No travel abroad for me until the US lifts the testing to return requirement.

Yeah I understand your sentiment; I have done 2 trips since things opened up; it can be like Russian roulette; I wouldn't continue to go if I didn't have a large bank of sick day benefits from work and travel insurance. I am probably going again in August though.

I am leaning towards canceling my October trip to France for the same reason. I just don’t think I will be able to put the test out of my mind while on my trip nor do I want to deal with the hassle and aggravation if I have to scramble to find new accommodations, rearrange my flight and wait the 10 days to return to the U.S. I travel by myself and am not an experienced traveler which is why I choose to travel on RS tours. What a drag to have to stay behind all alone half way across the world. I am 67 and am very aware of time ticking away so I really want to do more travel in Europe, but I just don’t think traveling in the current conditions is for me.

Same for me. I am really hoping this requirement is gone by next year so I can return to Europe then. I’m glad many people aren’t stopped by this and are going, or in other words I wouldn’t try to encourage anyone not to go because of this. I just know my anxiety levels would make traveling with this requirement not fun for me.

I leave on July 4th for London.

Don’t care about having to test to return to the states. Negative or positive will deal with the result.

For me its about vigilance and keeping fellow flight passengers AND the US protected.

Who wants to be a “Typhoid Mary?”

New world, new perspective.

I share your feelings on putting a damper over the trip wondering if you'll test positive to come home. Even with all the precautions and being vaccinated and boosted you still have a slight chance. We had a group tour for Italy planned in September but I decided to cancel and reschedule. My husband is a small business owner and the small chance that we test positive and will have to quarantine is too great for us at this time. I too, am hoping that they lift the testing requirement for those vaccinated and boosted but only time will tell. I think each person should do what's right for them when it comes to travel this year.

I have been saying for months that it is a risk, and if you can't stand the risk for financial, time constraints, or health, then don't go.

I also understand the stress, worry, fear, or whatever emotion an unknown test result ,might have (probably worse for those that must plan each and every detail of a trip vs. those that can "wing it") but it is really worry that you can do little about. I have went, had a good time, and luckily have tested negative each time, not really giving it much thought.

One also has to look at it from an ethical standpoint, the requirement may seem imposing, but would you knowingly go on a plane if you knew you had a contagious disease? Regardless of a requirement or not? Even without a requirement, if I were to fly out to Europe tomorrow, I would take a home test, and make my decision based on the result. Sure, I could just go and not know, ignorance is bliss as they say, but each of us needs to take some responsibility.

The test doesn’t worry me too much. I’ve been to Europe twice since that requirement was put in place and I rarely thought about it. The bigger worry for me is getting sick on vacation. It’s always a risk, but with Omicron being so contagious, it is worse than normal. I always assumed if I got Covid, it would be a mild case or I’d be asymptomatic. I have Covid now (day 3) and I feel terrible. It remains to be seen how long this will last, but I am not feeling like I could do anything right now, even walk outside with no people around.

Still, I am not going to let this stop me from travel. I am 68 and can’t afford to wait for a Covid-free world to travel. I will take all the precautions I can and hope for the best.

@josephmay39 - We feel the same way after just returning from Italy via London. Our original flights were to be out of Milan, however as we realized the real consequences of possibly testing positive in Italy, we decided to pivot. Midway through our trip, we changed our flight home to be from London. We felt our options for handling a positive test were much more tolerable in the UK, and enjoyed spending a few days there before returning home. In Italy, the thought of totally isolating in a hotel room for at least 7-21 days seemed less and less tolerable as we neared the end of our long trip. Also, we were finding it difficult to develop a Plan B for Italy lodging, other than contacting each property directly to verify they would even admit a covid positive individual. The few properties we contacted were unwilling and indicated that health services in Italy would help us find accommodations should we need them. We really didn't want to risk landing in one of the covid hotels. We enjoyed our trip, and have no regrets that we went, but will be sitting out future international travel until the requirements for reentry change.

Traveling is a privilege that many people don't get to enjoy. It's everyone's prerogative whether or not to do it but I'd rather have people tested when I'm sitting in close quarters for 8 hours and can't leave. Covid is awful and after seeing what my friends and co-workers have gone through-coughs lasting for months, flu-like symptoms for weeks-I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Heather - your points are well taken. I think we fall into the category of "took the risk, won't take it again". And the risk begins with that long outbound flight, where no one sitting around you has been required to test.

I'm a bit confused. We've been to Europe three times since November and, yes, the knowledge that we needed a negative test was always in the back of our minds. But are we worried about testing positive or are we worried about getting COVID? Those seem to be two different things. Do we not want a test and fly home, possibly without a mask, while actually being positive for COVID?

It seems the real issue should be whether we accept the risk for getting COVID not whether or not we want to test to learn if we actually have COVID.

Excellent point, Carol.

I wish the CDC recognized natural immunity. I have had the two mRNA shots in early 2020 and elected not to get the booster last fall since half the people I talked to (including my internist) got sick for two days after the booster. Figured I’d take my chances. Got Omicron over New Years without sequelae. My last Red Cross donation, 4 months afterward, showed I have therapeutic levels of Anitibodies, enough to be used for convalescent plasma.

But now, to go on a planned RS trip in October, they are requiring that I be boosted per “CDC guidelines.” Afraid I will have to cancel another trip since I think the booster is pointless at this time.

We have traveled to Costa Rica twice since the start of the pandemic and have used the proctored Abbott self test for return.

I think we fall into the category of "took the risk, won't take it again".

I think I am also in that category. We had a great trip, but travel within the US and Canada is looking good to me:)

Ignorance is bliss, perhaps, but when we went to Iceland I never considered the possibility of testing positive. I would've gone mad being confined to a room for 7 or more days, and the expense of the hotel and getting another flight would be substantial.

I do understand the hesitancy to travel under these conditions, especially for those who need to return to work, or are financially limited. My boss would not be happy if I told him we were stuck in Europe for another week or two. Never mind the wasted vacation days.

It is absolutely your choice not to travel. We leave for our RS BOEE tour in 15 days and I am so excited! Will I worry about the test? Probably not until the day I have to take it from London to come home, then my stomach will be in knots until I hopefully get that negative notification. Will I be prudent in crowded situations? Yes. We have a rough plan in place should any of us test positive. Luckily its only my husbands job it would affect and the other 3 of us would handle it.

I cancelled my trip to Italy last year because it felt too much like planning project management tasks than a nice vacation. So, I do understand your feelings. And this year, I have spent so much mental time thinking through the “what ifs”, planning if I was stuck with a potential longer stay.

But, I decided once I am on the plane next week, I have chosen to take this trip. I am not going to be flippant with my health or exposure to others, but if there are activities I want to see indoors, I am going to do it. If there is a restaurant indoors that I would like to experience (usually I eat outdoors, anyway), I am going to do it. I am retired, so I have the extra days.

It’s definitely an individual decision. Go with your own decision and then feel free to assess it again next year.

We were in Portugal at the beginning of the month and ended up positive. We landed on Thursday night and tested positive on Monday. It was stressful figuring out exactly what to do. Would I travel out of the country again with the negative test required? As much as I'd like to, it was just too much. We decided we'll wait until the negative test is no longer required. It was interesting traveling on Air Canada, as they require masks but no negative test to enter. Every country has its own requirements. I hope this one requirement ends soon.

But now, to go on a planned RS trip in October, they are requiring
that I be boosted per “CDC guidelines.”

What are the CDC guidelines? As a Canadian hoping to go on a tour next year, I can only be vaccinated based on what Health Canada and the provinces determine. I've had my 3 shots, but I don't qualify for a 4th yet based on our regulations.

When the UK lifted the entry testing requirement I saw it as a sign that it was time for me to make my first international trip in 2.5 years. I enjoyed 8 glorious days in my favorite city, London, but by my penultimate day I was quite anxious--had I been vigilant enough? So much coughing & sneezing, so little masking! Is it possible to be totally masked all day every day everywhere and still get it? To make matters worse, that night I realized I had a cold...but was it just a cold? The 40 minute wait the next morning for my thankfully negative result was excruciating. I had a plan for what I'd do if I had to stay, but also have the type of job that really needs my presence in the office.

But, I am ever so grateful I pushed aside my worries and made my trip, because the week after I returned my support person at work gave notice, and due to our industry and the timing of her departure, I will be handling my job solo for at least 4 months, and unless I declare a mutiny next spring, I don't know when I can realistically take more than 2 days off. So, I say go while the going is good, whatever your personal situation and level of comfort with the risks and uncertainty.

I've removed many posts here as I wish to be able to keep this topic for those that wish to discuss the travel decision given today's requirements. However, this is NOT a pandemic forum.

If your post was removed, be sure to read our guidelines on discussing the pandemic before posting again. Side commentary or complaints about existing safety protocols are specifically at issue here. Our forum lost its way for over a year, and we're not going back to that.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/new-rules-for-discussing-the-pandemic

"But now, to go on a planned RS trip in October, they are requiring
that I be boosted per “CDC guidelines.”

"What are the CFD guidelines? As a Canadian hoping to go on a tour next year"

Generally, we're pointing people toward our Tour FAQ here as this is what our current requirements are: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-help/tours-faq

However, I would say that even if you contacted our Tour Sales dept directly (tour@ricksteves.com) to know how this can work for you as a Canadian, it's likely just too early to know exactly what our requirements will be for 2023. Considering that entire itineraries sold out within days for 2022, at risk of sounding promotional, my recommendation if you're interested in an RS tour for 2023 is to register for a tour right away when they're released later in June, and take advantage of the cancellation policy so that you're not really paying for anything until 2023 requirements are more concrete. The details may change a bit for 2023, but here are the 2022 cancellation details to know when your tour deposit becomes non-refundable: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/tour-conditions#cancel

I just returned from London on Monday.
I tested myself before I traveled – negative.
I only started to think about possibility of a positive test & not being able to go home on Saturday in preparation for my test on Sunday.
Thankfully my Sunday test was negative. It was comforting to know everyone on my flight had to have a negative test to be on that flight to US. On Tuesday I started to feel ill and tested positive. So really, how effective is testing one day ahead of time when I must’ve been exposed prior or on the flight and I’m now sick.
At this point, it seems a bit of a false sense of security. I don’t think it will keep from traveling again just more aware of the risk.

Joys of retirement and support at home. Staying for 7 more days in Italy no biggie. Not ideal, but is ok.

I read this as I waited for my antigen test result in Vienna -- done at the pharmacy around the corner. This is trip #4 since August. Final test negative for all visits (including just now). When I talked to the pharmacist a few days ago to register for the test, she told me the pharmacy had done 29 tests that day on Americans -- 4 were positive.

My travel companion and I are case studies in how the test impacted our 2-week trip. The test barely entered my mind other than guiding me to wear a mask in crowded areas and indoors + guiding me to avoid indoor dining. My travel companion was a nervous wreck -- constantly talking about buying a ticket to Mexico and crossing by land border if he tested positive on his Binax Now test. He was miserable yesterday, woke up at 11:56 pm last night worrying about the test, and did his Binax Now test just after midnight.

End result: I had an awesome trip and am headed to Bosnia & Herzegovina in August. He had an angst-filled trip and said he would not travel again until the test requirement is lifted.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer on this. As noted above, it's all about personal tolerance of risk and personal level of anxiety. But... I'm kind of glad I don't have much anxiety about it 🙂.

While I agree it's ridiculous for the U.S. to require testing to enter while throwing all caution to the wind at home, I wouldn't let it stop me from traveling. We took sensible precautions and didn't stress about it until the day we had to test. In the end, I'm so glad we took this trip and it was well worth even the stress and paranoid contingency planning on the day of the test. And frankly, testing negative after a 3-week trip all over Europe made me feel less paranoid about doing things at home.

We decided not to take self tests during our trip, and just wait to the end. I was pretty much OK, tried not to think about it. My stomach was in knots the day before and the day of the test. Thankfully we tested negative (that was a great day and evening). I have a tripped planned to Canada in August to meet up with my best friend, that I’m not going to cancel. I feel more comfortable quarantine in Canada. After that, I’m not making any plans until the testing requirement is lifted. I do find the worry effected the trip.

@Lulu . Coming through Canada only works if you have no symptoms and have not had a positive Covid test. Basically, there is nothing that would lead you to believe that you have Covid. Once you have symptoms or a positive test, this door closes. It is not a work around for a positive Covid test.

I’m not insinuating that that is why you were interested, but I think it is important for people to know.

Here is an interesting article from the NY Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/travel/us-travel-covid-test.html
Apparently some people are getting in through Canada and Mexico.

I guess one thing that might make me think twice about traveling, is the number of people who are not worried about "what happens if I test positive?", but rather "If I am positive, how can I fly anyway?" or "I don't care whether I am positive or negative". Sad.

If you are traveling out of the country, of course we are worrying about testing positive and getting stuck. There is nothing wrong with that. People are walking around all over this country mask free, including me, we don’t know if we have it or not.

I started another post in this forum because I got Covid in Greece. After I left the tour, we did our own thing and finished up by going to Santorini and London with friends. We had always planned on taking the proctored (eMed using BINAX) test coming home. My ace in the hole was I had two doctor letters from when I was diagnosed in Greece, and when I was deemed (by the same doctor) to be okay to travel--in case I tested positive at the end of our stay. Turns out, I continued to test negative and thought my letters were mere backups. However, NONE OF THIS WAS NECESSARY. We had all our documents filled out, the USA Attestation form, the test results (had the PDFs printed at our hotel in London), and all our other documentation. We checked in at Heathrow, flying British Airways, and were not asked for any of this. We were puzzled. We asked, when do we show our documentation of healthy status, etc? The agent looked at her screen and said, "It does not say here that you need to provide any Covid testing or health information. Have a nice trip!" After we got through security at Heathrow, we met up with our traveling friends and they were required to fill out several online forms in addition to surrendering their "Covid Negative" letters, and their USA Attestation form. Which brings us to the conclusion that the tests are required randomly at check-in just as some security line searches seem to be random and not triggered by metal in your pocket, etc. Has anyone had this same experience?

Testing is not supposed to be random. That was an error by the airline.

Has anyone had this same experience?

I would agree that the airline should have checked, but by any chance, in your flight from Greece to London, did you have to show your letters of recovery, and if the same airline, did they maybe record that fact?

In these days of uploading things to the airline, forms filled in online, and other measures, their system may have flagged you as "OK for travel", so then no need to check.

"Ms. Fishman and her husband drove across the border into Buffalo and caught a flight home. (There is no testing requirement for flying domestically.)" I wonder how the person sitting next to her on the flight home from Buffalo is feeling? That person could be high risk. Or live with someone who is. Or get long Covid.

People can be so selfish.

I wonder how many “selfish” people don’t test themselves before flying domestically. Perspective is everything.

I doubt that many do. And while the last couple years has shown some people to be honest, moral and some to be true heroes, unfortunately it has shown many more to be stupid and selfish. But it's one thing (bad enough) to not think you need to test to protect others on public transportation (like a flight) and it's another to KNOWINGLY get on an airplane with a disease and expose others to it. Even if you could DRIVE yourself home from Canada (thus not exposing people) those people still got on the flight to Canada knowing they had a possibly deadly disease. At least they had to wear a mask for that trip.

There's a bit of a difference when you board a flight expecting everyone to be tested vs. flying domestically knowing it's up to the individuals and being prepared for the worst.

Yup! My wings are clipped! After recently testing positive in Italy, I think I’ll wait to return.😢Too stressful! Everything worked out fine, but the stress level isn’t worth it!

Looks like there will be even more exposure on the flights over with Italy’s news headline:

“ Italy reportedly plans to lift all Covid entry rules for travellers from June 1st, including the requirement to show proof of testing, recovery or vaccination.”

Addressing flying into Canada. There is a form you need to fill out stating you are Covid free. A $5000 fine if caught lying. Random testing when you land. I wouldn’t take the chance. I wouldn’t want to fly knowing I tested positive.
On our return home from Dublin on Aer Lingus, 98% were unmasked.

After needing to handle an issue with guideline #7, I've decided to to lock this thread so that it can't recur. Thank you all for your understanding. I appreciate everyone's contributions here, and I hope the extent of it in its present form is helpful in making the right travel decision for you.