Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Travelling to Lisbon for New Year.

35 replies

DeathWinsAGolfish · 12/12/2021 09:43

Good morning, just looking at the travel advice for Portugal, we're flying out to family on 28th which is a Bank Holiday here.

So far we have had to book LFT and PCR tests to be conducted at the airport the day before, both to cover any situation, either can be cancelled the day before.

We are trying to second guess the travel controls that may come out. We have all had both our vaccinations my husband and I boosted, but teens obviously not. Of course Portugal could look at our numbers and just say no to the UK at any point.

Anyone else in this situation?

OP posts:
Campervan69 · 12/12/2021 10:01

We are supposed to be going Boxing Day. This is our Easter 2020 holiday, postponed to Easter 2021 then to now.

Not sure what to do atm tbh. Have done nothing in preparation so all up in the air here.

Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 12/12/2021 10:05

Same.
I go to Thailand a week today. I'm on fucking pins.

Original poster
DeathWinsAGolfish · 12/12/2021 10:55

It's awful isn't it?

We haven't seen DH's family since July 2019, we really don't know what to do, this has now been moved three times. Sad

OP posts:
Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 12/12/2021 11:07

Keep it booked.
Hopefully we can still have our hols.
We could cancel but then I can't be arsed with any possible regret.
I need the sun, my SAD is crippling

Campervan69 · 12/12/2021 12:44

If we get there it will be lovely but we will be spending around £700 on tests for our family of 5. That's all our spending money gone. V annoying as we are jabbed those of us who can be.

Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 12/12/2021 12:52

Ahhh I see. Hmmm I'd rearrange if that's the case....

We are unable to go later in the year as do has to close his business, which really can only be done at Xmas xx

TedGlenn · 12/12/2021 17:16

I assume you are aware that since Dec 1, covid passes and/or PCRs are needed to access restaurants/bars/hotels/tourist activities? That was the straw that broke the camel's back for us - the testing before and after was one thing, but to also having to arrange tests when in Portugal meant we cancelled (we were only going for a city break, not to visit family, so my faff threshold was low!).

Campervan69 · 12/12/2021 19:05

Do you need them for supermarkets as well? We are in a villa so could avoid bars, restaurants etc if need be. But we'd need to do a shop to feed ourselves at least once in the week.

Campervan69 · 12/12/2021 19:06

I'm double jabbed as is DH so would this cover us? Could leave the kids at the villa as they're 20/17/10 while we went shopping.

kikipie · 12/12/2021 19:15

I live in Portugal. You don’t need vax passports for supermarkets but we have been asked for them in restaurants, along with ID.

Original poster
DeathWinsAGolfish · 12/12/2021 20:15

Thank you all for your help, we're going to sit down and look at the options tomorrow, but I think it's looking unlikely...

OP posts:
Original poster
DeathWinsAGolfish · 13/12/2021 16:02

@kikipie can I ask are you in Lisbon?

We are speaking to relatives later this week to see what restrictions are in place there, as I think it may depend on regions, I'm not sure, it's all such a mess. We're staying in a hotel rather than with any of them, this hopefully makes it easier.

We're looking at ordering a package to use for our 48 hours LFT before flying back to the UK along with our 48 hour PCR, this then links to our Passengers Location Form.

Who know, by next week it will have been changed again. Confused

OP posts:
kikipie · 13/12/2021 16:12

No I’m in the algarve. At the moment all restrictions are country wide, they haven’t reinstated the regional restrictions at the moment

Original poster
DeathWinsAGolfish · 13/12/2021 17:03

Thanks @kikipie

OP posts:
Original poster
DeathWinsAGolfish · 18/12/2021 07:26

@Campervan69 @Borisjohnsonshairbrush sorry to ask, what are your thoughts now?
We're going from, "yup, we're going" to "hmm, should we cancel?" at least once an hour! Confused

OP posts:
Campervan69 · 18/12/2021 08:58

It's a pain in the neck. I've booked for us to all do LF tests at the airport boxing day morning (we fly in the evening)

I've still not ordered coming home tests as I'm loath to spend the money. Its all so up in the air. Also the weather isn't looking great. Waaaaaa

Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 18/12/2021 10:55

PCR's are done and we are off to Thailand in the morning. Not worried at all now. We hope to travel as much as poss next year so it's good practice xx

Original poster
DeathWinsAGolfish · 18/12/2021 11:15

We're also just going for it, going to
airport day before for LFT, have now ordered LFT for flight home and PCR. 🤞🏽 For both of you! WineXmas Grin

OP posts:
Campervan69 · 18/12/2021 12:06

We'll go if we can. It's just in case they lock us down. What happens if they order a lockdown from 27th December for example? We fly out 26th December. Would we have to cancel? Then we'd have wasted our money on the tests. It's all so annoying this uncertainty.

Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 20/12/2021 17:40

We are here. Wow jet and what a journey. I'm very impressed with how stringent it all is with people coming into the country here. Fantastic. Xx

Campervan69 · 20/12/2021 17:53

Keeping my fingers crossed for Boxing Day. Have a wonderful Christmas 🎄

Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 20/12/2021 19:36

You too xx

Original poster
DeathWinsAGolfish · 22/12/2021 06:09

So we've decided not to go...
So sad about how sanguine DDs we're, completely accepting. Sad

OP posts:
MrsSDK · 22/12/2021 06:09

@kikipie

I live in Portugal. You don’t need vax passports for supermarkets but we have been asked for them in restaurants, along with ID.
Good morning! Any more news at the Portugal end please? Is there talk of lockdowns over there? Due to fly to the Algarve Boxing Day for a week and really in 2 minds, at least the weather is looking better though! Thanks
Campervan69 · 22/12/2021 09:17

I'm in the exact same situation 😁 we are going unless anything changes from the Portugal side. Have LF tests booked at the airport for the morning of our flight. What a palaver this all is!