Everything you need to know about travel during COVID-19

At Hop2, we always take care of your health and safety so that you can travel with confidence. Furthermore, we understand how confusing it is to know what to do when planning a trip, considering that the situation changes from day to day.

That’s why we’ve decided to bring together the most useful tips and trusted sources of information in a single place to help you smartly organize your travel.

What do you need to do before you depart?

Consider entry requirements for the country you’re traveling to

Due to the rapidly growing global health urgency, many countries have enforced specific entry restrictions related to health concerns. So please make sure to check your destination country restrictions before going on a trip.

❗️ See the latest travel advisories for your destination.

Сheck your flight status

While we’re always responsible for tracking any changes possessed by the airline for your booking and keeping you up-to-date with the latest information, it’s recommended that you check your flight at least 48 hours before departure.

You can see the current status of your reservation on your booking page as well as on your airline’s official website.

Get more flexibility and protection

Be always prepared to deal with any unexpected circumstances that might occur before boarding a plane.

Opt for our extra options to change your departure time and date, save more when making changes to your booking, and get the opportunity to cancel your flight for any possible reason.

Consider adding these options while making your booking, so you’ll get an irreplaceable extra layer of security and comfort.

Prepare all the documentation

The Covid-19 pandemic created a whole new checklist of what you should bring with you on your trip. Here’s the essential paperwork you need to have in your bag:

Proofs of vaccination

It doesn’t matter where you’re traveling to and what requirements the country has for checking your “vaccination status,” it’s always recommended to bring all of your CDC-issued (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) copies or digital certificates with you.

Ensure to keep them safe and, before arriving at the airport, double-check all your vaccination proofs to be fully prepared to provide the authorities with this documentation.

Passenger locator form

To help with contact tracing of traveling passengers, many European countries require their visitors to complete a digital passenger locator form before planning a trip.

It might not be enough to show only your Covid-related documents—the form implies a lot of additional information needed for the country’s health authorities.

For example, the form may include your address where you’re planning to stay at, as well as confirmation of the scheduled Covid-tests you’ll need to take after arrival.

Covid test results

In addition to other documents, many countries require you to show proof of a negative Covid-test. The type of these tests varies by country. For instance, some countries accept only PCR tests, while others will be fine with rapid antigen tests. Therefore, it’s recommended to check what type of test is required for your flight before departure.

Just for a small reminder, make sure to keep your test results in both paper and electronic forms.

Masks

This item has become part and parcel of our life. Ensure to take at least one mask with you—most probably, it will be required for many places, including indoor activities.

However, some countries (e.g., Germany) oblige people to have surgical masks, such as N95s, when riding public transport or visiting public spaces.

In such cases, to avoid unpleasant surprises, take care of bringing two different types of masks with you when traveling abroad.

Proof of insurance

Before planning a trip, double-check the specific health-insurance policies for your destination country. Why is it so necessary? Many countries still require you to have health insurance, even if you’re fully vaccinated or have Covid test results at your fingertips. Thus, you might not be permitted to enter the country without having the appropriate health insurance.

For instance, if you’re going to Europe from the United States, get acquainted with the offered health insurances to prepare for your trip.

Proofs of relationship

This section will be incredibly helpful for those who travel with kids or other relatives. To avoid unnecessary questions or arguments at the airport, make sure to bring any proof of your relationship with you. In addition to relatives’ passports, a child’s birth certificate or a court document might be enough.

Valid passports and visas

Ensure your passport expiration date is at least six months from your return date. Also, it’s essential to check what visas your destination country requires and take care of them before booking a trip.

If you’re traveling from the United States with an American passport, you’re allowed to enter about 116 foreign countries with no visa needed. Nevertheless, some countries require an entry visa.

If you possess another passport, we recommend you check with your destination country authorities what kind of visa is required for your travel.

Note that failure to comply with these requirements may result in denied boarding.

Tests for your return

It doesn’t matter whether you’re vaccinated or not. When traveling back to your country, sometimes you’ll also need to double-prove your health status. So make sure to verify whether you need to provide repetitive Covid-tests.

❗️ Use this free online tool to check the latest travel regulations and necessary documentation for your destination country.

And again, we recommend you download and print each Covid-related document. Keep the documentation organized and handy in both digital and paper forms so that you’ll be fully prepared to pass any potential check before, during, and after your journey.

Need to make changes to your booking or cancel a flight?

In case you’d like to change or cancel your flight booking, you’ll find more well-detailed information in our knowledge base.

We are available 24/24 to help you with any questions or concerns regarding the travel plans or booking arrangements. Contact us via our online form or simply email us at customercare@hop2.com to get all of your questions answered.

Check out these additional sources for more information:

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