30 Jun 2022 | 2 mins
Overview
  • Do I need a COVID-19 test to get into the country? What should I look for in travel insurance now? What documentation do I need? 🥵
  • Here's the comprehensive guide I wish I had before my first trip overseas after corona 🥰

Thinking about travelling after old mate ate that bat is frazzzzling, to say the least. 

Do I need a COVID-19 test to get into the country? What should I look for in travel insurance? What documentation do I need? 😳 I had questions up the wazoo before my first trip overseas when borders were opened up again. 

Now I'm on my second trip overseas and this one's a big whopper -- I'm backpacking for a year. Sooooo I had to be prepared.

Without tooting my own horn, I feel like a post-covid-travel pro now so without further ado, here's the comprehensive guide I wish I had before my first trip overseas after corona 🥰

PCR and Rapid Tests 🧪

When I went to Hawaii back in March 2022, I needed to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than one day before travel. 

Unfortunately, when travelling, you can't get any ol' covid test or show a rapid you did in your lounge room. You'll have to book a proper "travel" COVID-19 test at a clinic. It's no secret that they're a stitch up. I paid fifty smackos for mine, and trust me, that was the cheapest one I found. Some were going for $150! Like mate, you're dreaming!

Alas, you'll receive your results quickly with a certificate that you'll then show the airline. Then you'll be on your merry way. 

But how do you find out if you need a COVID-19 test or not? Segway to....

Research your destination 👀

#notspon but Smart Traveller is your go-to guide for the most recent updates of destinations. I'm popping to Greece soon so let's suss out the info I need to know together! 😉

On Smart Traveller, I can see that:

  • From the 1st of May, I won't need a vaccination or recovery certificate to enter commercial or entertainment venues.
  • I will need to wear a mask in all indoor spaces.
  • I'll need a COVID-19 vaccination certificate that's no more than 9 months old. If I've had a booster shot, my vax certificate has no expiry limit.
  • If I'm not vaccinated, I'll need a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test conducted at least 72 hours before travelling, or a negative COVID-19 (RAT) test taken 24 hours before travelling.

Voila! That's the info you're looking for!

Your airline will also regularly email you with updated info on your destination! For example, when I booked my flights to England with Singapore Airlines, I had a 50-minute layover in Singapore. Originally, I would have needed a COVID-19 test, not for England, but for transitting through Singapore. But a week before my flight, rules hanged and because I was transitting for less than 48 hours in Singapore, I wouldn't require a test. $50 saved my friends! 

Get your international vaccination certificate 📄

Unfortunately, our good ol' green certificate won't do the trick overseas but dw! Getting an international vax certificate will take seconds! 

I did it this way:

  1. Sign into your myGov account
  2. Go to Medicare
  3. Press 'Proof of Vaccinations'
  4. Select 'Request an international certificate'
  5. Follow the steps to verify your vaccinations and passport details
  6. Download it, print a copy and/or add it to your wallet! Voila!

Travel insurance ✈️

Ughhh, travel insurance is the price of Jesus' tears but unfortunately, it's essential, especially in these scat times 😮‍💨

When sussing out different travel insurance providers, you're probably gonna want to find a policy that covers COVID.

For example, my travel insurance policy covers: 

Overseas medical expenses (includes coronavirus): Emergency medical, hospital and ambulance expenses arising from coronavirus).

Coronavirus travel costs: This benefit covers you for eight specific events related to coronavirus, such as contracting the virus causing you to cancel the trip or causing your quarantine or you being denied boarding due to your suspected infection with coronavirus.

This way, if you do cop the Big C (yuck), you won't be paying an arm and a leg to pay for cancelled tours or accommodation for iso!

Prepare for some obstacles 😳

In Hawaii, a large portion of hostels had closed down after COVID and the hostels that remained hiked up their prices! Because we hadn't booked accom in advance (which may be a good op depending on your location), we instead bought a tent from Walmart and camped. Guess what? The trip turned out better than we planned! 

Because we're living in the aftermath of a pandemic, things won't always go how you expected or will end up more challenging. But if you're flexible, willing to get creative and can stay positive (unless for covid test 😮‍💨), you will undoubtedly have a banger of a time!