Domestic travel
You should minimise travel where possible. This means you should:
- avoid making unnecessary trips
- combine trips where possible
You should not stay away from home overnight for a holiday.
If you need to travel:
- walk or cycle where possible
- avoid car sharing with anyone from outside your household or your support bubble
- plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport
- regularly wash or sanitise your hands
- wear a face covering on public transport, unless exempt
- stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors)
There is additional guidance on safer travel, including on the safe use of public transport.
International travel
It is illegal to travel abroad for holidays. Follow current COVID-19 rules where you live: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, you must have a permitted reason to travel abroad and complete a declaration form.
Some countries have closed borders, and any country may further restrict travel or bring in new social distancing rules with little warning. Check our advice for all the countries you will visit or transit through.
When you return, follow the rules to enter the UK from abroad(except from Ireland).
Staying away from home overnight
You should not stay overnight in a second home, caravan or boat, if that is not your primary residence, unless it is necessary to do so. For example, for work, moving home, to attend a medical appointment, or to avoid injury, illness or harm (including domestic abuse). You should not be going on holiday at this stage.
You must not stay overnight with anyone you do not live with, unless they are part of your support bubble (where eligible) unless a legal exemption applies.
Guest accommodation providers such as hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks may only remain open for the specific reasons set out in law.
You must not stay overnight away from your home in holiday accommodation such as a hotel unless you:
- are unable to return to your main residence
- need accommodation while moving house
- need accommodation to attend a funeral or related commemorative event, or following a bereavement of a close family member or friend
- need accommodation to attend a medical appointment or receive treatment
- need accommodation for work purposes or to provide voluntary services, or attend education
- are a child requiring accommodation for school or care
- are homeless, seeking asylum, a vulnerable person seeking refuge, or if escaping harm (including domestic abuse)
- are an elite athlete or their support staff or parent provided the athlete is under 18 and it is necessary to be outside of the home in order to take part in training or a competition