Foreign Office travel alert amid severe flooding in popular EU tourist spots

The Foreign Office has issued a travel warning and this is what you need to know amid severe flooding.

Brits travelling to the EU soon have been warned that there are certain destinations that you will need to take caution with due to severe flooding. Travellers have been warned that Poland and Austria have been hit by "severe disruption".

In a warning, the Foreign Office cautions people heading to Poland that "heavy rain and flooding is causing severe disruption in the Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie), Silesian (Śląskie) and Opolskie Voivodeships in southwest Poland. Check local conditions before you travel and follow the instructions of the Polish authorities if you are in these areas."

In addition to Poland, there is another warning in place with the Foreign Office further advising: "Due to floods in the East of Austria, road closures and disruptions to public transport may occur in affected areas". Because of this, they are urging travellers to check road traffic information and public transport updates from Austrian railways and Vienna public transport "before you travel".

The flood are affecting transport with people being warned to prepare for delays. The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) issued a statement with them warning people to prepare for this happening to some train services from Friday, September 13 to Thursday, September 19. The floods are affecting transport across the region, including in and around Vienna - a popular spot for tourists.

In addition to the flood-related travel issues, the FCDO has also highlighted impending changes to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which is expected to launch in November 2024. The upcoming EES will mandate that non-EU citizens, including UK nationals, undergo biometric checks, involving fingerprinting and facial scans upon entering the Schengen Area. This could mean longer waits at border control, particularly at major entry points such as Dover, the Eurotunnel at Folkestone, and St Pancras International.

In a separate advisory, British travellers have also been alerted about a surge in cases of a "life-threatening" illness in some African tourist hotspots. The FCDO continues to advise globetrotters to consult its latest travel guidance before jetting off to any destination, to stay informed about entry rules, health advisories, and possible travel snags.

For those with Austria or Poland on their itinerary, it's essential to keep an eye on the flooding with it still an ongoing situation to ensure a safe trip.

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