4 questions to ask when booking your next international escape

WITH the vaccine roll-out moving swiftly, South Africans have plenty of travel options.

Here are questions to ask when booking your next international escape:

Are these destinations worth a visit?

As tempting as travelling to an exotic destination sounds, a little investigation into the destination allows you to weigh the pros and cons. Do not book the first country that permits vaccinated travellers. Shop around.

For example, destination A may offer more travel options than destination B, while destination A may have more restrictions.

Find out about the Covid-19 regulations, what travellers require to enter and exit the country and other costs.

For international trips, it’s best to consult with a travel agent.

Will there be any flights from South Africa?

While vaccinated South Africans are permitted in some countries, most airlines may not operate between the two destinations. Many airlines like Emirates have stopped flights from South Africa due to the pandemic.

Find out which airlines are operating and whether there are regular flights to and from South Africa.

Beyond that, also research the destination’s Covid cases, restrictions and monitor travel bans. You do not want to get stuck in a foreign country without flights back home.

What costs will I incur?

The face of travel is changing. The travel demand will cause a surge in travel prices, with travellers needing to factor Covid-19 tests, travel insurance and other expenses into their trip.

Also, please budget for additional expenses, especially if the country requires quarantine or imposes any travel bans.

Once at the destination, can I ditch the mask?

Mask-wearing policies differ from country to country. Some do not impose rules on mask-wearing, while others require travellers to wear one in public places.

As a precaution, travellers should wear their masks, regardless of the rules.