Thinking about travelling by air for a long weekend or during a holiday break? Think about what is and isn’t required when it comes to masks and vaccinations. As restrictions change from one province to another, so are the rules for travelling. When looking for the best fare available, read the COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders from the Government of Canada.
Before clicking the button to buy tickets, BBB recommends the following:
- Understand travellers’ eligibility to enter Canada. By simply answering a few questions, travellers can understand whether or not they can enter Canada. Be aware the pre-entry test is required for all travellers five years of age or older, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status.
- Take the proper steps when entering or returning to Canada. Be sure to submit your travel plans use ArriveCAN and check the steps for fully vaccinated travellers.
- For people travelling outside of Canada, vaccination is advised. People should be fully vaccinated by completing a COVID-19 vaccine series in Canada or abroad at least 14 days before travelling.
- When travelling inside Canada, vaccination is required for most public transportation means. Check provincial and territorial restrictions before you plan to travel. If twelve years of age plus four months, or older, a proof of vaccination is required when travelling by flight or train in Canada.
- Book tickets only after reviewing travel restrictions. Save time and stress by reading the updated status of restrictions on the Government of Canada website.
- Read all cancellation policies carefully. Not all situations, including a pandemic, require a full refund of the ticket value and fees. Each online travel agency, airline and broker is different.
- Consider trip insurance. Have a complete understanding of what the policy does and does not cover.
- Be an informed traveller. Follow the latest COVID-19 cases, vaccines, limiting the spread report in Canada, and check the summary data about travellers, testing, and compliance.
Flying isn’t the only aspect of your trip to consider. Here are some other travel related resources from BBB:
- Rental cars: Make your next car rental experience a little easier.
- Hotel rooms: Learn what to keep in mind when booking a hotel room.
- Travel agents: Check licensed travel agents or know what to look for in a travel agent and find one near you.
- During the holiday season or any time of year, find ways to travel safely and avoid scams. If you’re planning on travelling to or from Canada, check for travel advisories. Remember to report any suspicious activities to BBB Scam Tracker and sign up for Scam Alerts.
Find out more at BBB.org.
