Assessing the Risks of International Travel
Data on COVID cases and vaccination rates can help you determine if your international destination is safe.

Planning a trip overseas requires more research than usual as you will need to monitor varying rates of vaccination in different countries and possible COVID-19 outbreaks. Even within the European Union, which will gradually reopen to vaccinated American tourists, the timing and the rules for easing those restrictions will vary by country.
Eric Toner, a senior scientist in environmental health and engineering at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, recommends staying away from destinations where the COVID-19 positivity rates are above 5% of the population and where vaccination programs aren't robust.
The CDC offers a country-by-country COVID-19 risk assessment to help you make travel decisions. Visit cdc.gov, and under "Diseases and Conditions," click on "Coronavirus Disease 2019," choose "Travel," and scroll down to select "International Travel During COVID-19."

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The potential for massive outbreaks of the disease like the one in India this past spring will decline as immunity grows through vaccinations and infections. Still, "it is not impossible since new variants could arise," says Toner, who recommends waiting as long as possible before booking a trip.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Alina Tugend is a long-time journalist who has worked in Southern California, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., London and New York. From 2005 to 2015, she wrote the biweekly Shortcuts column for The New York Times business section, which received the Best in Business Award for personal finance by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Times, The Atlantic, O, the Oprah Magazine, Family Circle and Inc. magazine. In 2011, Riverhead published Tugend's first book, Better by Mistake: The Unexpected Benefits of Being Wrong.
-
Ten Cheapest Places to Live in Texas
Property Tax Looking for a cheap place to live in Texas? Look no further. These counties have the lowest property tax bills in the Lone Star State.
-
AI Is Missing the Wisdom of Older Adults: What It Means for You
AI will increasingly affect your healthcare and finances, but young workers are primarily designing the systems and getting most of the jobs.
-
The United and JetBlue Partnership: Everything We Know About Blue Sky So Far
Blue Sky, the United and JetBlue partnership just announced, will give frequent fliers more ways to earn and use miles. Here's what you need to know.
-
Struggling with How to Plan a Trip? These Companies Will Help
Travel Plans Sit back, relax and let the professionals handle the logistics.
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025
Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits for state and local government workers in 2025. That's good news for state and local government employees.
-
Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to Know
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
-
The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkids
inheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $70,000 in 2025, up from $69,000 in 2024.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2025. Workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,500 or $20,000 if 50 or over and $21,750 if 60-63.