Here's what to expect when the US opens its borders

Travelers are itching to visit the United States when the country opens its borders to vaccinated arrivals in November. Here's what they need to know to navigate the sometimes confusing rules and changes they'll face when they get there.

(CNN) — The announcement that vaccinated foreign nationals will be allowed back into the US in November after an 18-month ban was welcome news for families struggling with cross-border separations, airlines itching to relaunch long-haul routes, and eager tourists and industry insiders.

Trip planning is already in the works, too: According to newly released data from travel booking platform Hopper, user searches for all US-bound international flights rose by 27% on September 20, the date of the announcement, from the day prior, while searches for flights from Europe to the US spiked 68%.

But as excited as US-bound travelers may be to reunite with loved ones, attend an IRL business conference or snap selfies in front of landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, they should be equally prepared for a travel experience that's vastly different these days -- and still constantly changing.