Coronavirus travel advice

The specific rules of return are determined by your destination’s position on the traffic light system.

For all destinations, the minimum is a negative Covid-19 test result. For all countries, you need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form up to 48 hours before you arrive in the UK.

Re-entry requirements are broadly the same across the UK nations. However, you should check the specifics with your home country before travel.

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

In general, it’s important to understand the rules before you book and stay up to date with them while you’re away as they can change at short notice.

Do you need a negative Covid-19 test result to return to the UK?

Yes, all travellers need to provide a negative Covid-19 result from a test taken up to three days before your return. Generally, the following types of tests will be accepted:

• a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
• a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test
• an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device

It is your responsibility to take the right type of test. You can find out more about pre-return tests on the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish government websites.

The tests must be presented in one of three languages (English, French and Spanish), and translations will not be accepted.

In addition, all travellers (green, amber and red) must take a Day 2 test, which you will need to arrange yourself. A test prior to your departure back to the UK and the Day 2 test are the minimum requirements for all international travel. For amber and red destinations, there are further requirements, which you can read about in full here.

Do you need a Covid-19 test to return to the UK if you’ve been vaccinated?

Yes, you will still need a negative Covid-19 test even if you have been vaccinated. For green list arrivals, you will also need to take a PCR on or before day two of your arrival in the UK.

From July 19, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers arriving from a country on the amber list can also follow this green list rule.

Do you need to self-isolate after a holiday?

For green destinations, there is no mandatory quarantine unless your Day 2 test is positive. In this situation, you must isolate for ten days at home.

For amber destinations from July 19, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers can also skip self-isolation with a negative Day 2 test. Unvaccinated adult travellers (or those with only one vaccine) returning from an amber destination will still be required to quarantine at home for ten days.

Unvaccinated travellers returning to the UK from an amber country and all travellers arriving from red destinations will also need to take two Covid-19 tests during the isolation period – on days two and eight. That’s in addition to the test you need to take before returning to the UK.

You will need to order your at-home testing kits online in advance. It costs anywhere between £47.50 and £575, depending on the clinic and type of test you order. Find out more on the government website here.

For red destinations, you must quarantine in a designated “quarantine hotel”, which you must book in advance and pay for yourself. If you’re returning from a red list country, your tests will be included in the price of your quarantine hotel.

When do you need to pay for hotel quarantine in the UK?

You will need to pay for a ten-day (eleven nights) quarantine in a hotel on your return to the UK. You will need to do this if you are arriving in England from a country on the red list.

Hotel quarantine costs £1750 for a single traveller and an additional £650 for another adult (or £325 for a child aged between 5 and 11).

You will need to book your place in a hotel well in advance of your return home. Find out more on the government website here.

We always recommended purchasing a travel insurance policy as soon as you book your trip. This is because it will cover you from the moment you book, not just while you’re away.

What travel insurance covers you for Covid-19?

Although some events related to Covid-19 will not be covered by travel insurance, many providers now offer what’s known as ‘Enhanced Covid-19 cover’ or similar. This will generally cover you if you contract Covid-19 and cannot travel.

Many policies also cover ‘emergency medical and repatriation’ (read the T&Cs). This means that, if you were to contract the virus on holiday, your medical treatment will be covered and you will be brought home, if needed. It’s also worth taking out a policy should something happen that isn’t related to the pandemic, such as lost baggage or theft. Always read the T&Cs or get in touch directly with the provider to ensure you’re purchasing the right policy for you.

Can you get a refund for a cancelled holiday through your travel insurance?

It’s highly unlikely you will receive a refund from your travel insurance policy if your holiday is cancelled as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. Your best bet is to get in touch with your holiday provider directly and use travel insurance as your last resort.

Car hire companies have largely continued to operate throughout the last year in line with Covid-19 restrictions and general hygiene measures. If you have a car hire reservation or need to hire a car, there are some important things note.

Is it safe to hire a car during the Covid-19 pandemic? 
Rental companies are taking a number of steps to keep customers safe when hiring a car. In general, you can expect rental desks to have screens between customers and employees; fewer people in a rental office at any one time to assist with social distancing; and increased cleaning throughout the day. Both you and employees should wear a mask during pick-up and drop-off. If possible, you should book and manage your reservation online.

Rental cars should also be thoroughly cleaned in between bookings, with special attention on ‘high-touch’ points such as the steering wheel, door handles and entertainment controls.

Can you get a refund for pre-paid reservations if you contract the virus or need to self-isolate? 
Many car hire companies have introduced flexible bookings. In general, you should be able to get a refund or change your booking without a fee if you are instructed to self-isolate. However, terms and conditions will vary by provider so it’s best to get in touch directly with them if you are unsure.

If you currently have a rental car and have been told to self-isolate, get in touch with your car hire company immediately. It’s likely that they will close your booking and ask you to hold onto the car until they can arrange to collect it after your quarantine period. You should not use the car during this time.

If you have any questions about your upcoming holiday or car hire, or are seeking a refund for your booking, it’s best to get in touch directly with your provider.

You can find the full contact information for our holiday providers on our customer service page, and contact information for a selection of our holiday and car hire operators below.

Holiday operators 

• British Airways or at 0800 727 800
• easyJet or at 0330 365 5000
• First Choice or at 0203 451 2688
• Jet2holidays
• Lastminute
• Loveholidays or at 01234 975 975
• TUI or at 0203 451 2688

• Avis or at 0808 284 6666
• Entreprise or at 0800 111 4312
• Alamo or at 0800 028 2390
• Europcar
• Hertz
• Sixt
• National or at 0800 121 8303