International Departures Decline Despite Travel Ban Lift

[clifford]

It seems to me the biggest complication/hesitancy factor is that of catching covid while away. We did in March, but had daughter's spare bedroom to isolate and recover in. A lot of people would be worried about how they would be treated if in paid accommodation.

Well, I've bitten the bullet too, even though I've said I wouldn't.

I've booked a trip, all J class, to the UK in October, using either credits or FF miles (mostly fully refundable). MEL-SIN-BKK-AMM-LCA-LHR-CPH-BKK-MEL, with stopovers in SIN, LCA. One World out, Star back.

Let's see if it actually happens. All quite easy to book and ticket, except of course for Qantas (BKK-LCA on RJ), but hopefully it will ticket soon.

My biggest concern also is getting Covid while OS, but if this happens I will hopefully be able to stay with my sister in the UK. Oh, and I'll now have to renew my Aussie passport.

 

[Franky]

Yeah, and the UK is one country I want to go back to on the high priority list. But when I go O/S I like to maximise things (I know you are going for family etc) so would want to do a bit of buzzing about, preferably to some out-of-the-way places. That's where the complications and hesitancy comes in for me.

I've got a couple of cruises off WA booked for later that year, so that's pretty much the travel budget sorted. #

# Not that I've ever really had a travel 'budget'

If they’re Kimberley cruises, there are at least 4 ferries that are covid infected in the past few weeks…

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My biggest concern also is getting Covid while OS, but if this happens I will hopefully be able to stay with my sister in the UK. Oh, and I'll now have to renew my Aussie passport.

I reported in a couple of other threads I just got back from a month away in USA UK and Europe. Simple precautions such as wearing a mask in appropriate settings, social distancing and hand sanitising means it is far from inevitable that you will catch covid. Tubes were packed, flights to and from Europe were packed, streets were packed, but just about everyone was pretty respectful of those wanting to avoid exposure.

 

[RooFlyer]

If they’re Kimberley cruises, there are at least 4 ferries that are covid infected in the past few weeks…

A Ponant small cruiser (just returned to Aust waters) and yes, its a worry ....

 

[drron]

You would still need the antigen test entering Thailand?

No. From the Thai Embasy for a Thai pass.

Vaccinated travelers will apply for a Thailand Pass and include:

• Passport profile page
• Flight itinerary to confirm the arrival date
• A certificate of full (2 doses) vaccination
• A COVID-19 insurance policy with USD$10,000 minimum coverage

 

[JohnK]

Looks like you're right @drron. I saw something last week mentioning rapid antigen tests at the airport but that must have been scrapped with the announcement last Friday.

 

[SYD]

It seems to me the biggest complication/hesitancy factor is that of catching covid while away. We did in March, but had daughter's spare bedroom to isolate and recover in. A lot of people would be worried about how they would be treated if in paid accommodation.

For our next visit we are flying to MAN, and driving around Midlands, Norfolk, Oxfordshire before hitting our daughter's place. And also having a week in Germany later, so that will be more of a test.

One advantage of an AirBnB if you did test positive - just a drama if you needed to extend.

Meanwhile, we’ve just finished two UK driving stints (2 wks in Devon/Cornwall) and 1 in the North (EDI to NCL via the Lakes, Yorkshire and Durham). A lot of locals visiting places but not too many foreign tourist. Which actually makes it a great time to visit places that would otherwise be heaving with tourists!

We also did a side trip to Berlin. Easy to get in with BA - just upload Oz vax cert and away you go. And we managed to get EU versions there (not that we needed them but might come handy later).

Heading home next week and so much has improved for travelling since booking and even in the 6 wks away - no pre departure test to return being one!

 

[maureeng]

Australian Aviation is reporting February international travel figures out of Australian ports, and the numbers don't seem promising:

I'm somewhat surprised to see such a decline given one would expect travel to pick up from abroad especially for those who want to escape the cold of the Northern hemisphere in favour of warmer climes. Then again, the (SUN)TANS program is laughable given how little support was provided for international travel. Don't get me wrong, that program did a very good job for domestic travel, indeed yours truly picked up a number of cheap domestic tickets to earn QF Gold status for next to nothing. Indeed, Uncle Alan is even stating that domestic travel is well beyond pre-COVID levels. But that international market remains a challenge - many may think we are still a hermit kingdom, and the fares I see ex-US or ex-Europe aren't particularly attractive.

Those are my thoughts. I hear you folks might be entitled to your own

-RooFlyer88

Can we have a supervised RAT test for flying from Aus to USA or does it have to be a PCR test. Been getting conflicting answers.

 

[serfty]

Can we have a supervised RAT test for flying from Aus to USA or does it have to be a PCR test. Been getting conflicting answers.

Look here:

Visa and Travel Requirements for every destination

apply.joinsherpa.com

Supervised RAT is sufficient - I used one in late January

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Look here:

Visa and Travel Requirements for every destination

apply.joinsherpa.com

Supervised RAT is sufficient - I used one in late January

I can confirm. Friends flew to USA three weeks ago and supervised RAT was fine. No problems departing AU or arriving.

 

[Melburnian1]

Having to wear a mask on all flights - uncomfortable - remains a disincentive for medium and long distance travel.

Plus as others mentioned, paperwork/apps/changing rules, even if they are moving in the right direction e.g. Italy/Greece scrapping various restrictions.

 

[lovestotravel]

So why are you heading to...oh, never mind...

Because I don't mind spending $800 per night on decent accommodation. Those that want to travel to the cheap counties.. do it because it's cheap.

 

[dajop]

Because I don't mind spending $800 per night on decent accommodation. Those that want to travel to the cheap counties.. do it because it's cheap.

I think you missed the attempt at a joke that @Must...Fly! was making ... a veiled barb at Qld...

 

[lovestotravel]

I think you missed the attempt at a joke that @Must...Fly! was making ... a veiled barb at Qld...

I miss lots of things

 

[JohnK]

Because I don't mind spending $800 per night on decent accommodation. Those that want to travel to the cheap counties.. do it because it's cheap.

Wow. That is good if you have very few budget constraints.

If you take out the 1 week points redemption at Pattaya Intercontinental I am spending less than $800 for 21 nights accommodation. We travel to cheap countries not just because it's cheap but it's also a much better holiday than anything Australia has to offer.

I stupidly looked at accommodation for a few days in Hervey Bay, Iluka, Lismore or Ballina in late June/July. Nothing under $150/night. No thanks. Money wasted best saved for next overseas holiday.

 

[Quickstatus]

My decision to defer international travel can't possibly be having such a significant impact