Icelandair ticket counter in New York-JFK Taylor Rains/Insider
As a vaccinated American, I went to Iceland. The process was simple but tedious.
All travelers who have been vaccinated in the US must present their vaccination card, a negative COVID test and a pre-arrival form.
Reykjavik offers a variety of testing locations for Americans who want to take a COVID exam before entering the US.
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Americans want to travel and the vaccine rollout has made it easier for them to do so.
TSA checkpoint at JFK Taylor Rains/Insider
Iceland is one of many European countries that allows Americans who have been vaccinated to travel freely without quarantine. I made the trip across the pond in September.
Luggage for Iceland Taylor Rains/Insider
It was tedious to complete the entry and exit procedures. I also had to comply with specific steps such as getting a negative Covid test, my vaccination card, and filling in pre-arrival paperwork.
Taylor Rains/Insider Vaccine Card and Negative Covid Test Taylor Rains
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are all accepted vaccines. AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are also acceptable. Covid tests must either be PCR or rapid. At the border, travelers who fail to present a negative covid testing will be subject to a fine of 100,000 ISK ($781).
Source: Island.is
Icelandair flew me from New York's JFK International Airport, to Keflavik Airport, Reykjavik. Icelandair's website is extremely transparent regarding entry requirements to Iceland.
Signs at JFK Terminal 7, Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images
Source: Icelandair
Visitors must have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days after the last dose. They also need to submit to a negative COVID test within 72 hours of their departure and register their arrival.
Passport, COVID vaccine card, and mask Evgenia Parajanian/Shutterstock
At the border, you can also present documentation of previous infections that date between 14 and 180 days after your arrival in Iceland. To be allowed to enter Iceland, they do not have to submit a negative covid testing.
Source: Island.is
Online pre-arrival forms are required. I had to complete the pre-arrival form online. I also had to provide my departure and return dates, as well as my personal information. I also had to certify that I would undergo a COVID (Color Vision Imaging Device) test prior my travel. To confirm that it was completed, I received an email with a barcode.
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After completing the pre-arrival form Taylor Rains/Insider, you will receive your barcode
COVID-19 restrictions prevented me from checking in online or via the mobile app. Icelandair instructed me to collect my boarding passes at the desk.
Check-in email Taylor Rains/Insider Icelandair
At JFK I found my way to Icelandair's check-in counter. There, signs reminded passengers that they needed to complete the online pre-arrival form. It was mandatory to check in.
Please remember to complete the Taylor Rains/Insider pre-arrival form
You can find the pre-arrival form online.
At the counter, I was asked for my pre-arrival form, negative COVID test results, and vaccine card. Before I was given my boarding pass, the agent verified that my vaccination card was valid and checked my date of test.
Taylor Rains, Icelandair check-in counter/Insider
JFK offers a variety of options for those who forget or don't know how to obtain a COVID testing. These include Adams Medical in Terminal 1, Xpresscheck Terminal 4, and NYC Test & Trace Corps Terminal 5. It must be PCR and not rapid antigen.
COVID testing site at JFK Terminal 5 Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock
I didn't have to show any COVID entry documents until I arrived in Iceland.
Icelandair Boeing 757 cabin Peter Gudella/Shutterstock
I arrived in Reykjavik and deplaned. The customs officers split the passengers into two lines. One for people entering Iceland, and one for those connecting to other flights.
Two lines are required to enter customs at Keflavik Airport Taylor Rains/Insider
Although the line seemed long, it only took 15 minutes to clear. Although the customs agent checked my passport, he told me that COVID documents would be verified during the entry process.
Signed by customs at Keflavik Airport Roberto La Rosa/Shutterstock
After clearing customs, I made my journey through the arrivals hall until I came to an "Exit to Iceland” sign and a section that was roped off for tourists entering the country.
Taylor Rains signs Exit to Iceland/Insider
I made my way down to the second counter, where I was asked for the barcode that I had received after completing the pre-arrival form.
Travelers at Keflavik Airport Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images
After the barcode was checked, I was directed towards a third desk, where my pre-arrival form and vaccine card were reviewed.
Passengers arriving at Keflavik Airport Kollawat Somsri
Before allowing me to leave the airport, the agent checked my barcode and verified my test results and vaccine card. Five minutes later, I received a text confirming that I was allowed to enter Iceland without quarantine.
Text stating that Taylor Rains/Insider are not necessary to be quarantined
Unvaccinated individuals would be subject to a border check and quarantine.
Source: Island.is
It was easy to get back into the US. You only needed a negative COVID test that you had taken at least three days prior to your departure from Iceland. Reykjavik has a few testing centers.
Downtown Reykjavik Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: CDC
After booking my test, I received a barcode confirming my payment and my appointment. The test cost $60 and promised me results in 48 hours. This was just enough time to book my flight. I was pleasantly surprised to receive my negative result within 24 hours and a QR code that certifies its validity.
Negative COVID test result Taylor Rains/Insider
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, I was unable to check-in online for the return flight.
Icelandair check in counter at Keflavik airport Taylor Rains/Insider
To get a boarding pass, I needed only to show my COVID negative test when the Keflavik check-in counter opened. After that, I was allowed to go through security and passport control before being able board the plane with my passport.
Icelandair check in counter at Keflavik airport Taylor Rains/Insider
After arriving in JFK, I was asked not to repeat my negative COVID testing and was allowed to enter the US with my passport.
CBP Global Entry kiosk Taylor Rains/Insider
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