Getting Ready to Travel

Travel has opened up again and so many of us are jetting off for that well-deserved break.

For the foreseeable future your travel experience will be a bit different from before with extra travel requirements - here’s a few extra things you’ll need to think about before travelling.

Check the entry requirements for your destination country, and the re-entry requirements for Ireland too

Entry requirements vary from country to country so make sure you check before travelling. If you don’t, you could be denied boarding, fined or delayed.

Make sure you have your EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) - if you’re fully vaccinated, you may already have it

You may need to complete a pre-departure form or get tested for COVID-19 before travel
Complete your Passenger Locator Form for your destination country
You may need to fill in an Ireland Passenger Locator Form and get tested before travelling home depending on the guidelines on travel to Ireland from your destination country
Check if you need a visa for entry to your destination country

More information:

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

Obtaining your DCC

Re-open EU advice on entry and testing requirements for travellers within the EU

Entry visas

Get travel insurance

It’s more important than ever to have the right travel insurance in place before your holiday for that extra peace of mind. Talk to us about travel insurance during the booking process.

Check in online

Your airline may require you to check in online in advance of your flight to ease your passage through the airport, as part of social distancing guidelines.

Arrive early

Due to social distancing and health and safety measures in the airport, security checks may take longer - so make sure you arrive within plenty of time. On that note -

Prepare for the security checks

Security checks may take significantly longer than usual. Do everything you can to make it easier on yourself.

Try to wear shoes that will be easy to slip off if you’re required to during security screening
Keep liquids to 100ml or under and keep them in a clear resealable bag that’s easy to place in a separate tray
Keep electrical items separate from the rest of your hand luggage so you can place it easily in a separate tray
Be aware that there may be more bag checks and x-ray checks than usual
Staff will be wearing PPE and may need to change gloves etc during security processes

Bring face masks

Everyone needs to wear face masks from the moment you arrive at your departure airport and throughout your flight, unless you can present evidence of a medical exemption.

Even fully vaccinated passengers need to wear face coverings, which must cover your nose, mouth and chin.
You will need to bring your own masks and ensure you have enough to change it every four hours.
Note that face mask regulations will vary depending on your destination.

Packing light is best

Social distancing measures mean that crew may not be able to assist with putting luggage into overhead lockers so try to keep your hand luggage to a minimum. Larger electronics should be stored in your hand luggage rather than your suitcase.

Prepare for contactless payments

Contactless payments are the preferred method in many countries now thanks to social distancing measures so make sure your cards are set up to be used abroad and are enabled for contactless payments. It may be worth bringing some cash just in case.

Ensure you meet all requirements for re-entering Ireland