We are close to booking our first ever trip to Europe for June of '22. 14 days into London to Paris to Rome and home. I have been trying to read up on what the covid requirements are to travel into the UK and then to France and Italy. I know that this is a constantly moving target and by June the situation will no doubt change multiple times.

I see that a test is required upon arrival to the UK. How soon can you get tested upon landing? Can it be a rapid test or do you have to wait for results? If waiting is involved, do you have to stay in your hotel or what do you do while waiting for results? How long are results taking to get back?

If we take the train from country to country, I have the same questions about entering France? and Italy too?

Thanks in advance.

There is no point even thinking about the rules in six months. Hopefully once winter is over we'll be back to something closer to normal. But right now you'd need at least testing for each border crossing. Worse with only two weeks by the time you hit Italy you would be subject to the strictest rules that cover any country you've been to in the last two weeks.

That means if you're coming from the US you'd have to meet the toughest requirements for the US,UK or France once you get to Italy.

Welcome to Fodors. As Traveler_Nick says -- there is absolutely no reason on earth to even think about what covid rules will be next June.

I just returned Sunday from a 5 night visit to London and between 3 days before my UK bound flight and 1 day after my return flight, the rules for both countries changed. In just those 10 days US rules changed once and UK rules changed twice . . . they could change 20-30 times by June.


. . . actually more than 20-30 times because you are talking about 4 different countries (including the US). IF covid is still rampant and rules are changing willy nilly like now - you would be doing yourselves a BIG favor if you limited your trip to one country and not 3. The more countries and regions involved the more likely you'd run into issues. (Of course we're all hoping things will be back to normal by then)

I would suggest you rethink this plan to do three completely different countries, far spread out across the continent, during potentially difficult pandemic times (I doubt it will mostly disappear by next June, but who knows), on your first trip to Europe. And three different languages, rail systems, etc.

At most, do two countries, UK and France wouldn't be so bad. Or maybe France and Italy since both are in the EU. That's not a bad idea for next June, you could do Paris-southern France (Provence, Nice, whatever), then train into Italy. Or vice versa. That could easily take up 14 days.

When you say "booking", what do you mean? Air fare? I wouldn't book a package trip if that's what you mean. I wouldn't buy train tickets this far in advance, if you even can. Booking hotels would be ok if you don't prepay at all and can cancel up to maybe a couple days in advance.

I absolutely agree with Christina. i would not try to combine EU and non EU countries at the moment.

Advice you are getting is spot on.

Two countries rather than three. A week in either France or Italy will seem very, very short! By narrowing the geography of your trip, you will see more of Europe, less of train stations and airports, spend less money and less time traveling.

Also, big cities like Rome, London, Paris have a lot to offer. Of course, we want to see them, but small towns and villages in Europe are often even more rewarding. Some best memories of Europe are of eating outside at a little cafe on some cobbled stone street in a village in Provence, overlooking the river or stream that ran through, or a town clinging to the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, overlooking the sea filled with boats. Walking the walls of a walled village and looking down at the roofs and architecture and strolling central squares with carousels in Tuscany or Provence leaves permanent, meaningful images. Wherever you go, try to get some of that into your trip. I promise you will not be sorry!

Don’t book anything until after Christmas and New Years and we see how the pandemic plays out after all the holiday traveling people are going to do. Early February will still give you time, plus more time to assess your itinerary.

So very well put, Sassafrass.

Thanks Annhig, In the Travel tips and trip ideas forum, someone started a Favorite Travel Memories thread. Some are special visits to a cathedral or ancient temple, etc, and almost all are moments of quiet or one time events in some more out of the way place that happened when the traveler was stopped and allowing time to absorb their surroundings.

thanks again, Sassafrass. I had missed that - i will go and find it. It sounds lovely. And you are so right - it is those quiet unlooked-for moments that are so often the most memorable.