Travel to Europe this summer is not safe, as it remains under travel restrictions and closures. Most European countries no longer have any restrictions against nonessential travel, and the United States and most European countries are currently on England’s amber list, which requires travelers to show proof of a negative virus test taken 72 hours prior.
The U.S. State Department still recommends that U.S. citizens reconsider traveling abroad, which conflicts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Most of Europe has been off-limits to most U.S. citizens for over a year, and the continent is currently grappling with a third wave of coronavirus infections and a pandemic.
To ensure your safety, arrange travel insurance at the time of booking and keep an eye on official travel advisories. Nearly half of respondents prioritized European destinations perceived as secure, marking a 9 increase compared to summer 2022 and 6 years ago. While most countries throughout Europe are considered very safe, Iceland, Ireland, Denmark, and Austria are considered some of the safest.
Safety is the most important factor for long-distance travelers choosing a European destination this summer, with 45 prioritizing security. AXA has some tips on what dangers tourists should be aware of, such as the fact that Iran is not attacking Europe and Europe will not help Israel attack Iran. Terrorist attacks are a risk, but it seems like it seems like it is safe to travel to Europe.
American visitors are worried about two key issues: safety and money. Currency volatility is a significant concern, as it affects the overall safety of travel to Europe.
📹 How To NOT Look Like a Tourist in Europe This Summer
Packing for Europe this summer? Discover essential travel outfits and packing tips to help you blend in! Avoid rookie mistakes with …
Can you travel to Europe in the summer?
Europe welcomes visitors 365 days a year, with each season offering a unique experience. The year is divided into three seasons: peak season (May through September), shoulder season (April and October), and off-season (November through March). Each season has its pros and cons, but Europe is filled with people at any time of year. The peak season is ideal for summer travel due to sunny weather, long days, and exuberant nightlife. Families with school-age children are often locked into peak-season travel.
To keep your cool, plan your trip with crowd control in mind and visit busy places as early or late as possible. For example, a six-week European trip starting June 1 can be divided into half a rail pass trip to Italy and Austria, and half a trip to Scotland. Spend time with family during the last half of the vacation, when Florence and Salzburg are teeming with tourists.
Is summer 2024 going to be hot in Europe?
Climate change is causing a significant increase in global temperatures, with temperatures reaching the mid-40s in some parts of Europe and North America. The UK’s cool summer in the UK may not indicate global warming, as other regions have experienced early summer heatwaves. The global picture shows a long-term trend of rising temperatures and a warming climate, with June 2024 being the warmest month in a row, and the thirteenth consecutive month being the warmest for the respective month of the year.
Is Europe safer than the US?
14 out of the top 20 safest countries are in Europe, and 29 are in the top 50. Almost all European countries are safer for students than the United States. However, there may be differences between countries. Finland, known for its easy-going culture and motto “live and let live”, is considered one of the safest countries for international students. Large cities like Helsinki and smaller towns in the North are particularly peaceful, making it an ideal destination for international students.
Is it good to visit Europe in July?
Europe is a year-round travel destination, but the best time to visit is during the summer months of June to September. This time is ideal for hiking, road trips, and adventure activities. Most of Europe has mild weather, which is milder than parts of Asia and North America at the same latitude. The mild weather is due to the winds blowing across the continent from the Atlantic Ocean. On average, Europe’s weather remains inviting all year round, except for some winters that can be too harsh for some.
It is important to know the weather before deciding on a holiday to pack accordingly. Summer is the most popular time to visit Europe, with France, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain, Italy, and Greece being the busiest tourist hubs.
Is it still safe to travel to Europe right now?
Europe is a safe destination for solo travelers, with a reputation for safety. It is a safe place to explore, especially for solo female travelers. Common sense, attention to detail, and avoiding unattended drinking at bars are essential. Tap water in Europe is generally safe to drink, except in rural areas and some beach destinations. However, it may have a slightly different taste due to higher mineral content.
For solo female travelers, it is essential to follow safety tips and not leave drinks unattended at bars. It is also important to ask locals about the water’s safety, as it may vary depending on the region. Overall, Europe is a safe and enjoyable destination for solo travelers.
Is it safe to travel to Germany right now in 2024?
Germany is undergoing increased caution due to terrorism, as terrorist groups are planning attacks with little or no warning. The US Embassy in Berlin, Consulate General Frankfurt, and Consulate General Munich are all available for assistance. Passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and Citizenship can be sent to FrankfurtPassports@state. gov, while fax numbers can be obtained by emailing ACSMunich@state. gov. The German government is urging caution and implementing measures to prevent further attacks.
Is Russia safe to visit?
Russian security services have arrested US citizens on false charges, denied fair treatment, and convicted them without credible evidence. They have also opened questionable investigations against US citizens engaged in religious activities. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilized southwestern Russia, leading to martial law in border areas with Ukraine. Under martial law, authorities can set curfews, seize property, and restrict movement. U. S. citizens should avoid travel to these areas.
Russian authorities have questioned, detained, and arrested people for “acting against Russia’s interests”, targeting individuals for posting on social media or supporting anti-Russian groups. The current “LGBT propaganda” law bans discussion of LGBTQI+ related topics, and the Supreme Court labeled the “international LGBT movement” as extremist in November 2023.
Terrorists continue to plan attacks in Russia, targeting tourist areas, transport hubs, markets, government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, events, schools, and airports. U. S. government employees under Embassy security responsibility are not permitted to travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus.
Which European country is safe to travel to?
The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) ranks European countries as the safest and most peaceful in the world, with Iceland, Denmark, and Ireland taking the lead in 2023. Iceland, one of the few countries without a military army, has a low crime rate and the smallest police force in Europe. The Land of Fire and Ice has been at the top since 2008, and in 2013, an armed man was fatally shot by the police.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) evaluates the degree of peacefulness in 163 states by analyzing data from three main domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarization.
Which country in Europe will be most affected by climate change?
GreenMatch’s study reveals that Lithuania is the most affected European country by climate change, with sea levels rising by 4. 46 mm per year between 1970 and 2015. Iceland is the least affected, while other European countries like France, Germany, and Austria have seen less impact. These findings highlight the urgent need for urgent action to mitigate the effects of climate change on these countries.
Is Europe going to get hotter?
The last ten years have been the ten warmest on record, with most of Earth’s warming occurring in the last 40 years. Europe has been warming at twice the global average since 1991, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and EU climate agency Copernicus. Both agencies warn that Europe needs to cut emissions and transition away from fossil fuels. 23 of the continent’s 30 most severe heatwaves have occurred since 2000, with five occurring in the last three years.
Which EU country has the lowest crime rate?
The Global Peace Index 2023 reveals Iceland as the safest country in Europe, with 14 out of the top twenty countries being European nations. Denmark follows closely behind, ranked second due to low crime rates, stable political relations, trust in institutions, safe public spaces, community, and progressive policies like gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. Ireland, third, has experienced low levels of violent crime since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, with high-scoring markers including conflicts, nuclear and heavy weapons, internal conflict, and neighboring country relations.
📹 How to Survive Summer Travel in Europe This Year
The summer is here and travel is on it’s way this summer. There are going to be some headaches along the way. I wanted to give …
The TIP for me, if you can have a “Travel Day” thats not necessarily packed with touristy things you want to do, plan those into your trip. Going to Paris, London & Edinburgh at the end of august, can’t wait… was in Amsterdam last year and had to leave a day early because of a planned strike, luckily was able to move the train tickets and still have a great time… just hope it’s not as hot as Texas is right now 😂😮
Love your articles Mark Wolters! Work in travel and my tip is get travel insurance, get tickets ahead of time for skip the lines, you will find the longest lines in highly desired sites, if there is a restaurant that you really want to go too, make reservations ahead of time, do free walking tours and tip the guides! I am leaving in nine days to Ireland, Spain (where my son lives) Turkey, Belgium and Amsterdam! Great tips as always Mark.
We are in Europe right now. For 74 days, and it’s been amazing. Yes, it’s a bit crowded but not too bad yet. We got our tickets for La Sagrada Familia, going to Portugal and Italy in the next few weeks. Paris was amazing btw. But we will be here during the July and August month and from what you just said it could get a bit more crowded very soon! So far, it’s been great, amazing even!
The worst times are when the cruise ships are in port that day. We were in Venice Pisa and Florence and just tons of people everywhere off of the ships. All Americans with their kids on their phones complaining about the heat and all this old stuff. I wanted to smack everyone of them. I’ll never go in the summer again.
Great advice. We did our overseas travel in January (Panama) and April (Spain). Domestic trips for balance of year. Bought tickets for sites and tours well in advance as well as hotels. I would also suggest as you have said before plan down time or decompression time in the trip. Hope you and the family are having a wonderful time this summer!!
After a quick trip back from France, personally, I will just avoid Europe from June to August. Indeed, if one has the chance to have more flexible traveling schedules, March to May and September to November would be great! Just the weather is enough to convince one to consider those dates. For Summer, I would look towards Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina; South America. The weather is cooler, the flights are way cheaper and the expenses, far less than the Old Continent. Alas, for those who cannot make it the other months to Europe, just one thing: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, take time to cool off cuz you will burn up!
Also some airports are so hard to navigate even in times where things are calm, like Orly can be a super frustrating place. The only reason i got to the plane in time was for someone nice that helped me, i saw several people miss their flight because the gate was hard to find. So for anyone that will be at Orly, get there early, skip the shops, once you know where your gate is and how to get there you can see if you have shopping time left or not.
With my daughter in HS, we end up having to travel in the summer… we decided to skip this year – we did June-July ’22 in England and France The heat was the biggest issue last year. The one benefit of now needing a wheelchair is we get to expedite our travel… we will be doing Italy next summer. Mark’s latest articles are exactly what I was looking for!
Digital English language news site called “The Local” will often have strike date(s) news for major European cities. It is available for different European countries. August is an extremely busy time. Many Europeans take their vacation at this time and unlike the US, they have up to a month off. If visiting Venice, opt for early morning walks. The congestion between the Grand Canal and St. Marks’s square is a prime area for pickpockets. If you’re traveling by train, it’s the train number not your destination that is best to use when wondering which track you’re leaving from. I’ve lived in Italy 5 years now, absolutely love it but don’t leave my area much in the summer. It was nuts last year, this year is shaping up to be worse.
My step mom was flying back with my sister’s. They were young and way too young to sit apart they couldn’t find seats together until she was a little too excited about the idea of 7 hours where the kids were not her concern and she could sleep rows away. She has never seen such quick customer service. It works.
We got hit with a taxi strike in Milan exactly a year ago. No Uber or other ride shares were available so we had to take the subway from the train station to the rental home. Pickpockets LOVE strikes as it helps them focus on where everyone has to go. My wife got her wallet stolen since we had to juggle luggage on the subway and she made an easy target.
Wolter what do you think of my trip? Three weeks in Spain (my 5th time, seeing places I haven’t been to before). Santiago de Compstela, Zamora, Zaragoza, and Sevilla. I’ll be training between. I fear I am too vulnerable to train strikes, however, though I am using Iryo and not Renfe for most of them. Last years journey around the north went without issues, I hope the same this year.
Just don’t go to the major, Mediterranean,hot and humid places in Europe in the summer. No Rome, no Paris, no Barcelona, no Greece, unless you really really want to go to the beach and it’s make-or-break. Otherwise, go to the northern and mountainous regions of Europe or another continent and thank me later..
Hi Mark, I’m wondering what your opinion is on how much more expensive Paris will be with the Olympics next year? I’ve read that sometimes the Olympics brings the prices *down*, because people want to travel to that city another time, but of course other times it makes them go up. Which one do you think it will be?
Getting to Gatwick from central London on 6/3 while there was a rail strike was stressful. We made our flight, but for about an hour, we weren’t sure we’d make our flight. Our coach bus left Victoria Coach Station an hour-and-a-half late. We made it to Gatwick an hour before our flight left. I’m glad I pre-booked expedited security at Gatwick. We breezed through security without a problem and made our flight with time to spare. That was the best 5£ per person I spent!
We’re planning to be in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg in early September. Glad we’re avoiding peak summer season, and have flights already booked! How much cash do you think we should carry per day? Post-covid, are most transactions cashless or do we need to have a good stash of Euros for more than tipping the nice ladies in the bathrooms?