Is it safe to travel to Europe now war? (2023)

Is it safe to fly to Europe due to war?

However, travel experts have noted that it is completely safe to travel to the EU as the other countries are not affected, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. The war in Ukraine has caused its citizens to flee to neighbouring countries, mainly Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.

You can travel within Europe, yes. Authorities strongly recommend not visiting Ukraine, Russia or Belarus, nor traveling through those territories (along with Moldova).

U.S. citizens can generally enter most European countries for business or tourism without a visa. If traveling within the Schengen zone, which comprises 26 countries, Americans can stay for up to 90 days within any 180 day period.

Security situation. We continue to advise you do not travel to Ukraine due to the volatile security environment and military conflict. If you're currently in Ukraine, we urge you to depart if it's safe to do so. Russia launched attacks against Ukraine's civilian and government infrastructure on 10 October.

Russia-Ukraine war is having a limited impact on Europe vacation bookings, experts say. Luxury travel advisor Runway Travel is having a “very busy” Europe leisure travel season despite the war in Ukraine. Americans are avoiding travel to some countries near the war zone.

If you're headed to Europe, almost certainly, say experts. "Although Russia's invasion into Ukraine is in its early stages, I believe travel to European countries will be impacted," says Colleen Alsberg, senior destination specialist of group vacations for Fox World Travel.

Travelers should feel safe going to most of Europe outside the conflict area — though they should, as always, keep in mind coronavirus entry requirements wherever they're heading.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the war will affect Europe's tourism industry in four ways: a loss of Russian and Ukrainian tourists; restrictions on airlines and use of airspace; higher food and fuel costs; and a big hit to traveler confidence and disposable incomes.

Is it safe to travel to Europe right now? A vast majority of the continent is safe to travel to as the conflict may not extend beyond the borders of Russia, Ukraine and southern Belarus, per The Washington Post.

Should I travel right now?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should avoid travel until you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

Whether one measures safety by the annual Global Peace Index, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, or my other metrics such as rates of violent crime, Europe is the safest continent in the world. In fact, 14 of the top 20 safest countries in the world in 2022 were located in Europe.

Travel between Europe and Asia will also be impacted by most European airlines having to re-route around Russian airspace, with Finnair particularly affected as a carrier connecting the continents.

The Department of State continues to advise that U.S. citizens not travel to Ukraine due to active armed conflict. Those U.S citizens in Ukraine should depart if it is safe to do so using commercial or other privately available ground transportation options. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

“It Is Absolutely Safe to Travel to Europe Now”

A survey conducted by the MMGY Travel Intelligence has found that 62 per cent of Americans have listed the war in Ukraine expanding to nearby countries as a concern for travelling to the EU.

Latest update:Do not travel to Russia due to the security environment and the impacts of the military conflict with Ukraine.

There is no indication that travel to Europe would be dangerous at this time. The usual destinations for travel to Europe; France, Germany and the UK, are not currently in danger of being invaded. Yet, travel plans to these areas have stalled tremendously.

The best time to visit Europe is typically during the shoulder season. Europe's spring shoulder season runs from mid-April to mid-June in most countries. The fall shoulder season is during September. During these times, crowds are thinner, prices still moderate, and the weather warm enough to enjoy your vacation.

The answer is yes. On March 1, the EU lifted many of its Covid-19 travel restrictions. Countries like France dropped most of their testing and quarantine requirements.

How can I safely travel now?

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before you travel. Consider getting tested before travel. Follow CDC's recommendations for wearing masks in travel and public transportation settings.

Wearing a high-quality mask or respirator is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as airport jetways. CDC also encourages operators of public transportation and transportation hubs to support mask wearing by all people, including employees.

According to research by Harvard University, flying in the US, Europe and Australia is actually significantly safer than driving a car. Your odds of being in an accident during a flight is one in 1.2 million, and the chances of that accident being fatal are one in 11 million.

1. Iceland. According to the GPI, Iceland is officially the safest country in Europe. In fact, it is actually the safest country in the world and has been since the introduction of the GPI back in 2008!

Switzerland is overall the safest country to visit in 2022. Of all the European countries, it has the best healthcare quality, the sixth-best quality of bathing water, some of the lowest rates of air pollution, and some of the fewest reported homicides.

Europe is supposed to be the safest continent in the world, only two European countries rank in the top 50 of the most dangerous countries in the world (according to the Global Peace Index), Ukraine (10th), and Russia (13th); while 7 of the top 10 safest countries are indeed in Europe.

Newsweek claims that with changing routes and rising fuel prices, the Ukraine war could increase some international air fares by over $120 each way. The heaviest impact will be on re-routed flights from Europe to North Asia, such as Korea and Japan.

Should I book a holiday in 2022? “Check for bookings that offer flexibility, as this is a form of self-insurance while travel restrictions remain uncertain,” advises Townsend. “You might want to look for holidays where you have no-quibble rights to change dates or cancel for a refund or voucher without charge.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the singling out of U.S. citizens in Russia by Russian government security officials including for detention, the ...

A U.S. passport (with applicable visas, if needed), valid for at least 90 days beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen area. Note: Border officials often assume you will stay the maximum 90 days, even if this is not your intention. Sufficient passport validity for each country you will visit.

Is it safe to travel to Poland war in Ukraine?

We understand many travelers are insecure about traveling to Poland with a war happening in the neighboring country. However, we can gladly inform you that traveling to Poland is safe!

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the war will affect Europe's tourism industry in four ways: a loss of Russian and Ukrainian tourists; restrictions on airlines and use of airspace; higher food and fuel costs; and a big hit to traveler confidence and disposable incomes.

Do not travel to Russia due to the security environment and the impacts of the military conflict with Ukraine. There are limited transportation options, restrictions on financial transactions and possible shortages of essential products and services.

Ukraine - Level 4: Do Not Travel. Reissued from October 4, 2022 with updates to security information. Do not travel to Ukraine due to Russia's full-scale invasion. The Department of State continues to advise that U.S. citizens not travel to Ukraine due to active armed conflict.

You can then travel more safely within the U.S. and internationally. But international travel can still increase your risk of getting new COVID-19 variants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should avoid travel until you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

The EUI says that the war in Ukraine, although primarily a humanitarian disaster, has set back hopes for a tourism recovery in Europe this summer. Not only will Russian tourists be unwelcome in many destinations, they will also struggle to get there, given bans on Russian airlines and restrictions on use of airspace.

There could be less US tourists in Europe this summer

Travel between Europe and Asia will also be impacted by most European airlines having to re-route around Russian airspace, with Finnair particularly affected as a carrier connecting the continents.

The conflict in Ukraine could affect tourism throughout all of Europe, according to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Russian and Ukrainian tourists spend a combined $45 billion a year, but that number is expected to decrease.

Russia - Level 4: Do Not Travel.

As Russia continues its war on Ukraine, its effects on the aviation industry are growing. New air routes, aircraft deliveries to Russia halted, and pressure on Russian titanium supplies are among the consequences of the war in Ukraine on the aeronautics sector.

Which is the safest way to travel?

Though flight fear still exists, it is almost completely unfounded. Accidents tend to be highlighted by the media, blowing them out of proportion. Air travel resulted in 0.07 deaths for every 1 billion miles travelled compared to 212.57 for motorcycles and 7.28 for cars.

This includes those with cardiac failure, recent myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke, angina (chest pain) at rest, heart rate or rhythm disorders, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, severe anemia, sickle-cell anemia, acute mental disorders, epilepsy, and any serious or contagious diseases.