Fly me to the Moon - your 3rd travel Megathread - read OP

Have a 2 night trip booked for barcelona early March. Have been living under a rock and didn't release despite the EU cert we now need to test before coming back. family of four plus with omicron being much more transmissible it's not worth the hassle, extra cost or risk for just two nights. Would risk it for a week plus trip but it makes a weekend trip unfeasible (for us anyway)

When these additional requirements were brought in was there a date specified for review? My fear is we've been so slow to let go of extra restrictions.

looks like the UK are reviewing the pre departure test for entry rule at the moment but in the case of Ireland as all EU countries have adopted it - I'd say they won't review it for weeks. The added annoying thing is that alot of countries will allow for the covid recovery cert for entry but Ireland does not as you also need at least a negative antigen test to accompany it - rendering the recovery cert useless so.

That's actually a good idea. Even take an off the shelf antigen test before getting an official travel one to save some money.

Have all adopted it???

I know France haven't for one.

I didn’t think Spain required a PCR/antigen test for entry either?

So every EU country requires a test for entry now on top of the covid cert? I’m so confused.

Most don't. Other than Ireland, I think Portugal, Italy, Greece, Denmark and Austria require them. There may be more.

and Finland

Do Ryan air ask for the antigen when boarding the plane to Ireland? Or are you only asked for it when you arrive home?

Flew to Alicante from Dub with Ryr last week, nothing checked in Dublin.

At Alicante, locator forms were scanned, no test needed. Staff very friendly with paper locator forms to be filled out if needed.

Heading home we did an antigen test at the airport the day before we left, took ten minutes results in 15 mins.

We were worried as we both had developed a dry cough, sore throat and headaches, we sort of had a plan if we had to stay.

The results as it turned out were negative so no need for plan B.

We flew back today with checked in bags. test form and locator checked at bag drop. Not scanned though.

We were given a slip of paper to get through the gate, anyone else with no bags was checked at the gate.

The staff were very friendly and helpful.

If anyone is at Alicante airport looking for a test, it can be done at Eurofins one floor down in the departure terminal.

Costs 29 Euro and can be booked online.

No one looked for vaccine certs.

Funny thing about this pandemic, airports have become nicer places, with friendly smiling staff.

Apologies cudsy, only saw this now.

Yes, no issue. They asked to see it on check in (along with vaccination and Irish plf) but only glanced at it, Athens Airport was mad busy this morning.

Also passport control in Dublin airport asked to see the PCR and spend a few seconds inspecting it.

Theyve already been caught with the UK government so wouldn't be a shocker if they had something with the Irish government too.

@ KayneSouth East "i have travelled abroad 5 times since July absolutely enjoyed every one of the trips Spain, Canaries, Greece. I or my wife haven’t got Covid. Loads of the curtain twitchers anti travel friends of mine tutting at us for travelling have got Covid whilst staying safe in Ireland. It’s absolutely hillarious really."

Brilliant point! I have travelled four times since June, mainly to Spain but once to Portugal and never got Covid either. While exactly like you, many tut tutters around me came down with it at home. Not being smug as anybody could get Covid but it just proves the point that anybody could catch Covid anywhere. The anti travel vibe is tiresome but also economically harmful and is just plain scapegoating.

Came in from England yesterday and Ryanair checked for the relevant tests before boarding.

Nothing was checked in Dublin.

Lot of confidence in there.