Sun lovers feeling gloomy after the eclipse should start checking the expiration date on their passports.
The next total solar eclipse is scheduled to occur on August 12, 2026 over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small part of Portugal. According to NASA.
In North America, only a partial eclipse will be visible, so if April's event has made you an eclipse chaser and you want to see totality, you'll need to head outside.
Here's what you need to know before packing your bags.
Do you need a passport or visa to get to the best destination?
The path of the 2026 total eclipse passes mostly through places where Americans can travel without a visa using their passports, as long as they plan to stay less than 90 days.
Spain, Portugal, Iceland, and Greenland all allow visa-free tourist travel for US passport holders.
Spain, Portugal and Iceland are also members of the Schengen Area, which allows visa-free travel throughout most of Europe, meaning that if you decide to take a multi-country trip outside of your eclipse adventure, you won't need to clear customs. If you're coming from most parts of Europe too.
However, one major change for travelers to Europe from the United States is that prior electronic authorization will become a requirement starting in mid-2025. European Travel Information and Authorization System ETIAS requirements will apply to all four open countries in the overall track.
Depending on the state of the Ukrainian war, traveling to Russia may or may not be an option for most Americans by 2026, so it's not clear what the paperwork requirements will be by then.
Is it best seen from the beach?
Beaches can be a great place to view the eclipse because there are few natural obstructions blocking observers' view of the sky. The path of the total eclipse of 2026 passes over the beaches on the northern and southeastern coasts of Spain, as well as over islands in the Mediterranean Sea including Mallorca, Minorca and Ibiza. The eclipse will also pass over the coastal areas of Greenland and Iceland National Solar Observatory.
Cruising height:What was it like to see the eclipse from the plane?
Will there be flights or eclipse flights?
Almost certainly, although most operators have not yet announced specific plans.
Cruise lines will also provide more viewing opportunities. Princess Cruises “created a custom itinerary on board Sky Princess to place the ship close to Spain on that date,” according to a line spokesperson. The cruise will be open for reservations on Princess's website On May 23.
Cunard Line sails on ships Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Anne that will carry passengers Key sites to watch.
“The ship can move”:Why should you watch the upcoming solar eclipse from a cruise ship?
Holland America Line is also planning multiple cruises around the event, although details have not yet been announced. “Guests have responded positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026, we plan to do three European cruises aligned with the eclipse path,” Paul Grigsby, the line's vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, previously told USA TODAY In an email.
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