International Travel Guide & Holiday Deals

International travel resumed in May 2021, and is still currently going ahead, but countries are starting to bring in their own rules for what they want international travellers to do as the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly across the world. Make sure you check our guide below for all of the Government's latest updates.

What Is The Latest Travel Update?

We have been keeping a watchful eye on the news and UK Government updates, with the latest being the announcement as of 14th January 2022, travellers who are fully vaccinated can travel to France without a compelling reason and will no longer be required to self-isolate upon arrival. However, you must still provide a negative Covid test taken 24 hours before leaving the UK when you arrive. If you don't qualify as fully vaccinated, you will still need a compelling reason to enter France, and must still isolate for 10 days upon your arrival. We will of course continue to update you.

What We're Doing to Help

We want you to get away on that all important break or holiday, which is why our holiday deals have a long period of validity on them, allowing you to change your plans if necessary. We also offer a no-quibble 14 day money back guarantee on all unredeemed Wowchers, which starts from the day after you receive your Wowcher. For more information, check our Refund Policyhere.

Where Can I Go On Holiday?

Although restrictions are starting to creep back in, travelling abroad still has the green light, just make sure that you follow the guidance and rules of the country you're planning on travelling to, which you can find at the bottom of this page. Take a look below and see what country you like the look of! Here are just a number of our most popular destinations and deals:



Do you have a question about the Government's advice and the Covid-19 safety requirements? See our FAQs at the bottom of the page.

Your Travel FAQs Answered

International travel is now being regulated through a single red list and simplified 'rest of the world' measures. For more information on what this means and which countries are red, read on below.

What is the system for international travel?

There is a single red list then 'rest of world' status. The Government hopes this provides simpler, clearer and cheaper rules for travellers coming from non-red list countries and territories. The UK Government have said that they are keeping the red list under constant review and countries and territories can be added to the red list at any time. We'd advise you to check before you travel, however currently there are no countries or territories on the red list, and no upcoming changes.

What does it mean if my holiday destination is on the red list?

Put the passport away - if you live in England, you should not travel to red list countries or territories for leisure purposes. Those travelling to England from a red list country - regardless of vaccination status - must take a COVID-19 test in the three days before travelling to England, book a quarantine hotel package to quarantine for 10 days and take 2 COVID-19 tests, and complete a passenger locator form. If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, please check the latest updates for your region before, during and after travel.

What does it mean if my holiday destination is not on the red list?

If your destination sits in the 'rest of world' category for international travel, you'll be able to make the most of simpler, cheaper rules - including less testing and lower costs. You'll just need to check if you qualify as fully vaccinated or medically exempt, which then determines what COVID-19 test or other guidance you need to follow.

How do I know if I qualify as fully vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated means you have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in England - don't forget, the day you had your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days.

Even if you are not fully vaccinated from an administered vaccination programme, the fully vaccinated rules still apply if you:

  • are under 18 and are a resident in the UK or one of the approved countries
  • are taking part in an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK or the USA (US residents only for USA trials)
  • cannot have a COVID-19 vaccination for a medical reason which has been approved by a clinician under the new medical exemptions process, and you are a resident in England

How do I prove my vaccination status?

If you have been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme, you can conveniently prove your status using either the NHS Covid Pass for England and Wales, the NHS Scotland COVID Status app, or the COVIDCert NI for Northern Ireland. Paper certificates are also available. If you cannot prove that you qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, you must follow the rules for people who are not fully vaccinated.

I'm fully vaccinated - what do I need to do to travel?

If you're a fully vaccinated traveller heading to a country or territory not on the red list, you are required to complete a Passenger Location Form 48 hours before you're due to arrive back in England. You must also book and pay for a Day 2 COVID-19 test to be taken after you return from your holiday. Froom 4am on Sunday 9th January, fully vaccinated travellers can use a lateral flow test, but if you arrived in England before 4am on Sunday 9th January, you will to take a PCR test. You can take the test anytime after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest. The day you arrive is day 0. If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate. With the lateral flow test, if the result is positive, you must self-isolate and take a PCR test.

I'm not fully vaccinated - what do I need to do to travel?

If you're not a fully vaccinated traveller heading to a country or territory not on the red list, you are required to take a COVID-19 test to be taken in the two days before you travel to England. You must complete a Passenger Location Form 48 hours before you're due to arrive back in England. You must also book and pay for a Day 2 and Day 8 COVID-19 test to be taken after you return from your holiday. You are required to quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 full days when re-entering the UK. You must take the first test on or before day 2 and the second test on or after day 8. The day you arrive is day 0. If you are in England for less than 10 days, you need to quarantine for the time you are here. You only need to take your day 2 and day 8 PCR tests if you are still in England on those days. You may be able to end quarantine early if you pay for a private COVID-19 test through the Test to Release scheme.

Where can I find a coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider?

For those arriving in England from abroad, the government have provided a handy Find A Test Provider page and advice. The government does not endorse or recommend any specific test provider, so you should do your own research about them and their terms and conditions. You need to get tested for COVID-19 if you're arriving in England from abroad, and you should book your test before you travel to allow enough time for them to be delivered to your address in England. Prices start from just £2.50, subject to provider and dependent on the test you require.

When can I travel to USA again?

From November 2021, the US Government announced it would lift travel restrictions for travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you're not fully vaccinated, you will not able to travel to America unless you are an American citizen or national. From 29th November 2021, the US Government has suspended entry into the USA for non-citizens who have been to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. For some inspiration in the meantime, be sure to take a peek at our USA & Canada Holidays on Wowcher.

What are the entry requirements for the country I'm travelling to?

Entry requirements vary by country. To find the most up-to-date requirements for your chosen destination, visit the foreign travel advice section of the GOV.UK website. You'll also find the latest coronavirus information, safety and security, and travel warnings.

Do the international travel rules, requirements and government guidance apply to everyone in the UK?

Rules may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is recommended that you check the latest updates for your region before, during and after travel.

Do my children need to get tested for travel?

The rules for children differ depending on age and country of residence. As of 7th January, children aged 17 and under do not have to take a Covid-19 test before travel to England. Be sure to check the latest travel advice for the most up-to-date information.

Countries UK travellers are banned from or have tougher restrictions

  • Germany, are only allowing UK travellers to visit who have a compelling reason.
  • The Netherlands, all UK travellers must quarantine for 10 days on arrival, there is an option for test to release on day 5.
  • Qatar, UK arrivals must be fully vaccinated and quarantine in a hotel for 2 days.
  • Benin, extreme necessity entry only from UK travellers.
  • Eritrea, limiting flights coming in from UK.
  • Gabon, UK travellers must have authorisation from the Government to enter.
  • Madagascar, limiting flights coming in from UK.
  • Morocco, the Moroccan government has suspended all flights and ferries in and out of Morocco until 31st January 2022.
  • Chile, UK travellers will need to have their proof of vaccination validated by the Chilean Government, which can take up to 30 days.
  • Falkland Islands, no tourists are permitted.
  • Suriname, have banned all UK travellers. Check the Government's website for exemptions.
  • Bhutan, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Brunei, a permit is required from the Prime Minister's Office for UK travellers.
  • China, all direct flights are banned.
  • Hong Kong, UK travellers will need to complete a 21 day quarantine period.
  • Japan, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Indonesia, tourist visas not currently available for British nationals.
  • Laos, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Iran, 14 days quarantine required for UK travellers.
  • Kuwait, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Macao, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Malaysia, stopped selling bus & flight tickets to Singapore, which is it's only travel corridor.
  • Mongolia, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Myanmar, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Niger, are running limited flights, you'll need to do a Covid test on arrival and you'll have to self-isolate until the results are through.
  • Singapore, have frozen the sale of tickets that allowed quarantine free travel for vaccinated people from 24 countries.
  • South Korea, mandatory testing on arrival, quarantine exemptions have been suspended so you'll also likely have to quarantine.
  • Taiwan, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Thailand, have a mandatory 14 day quarantine period for all foreign travellers unless you are staying in Phuket.
  • Turkmenistan, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Vietnam, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Australia, all travellers must be granted an exemption in order to enter the country.
  • Cook Islands, have closed their borders.
  • Nauru, have banned all UK travellers.
  • New Zealand, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Papua New Guinea, have limited flights arriving.
  • Pitcairn Island, have banned all UK travellers.
  • Tonga, have banned all UK travellers.
Make sure you check the countries page on the Government's website if you think you may qualify to travel under an exemption.

What are red list countries and territories? (correct as of 07.01.2022) Currently there are no countries or territories on the red list and no upcoming changes. Travellers are advised to follow the rules of the country that they are travelling to and to follow the rules upon returning to England.