London is opening to Americans!  This is much welcomed news on the busiest travel corridor for business and leisure travelers.  The travel community and the business community has been waiting for the U.S. to make the UK green list for a while and now we have as of Monday, August 2nd. Americans, who are fully vaccinated, can visit the UK (including London) without the 10 day hotel quarantine still in place for those arriving from traffic light red zones.  PCR testing will be required 3 days prior to departure, during your stay (day 2) and for the flight back to the US (done 3 days prior to departure) so make sure you budget both the time and cost for all of those tests.  For the UK Day 2 test, that must be booked in advanced prior to departing the U.S.  Check with the airline, immigration and U.S. Department of State for all requirements related to your journey.

Remember to pack your patience as well as so much continues to change.

1. The British Airways site has a list of UK testing providers which includes discounted UK covid 19 testing (you will need two tests while in the UK – one on Day 2 and one 3 days prior to departure back to the U.S.)
2. The UK government site also has step by step detail of UK entry requirements along with a list of testing providers. You MUST book your Day 2 testing in advance before leaving the U.S.
3. The U.S. Department of State has information about entry requirements for U.S. Citizens who have traveled abroad. You will need a test done 3 days prior to departure.

For the past year, those who know me, know how much I love London and how it feels like my second home.  It’s actually the longest time away from the city in the majority of my travel life but at the same time, 2020 was a blur so can we really say it’s been x years and so many months?  I’ve been chatting with my UK friends on a regular basis so I’ve kept up with the lockdowns, the bread making, the missing of family, the multiple attempts to go home to Sydney for my Aussie friends and the UK politics of it all.  Ups and downs and shared experiences for all.

I do wish the US would open to vaccinated UK and EU folks but sadly our hodgepodge of states and the honor system hasn’t quite come together to lower the infections and hospitalizations.  With nearly one third of residents unvaccinated, it’s still a risk for many to visit different areas. The UK is seeing a rise in delta variant cases as well so we all need to still exercise caution in whatever that means to you and your family.

So when will I visit London again?  I’m not sure to be honest.  As much as I long to walk Bankside, visit my favorite UK chocolate shop and meet friends at the pub, there’s just too many moving parts right now on both sides of the pond for me and my friends.  I’m hopeful that I’ll be back in the city I love for the holidays.  I do love the holidays in London especially Thanksgiving in London and the London New Year’s Fireworks but who knows what will happen with large crowds anytime soon?  If you have airline or credit card miles, there is good availability for flights to London so that’s one positive.

If you are venturing across the pond (I’m jealous), be sure to check out my London travel tips to plan your visit to many of my favorite sites as they reopen to visitors (not everything is open yet, there are limited hours so research before you go) and businesses that could definitely use your support (fancy a Philly cheesesteak in London?).

Baby steps as we reopen the world and restart the travel & hospitality sector.  This is a good step forward.