Travel is back on the menu for many in 2022 after a few years of bleak COVID-enforced restrictions and limitations. This is an exciting time for travel lovers like us! Our travel plans for 2022 involve wandering our way across Europe and Morocco, with details of our travel itinerary listed here!
When looking to book our trip in early 2022, many countries were still battling the tail end of Omicron COVID-19 infection waves, and we were unsure how many restrictions there would be. We were prepared to require flexibility, and possible changes to our plans. We have found the use of Smart Traveller (and Australian government website) very beneficial to get updates on entry requirements for countries.
Please note: this was updated as we travelled through Europe, meaning some of this may not be accurate when you decide to travel. It should give you and idea around some of the considerations in the post-COVID travel world.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS & ADVICE:
Planning:
Plan! Spontaneous travel is still possible, however need for tests, differing entry requirements for countries and changing landscape means booking a trip on a whim isn’t as possible as pre-COVID. Thankfully, most countries are relaxing their borders and entry requirements, thus a vaccination passport will likely be adequate for entry. We would still recommend being abreast of all the countries entry and exit requirements to avoid missing a test or a particular form. This takes planning, and is a consideration that wasn’t a factor pre-COVID travel.
COVID Entry Requirements:
If you’re looking into travel, you’ll likely already know that most/all airlines and countries require proof of vaccination. For Australian’s this takes the form of an International Vaccination Certificate (available through your MyGov account).
- France: this required us to fill out a form and proof of vaccination (or negative test for those unvaccinated) through the airline 72hrs before arrival. – Updated May 2022
- Spain: required us to download a Spanish app (SpTH) and add flight details, vaccination status and a declaration. – Updated May 2022
- Morocco (not Europe but likely relevant for some): you must present a vaccination certificate OR a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test taken in the 48 hours before departure Note: this changed on 19th of May to remove the requirement for a PCR for all travellers, however we still completed one as we left on the day that the rules changed and it was pretty confusing. A PCR test in Granada cost us 74 euros and a result returned in 24hours. Also need to fill out an entry form (see here) – Updated May 2022
- UK: no requirements for PCR test for vaccinated individuals. – Updated May 2022
- Slovenia: no requirements for testing for those fully vaccinated or those without vaccination. – Updated May 2022
- Italy: no requirements for testing or vaccination as of June 1st – Updated June 2022
- Croatia: no requirements for testing or vaccination. No mask rules for public transport. – Updated June 2022
- Montenegro: no entry requirements – Updated July 2022
- Greece: no entry requirements – Updated August 2022
- Albania: no entry requirements – Updated August 2022
- Hungary: no entry requirements – Updated August 2022
- Czech Republic: no entry requirements – Updated August 2022
- North Macedonia: no entry requirements – Updated August 2022
- Bulgaria: no entry requirements – Updated August 2022
- Romania: no entry requirements – Updated August 2022
Be prepared that this will take time out of your holiday (and money for PCR tests).
Entry into venues like restaurants, bars and tourist attractions have so far been as per pre-COVID. There has been no checking of vaccination or requirements to wear masks. We will update this as we go if things change. August 2022: there has been no mask or vaccine requirements to enter venues.
Travel Insurance:
This is a general “must do” for most travellers anyway, especially if taking gear like a drone, camera, laptops etc like we are. It is important to check what your insurance covers in the current climate. Often you can get insurance covered when you purchase tickets through a Mastercard like we did, however it only covered the cardholder, thus Tess needed to obtain separate travel insurance. Generally, most travel insurance will now cover medical related expenses incurred due to COVID-19, however it would be advisable to check. Many travel insurances will not cover changes if a country decides to close their border due to COVID-19. Additionally, most tours will require you to have travel insurance.
Flexibility is Key!
Be prepared to change dates, days, countries and more. Some countries will close entry to certain countries when a new strain appears or cases spike, so be prepared to be flexible. Luckily this hasn’t impacted us significantly yet, other travellers we know had to modify their trip to avoid parts of Western Europe during the Omicron COVID wave.
Flexible flights doesn’t always = FREE flexibility. I’m sure many of you have noticed the big banners and taglines on airline and travel agent websites, ads and social media. An example of this is Etihad’s “free flight change or cancel” as shown below. However, when reading through the fine print, it appears you’ll likely pay between $220-305 per person per flight change when booking enconomy flights (like us). The exception to this is if COVID prevents you being able to travel (e.g. border closure, quaratine included etc). I suspect spending more with business or first class flights you will likely have greater flexibility, however this wasn’t something we explored.
Mask Wearing:
Masks have been a key defence against COVID-19 and implemented in most countries during lockdowns and restrictions (definitely the case in Australia). Currently, masks have been required for all transport, with this inclusive of Flights, Busses, Trains and Ubers. Overall, compliance from passengers varies, probably around the 50-70% pending the country. I would expect masks for transport are here to stay.
Update August 2022: Whilst mask mandates are still often present for transport (e.g. flights, taxis etc), the majority of individuals aren’t adhering to them and the airline staff also don’t enforce them.
Have Patience:
Travel, including airports and check-ins were already slow and laborious processes. The addition of extra checks and restrictions means that this takes even longer. So take a deep breath, plan to spend a little longer in-transit and get to places (like your flights) early. Whilst not excessively increased, I would encourage getting to airports earlier in case you need to provide further information.
Be Kind to Others:
Whilst this is a motto that we aspire to with everyone (and think others should to), this particularly applies to staff involved in your travel journey, and whilst travelling. No, the staff probably don’t want to ask you to check in, or to see your vaccination certificate, but is it part of their job, yes, so don’t hate on them for that.
Have Fun and Be Thankful!
We are finally back travelling after a few hellish years (good effort for all of those that managed decent trips over 2020-21). Enjoy the feeling of being on holiday, and relaxing. Spend some time appreciating and being thankful for our ability to be able to travel. It’s amazing how much we took for granted! Spend some money on local businesses with products and services that are made in these tourist towns. Many of these towns rely on tourism to survive and likely suffered hard during the past few years.
Respect the Countries & Environment:
Whilst we were away from a number these tourist destinations, the was remarkable improvements in pollution in certain areas. An example of this was how Venice’s famous canals were the cleanest they had been in years due to no tourists. Travelling in 2022, with the considerations around the ongoing threat of global warming, means we have a responsibility to be conscious of how we travel.
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