Travel Re-Openings & Requirements

As travel picks up around the world, many destinations are requiring that adult visitors show proof of vaccination in order to enter without quarantine. Some are also accepting a negative COVID-19 test result in lieu of proof of vaccination, and some may require both.

Since these requirements change monthly and even weekly as more regions reopen to travelers, we are updating this page every week. This information was last updated on June 17, 2021.

Destination-specific re-opening and entry requirements: United States | Canada | Europe | Latin America | Africa | Asia

 

US DESTINATIONS

We're running trips across the US and most destinations have no special requirements for entry. Those states that are currently allowing entry with testing-related entry requirements include:

  • Hawaii is requiring that visitors show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to arrival. Testing must be completed by a Hawaii-approved trusted testing partner and results must be obtained by the time of your departure. Please make arrangements well in advance for on-site testing, home delivery tests or airport testing. Hawaii is expected to drop their testing requirement for vaccinated travelers in July. Learn more about current entry requirements.

 

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

The United States currently has a requirement that all travelers returning to the country from abroad show proof of a negative PCR or rapid COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of their return flight. Per new CDC guidelines issued May 7th, this requirement can now be met with select self-administered tests. Backroads is compiling information on all options available to ensure testing for return is, if required, as convenient as possible. Learn more.

Some of the international regions where we offer trips are still developing their plans to reopen to international travel. Here's where things stand:

CANADA

Canada has yet to give any firm indication of when the borders will reopen for international travel.

EUROPE

The European Union has recommended all its member nations lift travel restrictions for travelers from the US. European countries can still opt to add their own additional entry requirements. Countries that have already reopened or shared individual reopening plans include:

  • Croatia is now welcoming international travelers who show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recovery from COVID-19. Visitors must also show proof of hotel booking (for Backroads travelers, a printed copy of your trip invoice should suffice) and complete a travel announcement form. If needed, testing for return to the US can be booked directly at the trip hotel, and your Trip Leaders can facilitate. Learn more

    • Testing for guests returning from Croatia to the US:
      Abbott’s BinaxNOW At-Home Rapid Test Kit  meets all requirements for inbound US travelers. We are recommending that all guests traveling to Croatia purchase a test pack two weeks before their departure. Click here for more on how to use this test. 

    • Alternatively, testing for return to the US can be booked directly at the trip hotel. Your Trip Leaders can provide more information on the first day of your trip, should you need to book a test. 

    • We are now running trips in Croatia.

  • France is now welcoming vaccinated international travelers. has been moved to the “green list,” meaning travelers will only need to show proof of vaccination OR a negative test result. Test can be a PCR test taken up to 72 hours before arrival or a rapid test taken up to 48 hours before arrival. Unvaccinated minors will be allowed to enter alongside vaccinated adults, but children 11 and older will have to show proof of a negative test result. Learn more

    • Testing for guests returning from France to the US:
      Abbott’s BinaxNOW At-Home Rapid Test Kit  meets all requirements for inbound US travelers. We are recommending that all guests traveling to France purchase a test pack one to two weeks before their departure. Click here for more on how to use this test. 

    • We are running trips in France starting in July.

  • Germany is now welcoming travelers from the US who show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recovery from COVID-19. Learn more

    • We are running trips in Germany starting in August

  • Greece is now welcoming travelers from the United States who show proof of a negative test or vaccination against COVID-19. Negative tests must have been taken within 72 hours of departure, and the results must be written in English and include the full legal name of the traveler. Children under the age of 5 are exempt from the testing requirement. Additionally, all travelers must complete a Passenger Location Form (PLF) within 24 hours of arrival to Greece. Randomly selected visitors may also be subject to additional PCR testing upon arrival to the country. Learn more

    • Testing for guests returning from Greece to the US:
      If needed, testing for return to the US can be booked directly at the trip hotel. Your Trip Leaders can provide more information on the first day of your trip. Self-administered testing is now also an option; learn more here.

    • We are running trips in Greece starting in June.

  • Iceland is now welcoming international travelers who show proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from COVID-19, along with their children (vaccinated or unvaccinated) born in 2005 or later. Travelers must pre-register and complete an online health declaration. Until June 30th, all travelers arriving in Iceland will be asked to take a PCR test upon arrival to the airport. This test is free of charge and travelers are advised to go to their hotel while awaiting results via test (results typically take 4-6 hours). Iceland has announced that this requirement will be dropped July 1. Learn more

    • Guests traveling on an Ocean Cruise trip in Iceland are subject to additional requirements, and will have to show both proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test. 

    • Testing for guests returning from Iceland to the US:
      All travelers returning from Iceland are currently required to show negative COVID-19 test results in order to board their flights back to the US. The CDC recently expanded the allowable options to include some self-administered tests. Abbott’s BinaxNOW At-Home Rapid Test Kit meets all requirements for inbound US travelers. We are recommending that all guests traveling to Iceland purchase a test pack one to two weeks before their departure. Click here for more on how to use this test.

    • Alternatively, rapid testing is now available near the Keflavík airport. The test costs about $60 per person and takes 15 minutes. Tests must be booked in advance. Learn more

    • We are now running trips in Iceland.

  • Ireland plans to reopen to international travel in July 19. Vaccinated travelers from the US will not need to quarantine or show test results. Learn more

    • We are running trips in Ireland starting in August.

  • Italy plans to reopen to vaccinated travelers from the US in June, though it is already possible to visit Italy without quarantine on select “COVID-tested flights." Learn more

    • We are running trips in Italy starting in July.

  • Portugal is now welcoming visitors from the US with proof of a negative test result. Test can be a PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding your flight, or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours before boarding flight. Travelers must also complete a passenger locator card within 48 hours prior top travel. Learn more

    • We are running trips in Portugal starting in August.

  • Slovenia is now welcoming visitors from the US with proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19. Learn more.

    • We are running trips in Slovenia starting in July.

  • Spain is now welcoming travelers from the United States who show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or of a negative test result (PCR or rapid antigen tests are both accepted). Minors are exempted from this requirement if they are traveling with people who are fully vaccinated. Travelers must complete a Spain Travel Health Form within 48 hours of their departure. Learn more

    • We are running trips in Spain starting in July.

  • Switzerland plans to reopen to international travelers on June 28. Vaccinated visitors will be allowed to enter without any testing requirements. More details are expected on June 23. Learn more

    • We are running trips in Switzerland starting in July.

  • The United Kingdom has dropped its quarantine requirement for visitors arriving from countries on its “Green List.” The US has not yet been added to the list, but is expected to be added in June based on vaccination progress and case count decline in the US. Learn more

    • We plan to run trips in the UK starting in August.

We plan to be running the rest of our Europe trips by August.

LATIN AMERICA

Countries in Latin America have mostly reopened to tourism. Many currently require proof of vaccination or a negative test result for entry.

  • Belize is open to international travelers with proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure.

    • We are running trips in Belize starting this December

  • Costa Rica is open to international visitors and does not have any testing requirements in place. Visitors must complete a health pass and purchase travel insurance that meets Costa Rica’s entry requirements. We have found that with the “Safe Travels Voyager” insurance package purchased though Trawick International, travelers can meet the Costa Rica entry requirements for about $20 per person. This insurance must be purchased at least 48 hours prior to your departure.

    • We are running trips in Costa Rica starting this November

  • Ecuador is open to international travelers with proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Learn more

    • We are running trips in Ecuador starting in August

  • Guatemala is open to international travelers with proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure.

    • We are running trips in Guatemala starting this winter

  • Peru is open to international travelers with proof of a negative test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Learn more

    • We are running trips in Peru starting in August

We will resume running the rest of our Latin America trips in November & December.

AFRICA

Countries in Africa have mostly reopened to tourism. Many currently require a negative test for entry.

We plan to resume running trips in Africa this fall.

ASIA

Countries in Asia have mostly not reopened to international tourism and have yet to share reopening plans.

We plan to resume running trips in Asia this fall.

  

For all international departures, in the event that borders are not yet fully open to US travelers (meaning no quarantine required with proof of vaccination and/or negative test results), we will be forced to postpone. All booked guests can put their funds on account or receive a full refund. We will aim to make the final call no later than 30 days prior to the departure. 

Backroads is committed to abiding by all state-level and regional requirements for the health and safety of our guests, leaders and local partners. It is a requirement that Backroads adhere to these regulations in order to operate in each region. We take that very seriously and we ask that all our guests do the same. If we become aware that guests are in violation of entry requirements, including testing prior to arrival, they will unfortunately not be able to participate in the trip. Backroads will not refund trip costs for any guests who are unable to take part in the trip for this reason. Backroads does not reimburse for this expense.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office at 800-462-2848. We’re open Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm PT and weekends 8am – 2pm PT.