Query about traveling to Europe Fall 2026

If this was my trip, I would go. There's a lot of geography between your destinations and the Mideast. In addition, 6-7 months is a lifetime in this news cycle.
But then again, we went to Switzerland August, 2121, coming out of the pandemic, seven flight cancelations, not to mention required Covid testing and threats of quarantine.
Only you can decide your comfort with risk, but at this point, I would go. Good luck and safe travels!

France / Germany/ UK have been at Level 2 since May 2025

Czechia is Level 1 as of Jan 2026
https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories.html

What will things will be like in Sept? A) The Iran thing is over and everything is mostly 'normal' B) Oil is so expensive you cannot afford the flights C) your guess is as good as anyone else.

Based on what is known at this point, I would go.

Only you can say whether you feel safe traveling, and feeling safe - as well as being safe - is important when you're on holiday.

Your proposed trip is Germany, Luxembourg, France and the UK. None are anywhere near the Middle East, and you wont be traveling through or over the region.

My view is there's always a risk of something. As of now, there's no reason to be concerned about Western Europe.

I'm flying to Istanbul next week, and London in May, coming from Singapore. As of now I have not changed my plans.

But as I said you feeling safe is important.

I would go ahead and plan the trip, but make sure all tickets are fully refundable.

I love Europe and have spent nearly two and a half years there on my trips since 2010 . Frankly, I don't think you will be any safer here than over there . I would go . As a matter of fact, I will be going back ( France , Germany , and Austria ) for five weeks this coming Autumn . I would usually go for ten weeks , but I will miss my new granddaughter for that length of time ,being in the twilight of my years.

Your biggest risk factor will be the drive to your departure airport.

For context the UK Government has a similar risk rating for the USA.

Hi Bill, While I understand why you would be concerned about travelling during these uncertain times— keep in mind you are planning to go to Europe. You are not planning to go to the Middle East, so I don’t see how you would be affected by what is happening in the Middle East.

The U.S. State Department advisories these days are no longer the reliable source of information they once were. Many consider State Department advisories something to be critically scrutinized when they indicate you might be unsafe in a particular country. It’s often pointed out that gun policies in the U.S. make the U.S. less safe to travel in than most of the countries in Europe. The irony is that statistics might support the argument that it may actually be safer to be in Europe!

So. I agree with the others who have encouraged you to keep your plans for September. Do it now. Because, as the words of the famous song go: “I may never pass this way again.”

The problem with government advisories is that they are very general in nature, and your level of risk is going to vary a lot depending on where in the country you're going, and what you're doing. I travel there UK and Europe 4-5 times a year, and am no more concerned about my safety than I am at home.

You're not wrong to be asking these questions, but I hope the answers above will give you some confidence.

Bill

No one can predict what tomorrow will bring let alone six months away.

I would say go but be certain to book everything with free cancellation just in case your plans change suddenly.

As for air, pay for tickets that allow you to get your money back just in case your plans change suddenly.

And buy insurance!

Also have a Plan B and a Plan C.

I am going to Paris in May and not even considering changing my plans at least for now,

As of today, I am hearing that the airports are a mess because of the partial government shutdown. Some person have had to stand in line for five hours. One person said something about 10 hours. Planes have been missed

But surely this will be over by the time I leave in May. Surely!

As I said on the earlier thread, there is a risk of revenge terrorism in Europe because of the attacks in the Middle East, but I don't think it's any higher than it is in the USA.

Also be cautious about anything you see from random social media accounts - there are a lot of bad actors hyping wild or exaggerated claims of crime and terrorism in European cities for ideological reasons, both in North America and Europe itself.

Since May of 2025, .....oh, well, I wasn't aware of that at all when I landed in Paris on June 2. I'll be doing part 2 of this summer's trip in the first 2 weeks in Sept . going back to France, including Paris , and Germany.

Hasn't France been at level 2 for about the last 10 years? It seems like the default for them, almost.

If you're really concerned, check other countries for their risk assessments to compare. Australia and the UK or Canada. I think I've read somewhere or other that there can be a little bit of theater/politics in these ratings on occasion. Not a lot, just a little.

Read the warnings on some Level 3 countries and compare. Hugely more concerning than "use increased caution".

The US government page does not seem to be as comprehensive as it used to be, either.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my query. My wife and I have decided to go. Once again, many thanks.

You chose wisely from my perspective. I didn't read all tge posts but those Level 2 advisories predates the war so no change really. Have a blast.

Just wondering if people’s thoughts on this issue are still the same as back in March when these posts were written.
Our plans are to go to Italy in late Sept and the first half of Oct, so thoughts on Italy would be appreciated as well as any current thinking on this topic.
Thanks!

We went to France in May and briefly considered cancelling because of possible issues with jet fuel. Our return flight was cancelled about 2 months before the trip. This was disappointing but worked out fine. I wouldn't hesitate to go to Italy.

I live in Central Europe. So far in the last 12 months I've been to Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Ukraine and I'm off to Albania and Montenegro in a few weeks. Nothing new. Enjoy your trip.

In France or Germany be it level 2 or 3 makes no difference to me as long as I am not denied entrance at Passport Control. I'll be still there in Sept 2026.

I plan to be in the Czech Republic in October. The thought of not going never crossed my mind in the 5-6 months I have been putting the trip together.

Honestly, if I were in your position, I’d probably still go, assuming the situation and official travel advice remain broadly the same. None of us can really know what things will look like tomorrow or a few weeks from now, so I wouldn’t make the decision based on today’s headlines alone.

Your itinerary is also mostly in Central and Western Europe, quite far from the conflict itself. I’d keep an eye on the State Department updates and any changes affecting the specific countries you’re visiting. If there’s no significant change by the time you leave, I’d feel reasonably comfortable going while staying alert and keeping some flexibility in the plans.