Is It Safe to Travel to Europe Amid Russia's Invasion of Ukraine?

For the past two years, global travelers have primarily been concerned about one major issue: the coronavirus pandemic. However, everything shifted dramatically on February 24 when Russian forces invaded Ukraine, turning the ongoing conflict into a pressing concern for many potential international travelers, overtaking COVID-19 as the main worry.

In response to the invasion, the U.S. embassy in Ukraine urgently advised American citizens to leave the country, while the U.S. State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Russia, warning U.S. citizens against traveling there due to the “unprovoked and unjustified military actions by Russia in Ukraine.”

Russia's military actions led to immediate airspace closures over the conflict area, necessitating the rerouting of flight paths. Many countries, including Canada, the United States, and much of Western Europe, have since prohibited all Russian-operated flights from their airspace and airports. The conflict has triggered a wave of sanctions against Russia and caused a surge in jet fuel prices due to supply disruptions from the region.

Additionally, there has been a significant refugee crisis, with 1.73 million people having fled Ukraine, according to the United Nations. Many have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Poland, which alone has welcomed over 1 million refugees, as well as Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Romania.

The Invasion of Ukraine by Russia is now a major concern for travelers

As the world observes the tragic crisis unfold, recent surveys and booking statistics reveal that the invasion has already led to decreased confidence and demand for travel to Europe from the U.S., just as transatlantic travel was set to rebound significantly following the pandemic's impact.

Travelers are now asking questions like: “Is it safe to visit Italy?” or “Can I travel to France safely?”—even though both Rome and Paris are approximately 1,500 miles away from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

Flight searches for Europe that were on the rise in January—following a steady decline in COVID cases driven by the Omicron variant—have begun to decline after the invasion on February 24, according to travel booking site Hopper. International flight searches are now pivoting towards destinations such as Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with Europe seeing its share of international bookings drop from 21 percent to 15 percent since mid-February. In a more typical year like 2019, Europe usually represents about one-third of international bookings from the United States during this time.

A survey conducted last week among 350 adult U.S. travelers planning trips to Europe revealed that 62 percent are worried about the possibility of the war in Ukraine spreading to neighboring countries. This figure is twice that of the respondents—31 percent—who expressed concerns about health and safety related to COVID-19 when making their travel decisions.

The survey, carried out by MMGY Travel Intelligence, the research division of marketing firm MMGY Global, also indicated that nearly half of the travelers (47 percent) prefer to wait and see how the situation in Ukraine develops before finalizing their plans to visit Europe this year.

This wait-and-see attitude is echoed in other findings as well. A survey conducted by travel website the Vacationer with 1,096 adult Americans last week revealed that 40 percent are reevaluating their travel plans due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while 36 percent reported feeling less safe traveling now compared to before the invasion.

In light of the anxiety and uncertainty, we consulted travel risk management and security experts to gather their perspectives on whether it is currently safe to travel to Europe. Here’s what they shared.

Is it currently safe to visit Europe?

When asked about the safety of traveling to Europe at this time, Mike Susong, senior vice president of global intelligence at crisis response and risk management firm Crisis24, answers with a cautious “yes.”

“The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces is unprecedented in modern history, deadly, and remains highly unpredictable regarding its outcome and effects,” says Susong, who is a former CIA operations officer, U.S. Army combat veteran, and board member of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s National Intelligence University Foundation. “Danger can escalate quickly and affect our lives in an instant.”

However, he notes, “Brussels, Belgium is 1,300 kilometers [800 miles] from Lviv, Ukraine.” This means that popular tourist spots in Western Europe are several hundred miles away from the ongoing armed conflicts in eastern Ukraine. He emphasizes that, for now, the fighting is confined to Ukraine, Belarus, and western Russia.

Just one day prior to the Russian invasion on February 24, Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba cautioned the United Nations General Assembly that “the onset of a large-scale war in Ukraine will mark the end of the global order as we know it.”

“We are currently in the midst of the most significant security crisis in Europe since World War II,” Kuleba stated.

The invasion has already brought about an increased sense of insecurity in Europe and across a world that is anxiously watching—often in shock and sorrow—to see how the situation unfolds and what the consequences will be.

Is it safe to travel to and through Europe by air?

Even if their intended travel destination in Europe is far from the conflict zone, some travelers are questioning the safety of flying across the ocean altogether.

“Concerns among travelers are completely valid, but I don’t believe there’s any reason to cancel vacations or business trips to Europe or Central European countries,” advises Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, a company specializing in medical, evacuation, and travel risk management services.

For some observers, the ongoing conflict is reminiscent of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile over Ukraine in 2014 while flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. All 298 passengers and crew aboard the Boeing 777 lost their lives, prompting safety experts to advocate for stricter regulations on commercial flights operating near conflict zones.

“New safety measures have been implemented,” states aviation safety expert John Goglia, a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, adding that travelers can be confident that “the airspace over Ukraine is completely off-limits.”

“It is safe to fly” within Europe, according to Goglia.

Jeremy Prout, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer and director of security solutions at International SOS, a global health and security risk management firm, asserts that his organization has determined it is safe to travel throughout Europe at this time.

“Our belief is that Russia’s primary objective is to secure territorial control over Ukraine to establish a buffer zone against the West,” explains Prout. “It is improbable that they would resort to military action against other European countries because of existing mutual defense agreements between EU and NATO members. Initiating a conflict with Romania, for instance, would significantly escalate an already complex situation for Russia, making it extremely difficult for them to engage on multiple fronts.”

The impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on travel to and within Europe—and how travelers can prepare

While security and risk management experts generally agree that traveling to most of Europe is currently safe, they also recognize several ways the ongoing conflict could influence future trips to Europe. The best strategy for travelers is to stay informed and make sensible preparations before their journeys.

Commercial air traffic may be diverted, leading to cancellations and delays

Due to airspace limitations, international airlines are adjusting flight routes to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers. This rerouting may result in longer travel times for some flights.

“Travelers should understand that potential changes to commercial air traffic in Central European airspace might lead to delays or cancellations,” advises Richards. Nonetheless, experts believe that most air travelers to Europe are unlikely to be impacted.

Demonstrations are occurring across Europe

Protests against the war in Ukraine are erupting in cities throughout Europe, from Barcelona to Berlin, with thousands taking to the streets over the weekend to express their anger. "Whenever there are large gatherings, the risk of conflict involving security forces and protesters increases," states Frank Harrison, regional security director for North America at World Travel Protection, a travel and risk management firm.

Harrison observes that currently, all demonstrations seem to be peaceful. "However, travelers should anticipate delays, restrictions, and the presence of opportunistic criminals targeting easy victims, so it's important to remain vigilant. If you find yourself in a protest that turns violent, steer clear of the conflict area and avoid security personnel. We have heard reports of tourists being misidentified as protesters by law enforcement," advises Harrison.

A significant influx of refugees is leaving Ukraine

Harrison also cautions travelers that countries in Europe bordering Ukraine are experiencing a surge of displaced individuals and foreign nationals fleeing the situation. "If you're planning to visit Eastern European nations near Ukraine, be prepared for congestion at borders and the effects of the refugee crisis on transportation systems," he notes.

Travelers interested in helping refugees escaping Ukraine can contribute to organizations that are providing assistance and support to those in need, including:

• United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
• UNICEF, dedicated to aiding children and their families
• International Rescue Committee (IRC), offering support to those impacted by humanitarian crises
• World Central Kitchen, providing meals for families fleeing the conflict in Ukraine

Stay updated and inform others of your location

For those traveling internationally, enrolling in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is always a wise choice. This free service allows U.S. citizens traveling abroad to register their trips with U.S. embassies and consulates, ensuring they receive important travel and security updates for their destination, and enabling them to seek assistance if commercial flight options become restricted.

Travelers should share their itinerary with friends or family back home, ensuring their loved ones know their whereabouts, and also provide copies of their passport and any essential documents in case they need an additional record.

“The key aspect of traveling to Europe at this moment is to remain informed and connected,” states Harrison.

Travel protection services like Global Rescue, International SOS, and World Travel Protection offer evacuation, advisory, and security services for those entering conflict zones.

Carry some additional cash

Prout from International SOS advises that travelers to Europe should consider carrying extra cash in case of cyber disruptions that could make accessing funds through ATMs challenging.

The good news: European nations are continuing to ease COVID restrictions

Despite the war in Ukraine, 2022 is shaping up to be the most favorable time for traveling to Europe in two years, as European nations continue to ease their COVID travel restrictions, eagerly anticipating a significant increase in visitors this year.

Countries like Italy and France have recently eliminated prearrival COVID testing for vaccinated travelers (the U.K. has also lifted its prearrival test requirement), while Iceland and Ireland have completely removed all COVID restrictions.

While worries about traveling during a war are legitimate, there are still benefits to visiting Europe in 2022—specifically the chance to reconnect with friends, family, and familiar places that many have missed for too long due to COVID restrictions and health measures. Similar to the pandemic, the crisis in Ukraine has united many people in their efforts to support those at risk, reminding us that our connections are stronger than ever, even when distances separate us.

Reporting contributed by Barbara Peterson.