The key thing for travelers is to stay informed, double-check official sources as your trip nears, and don’t assume anything. (In fact, while this post originally went up on September 14, it has been updated as of November 1, 2021, to reflect a few new pieces of information.)

Packing

I gave myself a few weeks to inventory and pack my travel gear — partly because I was rusty after two years of no European travel, and partly because I’m traveling in a whole new world. This gave me time to brainstorm what I might need and to order some new items (like home test kits and N95 masks) well before departure. Here are some of the “extras” that I brought along for pandemic travel:

Your CDC vaccine card is now right up there with your passport as an essential item for traveling in Europe. I enclosed mine in a form-fitting plastic sleeve, sealed with a zipper, which fits perfectly in my money belt. I also went to a copy shop and asked them to make a double-sided, full-color, laminated photocopy; it took a few minutes and cost less than $5. That’s the “vaccine card” that I keep in my pocket, while the original (in case I’m asked for it) is safely in my money belt. Does this card really work in Europe? Yes. As an experiment, I even went into a pharmacy in Berlin to ask if I could get an official European “green pass,” with a scannable QR code. I was told that, as a non-resident, I wasn’t eligible to get one; my CDC card was all I needed. Sure enough, I’ve found that my laminated copy is accepted everywhere I go in Europe.

Another addition to my luggage were a few home COVID test kits. (File under “Never thought I’d bring that to Europe.”) These have been approved by the FDA for emergency use and are available over-the-counter; I bought the Abbot BinaxNOW kits. (It’s important to note that these are rapid antigen tests, rather than the more sensitive and accurate PCR tests that are sent to a lab. The at-home tests essentially indicate whether you’re actively contagious, not necessarily if you have small amounts of the virus in your system. Learn more about the difference here.) These can be useful to have in hand. For example, after arriving in Europe and spending three days in the mountains, I was heading into civilization where I’d be seeing several friends. So that morning, I took a test…negative!

While not a 100% guarantee, testing negative gave me peace of mind. And if I start having symptoms, I’ll be glad to be able to test quickly to determine if I need to isolate.

I also packed a second type of home COVID test, which can be used for the mandatory test for returning to the US. There’s more detail on how that works at the end of this post.

I’m also bringing along lots of extra masks. It’s important to note that cloth masks are not accepted in many parts of Europe, which require what they call “FFP2” masks. That’s the European equivalent of a KN95 or N95 — in other words, medical-grade masks. I also saw surgical masks widely used. For the first time since the shortages of early 2020, I found it relatively easy to stock up on some medical-grade N95 masks, which give me peace of mind on the airplane. I find my preferred style (3M “Aura”), with more breathing space and a padded nose bridge (to reduce eyeglasses fog), are particularly comfortable on a nine-hour flight.

Before I was vaccinated, I also wore a face shield on the plane. I brought one along on this trip, just in case, say, the guy seated next to me spent the entire trip coughing. (He didn’t.)

I packed a thermometer and an oximeter. If I’m feeling flushed, a thermometer helps me figure it out if I just got too much sun or actually have a fever. And if I came down with COVID, I’d use the oximeter to track my oxygen levels and determine whether I should seek medical treatment.

And, of course, I brought along loads of disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. However, now that I’ve arrived, I’m finding that hand sanitizer is as ubiquitous here as it is back home. (This was not the case even a few years ago, when my European friends would stock up on sanitizer anytime they visited the US.)

Finally, before entering each country, I enable the contact tracing app for that place. Many US states have these; in fact, my Washington State app pinged me  with a possible exposure notification earlier this summer. While it turned out to be OK (it was in a brief, masked situation; I never had any symptoms; and an at-home test came up negative), this was a good reminder that these apps do work and can be useful in alerting you if you’ve been near someone who has tested positive. In an effort to be a good guest, I want to use the local app and make sure that the “Exposure Notifications” on my iPhone menu are set to the country that I’m currently in. This involves downloading and setting up the app for each country (easy to find; or just search “contact tracing app” plus the country; for example, Italy’s has the adorable name “Immuni“).

Red Tape and Restrictions

Another big hurdle was keeping track of the ever-shifting red tape for Americans going to Europe. Each European country has its own policies, so you’ll need to check details for every place you’re going. My itinerary includes Slovenia, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany — so that’s four times the homework, and four times the places I have to constantly check for updates.

Some general trends: First of all, Europe wants travelers who are fully vaccinated. As noted, you’ll need to bring your CDC vaccination card and expect to show it frequently — especially when dining indoors or entering a museum or public transit. (Anecdotally, some countries are more lax about this than others. But be prepared regardless.) You’ll also be asked to show your vaccine card when boarding a flight for the US, or an internal flight within Europe.

Yes, in some cases it’s possible for the unvaccinated to show a recent negative test, or evidence that they have recovered from COVID. However, new restrictions are targeting unvaccinated Americans first and foremost, so being unvaxxed in Europe will only become more challenging. (Several countries now have quarantine requirements for unvaccinated Americans, with more likely to follow.) If you are choosing not to get vaccinated, save yourself some hassle and don’t go to Europe. Or, you know…get vaccinated.

Some countries ask travelers to fill out a passenger locator form, like this one for Italy. Filling this out online took me a few exasperating minutes, and after submitting it, I was sent a confirmation with a QR code. In the end, nobody ever asked me for it. But I was glad I had it, just in case. Later, when I flew from Italy to Prague, I also filled out the Czech form — which was, in fact, checked on arrival at the airport.

One thing very much in flux are the country-by-country requirements for taking a COVID test, typically two or three days before your trip. When I flew from the US to Italy, I was not required to present test results. (I did a home test anyway, for my own peace of mind.) But just a couple of days later, Italy did begin requiring a test — demonstrating how quickly these things can change. Your airline’s website can be a good place to start researching this, as is the embassy in the country you’re visiting.

And, it goes without saying: When visiting a foreign land, follow all rules and guidelines to a T. Be a good guest. You’ll notice that masking compliance is near 100% throughout Europe; don’t be the only chinstrapped clod on the train or cable car.

Mentally Preparing for Travel in Uncertain Times

For my trip, the biggest hurdle was a psychological one — when, several days before departure (in late August), I began hearing rumors that the European Union was planning to remove the United States from its “safe countries” list. It did not help that these rumors were reported both sparsely and sensationally, using phrases like “travel ban.” I checked the news constantly to see exactly what those changes would look like. If something changed while I was in Europe, would I be sent home? Were Americans truly going to be “banned”?

But when the EU guidance was finally was announced, it was far from a “travel ban against Americans.” It was simply an acknowledgement that COVID rates in the US had reached troubling new highs, and advice that EU member countries should re-examine their entry requirements — especially for unvaccinated travelers. Some countries placed new limits on the unvaccinated, and/or introduced testing requirements. And a few — including Sweden, Norway, and Bulgaria — instituted new quarantine requirements even for vaccinated Americans. But most of Europe, including the places I’m visiting, didn’t change much for someone who is vaccinated and willing to test as needed. (UPDATE: Two months later, vaccinated Americans are still allowed in most parts of Europe. So much for that “travel ban.”)

This was a reminder of the importance of taking the news with a grain of salt. So much information is presented as clickbait, and phrases like “travel ban” (or, say, “Europe’s doors are slamming shut”) generate lots of attention and angst. But travelers need to read beyond those hysterical headlines to understand what’s really happening, and only then re-evaluate how, if at all, it affects their trip. Remember: News outlets are in the business of discovering, isolating, and trumpeting the worst-case scenario rather than the predominant reality.

While Europe is understandably concerned about the USA’s Delta surge, politics are also driving some of these policies. Europeans are very frustrated that, while they opened their borders to Americans early this summer, most Europeans — who live in places which far higher vaccination rates and far lower case rates than the USA — still were not allowed to enter the United States. European threats of a “travel ban” are, at least to some degree, likely a political ploy to encourage the US government to seriously reconsider reciprocity. (UPDATE: It worked. While I was in Europe, the Biden Administration announced that vaccinated Europeans would be allowed to visit the United States as of November 8. )

Another topic that worries many is this: If you test positive (even asymptomatically) before traveling home to the US, you’ll be required to quarantine and rebook your flight. I’m not going to sugar-coat it: This could happen, and it would be both expensive and inconvenient. (I asked about this at a testing center in Berlin. She said, “If your antigen test comes up positive, you’ll take a free PCR test to make sure it’s not a false positive. If you’re still positive, you are legally required to present yourself to the authorities and quarantine in Germany for two weeks.” Fortunately, after an anxious 10 minutes of imagining this scenario play out in real life, the test results popped up in my email: Negative.)

We all know that breakthrough cases occur, even when vaccinated people are being careful. My wife and I had some serious conversations about this eventuality. And we decided to assume that risk, partly because we believe the risk is quite small. Sure, I have heard of this happening (the clip from CNN at the top of this article does an excellent job of making this “NIGHTMARE” scenario seem both terrifying and a veritable certainty). But even with many of my friends and colleagues now heading to Europe, I don’t know anyone personally who has experienced it. (If it’s happened to you, or someone you know, by all means give us the details in the Comments.)

If you’re risk-averse, or you don’t have the finances or the flexibility to absorb a last-minute change like this one, I wouldn’t blame you for skipping the trip. But in my case, I decided to take a leap of faith. And it turned out just fine.

In general, traveling during COVID requires a willingness to disentangle fear and facts. There are some things to genuinely be fearful about: Delta cases are rising in Europe, so even though I’m vaccinated, I’m scrupulously masking and avoiding crowds. But vague rumors of a blanket “travel ban” against Americans, or the (likely remote) possibility of having to quarantine before coming home, aren’t necessarily worthy of fear.

That said, don’t travel in Europe right now unless you’re willing to change plans on a dime. If Delta rates skyrocket in certain places, there may well come a point where those places say, “Sorry, we don’t want you here.” And at that point, you need to be ready to change plans. (UPDATE: When I made my plans for this trip, I assumed that I’d have to reroute and rebook things at some point. As it turned out, everything came off exactly according to schedule. But I was still glad to be mentally prepared for the possibility of changes.)

“But what about travel insurance?” I can hear some of you saying. I believe there are two types of people in this world: People who buy travel insurance, and people who don’t. And maybe it’s my privilege speaking — as a hale-and-hearty professional traveler — but I’m not in the habit of buying travel insurance. However, I think it could be a great option for some travelers, and someday I may well regret not taking that step.

One thing I will advise: If you are considering travel insurance, be sure to carefully read and fully understand the fine print about things like what happens if you choose to call off your trip (rather than the trip being cancelled because of new restrictions); or whether a quarantine hotel and flight changes would be covered in case you test positive on the way home. (If I’m being honest, a lack of patience for sorting through those details is the main reason I don’t bother with insurance.) If anyone has any tips about trip insurance, then by all means, fill us in in the Comments.

The Journey (There and Back)

With all of that packing and planning out of the way, my flight to Europe was smooth and uneventful. I was asked for my vaccination card upon check-in at Sea-Tac Airport (and then never again). Otherwise, the trip over was about the same as always; everyone on board masked carefully, and the plane was mostly full. On a tight layover in Amsterdam, I went through passport control (to enter the Schengen zone), but there were no further security or vaccination checks. Same thing on arrival in Venice: No vaccination or other paperwork checks…simply benvenuti in Italia! I picked up my rental car at the airport and was on my way to Slovenia, where the border was entirely unguarded and unchecked.

There were plenty of subtle differences, of course. In airport bathrooms, every other urinal was taped off in a halfhearted social-distancing measure. Nearly all of the entrances and exits at the Venice Airport had been closed, and the flow had been re-routed on a one-way path, so that everyone entered the airport through the same door, and everyone exited through another door. (Take that, COVID!) Aside from minor, idiosyncratic hassles like that one, Europe was still Europe. And it was wonderful to be back…jet lag and all.

Crossing borders within Europe turned out to be less of an ordeal than I expected. Flying from Italy to Prague, I had to show my vaccine card, and I had to fill out a passenger locator form for Czechia before going to the airport (this was checked on arrival in Prague). Before taking the train from Prague to Berlin, I carefully studied requirements for entering Germany and found I didn’t need to do anything in particular, since I had not been in a high-risk place (like the USA) for more than 14 days. Sure enough, upon crossing the border, nobody ever came through the train to check passports or any other paperwork. (I did receive a text message that said, simply, “Please follow the rules on tests/quarantines,” with a link.) Of course, your mileage may vary: Depending on which borders you’re crossing, things could be more complicated. And I have heard, anecdotally, that there can be more restrictions for airports than land crossings. But overall, the parts of Europe I visited felt  fully open.

One last bit of red tape: To travel to the United States, everyone — including American citizens and/or people who are vaccinated — is required to get a negative COVID test within 72 hours of entering the country. There are two basic ways to do this: Go to a pharmacy or testing center; or bring your own at-home test, which must be virtually supervised.

My wife and I tried each approach. She was going home first, and right up until the day before her flight, we were staying in a small village on Italy’s Cinque Terre where getting an official test might have been complicated and time-consuming (likely requiring a train ride into the nearest big town). So instead, we brought along a home test kit (specifically, this one) that is approved for entering the US. This works basically like other home test kits, except that you have to call in for a telehealth appointment (included in the price) to have your test supervised.

The entire process took her about 30 minutes: She followed the instructions to download the app on her phone, then initiated a video call with a proctor on her laptop. In just a few minutes, her call was answered and a live person talked her through the test while visually ensuring that she was doing it correctly. After a nasal swab, the proctor set a timer and returned 15 minutes later to verify the result: Negative. Within minutes, a QR code with the result popped up on her phone, which was readily accepted at her airline check-in.

(It’s important to note that these supervised home test kits are not accepted for every use. Carefully read the restrictions for the place you’re visiting to ensure they are eligible. Also extremely important: A home test kit that is not supervised via a telehealth appointment is never accepted for official use. )

A couple of weeks later, it was my turn to fly home. I was leaving from Berlin, where testing is free (i.e., government-subsidized) and abundant; walking around my Berlin neighborhood, I noticed popup testing centers every few blocks. Two days before my flight, I stopped by one of these. There was no wait, and I was in and out in a matter of minutes. (The only hitch came when I filled out the online form on my phone and paid the €40 testing fee with a credit card. “Oh no! You didn’t need to do that,” the clerk told me. “The government recently changed the policy. Now the test is free, even for foreigners. I’ll refund your money.”) Ten minutes later, I got an email with my official test result — negative — which I showed when I checked in for my flight.

Once again, I’ll emphasize that each country has their own list of tests that they do and do not accept. Check specifics to determine exactly which types of tests are valid for the place you’re going.

Once You’re There, You’re There.

For some people, this all sounds like too much hassle. And those people should hold off on a trip to Europe until things are more settled. But for those of us who just can’t wait, going to Europe feels far more manageable, and far safer, than we would have dreamed a year ago.

A few years back, on a visit to New Zealand, I was lamenting to a friend who’d moved there about how far away it feels: a fourteen-hour flight from the West Coast of the US! He smiled patiently and said, “Yes. It’s a long trip. But once you’re there, you’re there.”

And that’s how I feel about this trip: Planning and packing was far more complicated than I’m used to. But now that I’m here…I’m here. And it’s wonderful.

If you’re interested in more information, check out this post about what it’s actually like to be traveling around Europe right now. And consider this post, where I weighed the pros and cons of visiting Europe during a pandemic.

106 Replies to “How to Plan, Pack, and Prepare for a Pandemic Trip to Europe”

  1. Thank you for your great info. I’m headed to Egypt in December and your blog helped calm me down about stressing over the tests, etc.

    BTW, A few years ago I quit my job and traveled thru Eastern Europe using your wonderful guidebook. You’re my hero.

  2. It just hardly seems worth the trouble. I’m willing to wait for another several months to see if things calm down or (unlikely) stabilize.

    1. Fair enough; it’s definitely not for everyone right now. My European friends are speculating things might get more restricted, not less, over the winter (with anticipated spikes in cases). I imagine by next spring/summer, they’ll settle into a more predictable rhythm. Being here right now feels like a “test run” for 2022 travels.

      1. Thank you for all the great details! My husband and I are headed to six countries the first week of December, starting in Italy, ending in Belgium. We have a pack of colored surgical masks, but taking your advice and ordering a 20 pack of the 3M Aura to avoid any potential problems.

        I went on a cruise last month and my approved test kit didn’t have any liquid in the vial (it was dry). I was so glad I’d purchased a 2-pack or I’d been in trouble! Now I’m making sure we have extras. Optum Store did send me a replacement kit, but it arrived a couple days after I’d left on my trip. We have an 8-pack of the approved virtual tests, at the ready for this next trip.

        I’m just so happy to be going back to Europe!

    2. This article is my lifeblood right now. I’ll be running a tour in Croatia next month, with a transfer in London, and all of the testing requirements, etc. have me more stressed than I’ve ever been before a trip.
      I noticed your wife used the Binax test to regain entry into the US. Do you happen to know if it’s possible to use those tests with only a mobile phone? I don’t tend to travel with my laptop.

      1. Jennifer, good question. I don’t know for certain whether it’s possible to do the Binax test without a laptop, but I’m pretty sure you need a second device (for example, an iPad). You actually do the test on a device with a fixed camera (like an iPad or a laptop) because they need to monitor the entire thing. Then they send the QR code to your phone when you’re done. Check the Binax website to make sure.

        1. Cameron, similar to Jennifer Bradshaw, I was wondering if you could advise on phone and data service while traveling now. I usually try to limit my costs to a text plan and free WiFi service while at hotels. Do you think that will still work for showing COVID test results at airports (say take a screen shot)?
          Your article was just what I needed – thank you!

          1. Good question. Sure, a screen shot (taken while online at a Wi-Fi hotspot) is probably a good alternative. They really just want to see the official paperwork/QR code, and a screenshot is just as good as a live web page view–and probably easier to pull up on your phone in a hurry!

        2. I did the Binax test using only my cell phone & it worked fine once I got it propped up & placed where the proctor could see the kit & me.

    3. I agree. I’ll stick to North America for now, especially car trips, if it requires this much planning/work to go to Europe.

  3. Writing from Athens, so happy to be back in Europe. Please note that even if you transfer planes in England you will need a PCR test and a completed Passenger Locator form. Several passengers on my flight over did not check on this and missed connections. My CDC vaccination card is as important as my passport at the moment and I have been asked to show it several times.
    Keeping out the way of crowds, everyone is delighted that tourism is start again and my present hotel, which I have stayed in before, has made use of the slow time to paint and update.

      1. I just returned from the UK. You do not need a pcr test if you are in transit. You follow the guidelines of the country where you go through immigration.

        1. I went thru LHR on the way to Santorini in July, and absolutely DID need a test just to transit…and didn’t realize it until I went to check in for the flight. Ran thru O’Hare like a madwoman to the nearest testing site, ran the gauntlet back thru security and the plane had to wait a few minutes for the test results to come through. I do hope that requirement’s been dropped because the staff at LHR was hopelessly understaffed for checking the tests and we had to delay takeoff while the luggage for all those who didn’t make the connection was retrieved from the belly of the plane. I’ve been going to Europe at least twice a year for decades, and that was my most stressful set of connections ever. So you might want to check very carefully.

          1. The rules in UK just changed. I returned one week ago from England after spending a week. The only requirement was a test on Day 2 which had to be pre-arranged before my trip.

            Then the departure test required by the airline not the UK gov.

        2. Hi Jill, I read the guidelines on ‘transit’ carefully as I plan to change airports (LHR to Gatwick) and it still isn’t clear to me if I need to take a COVID test upon arriving in London. Does anyone else have experience with ‘transit’ between airports?

      2. I just returned from Athens last week. Heading over to Greece, I had a 2 leg trip that had a layover in London Heathrow. To get my 2 boarding passes in the US, I had to show my completed Passenger Locator Form (PLF) for the UK and negative Covid test and my Greece PLF for my final destination. If you look up the PLF requirements of each country that you will be entering or transiting through, their government will tell you what they require. The UK requires the completed PLF plus proof of the negative test even if you are just transiting like I was. They called it “airside” transit where you don’t go through their customs. Greece required their completed PLF plus either proof of a negative test or your vaccination card. I also flew into different Greek islands on different airlines and they ask for your vaccination card in order to get your boarding pass and one of the airlines also asked to see it when boarding the plane. The vaccination card is really helpful when getting into some buildings too, like museums, indoor dining at some restaurant, etc. To fly home to the US, we found a lab (near Syggrou-Fix metro station) in Athens which processed our PCR test in the same day. Keep in mind, you must make an appointment ahead of time. I made mine one week ahead.

  4. This article was more helpful than any official website I’ve read so far. My husband, daughter and I are going to Berlin where my daughter is running in the marathon. I’m very nervous but will use your information to help guide us. After that we are going to Venice and a few other Italian cities. Thx for the tips on where to get the Covid tests while in Europe too.

  5. Surprised to read that you don’t carry at least medical evacuation insurance. The healthiest person can trip and fall, or wind up in an accident. And while medical care is certainly cheaper in Europe, it’s not necessarily free. The bill when I broke my wrist in Switzerland was a few thousand dollars. Happily I had insurance that covered it, and evacuation insurance that got me home (make sure your evacuation insurance doesn’t just get you to the nearest hospital). I buy mine from Seven Corners, but insuremytrip and squaremouth will compare policies for you.

    1. Good advice. Heaven forbid you have a serious medical emergency and need or want to return to the US. Most insurance policies do not include this “evacuation” benefit and it can cost thousands, sometimes tens of thousands. My personal medical insurance (BCBS), though is does included coverage for overseas medical issues, specifically excludes evacuation unless the US is the “closest available facility.”

      And one more note, don’t forget that Medicare covers NOTHING outside the borders of the US.

      Again, thanks, Cameron, for this excellent summary.

      1. Some Medigap plans as part of Traditional Medicare reimburse for medical expenses while traveling. My Plan F pays up to $50,000 (lifetime limit)- Plan F is no longer available but possibly another Medigap plan option covers this.

    2. We were so grateful to have trip insurance when we went to France a few years ago. I ended up with a serious infection and was hospitalized for three days. I was not cleared to travel home for a week. Our trip insurance paid for my hospitalization, gave a stipend that paid for most of our extended housing plus expenses, paid for the $1,000 medication I required, translated medical documents from French, and assisted us with changing our airline flights. In addition, they were so supportive and helpful during a very stressful time. That policy cost us $120 and saved us thousands of dollars. We will never, ever travel without it again. I suggest working with a travel agent to find the right policy for your needs.

    3. Can you please explain to me why you needed emergency evacuation, just for a broken wrist? Couldn’t you walk? Are we talking evacuation from the Alps or something? Back to the States?

      1. We are talking evacuation back to the US. I was traveling alone, at the start of a six week trip across Europe, and I couldn’t manage with “just” a broken wrist. It was in plaster and not usable.

      2. Evacuation insurance may help with other issues, but the most important aspect is that it will fly your dead body home which can cost thousands of dollars. Thankfully we have never had to use it for that purpose, but as the other gal said it also covers a lot more and for pennies. So, yes, we always purchase travel insurance simply for that reason.

  6. Great article Cameron, thanks! We just got back from Africa (Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe) and had a great time. Preventative measures and precautions were much better than in the US, and while the entry part was pretty involved as you describe, once you’re there, you’r there! We actually felt more uncomfortable once we hit O’Hare and precautions went back to US norms again. My wife is in Europe now to hike and bike in Switzerland, Germany and Austria and is having a great time. There does seem to be some confusion about the QR code thing, would be great for travelers and innkeepers alike if this became a more universal standard that could be used by US travelers as well as Europeans.

  7. Thanks for this. Leaving for Italy in a few weeks and trying to cover all the bases regarding Covid.
    I was curious if you know what would happen if you test positive at a pharmacy or other onsite testing place before the return to the US? Are you allowed to get your stuff at your hotel? Or do the quarantine people come and take you away?

    1. Patti, I have no idea, though I have wondered about this. Honestly, as noted in the article, I think it’s a rare (but not impossible) situation that an American traveler would test positive on the way home to the US. I imagine most test results are delivered later, depending on which kind of test you’re taking, so rather than literally seize you on the spot, they’d just require you to pack up and report for quarantine. Again…I have not talked to anyone who has actually experienced this, so if someone knows about it firsthand, please let us all know.

  8. GREAT article! Most helpful.
    In the thick of planning for a month in Europe and experiencing your angst re: tests – type, who , how and when…
    Most bothersome is the travel tracking. Cruising in the middle of this trip- do I put down every port or re- do the form for each of 11 stops? Multiple stops are in Italy and Greece, but the 14 days prior to each port become a sliding scale of sorts. Psyching myself into being prepared and having a GRANDE time.
    Thanks for your posts!
    Staying tuned >>>

    1. Seems like most forms are very specific: You need list each country you’ve been to in the last 10 or 14 days. (I just checked the ones for both Czechia and Germany–I’m heading to both places in the next week–and they’re both very clear on this point.) I think you really do need to list each place to be in compliance. But it’s just one more hoop to jump through. Enjoy your trip!

      1. I’ve been in Europe (Scotland, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Greece coming up) since July 19. Cameron is spot on. What you have to do and how report it depends on where and how you travel. There was basically nothing needed for crossing an international border into Switzerland and Germany if I travels by Train, but a lot of stuff to do via plane.

    2. Your cruise ship should handle multi-country entry/exit procedures (covid/visa) for you. Just returned from Greece and Turkey (from Valencia — OK, within Shengen is a big help –, but we did nothing in advance of our arrival in Turkey other than comply with ship directions to supply passport and vaccine records. No big deal. Flight transit through Switzerland did require vaccine verification and PLF, but again, easy on-line procedure prior to departure. We backed up all electronic information with paper which made getting through check points much easier. USA requirements are the problem, not so with Europe. Just do your homework in advance.

  9. Thank you for all this valuable information. Everything is more difficult because of the lack of vaccinations in the US and the burden that places on the whole of Europe. With any trip there can be numerous jurisdictions involved (countries, cities, venues, dining, trains, underground, EU etc), all of which are constantly changing. My wife and I travel to Europe for 6-7 weeks each spring usually beginning with a transatlantic cruise from Florida (14 days) and then another 30 days or so following Rick’s guide books to various E locations.

    We are scheduled to leave for our next trip on 4-17-22 (the previous three trips have been cancelled). This will involve stops in two Azorean Islands, Cherbourg, France, Bruge and ending in Amsterdam. Five days there, train to Paris (9 days), Chunnel to London (9days), fly home on 5-28-22. Writing this has made me dizzy after reading all the “current” regulations and how it all applies to us. If the trip was to begin in a month we would not be going anywhere despite the fact that most E countries have handled this better than we have. We will be on a holding pattern for 5 more months but need to obviously stay informed and change as needed. This is complicated & stressful. Make me feel better.

    1. Raymond, what will make you feel better is setting foot in Europe again. Yes, there are lots of hurdles and hassles (some real, some imagined) in getting here. But once you’re here, it’s wonderful. Hold your nose, jump through the hoops, and you’ll be glad you came. Also, I wouldn’t worry too much about tracking every little development over the next several months…that will make you crazy, and you don’t even need to worry about the current state of things until it’s much closer to your trip. I imagine that by April things will be more settled than they are now (though there could be a few speed bumps between now and then). Again, I feel like traveling in Europe right now is a test run to get the wrinkles ironed out for a big and busy 2022.

  10. I cant wait to plan our next European trip. Thanks for this information.

    What was the covid testing like when entering italy? Did they require airport testing?

    1. I did not have to test (that rule came in just days after I arrived). But as I understand it, it’s a pre-trip thing–take care of it before heading to the airport and bring the results with you.

      1. I’m headed to Venice in a couple of weeks. The US Embassy in Italy has very informative webpage, which is updated regularly, that summarizes the requirements applicable to travelers from the U.S. seeking to enter Italy, and travelers returning to the U.S. The webpage contains links to the website of the Italian Ministry of Health (which can be read in English as well as Italian). Italy now requires BOTH a negative COVID test result AND proof of vaccination in order to enter the country (requiring both is pretty recent). Fortunately, the Italian Ministry of Health will accept results from an antigen test (rapid test) or a PCR test, so long as the test is taken not more than 72 hours before entering the country. Italian authorities will also accept the white CDC card as proof of vaccination. All of this info, and more, is summarized on the Italian Ministry of Health webpage, which I’ve bookmarked and check regularly.

  11. I get medical travel insurance ‘just in case’. An annual plan is not much more than a one trip. I also, when I went to Costa Rica, had ‘Covid’ insurance ad it was required then. I will get it fir my upcoming European trip as well. It was about $40 for ten days. If I had to quarantine, get medical help or whatever, it was covered. Made me and loved ones at home feel better. Thanks for a great article!! It is really different these days

  12. I’m traveling to Venice from Seattle to begin a cruise in about a month. I will change planes in Frankfurt (I’m flying Lufthansa). My layover in Frankfurt is about three hours. Is there some additional hoop to jump through because of my transit through Germany? I pass through Munich on my way home. I’ve tried to decipher Lufthansa’s web site and ended up more confused than ever!

    1. Speaking from experience, there are no restrictions when transiting at Frankfurt airport. The check in counter for Lufthansa will check your vaccination status and/or Covid tests as well ensure the passenger locator card is completed for the country you are entering.

    2. I looked at Germany’s rules yesterday, and travelers just connecting through airports are (currently) exempt from any COVID related regulations.

    3. I’ll be flying to Florence from Washington, DC 10/20 (fingers crossed) on United. Their website indicates there are no tests needed for the flight through Frankfurt. But a PCR or antigen test is required no more than 72 hours before arrival in Florence. Before arrival is key here. Especially for you since you’re coming from the west coast.

    4. Just returned from Greece through Germany. Munich going over and Frankfurt coming back. Both Lufthansa from and to Seattle. No additional hoops in Germany. Just your immunization card and we needed the Passenger Locator Form for Greece. You only need testing if you are leaving the airport and staying in Germany for any length of time. Transit through Germany is no problem. You do need a KN95 mask to go into the shops in the airports.

    5. Cover yourself and then forget it. Log onto the German government site to find out what you need to do. But, you can easily download a PLF and be prepared to submit vaccine papers for your Frnakfurt layover. Do more than the minimum and you will be covered. Rest easy. It’s not rocket science for anyone other than USA residents.

  13. I am a foreign resident of Prague, Czech Republic and can confirm that you can only have N95/FFP2 masks in Vaclav Havel airport. If you don’t have one there are vending machines you can purchase one from. They will also check to make sure the Passenger Locator form is completed when entering the airport after getting off the plane. If it isn’t, you will be asked to sit down at a computer to fill it out before they allow you to leave the airport. This is a secondary check because the airline should of checked this before you boarded your plane to Prague. Vaccinations are also checked at both the airline check-in and with Customs officers. FYI- All Public Transport in Czech Republic requires N95/FFP2 masks and are monitored regularly with fines imposed. Face coverings are required when shopping indoors just not specifically the N95/FFP2 kind, but it is enforced.

  14. We just returned from three wonderful weeks in Germany, Switzerland, and France. I agree with you! Lots of preplanning, careful packing, and extra red tape but it’s all worth it. We almost did not board the flight because the German health form is a real pain and there was NO mention of it on United’s website. Once you fill it out no one ever looks at it again though. Allow extra time at airports because lines are very long and slow and there are extra checkpoints to get through. If possible get your covid test at a pharmacy (unless you’re in Switzerland, it’s only 25$) because the home proctored test kits have a high failure rate and they want you to buy a backup. The airport test centers are hectic and we saw testing centers at pharmacies everywhere. You may need an appointment and remember they do not open on sundays. And yes if you are not vaccinated, forget about traveling.

  15. Thank you for this. I’ll be flying to Berlin next week to run the marathon and I’ve been more nervous about all the new rules than actually running. Reading this has calmed down my nerves.

    1. I just spent 10 weeks in Berlin. They really have it together there. Download the Luca app for contract tracing at restaurants; most of them require it. Good luck in the race!

  16. Just so you know. My daughter travelled all summer in Europe, but when she prepared to return home her COVID test was positive in Italy. She was vaccinated and asymptomatic which helped. It was a NIGHTMARE. No one would help her and hotels kicked her out. She struggled to even get food because the hotels refused to even help deliver the take out food she ordered to her room. Her travel partner tested negative and had flown out on an earlier flight so she was all alone. We are a family that loves to travel, but travelers should be aware. She had all the supplies you recommended with her.

  17. I took the plunge and went to The Netherlands end of August. We traveled to rural areas to bike ride, stayed off the bus & train at rush hour, and ate outdoors at cafes. It was a lot of planning, but worth it to be back in Europe. I did a supervised video test and admittedly had some anxiety towards the end of the trip about how this would play out. Thankfully, I tested negative. When I got to AMS, there is rapid COVID testing at the airport with no line, so in retrospect, it may have been easier to go that route as I had trouble using the test app and was on hold about 35 minutes initially to start test. I could not find any insurance which would cover COVID quarantine if one traveled to a country the CDC labelled “high risk” like the Netherlands.

  18. All good advice here. I’ve been in Berlin for the last 10 weeks, a week in Greece (Santorini and Athens), and now starting 5+ weeks in Paris. Masking is everywhere, and I have yet to have my CDC card declined as proof (though friends had difficulty getting into the Louvre with it). My experience in Berlin was many restaurants are using the Luca app for contact tracing. You simply scan a QR code at the entrance or table when you sit down, then remember to check out of the app when you leave. I’ve had a wonderful trip so far and the precautions being taken over here have left me not wanting to return home to the Wild West of patchwork regulations. That time will come, though.

    One tip for Berlin: You absolutely must hit up the taco truck that is located in the plaza at the Sony Center in Potsdamer Platz. He’s closed on Mondays, but serves up the best tacos that I’ve had in some time, and I’m a native Texan! Go early before he sells out!!

    1. Roger, my husband and I are flying to Paris in a week. Would you mind please sharing more information how your trip to Paris evolved regarding use of the CDC card? We both applied for the pass sanitaire on September 10 but no response yet. My specific question is – where is the CDC card NOT accepted? Many thanks! Julia

  19. Would you be willing to share what contact tracking apps you used. Searched for info and there appears to be quite a few of them. Not sure which are truly legit. Headed to Germany, Austria and Italy soon and want to be a considerate traveler. Thank you!

  20. i just returned from switzerland [with a dip into france] with my family. things went smoothly, albeit with a lot of extra hoops to jump through. pack your patience and you will be fine. switzerland was more laid back about all things covid, although it was mask indoors everywhere we went. france wanted proof of vaccine just to sit outside at a restaurant, so they were a bit more strict. all in all, we got to do and see 97% of the things we wanted to see-only one covid closure. it was nice to have lighter crowds and shorter wait times. i would say all in all it was a great success!

  21. This article was very helpful. I am scheduled to travel to Venice on one of Rick Steve’s tours next October. I am hoping that things will have calmed down by then. I am 80 years old and will be traveling with a friend of the same age. I am not very computer technical and all of these instructions using one’s phone seems challenging.

  22. Thank you, Cameron! My daughter and I are headed to Italy in 3 weeks and the stress of the ever changing requirements is getting to me a bit. I know it will all be worth it when we’re finally there.

  23. An acquaintance of mine tested positive before departure from Scotland last week. She had to move out of her hotel, but was able to book into an AirBnB (with a lovely view!) There was no mad fuss about it–just the hotel did not want her there. Food delivery has not been a problem, and she took her laptop along so she’s working from there. Thankfully, she has had no symptoms, so she’s just waiting it out. She did the rapid Binax test with the video supervision. Some have suggested that she should have done another test, PCR, locally to confirm the result in case the first one was a false positive.

  24. We just got back from Iceland. We masked up everywhere (as did most other people). Sometimes it was required and sometimes not. For our peace of mind we did a fair amount of self-catering (staying in little cottages or flats and cooking for ourselves). It minimized restaurant concerns and saved us a little money too.

    The test for our return flight to the US was a piece of cake. Their government website, Covid.is, had links to testing sites in Iceland. We went online to make an appointment (about $50 each) at a testing site in Reykjavik for the day before departure. It was literally a 5-min procedure. We walked in, gave our name, got swabbed and left. There was no line. We got the results by email about an hour later.

    I’m thankful we went!

  25. I really enjoyed your blog and it gave me a lot to think about as I prepare for my RS Italy VFR trip next September and my upcoming trip to Mexico in November. Not sure if I am ready to travel to Europe right now but I feel better armed with your detailed information. While Mexico standards may be a little different from countries in Europe, your info is a great trip planning guide for my November adventure out of the US. Thanks again and safe travels.

  26. Has anyone been to Ireland or England recently? We’re leaving October 3rd and will be there thirteen days, but thankfully just in those two countries. Just wondering if anyone had any insights or personal experiences.

  27. Thanks, Cameron – excellent summary as of now. For months I’ve been searching for comprehensive information on the ever-changing situation and came to the conclusion: It doesn’t exist.
    We are a “dual-residency” family with two passports each and still have worried about when and how to test and prep for six trips over the Atlantic this year. My son got married over here, after postponing twice in Germany last year. He also got the US vaccinations in March and was ahead of the game re-entering Germany (he lives there with his US wife). My next flight was postponed twice, once on my own, I wanted to go in August originally, now it’s December, and second time by the airline who changed the day of departure. So you are correct and clear: Expect the unexpected but take the risk. People are friendly and eager to help, contrary of what we read in the media.

    1. Each country has its own. For example, the one for Italy is called “Immuni.” Just search for “COVID contact tracing app” plus the country name and it should pop up.

  28. Thanks for the real-time snapshot of current conditions. My husband and I spent 3+ weeks in Croatia in July, before delta was a big concern. We flew Alaska from SFO to Sea-Tac, Condor to Frankfurt, Lufthansa to Zagreb on the way there (on a Condor ticket), return from Dubrovnik on United. Condor and Lufthansa required “medical grade” masks. Our KN95 were accepted, but travelers who only had cloth masks were directed to a shop to purchase approved masks before boarding. After electronically submitting the traveler locater form which Croatia required we received an email confirmation. I printed out the email as well as the completed form, and I’m glad I did – according to the border guard the dorm is SUPPOSED to be electronical linked to your passport, so when they scan your passport they see the locater info, but it doesn’t always work. He insisted on seeing the print out. And our CDC vaccine cards. Testing for the return trip was cheap, quick and easy at a tiny clinic outside of the Dubrovnik old town walls. The trip which we had planned for 2020 included visiting relatives in Germany, a bike tour in Croatia, and a few days in Montenegro for diving. Because each country’s requirements were so fluid, and we were looking at both Schengen and non-shinging countries, we decided to keep it simple this year and only deal with one border crossing and one country’s requirements, so we extended the time in Croatia. Before delta we felt pretty bulletproof with our vaccines, although we were cautious and were respectful guests by following all of the covid rules even when some other locals and travelers were not. We were told in Croatia that had we tested positive for our return, the local authorities would provide a list of approved quarantine facilities (hotels)for us to choose from for our required quarantine stay.
    I had planned a solo trip to Sicily starting September 16th. With case numbers rising in Sicily and concerns about breakthrough cases with delta, and near constant changes of my itinerary by Alitalia (including some changes that didn’t allow for connections anymore), and LONG wait times to reach an agent each time they made a change, I scrapped that trip and will try again in the spring. Obviously with a different carrier.

  29. Cameron ~
    This has been so helpful! You have restored my enthusiasm for our upcoming trip—three weeks in Europe including a river cruise. The last minute additions and requirements have had me concerned (overwhelmed!), but I think I have a handle on it. Certainly your words have helped diminish the doubts and anxiety. You rock!

    Thank you,
    E

  30. Thanks for the reassuring article, Cameron. We are heading to France again for the winter, and we understand the stress of preparation and the “ahhhh” of just being there! I recently helped six friends who are on a French self-guided barge trip to apply for and obtain the passe sanitaire. Even though the CDC card is accepted, the QR code format of the passe sanitaire adds an extra level of ease, and French friends say it is accepted throughout the EU. It’s all about doing the prep work to make the stay easy and enjoyable.

  31. Cameron, this is super helpful information. My sister and I are headed to Italy for our *first ever* trip to Europe next May/June.
    We’re planning to fly into Naples as we want to spend some time on the Amalfi Coast. Lodging in Naples via VRBO or Air BnB’s do indicate that it’s a noisy city. Our tentative reservations host has confirmed that.
    Any suggestions for a place further out from the city center that might be quiet-er?
    Thank you very much.

    1. I love Naples, but there’s definitely risk of noise. That said, there are certainly some quiet accommodations even in downtown Naples. I would very carefully search reviews on Airbnb/VRBO specifically for noise; as a light sleeper, I do this wherever I go, and I usually can find something sleepable. If you are looking for a more sedate home base than Naples, Sorrento is a very popular alternative–it’s quite a ways out but a bit easier to grapple with. Never having been to Europe, diving right into Naples may be a bit intense; especially if the Amalfi Coast is your real target, Sorrento might be the right place for you.

  32. Do you know if the authorities in Paris provide the names of hotels that will accommodate you if you test positive for covid prior to leaving?

  33. Cameron…my family of 3 is on the fence about booking a trip to Germany for December. So many unknowns about what could happen between now and then. Will the Christmas markets even be happening, will the EU still be allowing US visitors? Should we just book it now and hope for the best or wait until last minute and hope to find lodging/flights etc?

    1. Wow, that’s a decision only you can make. While things are OK now, and I suspect they’ll be OK next spring, some Europeans are anticipating the likelihood of a winter surge that could cause some speed bumps for travelers. There’s no way at all to predict this. If you’re confident about wanting to go–assuming you can–maybe the best thing is to book flights and accommodations that are refundable, then make the final decision as the date approaches. For example, my wife and I found that, flying on Delta, we could pay $100 extra, per person each way, to make our flights fully refundable for any reason–that was well worth it, considering the uncertainty. I would be wary about putting down nonrefundable money on a December trip right now, but that’s your call.

  34. Hi Cameron,

    I’m wondering if you happen to know if the restrictions/testing differ for unvaccinated kids? My husband and I are fully vaccinated, but my kids aren’t old enough to be eligible. We’re thinking about a trip in summer of 2022, but curious if we’d be doing the vaccinated and unvaccinated requirements, even though they are younger. Your posts have come right when we were trying to think about these things, so thank you for your insights!

  35. Hello! Thank you for this really informative and useful article but I have a couple of questions. I’ve found a lot of this information confusing. Are they saying only the vaccinated tourists can enter certain European countries, or is it just that the vaccine makes travel easier? Can you still go to France, Spain, Germany etc. with just a negative PCR test or is the vaccine a must?

    1. It varies country by country; just look up the US Embassy page for the country you are visiting. But in short, some countries are indeed making it very difficult for unvaccinated Americans to travel here–either barring them entirely, or requiring cumbersome quarantine periods. And even in places where the unvaccinated are technically allowed, doing certain activities (including entering restaurants or museums) will require constant testing. In short, if you are not vaccinated, traveling in Europe will be a big headache for quite some time to come. Either get vaccinated, or don’t go.

  36. Great article! We have a trip planned for November and are still on the fence. I’ve seen so much contradicting information on requirements and find it incredibly difficult to decipher some of these websites. We fly into LHR, stay 7 nights, then take the train to Brussels for 3 nights, and then Paris for 4 nights before returning to London for 1 last night. Is there any easy way to figure out what we need to do? I know we will test 72 hours before our arrival at LHR, then again on day 2, and 72 hours before returning back to the US. But I’m not sure about entering Belgium after 7 days in the UK, and re-entering the UK after 4 days in France. We’re pretty travel savvy, but I feel lost.

  37. Hi! Thank you for this really informative and useful article but I have a couple of questions. I’ve found a lot of this information confusing. Are they saying only the vaccinated tourists can enter certain European countries, or is it just that the vaccine makes travel easier? Can you still go to France, Spain, Germany etc. with just a negative PCR test or is the vaccine a must?

  38. Hi Cameron

    Great article we leave on 10/28 for Greece, Southern Italy and Southern Portugal for 3 months. We booked the tickets in June when everything looked great and have been worried we’d get prevented from going. We want to see how bad winter is because we are considering becoming residents for a few years.

    You asked about travel insurance, we are in our 60s and we have an annual policy through Allianz. The cost is $465 a year for both of us and it covers COVID medical expenses. It covers unlimited trips anywhere in the world. The only limit is no trip can be longer than 90 day. We think it’s a bargain.

  39. I’m flying into Heathrow October 5. I’ve booked Day 2 test upon arrival at Heathrow. Now, according to the new updates on travel to the UK, as of October 4, fit-to-fly pre-tests will no longer be required of fully vaccinated people flying from amber countries. My friend, who is flying to the UK a week later, thinks I’m mad to believe that the new regulations regarding pre-testing will ACTUALLY be in effect by the 5th, and that I need to get a pre-test “just in case.” I think she’s mad for thinking the announced changes won’t actually go into effect when the government says they will. I generally carry caution in abundance, but I think she’s wrong in this case. What do you think?

  40. Thanks for the great report Cameron! We will be traveling to Italy in November. Can you confirm that the Abbott/Binax test is valid in Italy?

  41. Thank you for your great reports! We are leaving for Portugal in 2 days. We tested yesterday, 71 and 3/4 hours away from out first flight. We were tested again at another location a half an hour later and then again at 8 am this morning. We were concerned about getting the results back in time or possibly having an inconclusive result! A little compulsive but we felt better doing it. Got the first result in less than 24 hours and the second in 26 hours, all negative did so we are a go! Very excited as we haven’t traveled since January of 2020.

    1. Think about a Portugal EV wine tour to the Douro Valley with Sergio. An unbelievable treat. Portugal was welcoming and wonderful. Went w/son Ian 4-17 Sept.

  42. Cameron, your list is complete and exhaustive. I just returned from nine days in Iceland and found that having a mask and my CDC card was just fine. Iceland is more than 84% vaccinated and almost no one wore a mask but mid week, I learned that cases were increasing so I wore my mask again in public. Of course I needed to COVID test pre-travel ($90 here in Portland Oregon), and needed to test again in Reykjavik prior to my return to the USA. Cost for that test was 0 (thanks to universal healthcare in Iceland).

    Traveling in Covid times required lots of extra steps but I would not have missed that trip for the world. So happy I went to see the beautiful country, having been sidelined for over two years from my international travel. Wishing you a happy time in Europe and safe travels!

  43. We traveled in France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany from Sep 9 to Oct 16. Our experience was similar to yours. Our only problem was in Switzerland. They stopped accepting our CDC vaccine to eat inside restaurant or to stay in hotels. They would only accept a negative Covid test that was done in Switzerland. The changing rules were the issue. France, Germany, and Austria were were easy and very assuring that we were safe. BTW: We visited the Louvre—I was able to get an entrance time at 10:00 at 9:00 the same morning. What a joy and light crowds.

    1. My son is going to Berlin in a couple weeks. He has a picture of his vaccination card, but has misplaced the card. Do you know if places (including the flight) will accept the digital photo? Thanks!

      1. We just returned from two weeks in Italy, France, and Spain. Our experience was that when status was being checked they required either the “EU” app certification on phone, etc., or PAPER – both ID and vaccination certification. I was able to use a photo of my passport except I was hassled slightly and lectured by a policeman in Monaco. The official concern is to prevent the use of counterfeit certifications.

  44. Hi Cameron,
    Sorry if this has been asked and answered above, but are both N95 and KN95 masks accepted in Europe? I am particularly interested in Germany and Spain. And when buying an FFP2 mask, what are the qualities/approvals one should look for?
    Thanks!

  45. My fully-vaccinated husband and I were all set to go on a Viking river cruise in July which had already been rescheduled, twice, because of the pandemic. We took the COVID test two days before departure and tested positive. Everything came to a screeching halt. Thankfully, we did have travel insurance and got back every penny within a month. It was definitely worth it. We put the payment down on a reschedule for next year. Our symptoms were mild and now we have natural antibodies. We always book hotels with free cancellation.

  46. Really appreciated this article. I have had my trip to London booked since April. And it has indeed been a roller coaster. One of constantly watching the ebb and flow of restrictions, them being lifted, and coordinating the required testing. The only thing that I am hesitant about concerning my trip. Is whether or not I should attend the 3 West End shows that I have booked. I am unclear whether the theatres require the audience to wear masks or not, and it is relatively tight quarters. Has anyone experienced the theatre in London since the pandemic and them reopening?

  47. Very thorough & helpful article! Thank you! I cannot wait to get back to Europe. Next year is looking promising. Of course I will check for updates, but I will also refer to this article for guidance.

  48. We spent 3 weeks in Greece in September & our experience was much like yours. Honestly, because everyone wears masks indoors, we felt safer in Greece than at home in Texas. Being prepared to change plans & alter our itinerary was also a key part of our planning. We did by medical insurance including evacuation coverage with a pandemic inclusion but not cancellation insurance. Like most insurance, we just wanted protection from a catastrophic event.

  49. Wondering how challenging it will be to travel in Europe now without a smartphone? I don’t use one on in the US and have traveled to Europe regularly for 20+ years w/o need for one but… wondering if for both health/safety and regulatory reasons it will be necessary now to have one. I will be returning to places I know well, covering among other concerts at a music festival so thinking that track and trace will apply and alerts may occur. Your thoughts on this would be welcome.

    1. Hm, Kerry, that’s an interesting question. It’s hard for me to imagine traveling in Europe without a smartphone. I imagine it’s possible, but especially these days, you’ll need frequent access to a printer in order to print out various test results, passenger locator forms when crossing borders, etc. Contact-tracing apps currently do not seem to be required in most places, but I imagine that could change if cases skyrocket. You could probably chance it without a smartphone but you may encounter some bumps..just be flexible and prepared for that to happen.

  50. Son Ian and I spent 2 VACCINATED, wonderful, unforgettable, amazing weeks in Portugal 4-17 September ’21. Our Covid vax cards were airport examined once and shown 1 other time unsolicited as we were to board a plane in Porto to the Algarve. We took Binax self tests and checked ourselves before we went to the Lisboa airport for rapid tests 2 days before USA return (our TAP tix allowed a minor 21 Euro charge & produced negative results before we finished our airport lunch). A negative test (examined upon stadium entry) was necessary for our Champions League soccer game in Lisboa. We enjoyed many outdoor meals and masked near crowds and inside venues. As Cameron wrote and as we experienced–everyone, yes, universally, everyone on all transits was masked. Prepare and go respectfully to Portugal !

  51. I just returned from a month in Croatia, Sicily, and near Milan. Don’t let Covid testing discourage you from traveling to many European countries. Testing is readily available there. Our tour guide in Croatia arranged for testing for travelers in the group. I used Rick Steves travel forum before I left home so I knew I could get tested at the Zagreb airport before flying on to Italy. Before heading home to the U.S., I got tested for 15 Euro at a pharmacy in Milan I happened to walk by. Only one person ahead of me. Results were quick. This was also encouraged by a traveler in Rick Steves forum. In addition, testing was done at Milan Linate airport according to online research but I couldn’t find a price. I also bought an Ellume rapid test before leaving home and took it along. But just before I left the U.S., CVS emailed me that some lot numbers were producing false positives. While in Milan, I found that my lot number was a bad one, so I didn’t use it and will return for a $39 refund. I’m glad I stopped at that pharmacy in Milan. Saved me money and time at the Milan Linate airport before my flight home.

  52. We were in Brittany in August and loved being there even though the paperwork for our connection through Heathrow was a little challenging. We are more concerned about a Med cruise in April. Our plan was to recover from jet lag (10 hour flight) with a night in London before flying on to Barcelona. Then spending two nights in London on our way back from the cruise. I know it’s useless to begin worrying about Covid issues now but it still takes a little of the fun out of the planning.

  53. This was so helpful. I am taking my granddaughter to Paris for a bucket-list trip and so far have everything that you have suggested.

  54. Thank you, Cameron. My husband and I are on a Rick Steves Tuscany tour in May and all the “travel scare talk” has been a bit much. I now know this will be another positive experience for us…thanks!

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