OBSOLETE COVID THREAD 🦠 Travel to Spain/Portugal for Canadian travelers

[Albertagirl]

My situation as a Canadian seems to be quite similar to those in the US. Yesterday, I was able to sign up for my second dose of Pfizer vaccine, so by the end of June I shall be fully vaccinated, with my two week period for the vaccine to take effect completed. I am still hanging on to the hope that I can walk the Levante, beginning in September. I finally discovered flight connections from Calgary to Barcelona (Air Canada), after giving up on both Valencia and Madrid, which are more convenient airports, but the planes from Canada stop in Amsterdam or Frankfurt before going on to Spain. I must change twice, but the last flight before Spain is in Montreal or Toronto. And these are the cheapest flights I have seen so far. Canada is currently saying "no non-essential travel" but does not seem to have set regulations to enforce this. They (we Canadians) are subsidising Air Canada, so I hope they realize this means that they must let it fly. I do not understand this weird regulation about getting a passport number officially on a medical test. Maybe that, and the test itself, will be dropped, as not relevant for the fully vaccinated. So you see, I live in hope. But I'm not buying an air ticket before the situation clarifies, even if the price goes up.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

This year, I, personally, would not fly Lufthansa, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Swiss, Or any or European airline that would require you to transfer in another country.

American (partners with Iberia) Delta and United fly directly to MAD and BCN! If you want to go say, to Bilbao then change planes in Spain....skip changing in MUC if you can.

The overall Suggestions might be a bit longer and maybe even cost a little more
but better going dealing with only one overseas government’s rules and airlines that will know our own.

I think this is very good advice. If you're going to Spain, follow these recommendations straight from US>Spain. If you're going to Portugal, use TAP or one of the other US/Canadian airlines that fly straight into Lisboa.

We're still hoping to get to Portugal from western Canada sometime in the next few months. I normally fly KLM, because we can fly direct Vancouver>Amsterdam and then a quick hop Amsterdam>Lisboa. But I don't want to risk dealing with a 3rd country's regulations. As others have said, the EU sets a bare minimum of collective rules for all the nations, and then each country sets its own further rules based on what it sees as outside risk.

So flying Canada>Portugal makes more sense and is simpler. No direct flights from Vancouver; I can fly Toronto>Lisboa (a big Portuguese population in Toronto; the same is true in the northeastern US, I believe. I can also fly Montreal>Lisboa which will be my choice because Toronto is a big, complicated airport. Montreal is simpler.

Summary: try to avoid third countries till this has all calmed down, which may well not be until 2022.

 

[Colette Z]

My situation as a Canadian seems to be quite similar to those in the US. Yesterday, I was able to sign up for my second dose of Pfizer vaccine, so by the end of June I shall be fully vaccinated, with my two week period for the vaccine to take effect completed. I am still hanging on to the hope that I can walk the Levante, beginning in September. I finally discovered flight connections from Calgary to Barcelona (Air Canada), after giving up on both Valencia and Madrid, which are more convenient airports, but the planes from Canada stop in Amsterdam or Frankfurt before going on to Spain. I must change twice, but the last flight before Spain is in Montreal or Toronto. And these are the cheapest flights I have seen so far. Canada is currently saying "no non-essential travel" but does not seem to have set regulations to enforce this. They (we Canadians) are subsidising Air Canada, so I hope they realize this means that they must let it fly. I do not understand this weird regulation about getting a passport number officially on a medical test. Maybe that, and the test itself, will be dropped, as not relevant for the fully vaccinated. So you see, I live in hope. But I'm not buying an air ticket before the situation clarifies, even if the price goes up.

@Albertagirl sitting in Ottawa thinking about escaping to Spain or Portugal. Barcelona is well connected. I flew to Girona with Ryanair (I was living in Slovakia) and slept in Barcelona then took the train to Irun 7 hours the next day.....nice sightseeing and a bit frightening when I could see snow ion the mountains heading north as I walked March 1, 2018. I plan to postpone flying until November or December hoping the travel passport / testing issue will be sorted out AND before winter wave hits. I’d prefer to ride out a further wave fully vaccinated sitting (walking) in the Algarve or southern Spain. Keep us posted! And congratulations on your vaccination.

 

[Albertagirl]

@Albertagirl sitting in Ottawa thinking about escaping to Spain or Portugal. Barcelona is well connected. I flew to Girona with Ryanair (I was living in Slovakia) and slept in Barcelona then took the train to Irun 7 hours the next day.....nice sightseeing and a bit frightening when I could see snow ion the mountains heading north as I walked March 1, 2018. I plan to postpone flying until November or December hoping the travel passport / testing issue will be sorted out AND before winter wave hits. I’d prefer to ride out a further wave fully vaccinated sitting (walking) in the Algarve or southern Spain. Keep us posted! And congratulations on your vaccination.

@Colette Z
It is challenging to plan anything when the situation is changing constantly, and we travellers must try to follow the latest government regulations wherever we go. I am quite hopeful about the possibility of booking a flight to Barcelona without having to enter any other European country en route. But if I cannot go this year, I might just try again in February. There is a thread on the Levante forum which describes a camino taken from Valencia in February, and the weather seems about perfect for a Canadian walker, although I am unsure about available accommodation. I become more adventurous as I grow older. It seems to be the only way to be able to go on doing what I want to do. And Buen Camino to you, when the time comes.

 

[Colette Z]

@Colette Z
It is challenging to plan anything when the situation is changing constantly, and we travellers must try to follow the latest government regulations wherever we go. I am quite hopeful about the possibility of booking a flight to Barcelona without having to enter any other European country en route. But if I cannot go this year, I might just try again in February. There is a thread on the Levante forum which describes a camino taken from Valencia in February, and the weather seems about perfect for a Canadian walker, although I am unsure about available accommodation. I become more adventurous as I grow older. It seems to be the only way to be able to go on doing what I want to do. And Buen Camino to you, when the time comes.

Well I’m hopeful for a Montreal Lisbon flight, walk the Portuguese as a warmup then head over as you suggest for a slow south start trail to Santiago (VDLP or Mozarabe, etc). Also in winter I believe (trusting flights from Canada to Spain resume by winter 2022) flights go from Montreal or Toronto to Malaga. Send you there!

 

[Lovec2]

My situation as a Canadian seems to be quite similar to those in the US. Yesterday, I was able to sign up for my second dose of Pfizer vaccine, so by the end of June I shall be fully vaccinated, with my two week period for the vaccine to take effect completed. I am still hanging on to the hope that I can walk the Levante, beginning in September. I finally discovered flight connections from Calgary to Barcelona (Air Canada), after giving up on both Valencia and Madrid, which are more convenient airports, but the planes from Canada stop in Amsterdam or Frankfurt before going on to Spain. I must change twice, but the last flight before Spain is in Montreal or Toronto. And these are the cheapest flights I have seen so far. Canada is currently saying "no non-essential travel" but does not seem to have set regulations to enforce this. They (we Canadians) are subsidising Air Canada, so I hope they realize this means that they must let it fly. I do not understand this weird regulation about getting a passport number officially on a medical test. Maybe that, and the test itself, will be dropped, as not relevant for the fully vaccinated. So you see, I live in hope. But I'm not buying an air ticket before the situation clarifies, even if the price goes up.

My situation as a Canadian seems to be quite similar to those in the US. Yesterday, I was able to sign up for my second dose of Pfizer vaccine, so by the end of June I shall be fully vaccinated, with my two week period for the vaccine to take effect completed. I am still hanging on to the hope that I can walk the Levante, beginning in September. I finally discovered flight connections from Calgary to Barcelona (Air Canada), after giving up on both Valencia and Madrid, which are more convenient airports, but the planes from Canada stop in Amsterdam or Frankfurt before going on to Spain. I must change twice, but the last flight before Spain is in Montreal or Toronto. And these are the cheapest flights I have seen so far. Canada is currently saying "no non-essential travel" but does not seem to have set regulations to enforce this. They (we Canadians) are subsidising Air Canada, so I hope they realize this means that they must let it fly. I do not understand this weird regulation about getting a passport number officially on a medical test. Maybe that, and the test itself, will be dropped, as not relevant for the fully vaccinated. So you see, I live in hope. But I'm not buying an air ticket before the situation clarifies, even if the price goes up.

I am Canadian as well and my family works in the travel industry. Airlines are hesitant to add more inventory at this point as they don’t have the staff to accommodate more. Everyone has been laid off Because of covid. The travel industry is gearing up to add more inventory and add more staff but I doubt it will be till the fall. I am hoping to do my Camino next year once everything is back in full swing. I am afraid patience will be key.

 

[Albertagirl]

I am Canadian as well and my family works in the travel industry. Airlines are hesitant to add more inventory at this point as they don’t have the staff to accommodate more. Everyone has been laid off Because of covid. The travel industry is gearing up to add more inventory and add more staff but I doubt it will be till the fall. I am hoping to do my Camino next year once everything is back in full swing. I am afraid patience will be key.

Patience is not my preferred response to challenges at my age.

 

[catheriam]

I checked Expedia for flights for mid-Autumn 2021 from St Louis MO to Lisbon.

Flight options were all over the place! Up to Toronto for lengthy layovers, one to Denver and tnen to Munich (?) and Frankfurt, several out of London and one, only one to Madrid ending in Lisbon; one did get close out of Atlanta, but what the heck?

Round trip on the flights I did find were running $950-1500, depending on POO.

I called TAP National Airline of Portugal to ask when I might anticipate more flights from USA direct(ish) to Lisbon to be forthcoming. Both Sales line (800-3346-6990) and Customer Service (800) 221-7370) were immediatly intercepted by Verizon, advising me that calls were not available at this time.

Seems I am not alone in having USA - Portugal flight connection questions.

Okay , I'm done for now. I have some COVID weight to shift and frankly, Missouri summers keep one indoors, not out. Ready by fall -- doubtful. Hopeful, but doubtful! . Really thinking Spring 2021, when I would lay down a two month trip and go all the heck over the place!

 

[erith long]

.- Accessing the portal spth.gob.es, clicking on the button “Continue Individual Form” and then enter the Passport number, DNI, NIE or Personal ID number with which you made the request and including the code:
this is what you have to fill before you enter Spain. there are different requirement for each country,
it might change in september, but for now this is where you have to look

 

[erith long]

Remember that you can start your form whenever you want, but you can only complete the health and travel history questions and accept it in the last 2 days before your arrival in Spain.

If you travel to Spain from any country, it is necessary to complete this form, and have the QR code associated with your trip. You must present this document at the sanitary control of the destination airport. Each passenger must have their own form and QR code for each trip they make to Spain.

 

[tarredon]

Remember that you can start your form whenever you want, but you can only complete the health and travel history questions and accept it in the last 2 days before your arrival in Spain.

If you travel to Spain from any country, it is necessary to complete this form, and have the QR code associated with your trip. You must present this document at the sanitary control of the destination airport. Each passenger must have their own form and QR code for each trip they make to Spain.

Do you know if you have to have to fill out this form when entering the country by foot from the Camino Portuguese?

 

[SkyDancer]

Hi, I’m from Toronto and just got a flight to Barcelona via London in September.

Did you hear that you need a test in order to get into the transit area to change planes? Sorry, may seem like a silly question…

 

[Albertagirl]

Hi, I’m from Toronto and just got a flight to Barcelona via London in September.

Did you hear that you need a test in order to get into the transit area to change planes? Sorry, may seem like a silly question…

The proliferation of entrance requirements when crossing each international border is precisely why I prefer to book Air Canada flights from Calgary to Montreal to Barcelona and return from Barcelona to Toronto to Calgary, although I have no interest in going to Barcelona, and will have to go on elsewhere in Spain. For me, the price is right and the chance of problems at an international airport much less. I would have chosen to fly Calgary to Amsterdam to Valencia, via KLM, then Madrid to Amsterdam to Calgary return, if it were not for these (current) restrictions. But then, they may have changed or been dropped by when we both are flying, in September.

 

[Traveller44]

Food for thought.....Icelands nation airline flies out of montreal and toronto, with 1 stop in Reykjzvik, on the way to Paris. It is my understanding the same options are available with a final destination of Madrid. The prices i have seen were lower than others , at least they were a few weeks back . 2 options that this airline gives are , a stopover in iceland from 1 to 7 days at no increase in airfare, of course you will spend on food and lodgings but quite a few friends rave about their Icelandic adventure . The second interesting thing is that if you stay in iceland the flight leaving to europe is around 3 hours so you would/ should arrive fresh and able to hit the ground running with no jet lag. Presently i belive you need to have both vaccinations for travel to Iceland and you may have to purchase in Iceland any test (pcr) required to arrive in europe within that 72 hour window if it is still required when you are travelling.

 

[auburnfive]

Air Transat has one flight a week from Vancouver or Calgary to Porto in Sept and October. There is change of planes in Toronto, of course you can also buy the ticket just from Toronto to Porto, which is a direct flight

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Air Transat has one flight a week from Vancouver or Calgary to Porto in Sept and October. There is change of planes in Toronto, of course you can also buy the ticket just from Toronto to Porto, which is a direct flight

They also fly via Montreal, which would be my preference over Toronto. It's such a big airport, and transfers can be such a pain! I've found Montreal a pleasanter experience.

Montreal is actually their home base.

 

[auburnfive]

They also fly via Montreal, which would be my preference over Toronto. It's such a big airport, and transfers can be such a pain! I've found Montreal a pleasanter experience.

Montreal is actually their home base.

Their flights from Montreal to Porto don’t commence until November though, but a good option for those going later.

 

[Colette Z]

Hi, I’m from Toronto and just got a flight to Barcelona via London in September.

Did you hear that you need a test in order to get into the transit area to change planes? Sorry, may seem like a silly question…

Not needed in Frankfurt airport if transiting and not going out of the transit zone.

 

[Colette Z]

Their flights from Montreal to Porto don’t commence until November though, but a good option for those going later.

Me!!!!!!

 

[BombayBill]

I agree with @Albertagirl in her reasoning of doing no transits other than in your home country.
My daughter was coming home from NZ thru Australia to Canada and met the requirements for no restrictions transit that were current at the time. 2 days before the departure her flight from Australia changed its departure to several hours later which then put her 2 hours beyond the allowed transit time. She would have had to quarantine in Aus.

No EU transits is going to be my rule.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

Not needed in Frankfurt airport if transiting and not going out of the transit zone.

That is my understanding as well. I am going Calgary-Frankfurt-Porto and Lufthansa says that on their website. As long as you are transiting within 24 hours.

 

[Albertagirl]

I may add that my choice of a return flight to Barcelona was made, in part, because I can get to Valencia to begin the Levante easily by train from Barcelona, and I can also get back to Barcelona by train from Santiago. The lower cost of the return flight to Barcelona should cover the two train trips (I have not priced the Santiago to Barcelona journey yet), so I shall not be out of pocket. And I shall see, by rail at least, and some time in Barcelona, a part of Spain that I have never visited. The reason I chose these flights was to avoid the challenge of facing COVID restrictions along the way, but essentially they will give me a better trip as well as a less challenging one.

 

[Cleigh]

London Gatwick also indicates transiting passengers within 24 hours are good to go for us travelling from Vancouver Canada. We will be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test on hand as well.

 

[Marbe2]

London Gatwick also indicates transiting passengers within 24 hours are good to go for us travelling from Vancouver Canada. We will be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test on hand as well.

That may be in Gatwick now... but how long are you staying and what might be the requirements when you return?

 

[Cleigh]

Nothing is a guarantee in this environment. I am only indicating what the current situation appears to be.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

London Gatwick also indicates transiting passengers within 24 hours are good to go for us travelling from Vancouver Canada. We will be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test on hand as well.

You likely knew this already, but remember that UK no longer part of EU, so customs/transfer might be a bit more complicated than pre-2021.

 

[Cleigh]

Yes, I am aware.

 

[Pilgrim-Pete]

I am heading to France in Aug to walk Via Podiensis and then will continue into Spain for Via Primitivo. Both countries require proof of dual vaccination and as of now, Canada does not have a national 'vaccination passport.' For any Canadians who have already landed (or will be arriving soon) in Spain, Portugal or France I would love to know your experience with how your provincial documentation was received by customs/immigration when you arrived. Were problems encountered and do you have any recommendations of how to make the process easier before departure from Canada? Thank you.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

Happy news today from Canada. Any Canadians who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to be quarantined when arriving back to Canada. Still need to provide proof of negative testing but that will most likely be temporary. It is anticipated the US/Canadian border will open in July. If our vaccination rates continue we should be getting rid of the "non essential travel" recommendation in quick order. I have gone from "hopeful" to "committed" to a September Camino.

 

[Cleigh]

Hallelujah! CF in August and then onto the Portuguese late September. Booked and ready to go as well.

 

[Cleigh]

We had booked Vancouver to London (Gatwick) but changed it to Paris to eliminate the need to add another country to the mix. Then onto Biarritz and SJPdP!

 

[Traveller44]

Cleigh...Who is your carrier

 

[Cleigh]

Westjet...always my go to.

 

[Traveller44]

Agreed, West Jet is very good. Who are you using from Paris onward.

 

[Albertagirl]

Not needed in Frankfurt airport if transiting and not going out of the transit zone.

Colette: for different information on the requirements for those transiting in Frankfurt, see @Kathar1na 's post #103 in the thread

COVID News from the USA Embassy in Madrid regarding June 7 (for USA citizens)​

she says: "When travelling from Spain to Frankfurt and then to Canada, you need to be tested and show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before departure."

This is apparently because transfer in Frankfurt airport to a flight to Canada involves leaving the international transit zone to enter into Germany. I have not myself tracked down this information from the Frankfurt airport website.

 

[Former member 91017]

I’m going to make this a “watched thread” because I just booked my ticket for Jan 1, 2022 arrival in Madrid… traveling Toronto-Munich-Madrid.

It has been a spectacular 24 hours with the arrival of my new EU PP, the receipt of my 2nd Pfizer dose, and the realization that with my PP I can buy a one-way ticket and figure out when I want or need to return to Canada as the fates determine.

I know how to get a PCR test here (will that be needed on Dec 31? *who knows?*), and I will figure out the rest as it unfolds. I sure do hope the price drops from the current $200 per test.

All I have is my emailed receipt for my COV vaccine completion. Who knows if we will get different documentation… or even a booster shot by December… So, I will watch this thread for that information too.

I will now need to find:

A clinic that I can get to easily by train for my biologics injections once per month
A university town where I can take some immersive Spanish classes and access eduroam
A town with good train service and affordable rents (as I have a family to support in Ontario).
A reasonable apartment for 6-8 months (but if it’s truly affordable, I could rent it for a full year and take the loss on months I won’t use it at all).

I bought the full cancellation insurance in case COV blows us all out of the water again…
I have full insurance for health via my work plan, and it seems that by January they will be allowing us to travel again without penalty about returning to campus.

Is there anything I am overlooking? I suppose it could be hard to find accommodation in Madrid on January 1….

 

[Albertagirl]

I am unable to find information about the COVID-19 regulations for transiting through London Heathrow Airport to Spain. I get as far as information about entering Britain from a code amber country (almost everywhere in the world, including Canada) then there is a division of information for travellers entering "landside" and those entering "airside". All further information is about landside, and no definition for airside is given, except that some requirements are listed. But who is considered to be airside? If anyone has found clear information about Covid-19 requirements for Canadians transiting through London Heathrow airport to transfer to a flight to Spain, I would like to see it. I have reservations on a flight from Calgary to London Heathrow, then on a second flight with British Airways to Valencia in Spain, transiting through Terminal 5. I cannot make any sense of what I find on airport or government websites.

 

[Kathor1]

I've deleted several of my recent posts (to which nobody had replied yet, so no disturbance to the sequence of posts in a thread) because the information contained in those posts will become redundant within two days from now.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

Colette: for different information on the requirements for those transiting in Frankfurt, see @Kathar1na 's post #103 in the thread

COVID News from the USA Embassy in Madrid regarding June 7 (for USA citizens)​

she says: "When travelling from Spain to Frankfurt and then to Canada, you need to be tested and show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before departure."

This is apparently because transfer in Frankfurt airport to a flight to Canada involves leaving the international transit zone to enter into Germany. I have not myself tracked down this information from the Frankfurt airport website.

Yes, this is my understanding as one is to enter Canada. On the Canadian government site, it stills says that returning passengers need a negative test to enter Canada. No more quarantine though, as of yesterday.

But when going the opposite direction, Canada-Frankfurt-Porto (for example), one only has to adhere to Portuguese requirements, not Frankfurt as you are only transiting.

It depends on which direction you are travelling.

 

[Albertagirl]

Yes, this is my understanding as one is to enter Canada. On the Canadian government site, it stills says that returning passengers need a negative test to enter Canada. No more quarantine though, as of yesterday.

But when going the opposite direction, Canada-Frankfurt-Porto (for example), one only has to adhere to Portuguese requirements, not Frankfurt as you are only transiting.

It depends on which direction you are travelling.

I shall not be transiting in Frankfurt on my way to Spain, but in London Heathrow, about which I can find no information for transiting the airport.

 

[Cleigh]

I shall not be transiting in Frankfurt on my way to Spain, but in London Heathrow, about which I can find no information for transiting the airport.

Check out www.gov.uk/layovers-and-transiting

 

[CalgaryLynn]

I shall not be transiting in Frankfurt on my way to Spain, but in London Heathrow, about which I can find no information for transiting the airport.

Yes, I understand that. I was just responding to your post to Collette about transiting in Frankfurt. The information given about Covid tests needed only applies when coming back into Canada.

Re: your situation at Heathrow. Are your flights all on one ticket? If they are and continuous, then you would be transiting behind borders and customs and there are no regulations for transiting passengers. If they are different tickets on different airlines, that is another story.

 

[Mycroft]

Happy news today from Canada. Any Canadians who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to be quarantined when arriving back to Canada. Still need to provide proof of negative testing but that will most likely be temporary. It is anticipated the US/Canadian border will open in July. If our vaccination rates continue we should be getting rid of the "non essential travel" recommendation in quick order. I have gone from "hopeful" to "committed" to a September Camino.

I like your commitment!
Is that the PCR test they require?

 

[alexwalker]

Food for thought.....Icelands nation airline flies out of montreal and toronto, with 1 stop in Reykjzvik, on the way to Paris. It is my understanding the same options are available with a final destination of Madrid. The prices i have seen were lower than others , at least they were a few weeks back . 2 options that this airline gives are , a stopover in iceland from 1 to 7 days at no increase in airfare, of course you will spend on food and lodgings but quite a few friends rave about their Icelandic adventure . The second interesting thing is that if you stay in iceland the flight leaving to europe is around 3 hours so you would/ should arrive fresh and able to hit the ground running with no jet lag. Presently i belive you need to have both vaccinations for travel to Iceland and you may have to purchase in Iceland any test (pcr) required to arrive in europe within that 72 hour window if it is still required when you are travelling.

If you can afford it, this is brilliant!

 

[Albertagirl]

Check out www.gov.uk/layovers-and-transiting

I clicked on the link and got only "Page not found."

Yes, I understand that. I was just responding to your post to Collette about transiting in Frankfurt. The information given about Covid tests needed only applies when coming back into Canada.

Re: your situation at Heathrow. Are your flights all on one ticket? If they are and continuous, then you would be transiting behind borders and customs and there are no regulations for transiting passengers. If they are different tickets on different airlines, that is another story.

My tickets are all from Air Canada, booked for me by an Air Canada staff member whom I telephoned after Air Canada cancelled my flights.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Yes, this is my understanding as one is to enter Canada. On the Canadian government site, it stills says that returning passengers need a negative test to enter Canada. No more quarantine though, as of yesterday.

But when going the opposite direction, Canada-Frankfurt-Porto (for example), one only has to adhere to Portuguese requirements, not Frankfurt as you are only transiting.

It depends on which direction you are tMy ravelling.

My understanding is that the quarantine still applies, but is likely to be lifted in early July. Have you heard that it's lifted as of now? If so, that's great!

Government website as of 1:15 PDT Saturday:

We couldn't find that Web page (Error 404) - Travel.gc.ca

Government of Canada's official one-stop-shop for comprehensive international travel information.

travel.gc.ca

 

[CalgaryLynn]

My understanding is that the quarantine still applies, but is likely to be lifted in early July. Have you heard that it's lifted as of now? If so, that's great!

Government website as of 1:15 PDT Saturday:

We couldn't find that Web page (Error 404) - Travel.gc.ca

Government of Canada's official one-stop-shop for comprehensive international travel information.

travel.gc.ca

No, sorry not right this minute. I was so excited that I jumped the gun. Early July as you say.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

No, sorry not right this minute. I was so excited that I jumped the gun. Early July as you say.

You had me, too, really excited for a moment there! Waiting to go.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

I clicked on the link and got only "Page not found."

My tickets are all from Air Canada, booked for me by an Air Canada staff member whom I telephoned after Air Canada cancelled my flights.

When I talked with my travel agent who was from Air Canada, they told me that transiting passengers don't need any special tests etc. etc. because that is all handled on the departure end (ie. in Calgary). I also spoke with Lufthanesa to book my seats and he confirmed what Air Canada said . Once you are on the plane, the only regulations you have to adhere to are those of your country on arrival. You will be transiting so you only have to worry about Spain's requirements.

In your case, I would phone British Air to check if they have the same rules. I suspect they will.

My first flight was rebooked as well. They had me going from Calgary to New York to Toronto to Lisbon, eh, no thank you.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

I like your commitment!
Is that the PCR test they require?

Per Government website:

The test must be performed using one of two types of COVID-19 tests–either a molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)–and must be conducted within 72 hours of the traveller's scheduled departure to Canada.

 

[Albertagirl]

Per Government website:

The test must be performed using one of two types of COVID-19 tests–either a molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)–and must be conducted within 72 hours of the traveller's scheduled departure to Canada.

If you need the same test and timing on your return, I hope that you have not absent-mindedly made travel arrangements that would necessitate the test being done on a weekend, as that won't happen in Spain.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

If you need the same test and timing on your return, I hope that you have not absent-mindedly made travel arrangements that would necessitate the test being done on a weekend, as that won't happen in Spain.

Good point, things could change by September but if not I would be able to get the test on Thursday or Friday before I leave early Sunday morning. I will be leaving from Portugal but I imagine the same scenario will apply.

 

[Albertagirl]

In your case, I would phone British Air to check if they have the same rules. I suspect they will.

I telephoned British Airways to ask about transit procedures at London Heathrow. The man who replied refused to answer any questions and was very hostile. I tried to calm him down. He said that regulations are changing so rapidly that they cannot tell anyone anything, since they will change soon. I told him there was no online information about transiting, so he said I should contact a British Consulate, which could give me information. I could not find any listings for a Consulate of the United Kingdom, only connections to a pile of lawyers willing to sell me their opinions. I decided to try Air Canada reservations, who supplied me with my ticket from London to Valencia, as a replacement for the tickets which they had cancelled. They have a two hour wait period to talk to anyone, so I decided that supper is more important than this information at present. I can see that my initial impule to purchase only flights going to and from Canadian cities to Spain was a wise one. However, having paid for the tickets, all that I could do was to try to book alternate flights with European airlines to and from Spain.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

What a grump! He/she is probably stressed. I found this on the UK gov site which is the same as I found on the Heathrow Airport site.

You are transiting "airside", meaning not leaving the airport and staying behind customs.......you just need to do the 2 things listed below.....Covid test and fill out passenger locator form....the rest pertains to "landside" which is people that go through UK customs and stay outside of the customs area, for example if you had a 24 hour layover and were staying in a hotel and coming back in the morning to catch your flight.

Transiting through the UK​

Before travel to the UK​

If you will be transiting through the UK, you need to do the following before you travel to the UK:

• take a COVID-19 test
• complete the passenger locator form

If you will be transiting landside through the UK, you need to do the following when you complete your passenger locator form.

• select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
• reply ‘No’ to any questions about whether you are required to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival
• reply ‘No’ to the question ‘Have you visited a Red List country within the past 10 days and/or are required by law to quarantine in a government approved facility?’

Hope that helps, I am sure things will be much simpler come the fall.

 

[Albertagirl]

Hope that helps, I am sure things will be much simpler come the fall.

Thank you. That all makes sense and is pretty much what I thought, in all the unclear verbiage.

 

[Cleigh]

We are flying direct from Calgary to Paris mid August with a PCR or Antigen test in hand. We stay over night in Paris and then fly to Biarritz the following day. Does anyone know if travel within France is OK as the tests will have expired. I have searched and cannot find anything.

 

[Traveller44]

Have you tried checking with the airline you are using to get to Biarritz?

 

[Cleigh]

Yes, I did and there isn't a spot to ask a simple question...just FAQ's.

 

[Former member 91017]

@Cleigh, @Kathar1na might have clarification on this, but once you are inside France, you are inside France, so a second test to get to Biarritz would be unnecessary. *HOWEVER* what you might still need (or might need *again*) is the test to clear your movement over the border into Spain.

 

[karenfromcali]

Patience is not my preferred response to challenges at my age.

Mine either! Lol.

 

[Kathor1]

We are flying direct from Calgary to Paris mid August with a PCR or Antigen test in hand. We stay over night in Paris and then fly to Biarritz the following day. Does anyone know if travel within France is OK as the tests will have expired. I have searched and cannot find anything.

@Cleigh, mid-August is two months from now! Currently, public health related regulations in the various EU countries seem to change by the minute!

Right now, after you have arrived in France and stay overnight in Paris, then fly to Biarritz and then walk to Spain, there are no restrictions on movement and neither PCR nor antigen test is required when you are fully vaccinated, which I assume you are.

 

[Sara_Dhooma]

There are currently no direct flights scheduled from Toronto to Spain until March 2022.

I think that when the international travel restriction lift Air Canada, Air Transat, and West Jet will resume their flights. I am hopeful that this will happen soon and there will be some decent deals!

It is possible that those who are already booked with a European stopover will be able to switch over to a direct flight.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

There are currently no direct flights scheduled from Toronto to Spain until March 2022.

I think that when the international travel restriction lift Air Canada, Air Transat, and West Jet will resume their flights. I am hopeful that this will happen soon and there will be some decent deals!

It is possible that those who are already booked with a European stopover will be able to switch over to a direct flight.

You can always fly into Lisbon and take a short internal flight or bus over to the start of your Spanish camino. Air Canada and SATA (Air Azores) are both flying into Portugal this summer from Toronto.

 

[Former member 91017]

There are currently no direct flights scheduled from Toronto to Spain until March 2022.

I think that when the international travel restriction lift Air Canada, Air Transat, and West Jet will resume their flights. I am hopeful that this will happen soon and there will be some decent deals!

It is possible that those who are already booked with a European stopover will be able to switch over to a direct flight.

Will be waiting to see, for sure! OTOH, I’ve never been to Munich… and I have a coffee date with a friend in Madrid on January 1st.

If they will start accepting rapid antigen tests instead of PCR results, that would be even better. The RAT has been determined never to deliver inaccurate *negatives*. About 60% of RAT positives are false because in the interests of caution they have to read a faint double-line as positive.

Anyway… we are a half year out from ’22 and all those who have deferred a spring walk to then can, I think, be hopeful that things will be much better sorted — even if we need a 6-month booster, even if we need to line up for a rapid test in transit…

 

[mvanert]

We had booked Vancouver to London (Gatwick) but changed it to Paris to eliminate the need to add another country to the mix. Then onto Biarritz and SJPdP!

I'll be doing something similar, West Jet to Paris from Vancouver, Easy Jet to Biarritz, AirBNB there, and then, because I'm starting at Burgos, SNFC to Burgos.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Here is the information posted by the Spanish government for Canadian travellers:
(English)
http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embaja...s/Articulos/Information-note-coronavirus.aspx

(French)
http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/MONTREAL/fr/Consulado/Paginas/Articulos/20210608NOT1.aspx

 

[Mycroft]

Per Government website:

The test must be performed using one of two types of COVID-19 tests–either a molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)–and must be conducted within 72 hours of the traveller's scheduled departure to Canada.

Thanks. Now to be able find appropriate testing sites that don't charge an arm and a leg....

 

[Anniep]

I like your commitment!
Is that the PCR test they require?

Hello: I still don't understand. Can we travel to Spain from Canada for Tourism if we have proof of vaccination? Tap has flights to Spain that connect in Lisbon. Are these connections allowed? Thank you.

 

[Albertagirl]

At present, if you are fully vaccinated you can travel to Spain for tourism, by going through the procedures to register with the Spanish government. Read the information given in post #66 above. As far as I can tell, this is specifically referring to passengers "originating in Canada" so should include those transferring to a second airline, provided the first originated in Canada. But I would certainly check on this with your travel agent, if any, and with TAP airlines. And remember that Portugal will have its own regulations about passengers arriving in Portugal from abroad. These may be irrelevant if you remain in the international zone of the airport when transferring. But flights to Spain may not be flying from the international zone (I don't know) in which case, the Portuguese regulations may apply to their country and their Covid situation when you are travelling through. To summarize, begin the process described in post#66. Then review the whole situation shortly before you travel. I bought my own ticket to Spain through London. Britain has since extended its lockdown for at least another month. But I am not flying until September, so I shall go into what details are current then shortly before I leave. That is all that we can do. Good luck.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Hello: I still don't understand. Can we travel to Spain from Canada for Tourism if we have proof of vaccination? Tap has flights to Spain that connect in Lisbon. Are these connections allowed? Thank you.

Things are changing so fast on the international front--who will let whom in, and after doing what.

If you're already booked, or into Spain, that's one thing. Otherwise, I'd really try to find flights that were Canada>Portugal. Usually through Toronto or Montreal, direct to Lisbon. Also, Air Azores/SATA flies to Lisbon from Toronto through the Azores, which works pretty w
ell. At least doing it that way, you don't have to deal with a third country's rules.

(And Air Azores partners with WestJet, and is not bad...)

[edit: I see I earlier recommended something similar; sorry for the duplicate post! But the same still applies--Portugal goes open/closed/open/closed particularly with anyone coming through the UK. And though the rules may say that passengers in transit are exempt from certain rules, my experience on the ground in Portugal is that local workers may take bans more literally than expected, and be very hard to argue with!]

 

[Anniep]

At present, if you are fully vaccinated you can travel to Spain for tourism, by going through the procedures to register with the Spanish government. Read the information given in post #66 above. As far as I can tell, this is specifically referring to passengers "originating in Canada" so should include those transferring to a second airline, provided the first originated in Canada. But I would certainly check on this with your travel agent, if any, and with TAP airlines. And remember that Portugal will have its own regulations about passengers arriving in Portugal from abroad. These may be irrelevant if you remain in the international zone of the airport when transferring. But flights to Spain may not be flying from the international zone (I don't know) in which case, the Portuguese regulations may apply to their country and their Covid situation when you are travelling through. To summarize, begin the process described in post#66. Then review the whole situation shortly before you travel. I bought my own ticket to Spain through London. Britain has since extended its lockdown for at least another month. But I am not flying until September, so I shall go into what details are current then shortly before I leave. That is all that we can do. Good luck.

Thank you for your thoughts. The problem is Portugal because all of the flights currently out of Canada to Spain connect--the best connection being Portugal. But you're right, it depends on who you get there and what the rule of the "day" is depending on which officer you get.

 

[tweekes]

We had booked Vancouver to London (Gatwick) but changed it to Paris to eliminate the need to add another country to the mix. Then onto Biarritz and SJPdP!

Will you be flying from Paris to Biarritz or taking the train?

 

[Cleigh]

We are flying Air France. Worked out as Westjet lands at CDG and flight to Biarritz from the same.

 

[Traveller44]

If you are considering the train option this is what I booked

Train from CDG to Massy tgv on trainline website. $55.81cdn depart 11:03 arrive 12:04

Train from Massey TGV to Bayonne high speed , first class price$184.14 cdn ticket also on trainline. Depart 12:52 arrives 16:49 first class

Train from Bayonne to SJPdP
$8.64cdn depart at 17:09 arrive at 18: 11. Trainline website was user friendly
Hope this helps , good to have choices. Enjoy your trip however you travel..Bien Camino.

 

[Dawn of a new Day]

My situation as a Canadian seems to be quite similar to those in the US. Yesterday, I was able to sign up for my second dose of Pfizer vaccine, so by the end of June I shall be fully vaccinated, with my two week period for the vaccine to take effect completed. I am still hanging on to the hope that I can walk the Levante, beginning in September. I finally discovered flight connections from Calgary to Barcelona (Air Canada), after giving up on both Valencia and Madrid, which are more convenient airports, but the planes from Canada stop in Amsterdam or Frankfurt before going on to Spain. I must change twice, but the last flight before Spain is in Montreal or Toronto. And these are the cheapest flights I have seen so far. Canada is currently saying "no non-essential travel" but does not seem to have set regulations to enforce this. They (we Canadians) are subsidising Air Canada, so I hope they realize this means that they must let it fly. I do not understand this weird regulation about getting a passport number officially on a medical test. Maybe that, and the test itself, will be dropped, as not relevant for the fully vaccinated. So you see, I live in hope. But I'm not buying an air ticket before the situation clarifies, even if the price goes up.

As well to remember is that a negative COVID test to get on the plane. My friend has just paid 100€ in Santiago and €160 in Barcelona. This is still a requirement.

 

[Albertagirl]

As well to remember is that a negative COVID test to get on the plane. My friend has just paid 100€ in Santiago and €160 in Barcelona. This is still a requirement.

From what I have found, Spain no longer requires this for fully vaccinated visitors from Canada. But my flights have been changed and I now have to change planes in London. I can currently find no information about Covid tests for persons changing planes in London which I can expect to be current when I am flying through in September. Spain does not at present require tests for vaccinated Canadian travellers, but who knows what the regulations will be when I am flying. The same applies to changing planes when flying back to Canada in late November, then on to Calgary. Regulations change according to what this persistent virus, and the variants, are doing when I travel.

 

[Dawn of a new Day]

From what I have found, Spain no longer requires this for fully vaccinated visitors from Canada. But my flights have been changed and I now have to change planes in London. I can currently find no information about Covid tests for persons changing planes in London which I can expect to be current when I am flying through in September. Spain does not at present require tests for vaccinated Canadian travellers, but who knows what the regulations will be when I am flying. The same applies to changing planes when flying back to Canada in late November, then on to Calgary. Regulations change according to what this persistent virus, and the variants, are doing when I travel.

As u say, things change daily. My friend needed the tests to re enter New Zealand. (September) I just returned from the US , to be allowed on the plane it was necessary to produce a negative test (within 72 hours) going and returning.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

I just returned from the US , to be allowed on the plane it was necessary to produce a negative test (within 72 hours) going and returning.

Was this with, or without, full vaccination? (A friend is hoping to travel US>Canada, when allowed.)

 

[Dawn of a new Day]

Was this with, or without, full vaccination? (A friend is hoping to travel US>Canada, when allowed.)

It wasn’t a question of being vaccinated, everyone had to produce a negative test, and again on arrival. I understand a change july 5, Canadá is only accepting certificate I believe from 4 of the vaccines. Best to check the Canadá website,

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Here's the latest on entry requirements for Portugal, as of July 2, straight from the horse's mouth:

COVID-19 | Measures implemented in Portugal | www.visitportugal.com

Measures Implemented in Portugal[Updated on 19 September] To enter in Portugal (including Azores and Madeira), it is no longer required a proof of a negative COVID test or to present a COVID-EU digital certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate issued by third countries, accepted or...

www.visitportugal.com

 

[Cleigh]

Well....so much for being all set to go. WestJet just cancelled our flights Victoria BC to Paris and return with no alternative. Back to the drawing board. Prices have increased dramatically of course.

 

[Traveller44]

How disappointing. FWIW Air Canada is my carrier from Ottawa to Montreal and on to France. Good luck finding an alternative flight.

 

[Traveller44]

AC flight is AC870 . I believe we were traveling the same day ? If you decide to fly through Ottawa , I have extra empty bedrooms , let me know. Mi Casa es Su Casa.

 

[CalgaryLynn]

Well....so much for being all set to go. WestJet just cancelled our flights Victoria BC to Paris and return with no alternative. Back to the drawing board. Prices have increased dramatically of course.

Sorry to hear that. So far, Air Canada has only done small changes to my flight itinerary. Changing departure times by 30 minutes or so or changing my city of arrival in Europe. First it was Frankfurt and now Munich. You might want to try them. So frustrating for you.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Well....so much for being all set to go. WestJet just cancelled our flights Victoria BC to Paris and return with no alternative. Back to the drawing board. Prices have increased dramatically of course.

What a drag. You're not travelling till midAugust, right? Depending on how the next few weeks and Delta variant numbers in Spain/France go, you may be glad to have it cancelled. Not looking great right now.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Latest...

Coronavirus in Europe

The latest news, data and analysis on the world’s pandemic response.

www.politico.eu

 

[dreymorris]

Well....so much for being all set to go. WestJet just cancelled our flights Victoria BC to Paris and return with no alternative. Back to the drawing board. Prices have increased dramatically of course.

I'm sure you know already but check out Air France. I'm flying with them YYJ YVR CDG BIQ

 

[Cleigh]

What a drag. You're not travelling till midAugust, right? Depending on how the next few weeks and Delta variant numbers in Spain/France go, you may be glad to have it cancelled. Not looking great right now.

I agree. However a refund is not an option! Only a credit for thousands of dollars with an airline I would rather not ever travel with again.

I'm sure you know already but check out Air France. I'm flying with them YYJ YVR CDG BIQ

hi. Thanks for the info. Do you mind if I ask you your departure date? I am having difficulties with booking Air France.

 

[dreymorris]

I agree. However a refund is not an option! Only a credit for thousands of dollars with an airline I would rather not ever travel with again.

hi. Thanks for the info. Do you mind if I ask you your departure date? I am having difficulties with booking Air France.

So I woke up this morning to flight change. I am now on AF 075 departure from Vancouver at 10:20pm on August 27th

I agree. However a refund is not an option! Only a credit for thousands of dollars with an airline I would rather not ever travel with again.

hi. Thanks for the info. Do you mind if I ask you your departure date? I am having difficulties with booking Air France.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

I agree. However a refund is not an option! Only a credit for thousands of dollars with an airline I would rather not ever travel with again.

So they cancelled it, but still won't give you a refund? Boy, I'm with you re Westjet. They've changed. We used to get very good service from them.

 

[trecile]

I agree. However a refund is not an option! Only a credit for thousands of dollars with an airline I would rather not ever travel with again.

Insist on a refund. Get your credit card company involved if they refuse.

 

[Cleigh]

AC flight is AC870 . I believe we were traveling the same day ? If you decide to fly through Ottawa , I have extra empty bedrooms , let me know. Mi Casa es Su Casa.

So kind of you! Still trying to sort things out.

 

[Cleigh]

So they cancelled it, but still won't give you a refund? Boy, I'm with you re Westjet. They've changed. We used to get very good service from them.

It was always my go to airline.

 

[Wanderingfriend]

My situation as a Canadian seems to be quite similar to those in the US. Yesterday, I was able to sign up for my second dose of Pfizer vaccine, so by the end of June I shall be fully vaccinated, with my two week period for the vaccine to take effect completed. I am still hanging on to the hope that I can walk the Levante, beginning in September. I finally discovered flight connections from Calgary to Barcelona (Air Canada), after giving up on both Valencia and Madrid, which are more convenient airports, but the planes from Canada stop in Amsterdam or Frankfurt before going on to Spain. I must change twice, but the last flight before Spain is in Montreal or Toronto. And these are the cheapest flights I have seen so far. Canada is currently saying "no non-essential travel" but does not seem to have set regulations to enforce this. They (we Canadians) are subsidising Air Canada, so I hope they realize this means that they must let it fly. I do not understand this weird regulation about getting a passport number officially on a medical test. Maybe that, and the test itself, will be dropped, as not relevant for the fully vaccinated. So you see, I live in hope. But I'm not buying an air ticket before the situation clarifies, even if the price goes up.

It seems that there is still (July 15, 2021) little being said re: non essential travel. I am fully vaccinated. I have a ticket from Vancouver to Bilbao, Spain on August 25th.

 

[Traveller44]

So kind of you! Still trying to sort things out.

Saw this west jet related article this morning. It might intrest you.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-rebooked-flights-refuse-refunds-1.6100293

 

[AnneO]

Sorry to hear that. So far, Air Canada has only done small changes to my flight itinerary. Changing departure times by 30 minutes or so or changing my city of arrival in Europe. First it was Frankfurt and now Munich. You might want to try them. So frustrating for you.

I have a flight on Air Canada to Lisbon in October and they changed my departing flight to two days earlier. Fortunately I have the flexibility to do that but I have never had a change like that before. And with three months yet before I go, I am not confident it won’t change again.

 

[Albertagirl]

It seems that there is still (July 15, 2021) little being said re: non essential travel. I am fully vaccinated. I have a ticket from Vancouver to Bilbao, Spain on August 25th.

Yesterday, the Canadian government said that the borders will be opening up in August to (fully vaccinated) Americans crossing our common border. We are gradually opening up. But the covid situation in the US is getting worse, so I cannot predict what might happen next. I fly to Valencia in Spain on September 9.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Saw this west jet related article this morning. It might intrest you.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-rebooked-flights-refuse-refunds-1.6100293

"Bartrem [their VP, communications] said the Calgary-based airline is now taking steps to ensure that affected customers can collect a refund if they wish.

WestJet's admission of error follows a CBC News investigation into complaints from customers who said they had been unjustly denied refunds for rebooked flights they didn't want."

More detailed, linked story... https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-cancelled-flights-refund-1.6083926

Definitely worth following up!

 

[Cleigh]

"Bartrem [their VP, communications] said the Calgary-based airline is now taking steps to ensure that affected customers can collect a refund if they wish.

WestJet's admission of error follows a CBC News investigation into complaints from customers who said they had been unjustly denied refunds for rebooked flights they didn't want."

More detailed, linked story... https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-cancelled-flights-refund-1.6083926

Definitely worth following up!

I have my allocated time today at 3:30 with Westjet. Fingers crossed.

 

[Cleigh]

Good news! Full cash refund so no doubt the pressure from the media had a little something to do with that! Rebooked with AF just now. Thanks all for the support.