How to Travel Safely to Europe
When you travel to Europe, it’s important to know how to handle any potential medical emergencies. First of all, don’t be tempted to accept “consolation prizes” when you’re ill. These may be a free drink, a gift, or some other sort of reward. However, European hospitals can be expensive. Depending on your health issue, the type of hospital, and the specialists or tests you need, the cost of an emergency room can be anything from free to several thousand dollars.
When you travel to Europe, you should follow all safety guidelines and requirements, especially when it comes to vaccinations. CDC guidelines for travel safety are similar to those in the U.S. You should carry a mask to protect yourself from contaminated surfaces and practice proper hand hygiene to avoid spreading bacteria and viruses. Also, stay at least six feet away from other people to minimize the risk of contracting any disease. In addition to this, don’t forget to pack your medications.
While many parts of Western and Eastern Europe have safe tap water, some countries still use unsafe water. Several countries, including Romania, Greece, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania, have unsafe water, so bring enough medicine with you to avoid any nasty surprises. Also, remember that in many parts of Europe, milk may not be pasteurized, which can be harmful for your health. If you’re pregnant, or have any other health concerns, you should speak with your doctor or travel protection service about your specific situation.
Before traveling to Europe, be sure to complete a passenger locator form. The form may be called something different in each European country, but it’s essentially the same thing. It gathers information on specific health conditions and will include a travel address. The EU-PLF form is required for visitors from the EU member states, while Eos electronic forms are required for ‘orange’ countries. While the ‘vaccine pass’ has been lifted in France since 14 March 2022, you’ll still be required to fill out an ETIAS visa waiver.
In response to the invasion in Ukraine, 47 percent of Americans who plan to travel to Europe have cancelled their plans. The conflict has already impacted transatlantic travel, which was poised for a big recovery surge before the invasion. Now, travelers are wondering if it’s safe to travel to Europe. A recent survey found that Paris and Rome are roughly 1,500 miles from the Ukrainian capital. So, the risk of war isn’t as high as it once was, but the risks remain high.
When is the best time to travel to Europe? While American travelers tend to plan their trips around summer or winter, European countries have a wide variety of seasons. Some countries have a peak tourism season and a slow season. However, in any case, if you can travel off-season, you can save money on airfare, hotel accommodations, and tours. And while budget airlines offer fewer services, they are still a viable option if you only need to travel for a short time.
Once you’ve determined the right time to visit Europe, the next step is to buy travel insurance. You can find European travel insurance from AXA Assistance and Europ Assistance. Choose your coverage area, either Standard or Extended Europe, and pay online for the coverage. The company will then email you a certificate. The certificate is valid for up to three years. It is important to get travel insurance before traveling to Europe so you won’t be stuck in a situation where you can’t get around.
In addition to travel insurance, it’s important to know the necessary vaccinations. As a rule of thumb, if you have the necessary vaccines for travel to Europe, you’ll be fine. However, there are still some restrictions. Those from outside Schengen or EU countries will need to prove that they are fully vaccinated to enter the country. For example, if you have the final dose of the COVID vaccine seven days ago, you’ll be considered fully vaccinated. For the other Schengen and EU countries, you’ll need an approved COVID certificate, a card that certifies that you’ve received one dose of the accepted vaccine.
If you’re a US citizen, you’ll also need a passport. Your passport must be at least ten years old and must be valid at least three months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen Zone. You’ll also need to show evidence of sufficient financial means to make the trip. It’s a good idea to check with your local consulate about the regulations before traveling to Europe. And don’t forget to bring your passport!