When will international flights resume in the UK?
Airlines are still operating flights around the world, although services have dropped considerably in order to cater for essential travel only. While the UK remains in lockdown with no end-date confirmed, industry experts are predicting holidays as we knew them will not restart until July or even later. Hotels and airlines, such as easyJet, are now offering flexible travel deals for 2021.
For more details, see our guide to when flights will resume in the UK.
Can I travel within the UK?
No. Government guidance stresses that essential travel at the moment does not include going on holiday within the UK – whether that’s staying in a hotel, camping or visiting a second home. This is to contain the virus, and also to reduce any potential stress on limited rural health services. After dozens of people attempted to self-isolate in camper vans near Ben Nevis, Nicola Sturgeon said in a briefing on 22 March that Scotland is shut to tourists and the virus ‘cannot be outrun’. A similar outlook was adopted by Visit Cornwall, which looks after a region of the UK popular with second-home owners. All bus, coach and ferry services have been substantially reduced, and most hotels and B&Bs have been closed since the last week of March.
The only spaces staying open are those offering beds to NHS workers, such as the Town Hall Hotel in London’s Bethnal Green and the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester. Somewhat confusingly, police guidelines in England state that driving to the countryside for a walk is a valid reason for leaving home, providing ‘far more time is spent walking than driving’. This advice has since been questioned by rural groups such as the Countryside Alliance and National Farmers’ Union.
Once restrictions begin to lift, it is unlikely travel will be allowed right away. As life slowly eases back to normal, travel within the UK will no doubt be the preferred holiday option as airlines work on operational changes to make flying safer.
I’ve already booked a holiday in the UK in the next couple of months – what should I do?
Holidays in the UK are not covered under the FCO’s advice against travelling – but a lot of places to stay simply won’t be open, plus bars and restaurants will be closed, and we are all being asked to stay as close to home as possible. Anyone who has booked a package holiday within the UK is covered under the travel industry’s Package Travel Regulations, which legally entitles customers to a full refund from their tour operator within 14 days.
Due to the severity of the situation, though, don’t be surprised if this takes substantially longer or if you are offered a credit note instead. According to ABTA, the association that represents UK hotels and holiday firms, many small tour operators and travel agents don’t have the funds to pay everyone back within two weeks, as they are waiting to receive money back themselves from hotels and airlines. A credit note does not prevent customers from claiming a cash refund at a later date, but the danger is that if a company goes under, these will be worthless. Of course, many people will have booked independently, with no insurance to hand for a staycation. We asked Canopy & Stars, whose luxe-camping portfolio covers the UK and Europe, what its policy is. ‘We are offering date changes to guests or if they are not ready to book we can hold a credit for when they are,’ we were told. ‘Most places are letting guests change dates up to June 2021 and more than 90 per cent of guests have taken up this option.’
Can I travel to other countries in Europe?
Only if you are non-resident in the UK and trying to return home. Since 17 March, the advice from the FCO has been against all international travel – the first time this has ever happened. Initial restrictions were originally in place until 15 April, but this has now been extended for an ‘indefinite period’. Those people who were on holiday or working in European countries have been strongly advised to return home to the UK. In an incident that will doubtless become part of Covid-19 folklore, in early April a group of would-be holidaymakers from the UK were turned away by French police after flying by chartered jet to the Côte d’Azur in an attempt to reach a luxury villa they had rented.
While we don’t know when travel to Europe is going to be possible, when it eventually is, many of us will be wondering where will be best to visit in terms of giving back to destinations that need tourism the most. The three most heavily hit EU countries are Italy, Spain and France, while Greece is the nation with the biggest population percentage employed in tourism.
See our guide to which destinations will need tourism most to survive?
Can I hire a car?
It’s still possible to hire a car in the UK, though this should only be used for essential travel – by key workers or those visiting sick relatives, for example. Many outlets have been closed due to reduced demand and the need for a centralised approach. Car-hire companies have also, understandably, ramped up their hygiene procedures – Enterprise is disinfecting key touchpoints in each car, such as the dashboard, wheel and steering column, while Europcar has a zero-contact policy, placing disinfected car keys into a sealed envelope to be opened by the driver. Firms have also relaxed their fees, for those needing to return a vehicle earlier or later than planned, or returning it to a different location. Those needing to self-isolate or in quarantine, who cannot return a car, can arrange to have it picked up.
And if I’ve already booked a car but need to cancel?
Hertz, for example, is advising customers that any reservations affected by travel restrictions can be cancelled any time or rebooked at no charge, while rentals not taking place in a travel-restricted region and booked before 13 March can be changed to a later date at any time over the next two years.
Can I travel by train or ferry?
Only if your journey is deemed essential. All timetables have been scaled back as a result of coronavirus restrictions and drastically reduced demand. NorthLink ferries, for example, which sails from the mainland to the Orkney and Shetland islands, refused passage for more than 20 people in April, as their reasons for travelling were not deemed important enough. Brittany Ferries has cancelled all passenger sailings from the UK to France, Ireland and Spain until 15 May, as have other ferry companies. For pre-booked train journeys, Trainline states that any refund fee will be waived, and is advising customers to request an exchange or refund online – though it may take up to 28 days to receive one.
Like this? Now read:
What kind of holidays will we take when we can travel again?
Why you shouldn’t cancel your holiday
Which destinations will need tourism most to survive?
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