How to Navigate International Travel during Covid
In the clouds
I can’t wait to share some of our travel adventures with you in future newsletters but for now I will answer a question I have been asked many times…“How did you navigate international travel with Covid restrictions?”
I can not say it was easy but it was totally worth the challenges!
I am not an expert by any means but I can share what we did and how it worked.
Train Station, Coleraine, Northern Ireland
We had to navigate covid requirements for three different countries. Our flight originated in Seattle with a short layover in Reykjavik Iceland, and finished in Dublin, Ireland. We took a train from Dublin Ireland to Belfast Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom.
Note: America still has a strict travel ban in place with a possibility of opening the borders in November 2021. Details are still unclear.
Train Station, Dublin, Ireland
Do your Research
Every country has their own set of rules and forms to complete so do your research before you leave! There are also different rules within each country depending on the rating of your home country’s “risk level”.
Most of the forms can be completed online before you leave your home. Make sure you have digital access to the forms or make a copy and carry them with you…or both!
Book your trip
Travel restrictions and Covid outbreak numbers are still very fluid around the world so book all of your travel plans with refundable or flexible options. This will mitigate worry and financial risk if you are unable to travel due to Covid related issues.
Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Proof of Vaccination
Make a photocopy and take a photo of your vaccination card and carry it with you.
In the Republic of Ireland, we had to show proof of vaccination to be seated at restaurants.
Our vaccination cards now live with our passports and we carry a photo of them on our phones. A photo of the card worked in most situations.
Strangford, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Get a Covid test
Know which test is required for travel to your destination country as well as any “touch point” counties along your route. There are different types of tests, we needed a negative PCR for Travel test taken within 72 hours of our departure from Seattle.
Depending on the level of Covid outbreaks and testing facilities in your home location, you may have difficulty getting a test. Travel tests are low priority when numbers are high and results can be delayed.
Three Covid tests were required for our trip…one before we boarded the plane in Seattle, (cost covered by our insurance) one two days after arriving in Belfast, (50 pounds) and one to return to the US. (35 euros)
The Covid test in the UK was self administered. We had the kits delivered to our hotel and returned them with a tracking form to a central testing center. We received the results via email about 24 hours later.
We arrived a day early in Dublin for our return flight and made an appointment at the airport for a “quick” test. The results were emailed less than an hour after the test.
We used Randox testing lab in both Dublin and Belfast.
Windmill, Portaferry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
