Travel from US to Spain during COVID

[Rdelgado]

Seeking information on getting to St Jean Pied du Port next month Sept. 2020 to walk the Camino Frances. Any information would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[OTH86]

My flight from Newark to Paris on 1 Oct (I was going to train to Spain thereafter) was cancelled "due to the closure of the American borders since March 12, 2020 and the closure of the external borders of the Schengen area." This came by email on 12 Aug, 2020.
But things may change from day-to-day. Remember that the airline must cancel the flight for you to be considered for a refund.
Buen Camino.

 

[alexwalker]

As of writing this, Spain is reaching new record levels of contamination and deaths, according to Norw. news. I want to go, but cannot/will not. Quarantine in, and when returning. And travel insurance for COVID not possible, of course. Can be VERY espensive to get home again, if at all possible.

 

[C clearly]

Any information would be highly appreciated.

Not sure what information you are looking for. As you must know, getting from the US to Europe is very restricted (to state it mildly) for the indefinite future, and we have no special secrets. Getting from some point in Europe to SJPP is more likely to be possible, but the details will only be known on the day you do it!

 

[RJM]

My advice is to wait until next year, at the least.

 

[Kathar1na]

Seeking information on getting to St Jean Pied du Port next month Sept. 2020 to walk the Camino Frances. Any information would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

Depends on whether or not you have a European passport or a European residence card.

If you are a US national and live in the USA and have nothing else than a US passport then the answer to your question is: there is no way to get to St Jean Pied de Port right now.

Whether it's possible in September depends on the EU's future recommendations on lifting travel restrictions for non-EU foreigners/non-EU permanent residents and on what Spain and France decide. At the moment, with the number of Covid-19 cases on the rise again, I would not be too optimistic to expect change.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Seeking information on getting to St Jean Pied du Port next month Sept. 2020 to walk the Camino Frances. Any information would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

My opinion is that if you think you will have another chance to do this then don't waste your time trying right now. I think your only chance is if you have a passport from an EU country or from one of the countries that they will let in. And coming from the US you likely need to quarantine yourself for two weeks before walking.

 

[LifeatNo22]

Stay at home and don't travel is the best advice I have ever received during Covid19. Appreciate your own backyard. Think not just of your wants but the locals in Europe and the world in general. I think it is very selfish to be travelling at the moment, especially from a high-risk country such as America.

 

[trecile]

Appreciate your own backyard

Absolutely!
I have such wanderlust that it's been hard to do, but I do appreciate that I live in a place with wonderful hikes just minutes away.

 

[Rdelgado]

Seeking information on getting to St Jean Pied du Port next month Sept. 2020 to walk the Camino Frances. Any information would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

Thank you for the response

 

[VNwalking]

As @Kathar1na said:

If you are a US national and live in the USA and have nothing else than a US passport then the answer to your question is: there is no way to get to St Jean Pied de Port right now.

This is testing everyone's patience (and a few other things), but the voices that say wait are saying that for a reason. The only sane answer to so many questions right now is "Who knows??"

Certainly who knows when this will ease up - we all are being challenged to get used to a ton of uncertainty. That's a camino in itself.

Buen camino @Rdelgado ... you'll get there eventually, but maybe later rather than sooner.

 

[C clearly]

I think it is very selfish to be travelling at the moment, especially from a high-risk country such as America.

As strangers who have an interest in common, but little knowledge of each other, it is probably better to refrain from expressing this opinion out loud.

 

[Kathar1na]

A fairly good source of accurate information can be your country's embassy in the country you wish to travel to, in this case the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Spain and Andorra. In their section about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information, they have this interesting paragraph:

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter [Spain]? No, only in some limited circumstances ​

• Please check the Spanish regulations carefully before attempting to travel. If you travel to Spain and are not admitted, you will be placed in immigration detention for up to several days, until a flight on the same airline becomes available to take you back to your point of origin.

They also make it clear that the current situation is such that you are not allowed to travel from the United States to Spain via another country, for example via one of the few countries on the EU's "green" list such as the UK or Canada. If you are a US passport holder, you may have to show official proof of your place of habitual residence at EU border control, i.e. proof that you do live in the UK or in Canada.

 

[Kathar1na]

And also from the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Spain and Andorra:

COVID-19 testing is possible at clinics and hospitals throughout Spain. U.S. citizens will have to pay for their tests. The average cost is 120 euros.​

​

Limited commercial options to return to the United States from Spain are available, although flight cancellations are frequent.​

​

Transportation options and border restrictions continue to change throughout Europe. U.S. citizens can depart the European Schengen area, including Spain.​

​

This country-specific information about Spain was updated on 14 August 2020. The situation may still be very much the same in September - a mere ten days from today!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Absolutely!
I have such wanderlust that it's been hard to do, but I do appreciate that I live in a place with wonderful hikes just minutes away.

Lucky you, @trecile! I have hikes just minutes away. They are nice, but not wonderful, but they are very easy access out my front door or a short country drive away.

 

[Ernesto.IT]

Seeking information on getting to St Jean Pied du Port next month Sept. 2020 to walk the Camino Frances. Any information would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

The best thing is to ask the covid 19 if is willing to stop at list until the end of the year, good luck with that and BUEN CAMINO.

 

[John Sikora]

I'm not sure why there are constant questions about this. The answer is simple. Any US resident cannot get to Europe legally, pure and simple. Until this changes, and it will be announced with great hoopla, it's pointless to speculate, comment, or discuss at length. Simple rule, simple result, complex effects.

 

[Bonita]

As strangers who have an interest in common, but little knowledge of each other, it is probably better to refrain from expressing this opinion out loud.

Said so nicely.

 

[Holly Mitchem]

Said so nicely.

Agreed. There was an article in the New York Times a couple of days ago about "travel shaming". I think it is important not to judge someone based upon a simple question. We are all doing our best in very difficult circumstances.

 

[gloria lowe]

If you are in the US register with STEP at travel.state.gov They send info out all the time when you sign up and put in what countries you are going to visit.

 

[Opa Theo]

Seeking information on getting to St Jean Pied du Port next month Sept. 2020 to walk the Camino Frances. Any information would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

We are experiencing a pandemic, meaning world wide. I'd love to travel but scientific advice is for everyone to stay home and practice safe distancing from other people. It is everyone's duty to stay home until this deadly disease is under control or abates.
I believe it would be selfish for me to travel and put others at risk or risk being exposed to this disease.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Seeking information on getting to St Jean Pied du Port next month Sept. 2020 to walk the Camino Frances. Any information would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

Not this year. USA border is closed. No one in or out except commercial transport. Spain is likely to close borders again too as Covid-19 numbers are on the rise again.

 

[Orlando Wren]

Not this year. USA border is closed. No one in or out except commercial transport. Spain is likely to close borders again too as Covid-19 numbers are on the rise again.

The USA border is not closed to every person.

COVID-19 and Your Health

Symptoms, testing, what to do if sick, daily activities, and more.

www.cdc.gov

 

[Crosscheck]

As strangers who have an interest in common, but little knowledge of each other, it is probably better to refrain from expressing this opinion out loud.

I live in the Northern California and witness, on a daily basis, why the United States has the most infections and deaths in the world. Our restrictions to visit other countries is justified.

 

[Rellrog]

I live in the Northern California and witness, on a daily basis, why the United States has the most infections and deaths in the world. Our restrictions to visit other countries is justified.

Agreed totally...I live in Northern California also. I steer clear of people between the ages of 20-40 because many of them (and I say ‘many’ not all) think they are likely immune and if they, by chance, get it, don’t care if they infect more vulnerable people. The other day I saw a young woman drive by with a sign that said, “My rights don’t end where your fears begin.” (I believe, referring to mask usage). I wanted to say to her, “My life shouldn’t end where your ignorance and selfishness begins.”

 

[Crosscheck]

Agreed totally...I live in Northern California also. I steer clear of people between the ages of 20-40 because many of them (and I say ‘many’ not all) think they are likely immune and if they, by chance, get it, don’t care if they infect more vulnerable people.

Stay safe out there so you can walk many more caminos. This will eventually pass but it is all up to science and human nature at this point.

 

[trecile]

Not this year. USA border is closed. No one in or out except commercial transport. Spain is likely to close borders again too as Covid-19 numbers are on the rise again.

The border to Mexico is open to US citizens/residents, and I know that we can travel to a few other countries. (I wouldn't though)

The USA border is not closed to every person.

Right, there are many reasons why some people from the US can travel.

 

[Texas Walker]

The border to Mexico is open to US citizens/residents, and I know that we can travel to a few other countries. (I wouldn't though)

Right, there are many reasons why some people from the US can travel.

And crossing the Us-Mexico border for the reason of obtaining medical care is "essential travel." (! And this is a lot of the reason why border counties have an increase in cases--Mexico is having a lot of cases.) But I can't drive to the crossing point and walk over for the purpose of buying a bottle of vanilla.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

And crossing the Us-Mexico border for the reason of obtaining medical care is "essential travel." (! And this is a lot of the reason why border counties have an increase in cases--Mexico is having a lot of cases.) But I can't drive to the crossing point and walk over for the purpose of buying a bottle of vanilla.

Yes, I followed a couple of blogs in the past of seniors who lived and traveled around the country in motorhomes. They were always singing the praises of crossing the border into Mexico for great dental care at reduced prices. Even if considered "essential" I think I'd think twice now about going..

 

[trecile]

And crossing the Us-Mexico border for the reason of obtaining medical care is "essential travel." (! And this is a lot of the reason why border counties have an increase in cases--Mexico is having a lot of cases.) But I can't drive to the crossing point and walk over for the purpose of buying a bottle of vanilla.

You can fly into Mexico now though

Travel Restrictions - Fact Sheet

mx.usembassy.gov

 

[dagomez]

Seeking information on getting to St Jean Pied du Port next month Sept. 2020 to walk the Camino Frances. Any information would be highly appreciated. Thank you!
[/QUOTE

Hello, I was scheduled to fly from los Angeles to spain in September 2020 to walk the Mozarabe route. I rescheduled to March of 2021…so much uncertainty not sure I will be able to walk even then…airlines are very flexible in terms of making changes. Your call but trying to go in September from US might be to ambitious. Best of Luck

 

[Pancho]

Not sure what information you are looking for. As you must know, getting from the US to Europe is very restricted (to state it mildly) for the indefinite future, and we have no special secrets. Getting from some point in Europe to SJPP is more likely to be possible, but the details will only be known on the day you do it!

Has any changes been made for entry 2021 from USA?! Do you have a website that may be accessed?!

 

[John Sikora]

Has any changes been made for entry 2021 from USA?! Do you have a website that may be accessed?!

I've used kayak.com. They simplify it down to the essentials and seem to keep it pretty much up to date.

Where can I travel to? Travel Restrictions by Country | KAYAK

Get information on travel restrictions by country with our map. Check the entry, vaccination, COVID-19 testing, and quarantine requirements by country before planning your next trip.

www.kayak.com

 

[Bala]

Has any changes been made for entry 2021 from USA?! Do you have a website that may be accessed?!

Check the US Embassy in Spain website, es.embassy.gov . As of the latest update, Feb. 26, their answer to "Are U.S. citizens allowed to enter Spain?" is "No." A few very specific exceptions follow.

Also, Ivar gave some of his own thoughts in the video he posted today. Definitely worth watching.

 

[FirstImpact]

I postponed my vacation for almost one year. Gosh, it was a nightmare for me! Still can't believe that I was able to stay home, when dreaming about an escape far away from home.