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Original poster

Travelling abroad for a holiday

212 replies

kleew1 · 22/08/2021 22:38

Has anyone done it?

Was the holiday different as a result of covid? How was airport etc and where did you go?

We are going to canaries in September so curious to know.

OP posts:
BunsyGirl · 22/08/2021 22:45

Yes, airport (Heathrow) was the same apart from the wearing of masks and food ordered via app in the lounge. Arrival in destination (Malta) was the same as previous experience
apart from passports being stamped (but that’s Brexit not Covid) and then showing our vaccination certs and negative tests for the kids at a separate desk after customs. The hassle is getting the tests done and filling out the forms before you go. The airport and flight are pretty much the same.

squashyhat · 22/08/2021 23:00

No. Not worth the hassle IMO.

Mushtullo · 22/08/2021 23:10

I’ve just spent a week in Paris (not actually on holiday) — had to show EU digital vaccination cert (am Irish) at airport check-in and security, wear a mask throughout airport, flight etc — extremely long queues at CDG showing cert as well as passport, also needed to show vaccination status cert at all restaurants, entrance to museums, events etc. Masks worn throughout except when actually eating. Needed to fill out passenger locator form when returning home and show it re-entering with vaccination cert and passport.

Watapalava · 22/08/2021 23:13

Yes

An hour of hassle pre departure for a week in Spain

Normality over there

All these people saying it’s not worth it are kidding themselves! It’s anaxing

Watapalava · 22/08/2021 23:14

Didn’t wear a mask all week except entering hotel

shinynewapple21 · 22/08/2021 23:55

@Watapalava how does the testing in Spain before you fly back work ? We're going (hopefully!) in October . Haven't looked too much into rules at the moment as it might change before we go, but I understand we'll have to go for a test while on holiday. Are there plenty of places to do this or will we likely to have to travel?

KnottyKnitting · 23/08/2021 00:04

Yes- been a month in Portugal- felt a lot safer than at home. Masks worn in shops and other enclosed spaces- haven't seen a single person without one including small children. The one Brit I saw who tried to go in the supermarket without one was challenged. Claimed he was exempt so they asked for a signed doctors letter as proof. He didn't have one so was turned away. Lots of people wearing masks outside too.

Restaurants require either a vaccine passport or LFT at the door including children. No more than 6 at a table and well spaced out. Windows and doors open- lots of fresh air. Police do random checks.

Airports were fine. Flight was fairly empty. Masks mandatory on airports and on the plane.

hennybeans · 23/08/2021 00:49

We went to Lanzarote last week and it was fine. Flights were maybe 60% full, locals were wearing masks much more than we do here, even outside. The LFTs we took to get home were very easy, the man administering the tests even came to our hotel to do them, he said it was standard. Print out all the paperwork you need at the airport rather than really on showing it on your phone- much easier.

KentuckyCriedFricken · 23/08/2021 06:04

Mexico last September. Everything was normal except having to wear a mask on the plane there and back.

Marni83 · 23/08/2021 06:06

@squashyhat

No. Not worth the hassle IMO.
Where did you go or are you speculating?
mobear · 23/08/2021 06:14

We went to Greece in July and it was fine. Heathrow was not busy. We left before they changed the rules for vaccinated people visiting Amber List countries though, and returned shortly after, so I would think it’s busier now.

LivinLaVidaLoki · 23/08/2021 06:43

Recently back from visiting family in Greece going back soon.
Tbh the biggest hassle was passport control which is Brexit not Covid.
Masks in shops and public transport and testing to return back was straight forward. Felt more normal yet much safer there.

LivinLaVidaLoki · 23/08/2021 06:44

Oh and masks on the plane obvs

Downtown36 · 23/08/2021 07:15

Yes. Back from 4 nights in Santorini, Greece.

Flew out on a Tuesday and Gatwick was quiet. Greece just needs proof of vaccination to enter and the passenger locator form.

For UK entry: (1) Up to 72 hours before return we had to do an LFT which we’d ordered before hand and taken with us (2) UK passenger locator form and (3) day2 test (home PCR) ordered and waiting at home.

I think it’s been made to appear difficult to put people off - and the cost of tests is wrong, there should be a set low price. I almost cancelled when there was the talk of Greece going to amber plus but so glad I didn’t. Masks aside it just felt normal.

I had also taken out an insurance policy that would have covered various things if we hadn’t been able to travel, for example if we were isolating or had tested positive. It was £10 for us as a couple and well worth it for the peace of mind.

IsabellesMissingSock · 23/08/2021 07:17

Yes, went away twice last year and once this year, going on a short break this weekend. Absolutely worth the forms and testing IMO.

Immybee · 23/08/2021 07:24

Downtown36, can I ask where you got your insurance from. Thanks

Theredjellybean · 23/08/2021 07:31

Been to Greece twice in last two months, absolutely worth it.
Very normal there.
Paperwork is pretty easy and straight forward.

Plump82 · 23/08/2021 07:51

@Downtown36

Yes. Back from 4 nights in Santorini, Greece.

Flew out on a Tuesday and Gatwick was quiet. Greece just needs proof of vaccination to enter and the passenger locator form.

For UK entry: (1) Up to 72 hours before return we had to do an LFT which we’d ordered before hand and taken with us (2) UK passenger locator form and (3) day2 test (home PCR) ordered and waiting at home.

I think it’s been made to appear difficult to put people off - and the cost of tests is wrong, there should be a set low price. I almost cancelled when there was the talk of Greece going to amber plus but so glad I didn’t. Masks aside it just felt normal.

I had also taken out an insurance policy that would have covered various things if we hadn’t been able to travel, for example if we were isolating or had tested positive. It was £10 for us as a couple and well worth it for the peace of mind.

Would you mind sharing what insurer you used?
ImInStealthMode · 23/08/2021 08:01

We're in Majorca now and it's bloody glorious.

Well worth the 'hassle' of filling in an online form and having a test. The airport here in Palma was no different to normal aside from distancing reminders, masks and the health check where they scan your QR code.

User1234123 · 23/08/2021 08:23

Got back from Romania last weekend, absolutely worth the hassle!

Things I noticed;

  • Stansted was just as busy as pre pandemic (7pm flight), but everyone was wearing a mask.
  • Security took 10 minutes and there wasn't a massive queue.
  • Getting into Romania wasn't a hassle, I'd printed and filled the forms in advance, and had the vax pass ready. I'd say it took about 20 minutes but we were one of the last flights of the day
  • Mask wearing indoors everywhere, and pretty much everyone was doing it, even with 30 degree heat outside.
  • Coming back, about an hour before boarding, they started checking people's PLF and negative test results. This caused everyone to be on their feet for a fair amount of time pre flight.
  • Coming back into Stansted, longer queues at the passport control, maybe 30 minutes. However nobody checked any forms and I went straight through the automated gates.

I'd say that obviously there is going to be some natural anxiety due to all the new processes and hoops to jump through, but actually, it's just a few extra boxes to tick, and shouldn't stand in people's way of travelling (no matter how much the government want it to!!)

LittleRen · 23/08/2021 08:46

Yes - amazing time to travel. Quiet airports, quiet planes, normality once you are away.

Loudestcat14 · 23/08/2021 08:47

We're about to fly home from Greece and apart from having to wear masks in shops people here are gloriously unfazed by Covid and don't obsess about it like we do at home – we've pretty much had the same holiday experience we had when we last came pre-pandemic. There is a certain amount of form-filling and additional cost both ends, but as long as you're organised it doesn't take long to do. Absolutely 1000% worth it just for the relaxed, happy looks on my family's faces right now!

Yerazig · 23/08/2021 08:50

Yes I’ve just arrived back from Spain everything was pretty normal. The Spanish airport was busy but normal summer holiday busy. Back in London my airport was empty, the hassle of making sure all documents are correct is worth every moment. A week in Spain very central amazing hotel for the price, I definitely would struggle to find the equivalent for the cheap price and weather in England.

Whammyyammy · 23/08/2021 09:00

Went in July, and going to Menorca tomorrow.
Just print off vaccine passports, registered with Spain and printed off their QR code cert, to get in.

Taking a test kit with us, do online video with test 3 days before flying home, certified emailed to you. Fly home, do test 2 days after being home.

It's really easy, resorts are not over crowded too. Planes half full.... its great.

2 weeks all inclusive 5 star was the same price as friend paid for last week in the UK for accommodation alone! And it rained everyday last week. Will be 32°c for me.

You do the maths....

RaskolnikovsGarret · 23/08/2021 09:06

Yes, currently in the airport at malta waiting to board. As long as you do the paperwork properly in advance, no problem at all. Both Gatwick and Valletta airports have been very well organised.

And absolutely worth it for a fantastic two weeks in the sun, with great weather, food and people. Who knows whether and when we might be locked down again/have a difficult winter. It was the right decision for us to go.

My DDs are 18 and 20 and were double vaccinated just in time to go. What was a bit freaky is that there were no teenagers around as malta requires everyone over 12 to have both doses, and most older children at least in the UK have not been vaccinated yet. So lots of small children and couples instead.

Apart from that and mask wearing in shops, no difference.

The combined costs of testing were £50 for each of us. Whilst this may unfortunately make holidays unaffordable for some people on lower incomes, it was much less than I had anticipated.

Would thoroughly recommend.