Summer Travel is Back On!

Summer travel is most definitely back on!  For the first time since early 2020, it is now much easier to travel abroad. Covid restrictions are being lifted here in the UK and across the globe.  So pack your flip flops as well as a sense of adventure and get travelling!

Since March this year, fully vaccinated passengers from the UK are no longer required to test either before departure or arrival.  And the dreaded passenger locator form has also been disbanded. 

Sounds great, right?!  It certainly is a step in the right direction. However you will still be bound by the rules of the country you are travelling to and the pandemic has thrown up all kinds of issues since people have not been able to travel properly for 2 years. 

Read on to make sure you can travel with as little stress as possible this summer.

Brexit

Since Brexit, new rules mean that anyone travelling to the EU must have at least 3 months validity on their passport after the day they plan to leave.  

Passports must also have been issued less than 10 years before the day you entered the country.  If your passport was issued before October 2018 it may have had extra months added on which no longer count.  Make sure you check the start date of your passport against your travel dates.

Don’t forget to allow plenty of time if your passport needs renewing.  As everyone started travelling at the same time this has meant turn around times are longer and delays are inevitable.

Airport Chaos

As airlines and other companies were forced to close or lay off staff during the pandemic, many areas of the travel industry still haven’t recovered.  Staff shortages mean passengers face long delays at check-in, security and baggage claim.  It is recommended to allow a minimum of 2 hours before your flight for short haul and 3 hours for long haul.  Make sure you allow plenty of travel time, especially if travelling by public transport.  You can always get a bit of shopping done and a meal at the airport to fill the time if you breeze through everything.  Pack your patience along with a change of underwear in case anything goes astray.

With the amount of flights being cancelled check with your airline before you travel that your flight is still scheduled to depart.  If the worst happens make sure that you are aware of the airlines responsibility towards you and any compensation that may be due, here’s a handy guide.  

Check Up on the Rules

Make sure that you read up on the rules of the country you are visiting.  They vary drastically and it’s important you understand everything that is required of you from visas and passports to  vaccination status, or you will be turned away and travel insurance won’t be able to help you.

Travel Insurance

Speaking of travel insurance, this should be your number one priority after booking the trip.  Don’t want until just before you travel or you won’t be covered for anything that happens – such as if you break your leg in the run up to your holiday.

You can read more about all the current rules and regulations here. Make sure you also check the official sites from the country/countries you are planning to visit.

If you still need to sort out your student accommodation for September then head over to our website before you set off on your travels.  You can be sure everything will be ready for you on your return.

Call us on 07791 248744 or drop us a line at enquiries@glsh.co.uk for more help and advice.