Europe Travel Update May 2022

Providing a detailed summary of our experiences from our six-country trip for those curious about Europe’s current travel conditions

Dates of travel: April 22 to May 7, 2022

Our itinerary included a 15-night six-country trip in Western Europe. The countries visited included France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria. Our flights on United Airlines went nonstop in and out of Zurich, Switzerland.

The Europe Travel Update aims to share our overall traveling experiences so people can gauge what to expect and plan accordingly based on their situation and concerns about traveling at this time.

How did we get around

We rented a car with Avis out of the Zurich Airport for 15 days and drove over 2,500 kilometers. We crossed country borders seven times. Driving through these countries was smooth, with excellent roads, good signage, and easy-to-find parking. Parking prices were low or free except in Munich, Zurich, and Strasbourg, which could get pricey. Gas prices were typical for Europe, about $8 a gallon, and occasionally lower. Our total fuel cost for the entire trip was $450. We had a BMW Crossover type that used regular 95-octane gas.

Exchange rate

The dollar is strong. The euro was running about 0.94 to 0.95 cents for a euro. We have never seen it this good during our travels. The Swiss franc was 0.98 to 0.99 cents. We picked up some extra euros for future trips.

Covid screening

We had to provide proof of vaccinations to enter Switzerland and were never asked again after that. At the time, no COVID-19 testing was required for Switzerland.

To our surprise, every border crossing we drove through was open without stopping or checking vaccination status or green cards. Most did not even have border control officers visible.

No museums, castles, restaurants, churches, or stores requested proof of vaccination anywhere. When we arrived in Italy, the Green Pass requirement for entry into all indoor settings was lifted.

Not one of the six countries required COVID testing when we were there.

Mask wearing

We report what we observed for the Europe Travel Update, but we do not provide an opinion. COVID is still very real.

From a mask perspective, here is how it is by country and at the Zurich airport:

Flights on United to and from the US: no crew wore masks, and maybe 5% of passengers wore masks.

NOTE: As of May 16, 2022, the mask requirement on flights will be lifted in the EU.

Zurich Airport and public transportation: infrequent mask use.

France: Less than 5% mask usage, if that. Public transport still requires masks.

Germany: Twenty percent still wear masks, and they are the FFP2. A few sites, such as museums, still required them, and they had to wear a specific mask. Stores, banks, cafes, and restaurants never needed them, but some servers wore them.

Liechtenstein: We never saw a mask used. Did not observe any public transportation during our short time there.

Switzerland: Almost no mask usage anywhere. Some hotel and restaurant staff wore them, but that was rare. Mask use on public transportation is rare as well.

Italy: Less than 10% of people use masks. None are required in restaurants, businesses, etc., but they remain necessary on public transportation. It must be an FFP2.

How busy was the tourist activity

Most of our stops had many tourists, but we never saw long lines. Restaurants and cafes were bustling everywhere, with tons of options open. Reservations were often a good idea. Locals were amiable and seemed back into their typical groove. Hotels were all up and running. Rooms were cleaned daily.

What we did during our travels

We rarely wore our masks, which we had religiously worn on our previous trips during the COVID-19 pandemic. We always, though, had an FFP2 mask on us. Our masks were ready if we were in a tight or crowded situation. Of course, in any place where it was required, we wore them.

Testing to get home

We took the BinaxNOW Ag card COVID-19 test kit on our trip, which worked flawlessly using our laptop in our hotel room. The test was completed the day before our flight home. There was no wait for online proctors, and we tested negative. (To say the least, we were relieved because we had heard many stories otherwise.) It was simple to upload the results to the United Airlines site, and we were never asked again for the documentation, even in the US.

Click here for our article on packing your COVID-19 test kits for travel back to the US.

The insurance we purchased

Having insurance during any overseas travel is an absolute must. Coming home without using it is something you never take for granted. On this trip, as always, we purchased our insurance through Squaremouth.com. The insurance policy was with Tin Leg, which had the best deal and coverage. The best option often varies with each trip. Click here for our article on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage and price.

For the first time, we purchased a membership with MedJet Assist, which provides medical emergency air evacuation when needing hospital-to-hospital transfer back to the US and home. It provided peace of mind. In those nightmare scenarios where you are seriously injured or ill, they will get you back to the US for medical care. Click here for our article on MedJet and what the membership provides.

Final word

Our trip was a huge success, and travel was a breeze. We felt a warm welcome everywhere. If you are still worried about COVID, that is understandable. But we would not hesitate to travel if you are vaccinated, have a booster, and do not have other serious health issues.

Always be aware of the COVID risk and have contingency plans if you test positive for COVID. There are many stories of people testing positive while traveling. This is not over, and caution needs to be taken.

Remember that the Europe Travel Update was our observations and experiences, which could differ for others.

We wish you safe travels and extraordinary adventures!

© 2025 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved

If you have any questions about our Europe Travel Update, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Our Top Recommended Travel Products

Travel Insurance

Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!

We strongly advocate for comprehensive travel insurance, not only for minor inconveniences but also for major, unexpected events like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to resource is Squaremouth.com. which offers a user-friendly platform that connects you with top-rated, reputable insurance carriers. Plus, they’ll mediate on your behalf if you run into any issues.

To empower you as a consumer, we recommend you read our blog post on why travel insurance is essential and how to secure the best coverage from leading companies at an affordable price.

buy now

MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world

Medjet is a leading provider of global air medical transport. Unlike traditional travel insurance, which typically covers medical evacuation to the nearest facility, Medjet goes further by ensuring you’re transported back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you’re stable enough to fly. Medjet offers membership plans that focus on medical transport, while Medjet Horizon provides expanded coverage for broader protection. Individual trip policies start at just $99, and annual policies are available for around $300. Most policies have an age limit of 74.

To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.  

Buy now

Accommodations and Airfare

Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours 

Booking.com connects millions of travelers to unforgettable experiences, a wide range of transportation options, and incredible places to stay—from homes to hotels and beyond. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces, it supports well-known brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. For its convenience, variety, and reliability, it’s our preferred booking platform.

Book now

Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours 

Expedia is a U.S.-based company with a mission to make global travel accessible to everyone, everywhere. At Wanderers Compass, we embrace independent travel, and platforms like Expedia are essential to making that a reality. Expedia allows you to book every aspect of your trip—from flights and accommodations to rental cars, cruises, and activities—making it a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.

Book now

Transportation

Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service

Daytrip provides an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers worldwide, and we absolutely love their service. It’s a cost-effective alternative to renting a car, providing comfortable, stress-free travel with the bonus of scenic stops along the way. For example, we used Daytrip for travel between Budapest and Vienna, enjoying some fantastic detours to local attractions. With professional drivers and customizable routes, Daytrip ensures a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and unique sights along your journey.

To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.  

Book now

Travel Experiences

Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences

Viator believes that travel is all about creating unforgettable memories. With over 300,000 experiences to choose from—ranging from simple tours to extreme adventures, plus a wide array of unique, niche activities—it’s never been easier to make lasting memories. We frequently use Viator during our travels and especially appreciate their flexible cancellation policy, which adds peace of mind to every booking.

Explore now

Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas

GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.

GigSky eSIM effortlessly connects travelers around the globe, eliminating the need to swap physical SIM cards or deal with surprise roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making your travel experience more convenient than ever. Plus, they offer a fantastic deal: a free 100 MB data plan with no credit card required. They are so confident that you will love their service!

Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10.

To learn more about how GigSky works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.

SHOP NOW

Shopping

Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides that we have vetted ourselves

Amazon is one of the world’s most comprehensive online shopping platforms, offering lower prices, a wide selection, and fast delivery through teams worldwide.

Shop now

This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Thanks for reading the Europe Travel Update. Please share our blog with friends and family.