Where can I travel to now? Your travel questions answered

This page is being updated regularly – most recently on Friday 4 June, 2021 – to reflect the most up to date guidance on international travel restrictions from the UK government in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current situation is subject to change, often at short notice, so it is important that you keep up to date with all of the latest travel information on the UK government website.

What are the current restrictions around international travel?

What is the UK government’s ‘traffic light system’ for travel?

Does London Stansted Airport offer a hotel quarantine and testing package?

Does London Stansted Airport offer a PCR testing package?

Which countries are on the government’s ‘green’ list?

What countries are on the government’s ‘red’ banned travel list?

Can I book my summer holiday now, given the government’s plans for international travel may change?

What do I do if I travel to a green country and it changes to amber while I’m there?

Will I need to quarantine when I get to my holiday destination?

Do I still need to complete any health checks or forms to travel?

What do I do if I think I’ve developed COVID-19 symptoms before travelling?

Do the rules for England also apply to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

When will the government be reviewing and updating on international travel?

What are the current restrictions around international travel?

From Monday May 17, non-essential international travel has been allowed to resume.

However, there are still measures in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and any variants, with a continuation of quarantine and testing requirements.

 To help passengers understand what will be needed in terms of testing and quarantine, the government has introduced a traffic light system.

What is the UK government’s ‘traffic light system’ for travel?

To simplify the steps that passengers will need to take to travel to a particular destination, the government has devised a ‘traffic light system’ that will classify countries as either red, amber or green.

The government has outlined the steps involved in travelling to the countries in each category, and how testing and quarantine will work:

Green – countries posing a minimal risk

• Passengers arriving in England must:

• Complete a passenger locator form

• Take a test before they depart

• Have a test package from a government-approved provider booked before travel

• Take a PCR test on or before day 2 of their return to the UK

• If the test is negative, passengers won’t need to quarantine or take further tests

Amber – countries posing a moderate risk

Passengers arriving in England must:

• Complete a passenger locator form

• Take a test before they depart

• Have a test package from a government-approved provider booked before travel

• Self-isolate at home for 10 days

• Take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 of their return* to the UK

• * those arriving from amber list countries can use test to release on day 5 to end self-isolation early

Red – countries posing a high risk

Passengers arriving in England must:

• Complete a passenger locator form (also giving details of quarantine package)

• Take a test and get a negative result in the three days before they travel

• Have a quarantine package – including a managed quarantine hotel, quarantine transport and the travel test package – booked from a government-approved provider before they travel

• Self-isolate for 10 days in a managed quarantine hotel

• Take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 of their return to the UK (no option for early release)

Does London Stansted Airport offer a hotel quarantine and testing package?

London Stansted Airport is not currently on the list of government-approved ports of entry from red list countries.

Does London Stansted Airport offer a PCR testing package?

London Stansted Airport offers onsite testing if you’re returning from countries on the green and amber lists. We offer the PCR tests required on day 2 for arrivals from green countries and days 2 and 8 from amber countries. You can also book the test to release tests which, if negative, allow those returning from amber countries to leave self-isolation early, on day 5.

Find out more about the arrivals testing facilities at London Stansted Airport

Which countries are on the government’s ‘green’ list?

On Friday May 7, the UK government announced the initial countries to be added to the green list. The list will be reviewed every three weeks.

• Australia

• Brunei

• Falkland Islands

• Faroe Islands

• Gibraltar

• Iceland

• Israel

• New Zealand

• Portugal including the Azores and Madeira (until 4am Tuesday 8 June)

• Singapore

• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

• St Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha

What countries are on the government’s ‘red’ banned travel list?

The government’s ‘red list’ of travel ban countries is intended to prevent international travel from leading to the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. The list is being reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The latest countries to be added are Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and 5 other countries, as of 4am on Tuesday 8 June.

•  Angola

• Afghanistan (as of 4am Tuesday 8 June)

• Argentina

• Bahrain (as of 4am Tuesday 8 June)

• Bangladesh

• Bolivia

• Botswana

• Brazil

• Burundi

• Cape Verde

• Chile

• Colombia

• Costa Rica (as of 4am Tuesday 8 June)

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Ecuador

• Egypt (as of 4am Tuesday 8 June)

• Eswatini

• Ethiopia

• French Guiana

• Guyana

• India

• Kenya

• Lesotho

• Malawi

• Maldives

• Mozambique

• Namibia

• Nepal

• Oman

• Pakistan

• Panama

• Paraguay

• Peru

• Philippines

• Qatar

• Rwanda

• Seychelles

• Somalia

• South Africa

• Sri Lanka (as of 4am Tuesday 8 June)

• Sudan (as of 4am Tuesday 8 June)

• Suriname

• Tanzania

• Trinidad and Tobago (as of 4am Tuesday 8 June)

• Turkey

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Uruguay

• Venezuela

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe 

Can I book my summer holiday now, given the government’s plans for international travel may change?

Travel plans in 2021 could be subject to change, so for your peace of mind, at London Stansted Airport we’re offering free cancellation on all parking bookings. 

Many holiday providers are offering similar terms, with speedy refunds and COVID-19 insurance in case your travel plans have to change at the last minute.

When planning your summer 2021, it will be important to look out for good cancellation or amendment terms.

What do I do if I travel to a green country and it changes to amber while I’m there?

The government wants to avoid the uncertainly that comes with not knowing if your chosen destination is likely to be re-classified while you’re there, so it is launching a ‘green watchlist’ of countries that are at risk of moving from green to amber or red. Those planning to travel in 2021 should keep an eye on this list to avoid having to rearrange their plans to return home whilst already on holiday.

Will I need to quarantine when I get to my holiday destination?

Many countries have announced their own quarantine and testing requirements. Just because a country is on the UK government's green list, doesn't mean it is currently open to tourists. It is up to you to check the latest UK government travel advice before you book your trip.

Do I still need to complete any health checks or forms to travel?

You must complete a passenger locator form 48 hours before your arrival into the UK, and show either a printed or electronic copy at the UK border. This information will allow the government to inform passengers if they’ve come into contact with someone while travelling who has developed COVID-19 symptoms.

What do I do if I think I’ve developed COVID-19 symptoms before travelling?

If you think you may have developed COVID-19 symptoms you should not travel. If you develop symptoms while travelling, please inform airport or cabin staff.

Do the rules for England also apply to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The quarantine and testing systems explained on this page relate to England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be publishing their own guidance on international travel.

When will the government be reviewing and updating on international travel?

The government plans to review international travel on June 28, July 31 and October 1, 2021.