Whether you’re looking to jet off on a city break or dream of sunning yourself on a far-flung beach, there’s one thing on every holiday maker's mind - when will it be safe to travel? 

With a coronavirus vaccine expected by the end of the year and the aviation industry campaigning for fast-track Covid testing at arrivals, going abroad next year might not be as impossible as you first thought. 

As purse strings get tighter, finding a deal for your next vacation has arguably never been more important. 

A spokesperson for travel site Expedia said: “There are certainly some deals out there for travellers who are looking to book a trip months in advance. If that is the case, we highly recommend booking with flexibility.” 

Once lockdown ends on December 2 we are free to travel again, however this is being discouraged by the Government who have urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel. 

With that in mind, the next half-term and public holiday is Easter when hopefully some semblance of normality will be taking hold. 

Find out more about dates for Easter holidays 2021. 

Here’s everything you need to know about travelling abroad:

What are the current rules? 

Anyone arriving in the UK from most countries, including British nationals, must self-isolate for 14 days. 

Exceptions are made for anyone arriving from the Common Travel Area of Ireland, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man - or countries in travel corridors with the UK. 

Travellers must fill in a “passenger locator” form with contact details and their UK address. 

If you fail to provide accurate information then you could be fined up to £3,200 in England or £1,920 in Wales. 

There is also a fine of £100 for not filling in the passenger locator form. 

During the 14 day self-isolation period, starting the day of arrival,  people should not: 

  • Use taxis or public transport
  • Go to work, school or public areas
  • Have visitors except for essential support
  • Go out to buy food or other essential items if they can rely on others. 

Can I pay for a test to shorten quarantine? 

Yes, from December 15 people arriving in England will be able to reduce their quarantine period by at least half if they pay for a private Covid test after five days. 

Tests cost between £65 to £120 and results normally come back within 24 to 48 hours meaning that some people could stop self-isolating six days after returning home if they test negative. 

What happens if I break the quarantine rules? 

It is against the law to break quarantine rules and people who do it face a fine and could get a criminal record. 

Anyone not self-isolating when they should be can receive a £1,000 fine in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or £480 in Scotland. In England repeat offenders can be fined up to £10,000. 

Am I entitled to statutory sick pay if I have to self isolate? 

You may not get statutory sick pay if you have to self isolate, unless you meet the required conditions such as showing coronavirus symptoms.  

Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my holiday? 

If your trip is not cancelled by the operator, you will most likely not be able to claim a refund.

If you have booked a flexi travel option you may be able to rebook your flight, train or ferry for a different date - however this could incur a cost but is the safest way to ensure you keep your money. 

Some accommodation sites, such as Airbnb, have filters that allow you to select accommodation with “cancellation flexibility”.  

ABTA state that booking a package holiday offers the best level of protection because customers will not lose out if circumstances around the pandemic change, such as updates to Foreign Office advice, which mean that their holiday could not go ahead as planned. 

When booking your holiday it is worth signing up to the Foreign Office email alerts to get the most up to date information ahead of departure. 

People travelling to destinations on the UK travel corridor list will not need to quarantine when they arrive in either country. 

Can I get a Covid test at the airport? 

The aviation industry have reiterated calls for a rapid testing scheme to replace quarantine after the sector saw huge losses this year as a result of the coronavirus. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested rapid testing - which can give a result in under an hour - could eventually "open the way" for quarantine-free travel.

Heathrow currently offers an £80 pre-flight coronavirus test on some flights to Hong Kong, which requires a recent negative test for entry from the UK.

When can I go on holiday? 

The Transport Secretary has stated that once lockdown has eased on December 2, international travel will be permitted for people in all tiers, including tier three as long as they "go straight to the airport". 

Here are some of the best bargain flights for Easter 2021 from Bournemouth Airport: 

Price: £109 return 

Destination: Malaga, Spain

Dates: 4 - 11 April

Bournemouth Echo:

Using price comparison site Momondo we've found the cheapest flights from Bournemouth to holiday hotspot Malaga. 

Flying with Ryanair each way the journey takes just two-and-a-half hours. 

Average spring time temperatures in Malaga are around 21 degrees, so you'll be able to don your favourite swimwear and soak up the sun. 

To book visit Momondo.

Price: £60 return 

Destination: Girona, Spain

Dates: 5 - 9 April

The cheapest flight of them all is this absolute bargain return from Bournemouth to Girona where average April temperatures are around 19 degrees. 

The gorgeous city of Girona sits beside the River Onyar in Catalonia just outside of Barcellona, it's the ideal city break to relax and unwind amidst beautiful Spanish architecture. 

Price: £64 return 

Destination: Prague, Czech Republic

Dates: 5 - 11 April

Bournemouth Echo:

Another absolute steal of a deal is this six day trip to Prague with return flights setting you back just £64. 

Prague is known across the world for its beer and partying but there's much more to this gorgeous city than stag-do's.

With stunning architecture, delightful cuisine and hundreds of alleys to explore there's a lot to see and do in the Czech capital. 

Visit Momondo to find out more

Price: £91 return 

Destination: Luqa, Malta

Dates: 4 - 11 April

If you fancy sunning yourself on a picturesque island but don't want to stray too far from home then Malta is the ideal holiday destination for you. 

The average temperature on the Meditteranean island is around 20 degrees in April however it has been known to reach highs of more than 30. 

Book on the Momondo website. 

Price: £112 return 

Destination: Faro, Portugal

Dates: 5 - 9 April

Bournemouth Echo:

Located on the edge of the beloved Algarve, Faro airport is one of the easiest destinations to fly to if you want to explore a bit of this wonderful country. 

From a celebrated culture and heritage to divine cuisine and daily pastel de-nata's there's so much to learn and love about Portugal. 

To see the deal visit Momondo.

Will you be going on holiday in 2021? Let us know where in the comments.