Advice For Travelling During Covid-19

Travel restrictions are lifting, it's holiday time. 😎


Now restrictions are lifting and travel is opening back up we are sure you, like us, have some questions about what to expect when travelling during this time. So whether you're wondering what to expect at the airport, or what airlines are doing to ensure your safety, we've rounded up the top advice and tips for travelling during coronavirus.

Have a hassle-free trip

So whether you're nervous to get back in the air or raring to go - here's our advice to ensure you have a hassle-free trip.


Where can you travel?

Under the new travel guidance from the government holidays are back on, but you might be unsure where you are able to travel at the moment, or whether you need to self isolate when you come back. So we're here to help!

How To Fly (Almost) Everywhere

With a handful of exceptions where borders are actually closed, it's possible to fly almost anywhere in the world for a holiday. So for anyone who simply wants to know where it's possible to go...we wrote this guide for you.

Looking for some inspiration on where to go? Or have you decided already and want to know what to do whilst you're there. Well grab your passport and boarding pass, take a peek at our Travel Guides to better destinations and see where travel inspiration takes you.

What will travel be like?

Airport travel during covid-19

Over the past few months we've all gotten used to the "new normal" for shops and socialising - but you might be wondering what this will be like at the airport or on your flight. All airport and airlines have been busy working behind the scenes to get ready for travel restrictions lifting and have a range of new safety measures in place, and you can read that latest advice from the government for air travel here. If you want to know what your specific airline or airport is doing then check the lists below.

Disinfecting stations in the airport

What can you expect at the airport?

  • Social distancing - you can expect to find social distancing measures throughout the airport. Queues will be signed to maintain a 2m distance and some seating may be rearranged or blocked off.
  • Face masks - you will be required to wear a mask during your time in the airport, and you should only remove your mask if instructed by security.
  • Hand sanitising stations - all airports have set up hand sanitising stations so make sure you take advantage of these and wash your hands after any interaction.
  • One way systems.
  • Perspex screens.
  • No guests - if you are being dropped off at the airport it is important to know you must not be accompanied into the terminal building (unless you have assistance needs).
  • Limited shops and restaurants - each airport it different but there will be limited shops available so make sure you bring what you need!
  • Self service check-in and boarding - you are encouraged to check-in online and throughout the airport you will need to use self-service as standard.
  • Increased cleaning regimes - some airports are trialling UV cleaning, but all have a regular cleaning schedule in place.
  • Temperature checks - some airports are trialling temperature checks.

Disinfecting stations in the airport

What can you expect on your flight?

  • Limited contact - there will be limited contact with cabin crew and a reduced service.
  • Face masks - you will be required to wear a mask during your flight, only to be removed to eat or drink.
  • Cabin baggage - you will be required to stow this yourself so ensure you keep hand luggage to a minimum.
  • Self-boarding - you may be asked to scan your own boarding pass and ensure you listen to boarding announcements to ensure social distancing.
  • Limited food and drink - there may be limited or no food service during your flight.
  • Limtied movement around the cabin - you are encouraged to remain in your seat unless visiting the toilet.
  • Empty seats - you may find empty seats on your plane to enable social distancing, this isn't an opportunity to seat skip.
  • Increased cleaning - each airline will have different cleaning schedules (please check below) and most airlines have HEPA filters which which remove microscopic bacteria and virus clusters with over 99.9% efficiency, equivalent to hospital operating theatre standards.

Planning your trip

Planning for travel

Before you fly

Before you book it's best to consider flexibility - historically airlines were pretty inflexible once you booked but now most airlines or travel companies are relaxing their terms so you can book with confidence knowing you can change at a later date. So do your research and see what airlines are offering and what the terms are if worse comes to worse.

Once you've booked it's important to take out travel insurance, never wait until the day you fly, make sure you're covered from the moment you hit buy. This means should anything happen pre-trip you have a valid insurance policy to claim with - and as always make sure you read the policy documents so you know what your insurance does and doesn't cover.

Travel Insurance | Non-essential travel

On the day

Nobody likes getting to the airport and realising you've left something important at home - so we always recommended using a packing list. Before you go it's important to research what requirements the airport, airline and country you are visiting have and to make sure you bring everything you may require with you, don't rely on there being shops available to buy any of these items.

Coronavirus Travel Essentials

  • ✓ Face masks (enough to change every 4 hours throughout your journey)
  • ✓ Hand sanitiser (below 100ml)
  • ✓ Pre-paid Cash Card so you can go contactless
  • ✓ Disposable gloves
  • ✓ Anti-bacterial wipes
  • ✓ Mini first aid kit (paracetamol, digital thermometer, cold & fly tablets)
  • ✓ Contact details for British Ambassador in the country you are visiting
  • ✓ Printed copies of your travel insurance documents, contact details, etc
  • ✓ Food & drink for your journey (below 100ml)

What do you need to do on your return?

What to do on your return to the UK

Depending on which country you are returning from you may be required to quarantine for 14 days when you return - however the good news is that the newly announced travel corridors allow you to travel to some of our most popular destinations without having to self-isolate on your return.

Before you fly check the latest travel guidance from the government to see which countries are exempt. If you are required to self-isolate on your return than you need to ensure you register your return via the government website up to 48 hours before you return flight.