Coronavirus has changed the way we live and travel – including where you can go, what you can do and how flexible you can be while you’re there. Thankfully, Covid-19 vaccinations have done a huge amount to make travel easier but there are still some Gap Year travel restrictions you need to be aware of.
Here’s the low down on Gap Year travel restrictions that could impact your plans.
The current state of Gap Year travel
It is not impossible to travel but it has gotten a lot more difficult since the start of the pandemic. If you’re set on going abroad, you need to take into account the Gap Year travel restrictions that you might encounter.
Here’s your checklist of things to consider:
1. Are you vaccinated?
If you’re wondering what Gap Year travel restrictions could affect you, the most important thing to consider is your vaccination status.
While many countries have begun to reopen their borders and ease travel restrictions, this is largely restricted to people who have been fully vaccinated. Once you’re in the country, you are also likely to face restrictions on what you can get up to depending on whether or not you’ve been vaccinated.
Many countries have introduced vaccine passports that citizens and travellers are required to show in order to enter the country, as well as venues, restaurants and even public transport. To stop Gap Year travel restrictions getting in the way of your plans, get your vaccinations done before you go.
2. Where do you want to go?
The other big one is which country or countries you want to travel to. The situation in Europe looks very different to South Asia, for example, and this is something to take into account when planning your Gap Year trip.
Gap Year travel restrictions mean that it’s not as easy as it once was to book a ticket and fly anywhere in the world. It’s really important to research your destination first to find out the current restrictions, entry requirements and also the level of risk you’ll be facing.
The GOV.UK site is updated regularly with new travel recommendations for every destination. You can also sign up for email alerts for specific destinations so you can get ahead of any Gap Year travel restrictions as soon as they arise.
3. What form of transport will you take?
How you travel between countries could also influence what Gap Year travel restrictions you could face. Some destinations have different entry requirements for travellers arriving by air, sea and land.
Check what documents you’ll need to enter your chosen destination(s) and make sure you have them with you when you reach the border.
This might include:
- Passport
- Visa
- Proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test
- Digital vaccination passport
- Evidence of employment or your reason for entering the country
Every country has its own rules so it’s a good idea to get clued up on exactly what Gap Year travel restrictions you could need to deal with depending on your choice of transport and where you’ve visited before you arrive at that destination. Remember that you might need a mask too!
4. What do you plan to do?
You probably have some ideas for how you want your Gap Year to look but bear in mind that some activities could now involve new restrictions.
Try to be realistic about your plans. For instance, if you had a Gap Year in mind that involved moving between different countries – like interrailing or backpacking – there’s a chance that new travel restrictions could make that much harder to do. You might prefer to opt for staying in one country and travel around there instead. There’s always lots to explore!
If you were planning to work abroad, you might also find that fewer businesses are accepting Gap Year travellers or have placed tougher restrictions on the number of people they’re willing to hire. The situation might change so keep looking and see what comes up.
5. Will you travel with a Gap Year company?
A popular choice for Gap Year travellers is to sign up with a dedicated Gap Year company. Taking Gap Year travel restrictions into account, it can be a good idea to travel with experts as they will usually have set plans in place to fit within the current guidelines for your chosen destination.
Gap Year travel restrictions: the bottom line
A popular choice for Gap Year travellers is to sign up with a dedicated Gap Year company. Taking Gap Year travel restrictions into account, it can be a good idea to travel with experts as they will usually have set plans in place to fit within the current guidelines for your chosen destination.
Gap Year travel restrictions have meant that huge numbers of people who would normally be travelling this year have decided not to. However, you can still go abroad for your Gap Year, you just need to plan a little more carefully.
There are many destinations that are open and welcoming travellers. You might need to plan things in advance, book tests and show that you’ve been vaccinated but ultimately you can still have an awesome Gap Year! Wherever you choose, stay up to date with new Gap Year travel restrictions and monitor the situation as it changes.
Check back here soon for more info on planning your Gap Year and how to make the most of every moment!