Traveling in Europe During COVID is Easier Than You Think

During COVID, traveling (especially internationally) can seem daunting. Between navigating COVID requirements, needing PCR tests, potential flight cancellations, and last-minute changes, I can see how many people just choose not to travel at all in this environment.

To the chagrin of my girlfriend, I enjoy traveling with pretty much zero planning. It is part of the adventure! But I completely understand why most people prefer having an idea what is happening from day to day. I spent the past month traveling throughout Europe to six different countries (UK, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Denmark). Below are some thoughts and tips to help your trip go smoothly.

Oxford, UK

1. Be flexible and remember a change is not the end of the world

If you happen to miss a flight, or a test result doesn’t come through, or rules change last minute, remember you are not the only person who is having to navigate the system. The airlines are usually extremely helpful, some more than others.

I will say that traveling British Airways made things very easy. When we were flying from the UK to Europe, rules changed at the last minute because Germany designated the UK as a country with a variant of concern. It was 5 AM on New Year’s Day and my girlfriend and I were standing in the London City Airport when we were told we couldn’t fly from the UK to Berlin. The British Airways representative went out of his way to help us find a new flight into Switzerland in order for us to eventually get to Luxembourg and see my sister. Bottom line, most airlines understand that rules are confusing and are going out of their way to help people.

2. Attain an EU COVID QR code.

With the exception of only a few countries in Europe, you will need an EU COVID QR Code to do anything. You won’t even be able to buy food-to-go in some places without the QR Code, so make sure you prioritize getting a code.

The catch: most European countries do not accept the US CDC vaccination card as valid due to how easily it can be faked.

Regardless of what country or countries you plan to visit in Europe, I highly recommend traveling to Switzerland or Germany first (then taking a train or cheap flight to anywhere else in Europe) since they recognize CDC Vaccine cards as valid documents by which you can attain an EU QR Code.

Follow these easy steps to convert your CDC vaccine card into an EU QR Code:

1. Visit the tourist center at the central train station of any major city that you fly into.
2. Bring your Vaccine card and Passport for the clerk to verify (it helps if you have had your booster shot.)
3. Pay the fee to have the QR Code generated (in Switzerland, this was 30 Swiss Franc ~ 32 USD)
4. Download the EU QR Code app and upload the QR code you received from either Germany or Switzerland into the EU app in order to generate a code that works all over the EU.

3. Know the difference between PCR and Antigen tests

Bottom line: PCR tests usually take 24 hours to produce results and are valid for up to 72 hours, usually. Antigen tests produce results within 15 minutes but are only valid for up to 24 hours.

If you are traveling throughout Europe by train or car, you DO NOT need a COVID test to cross borders (except if you are traveling from the UK to continental Europe.) If you are traveling by air, you will need a test (usually an antigen test is sufficient).

In most countries, you will have to pay for a PCR/Antigen test. The one exception (that I know of) is Denmark. All tests are free in Denmark and their system is by far the easiest to navigate (proud of my Danish heritage!)

4. Traveling by train or car is MUCH easier

Not only is traveling by train or car usually cheaper, it is also far more convenient. If you haven’t traveled in Europe before, remember that driving from country to country is basically the same as driving from one US state to another. The borders are open, with the only exception being France (right now).

I recommend taking a train to see the countryside, or renting a car if you can split the cost with someone else traveling with you. You don’t need a special license and you can even rent a car in one country and return it in another. I rented from Hertz and everything was super easy.

5. Wait until the last minute to book an Air BNB.

This might seem risky but I swear by it. If you are visiting a large city, there are plenty of places to stay. Most Air BnBs and hotels would rather break-even and give someone a cheap room last minute than not have anyone occupy a room at all.

Find the general neighborhood you want to stay in and a few properties you like. 24–48 hours before you arrive, go online and see what availability they have. More times than not, you will score a great deal. For example, I stayed in a 4-star hotel (with a massive breakfast included) in old town Sweden for only $125 a night, about half of the normal cost.

6. Lastly, everything will be inconsistent and that is OK.

While the EU is an entity in itself, each country still maintains its autonomy and associated laws.

In Luxembourg they will scan your QR code at every store and in Sweden nobody wears masks and you will think a pandemic never even happened.

When flying on Lufthansa Airlines, you are required to wear a medical mask and anyone over 6 must wear a mask. On other airlines you can wear a cloth mask and only kids over 12 need masks.

Denmark will swab both nostrils for 3 seconds and the UK will swab your throat and one nostril for 30 seconds each.

I get it, it makes no sense. Just go with the flow and make the adventure pare of your story!