Is travel grinding to a halt?

[Pauline]

Reading the news isn’t good these days with the unimaginable happening in the Middle East and affecting the world. I know one friend who cancelled her spring trip to Italy. Has anyone else?

We have our May/June trip to Germany (Baden-Baden) and Switzerland booked and another trip in September to Switzerland is partially booked, but we are driving, not having to deal with airports and cancelled flights. The drive will be more expensive because of increased petrol/gas prices.

Anyone else rethinking their plans?

 

[Andrew]

We're looking forward to a trip for a river cruise on the Rhone in France, going out of Montreal and liking that we don't have the U.S. TSA to deal with, and getting non-stop flights to Marseille and from Lyon. We aren't hearing much about how the new Entry/Exit System in the EU is going, so it's nice that we don't have to worry about how fast it goes during a flight connection.

We would generally go to Italy around September, and I've been reluctant to look at airfares these days.

 

[phirhon]

We had been tentatively considering a trip to France towards the end of the year, but flights costs are increasing and availability decreasing. Coming from Australia, a lot of flights go through the Dubai and Doha, so now not an option at the moment.
I have just had cataract surgery on both eyes in the last month. We have been waiting to get that over and get checked for new glasses. We had then planned on a several week road trip with our caravan. Fuel prices in Australia have sky rocketed and there are shortages as well. We drive a diesel ute and it is in short supply in regional areas which is where we would be. So that is not happening now. To say we are disgruntled is an understatement. The whole unpredictable aspect of it all if frustrating .
We just want to be able to get on with our lives.

 

[BryanS]

We are scheduled to fly to the US in a few weeks and are keeping our eyes on the TSA situation at the airports were we have connections. Might have to delay that trip if it doesn't improve and use those tickets at a later date.

 

[Tara]

We've got more trips than ever planned for this year now that we're retired! We'll mostly fly out of BOS, and they haven't had any TSA issues. Tickets have been purchased already for flights, so that's not an issue, luckily. I feel for others who are having to change any plans. We have some farther out 2027 and 2028 plans, but it's too early to worry about those.

 

[BEERMAN]

We haven't flown since the Fall, but our daughter's wedding was last weekend in Washington DC, dozens of guests flew in from around the country, and nobody had TSA issues coming or going. Our daughter and son in-law flew to Dublin out of Dulles last week and are now in Scotland, they had no issues. Not sure about what's happening out there, but those are positive travel reports!

 

[Fioridave]

Reading the news isn’t good these days with the unimaginable happening in the Middle East and affecting the world. I know one friend who cancelled her spring trip to Italy. Has anyone else?

We have our May/June trip to Germany (Baden-Baden) and Switzerland booked and another trip in September to Switzerland is partially booked, but we are driving, not having to deal with airports and cancelled flights. The drive will be more expensive because of increased petrol/gas prices.

Anyone else rethinking their plans?

We are in Italy now and it’s great. We have travelled at least 4 times after major terrorist alerts and it was always no problem. During one of those trips, I was watching CNN at the hotel in Paris and saw the news of a shooting outside the gym I was going to everyday in Hollywood.

 

[MilanoInterForza]

Wizzair is still cheap, so...

 

[Pauline]

There have been delays arriving at European airports as they start up their new entry/exit system.

 

[Andrew]

One article:

New EU entry-exit system causing up to three-hour delays, say airports

Airport body has asked for power to suspend EES checks requiring personal information and biometrics, say reports

www.theguardian.com

 

[KathyH]

I’m going to Italy from the US late this September and not re-thinking my plans. My home airport in Tampa usually has a very smooth TSA process, even during the shutdown. I think (hope!) the EES will be running smoothly in Rome by then. It remains to be seen if the ETIAS will be required for me before I leave. I kinda hope not but will deal with it if needed.

 

[Pauline]

From BBC: Europe has "maybe six weeks of jet fuel left", the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned.

They are predicting cancelled flights.

Europe has 'maybe six weeks of jet fuel left', energy boss warns

Flights could soon be cancelled if supplies from the Gulf remain blocked, says the International Energy Agency.

www.bbc.co.uk

Not sure what to make of this!

 

[jonathan]

We certainly do live in interesting times… Philippa and I have been avoiding European flights for the last few years, and using train or roadtripping. Next week, I’m part-exchanging our current car (a mild hybrid) for our first pure EV (a yellow Renault 5, which brings back memories of P’s car just after we got married in 1981: also a yellow R5 - though they were much smaller then!). Negotiating charging stops on a European road trip will bring in fresh challenges - but, by all accounts, it’s getting much easier than only a few years ago.

Several trips planned: to Berlin and back next month (P and I are taking part in a couple of concerts there). A solo trip for me in June to Bourdeilles, Périgord Vert (partly inspired by Pauline’s posts from there last year). A family GTG in a castle near Girona in July (via some friends just outside Ménerbes). And finally, as last year, a roadtrip to Venice (well, as far as Mestre for the car) for another week of music-making followed by a concert in the Redentore. Quite a baptism of fire for the Renault!!

 

[Pauline]

We haven’t flown since early 2020 and have been driving for European trips too! The driving can seem LONG but I like not having to rent a car or book a flight and we try to stay in different places along the way. Unfortunately we were not brave enough to get an EV (not enough of an infrastructure for it in the hinterlands where we live) so will have to hope there are no petrol shortages.

We’ve added Baden-Baden to our regular schedule because of your recommendation @jonathan . You were right - we love it! Third trip coming up at the end of May.