International Travel in April? Or in 2022

duluxe2000 on 02/03/2022 - 11:17
Last edited 02/03/2022 - 12:45

Dear all wise folks of Ozbargain,

After 2 years of lockdown, we would like to travel again (anywhere) in April (if possible) or anytime in 2022. Which destination(s) have the most relax rules regarding to Covid ? And any precautions would you recommend to take before travelling (insurance, flex flights, etc…) ?

I'm also research on my own on https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations?title=&field_o… and will update the topic what I find. Atm all destinations are at least level 2.

UPDATED: Thanks @bitesized for suggestion : We're a couple so we would like to visit attractions, do activities, sightseeing, hiking etc… prefer not to be in a resort (saving it when we get older :P) I haven't been to US or Europe before :)

Thank you,

Travel

Comments

  • Hybroid on 02/03/2022 - 11:21
    +3

    UK and US are both fully open. Much of Europe too. Most of the world nowadays really.

    • duluxe2000 on 02/03/2022 - 11:28

      Thanks, keen on US in April as it's winter in Europe now :)

      • Hybroid on 02/03/2022 - 11:30

        Just been over Christmas break and it's largely back to normality as it is here in Sydney. Take precautions and be careful but enjoy yourself.

        • fatming on 06/03/2022 - 21:29

          Can I ask you what sort of tests u have to do and do u have to find yourself a doctor over there or what’s the regimen? Wondering for a family of 6 all 4 kids under 16. Is it costly?

          • Hybroid on 06/03/2022 - 21:37

            @fatming: Sure.

            USA you need to be vaccinated and do a COVID test from here 1 day before you travel to have a negative fit-to-fly certificate. There's no further testing required when you land there.

            More info: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-…

            UK you need to be vaccinated and do a COVID test from here 2 days before you travel to have a negative fit-to-fly certificate. You also need to book a Day 2 PCR test before you depart but heard they were scrapping that soon so depends when you travel.

            More info: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for…

            Day 2: https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider

            The types of tests matter as well. PCR is standard. Some allow observed LFTs at either clinic or even some are offering video calls to watch you do it properly at home.

            Costs vary significantly, there's no regulation around it.

            • Cheapshots on 06/03/2022 - 22:47
              +2

              @Hybroid: No need for a test to the uk. Just be vaccinated. Was a piece of cake flying over last week

              • Hybroid on 06/03/2022 - 23:08

                @Cheapshots: Ah yes, it has indeed changed.

                If you do qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you do not need to take a test before travel.

                • Cheapshots on 07/03/2022 - 01:23

                  @Hybroid: Yeah they scrapped it maybe two months ago.
                  And Singapore stopped needing it a week before we left as we were transiting through. So perfect timing

                  • fatming on 07/03/2022 - 11:04

                    @Cheapshots: So boarding flight to Singapore, no test needed & when u came back, any idea where to organise that test?

                    • Cheapshots on 07/03/2022 - 11:40

                      @fatming: Correct. England scrapped tests maybe two months back.
                      Singapore scrapped tests for transiting people 2 weeks ago. Unsure the rules if you overnight etc in Singapore.

                      Unsure on rules for when we come back tbh. Won’t be till late sept anyway so not stressed.

            • fatming on 07/03/2022 - 11:05

              @Hybroid: Sorry to painfully ask again, how do you apply for that fit to fly cert? I’ve gone on multiple govt website and there doesn’t seem to be a clear cut answer.

              • Hybroid on 07/03/2022 - 11:14

                @fatming: Where are you going? The rules change all the time and have changed since I left in January.

                • fatming on 09/03/2022 - 15:00

                  @Hybroid: I’m undecided, we have leave booked for Easter but just really up in the air with travelling with kids. Going there I’m ok, it’s just not being able to get back that freaks me out.

      • newjerseydamo on 02/03/2022 - 11:38
        +2

        North East USA (Atlanta and up) will still be cold in April. Can still get snow.

      • GG57 on 02/03/2022 - 11:40
        +1

        keen on US in April as it's winter in Europe now

        How are those two parts of the sentence related?

        • capslock on 02/03/2022 - 11:57
          -2

          It is warmer in US compared to Europe

          • stirlo on 02/03/2022 - 12:01
            +1

            @capslock: How so, It's warm in Spain and California and cold in New York and London. They both have the same seasons

          • carwashhair on 02/03/2022 - 12:01
            +1

            @capslock: that's, uhh, a bit of a blanket statement…

        • duluxe2000 on 02/03/2022 - 12:07

          I did a quick search on Google "best time to travel to US/Europe" and it's recommended that "either during spring (late March to late May) or autumn (late September to late October)" for US and "the best time to visit Europe is during the summer months of June to September". Hence the statement… :D

          • stirlo on 02/03/2022 - 12:15
            +2

            @duluxe2000: There's many things that make the "best" time to travel. I'd strongly suggest thinking about what activities and places you want to go before deciding.

            Eg: Europe will be it's most expensive and crowded in the European summer while the shoulder seasons (spring & autumn) are less busy and more affordable. In summer Greece and the Mediterranean will be uncomfortably hot but the Scandinavian countries and UK will be great.

            North east america will still be cold with potential snow in April, but southern america will be temperate and nice to travel. In summer New York will be pleasant (and pricey) but southern US (grand canyon etc) will be extremely hot and unpleasant.

          • Archi on 02/03/2022 - 12:57
            +1

            @duluxe2000:

            best time to travel to US/Europe"

            is when you want to go

          • GG57 on 02/03/2022 - 13:07

            @duluxe2000: The statements should be separate. Even your explanation shows that.

            It was winter in both the USA and Europe at the same time.
            The USA is a huge country; there are different climates in different areas to consider.
            Europe covers many different countries, with different climates to consider.

            I don't know how Google has determined what the "best time" is. But if you want some Google algorithms to tell you what to do and when to do it, go for it.

  • stirlo on 02/03/2022 - 12:05
    +2

    I went to USA in January, it's 99% back to normal. Some states still ask for masks indoors and on public transport but that's not much different to here. Nearly all businesses were open and there were way less tourists around than normal so it's a fantastic time to go there.

  • bitesized on 02/03/2022 - 12:12
    +2

    Can you share more of what you are hoping for? Whether you want summer resort all-in-one vibes (Fiji, Boracay, Maldives, Phuket, Hawaii), or outdoors/adventure (NZ, Canada), or big city (LA, NYC, London, Seoul, Singapore)?

    IMO almost all places have the same or relaxed measures than Aus does. Insure and Go has really clear and easy Covid policies, have used them twice recently.

    • stirlo on 02/03/2022 - 12:17

      From 15 of March Amex is including Covid travel insurance in their standard credit card insurances so you may not even have to buy extra coverage.

    • nicolascage on 16/03/2022 - 11:10

      "IMO almost all places have the same or relaxed measures than Aus does. Insure and Go has really clear and easy Covid policies, have used them twice recently."

      I had the same thoughts but it seems Korea is only accepting essential travel, for certain countries including Australia. Other countries have relaxed their restrictions.

  • dahax77 on 02/03/2022 - 12:20
    +2

    West side of US is a great place to visit in April climate wise and also avoiding the peak crowds and prices.

    I did a road trip from Vegas to Denver a few years back and it was awesome - plenty of open spaces so Covid wouldn't be a big worry and so much to see in particular the National Parks through Utah, Nevada etc and then you get to see the snow and mountains in Colorado - best of both worlds! (also combine with a visit to LA/San Fran for the flights)

    That would be my pick.

    • stirlo on 02/03/2022 - 12:23
      +3

      I did 3500km from LA to Utah and back in January. 100% agree this part of the world is amazing. And compared to big cities far more affordable.

  • Big Lenny on 04/03/2022 - 14:51
    +1

    UK fully open. I'll be booking soon for May

    • Cheapshots on 06/03/2022 - 22:48

      I just flew over last week. No dramas at all

  • Bad Taste on 05/03/2022 - 22:46
    +1

    I was hoping to travel to USA in April but covid has still stopped me booking it. We are a group of 8 people and you still have to have a covid test done going to USA within 24 hours of flying out and another covid test coming back to Australia (3 days for a PCR or 24 hours for a rapid test). Cost of a rapid test within 24 hours is Australia is $59 each and covid tests in USA are more expensive so we are not prepared to pay that extra money for something that makes makes no sense. Unless the rules change very quickly and prices are still reasonable then we may still book.

    • stirlo on 07/03/2022 - 19:33

      Cost of a rapid test within 24 hours is Australia is $59 each and covid tests in USA are more expensive so we are not prepared to pay that extra money for something that makes makes no sense.

      $59 is a tiny percentage of what you'll spend on holidays. Cancel your entire holiday over the cost of less than 1 dinner…

      As for coming back from the USA when I travelled in January it still required a PCR test. $120 USD at LAX was the price which is a bit high but if you can't afford this you have no place travelling to an expensive country like the USA anyway.

      I was luckily able to get my tests done for free at a free testing clinic in Utah who was able to provide the necessary test result form that met Australia requirements. With a bit of luck you might be able to find a government sponsored clinic that can do the same for you. Just email them saying you don't have health insurance and need it to return to Australia and see what they say.

      FYI America is no longer cheap compared to Australia. Expect to pay more than Australia for most services after taking the exchange rate into account. On my previous trips it was still around 30% less but the recent inflation over there seems to have increased prices quite dramatically.

      • Bad Taste on 08/03/2022 - 19:05

        $59 for 8 people is $472. $120 USD is around $165 AUD so that will be $1320 for 8 people. That is $1800 just for covid testing which isn't necessary anymore.

        Sure for 1 person, $225 you could do it (more like a weeks worth of dinners for me), but for $1800, its not worth it yet.

        • stirlo on 08/03/2022 - 19:16

          It is a lot but it’s only $225 per person. Your travel budget for USA should probably be around that per day if you want to hire a car and stay in mid range hotels and eat out a few times a week. USA is not a cheap place to travel…

        • fatming on 09/03/2022 - 15:03
          +1

          I agree with you BadTaste, $1800 much better spent elsewhere! Unfortunately value of money is different for different people. I could buy my kids 2 laptops for school with that.

          • stirlo on 09/03/2022 - 15:39

            @fatming: Yeah, it's not cheap unfortunately.

            But a local holiday will probably cost around the same as an American one (if flying and hiring car) so then you have a situation where the extra cost of $225 per person for the chance to go overseas might make sense. If you were going to Thailand, Bali or Fiji where costs of accommodation and food is half that of here it would still make sense even with the testing cost.

            Also don't discount what I said about getting a free test in USA. It is possible in certain states and I think it might be easier than it seems at first as all the providers are able to bill the federal government for the test cost for those without US health insurance. The policy is obviously designed for poor people and illegal immigrants but the testing company we contacted was happy to test us under it as we didn't have US health insurance we were eligible.

            I agree with your comment above about the biggest risk being being able to come home on time. We got tested at lunchtime 3 days before the day of our evening flight, so effectively almost 4 days before travel which is allowed under the rules. This can minimise the risk as the isolation period when catching Covid in USA is 5 days. You can also do something with low covid risk (like hiking outdoors) in the days before taking the test to minimise chances. I never caught covid in a month over there and even walked around the crowed casinos on Freemont st in Vegas (with a mask on). Adding in the Amex travel insurance which will soon cover not just medical but also trip disruption for Covid and the risk goes down a fair bit.

            • fatming on 12/03/2022 - 09:19

              @stirlo: That’s good to know coz I have 2 credit cards Amex plat edge & ANZ Black but need to dive into the pdf to see if I need to buy extra cover. Man I miss the good ol days of travelling😭

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