If you want to bag yourself a holiday deal for Easter 2021 then start looking now urge a number of travel sites.

With a new vaccine on its way by the end of the year and the aviation industry campaigning for rapid testing at arrivals, heading abroad in Easter 2021 might not seem as impossible as you first thought. 

Find out more about dates for Easter holidays 2021. 

A spokesperson for Expedia said: “Easter is usually a busy time for travel and while there are restrictions now, 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.

“For flights, choose a ticket which has the option of changing your travel dates or destination built-in, so you can alter your plans if necessary.”

An ABTA spokesperson said: “Easter is traditionally one of the busiest times of year for the travel industry and people are already booking ahead for 2021”

ABTA have also warned that holiday makers should also be aware that travel in Europe next year will be slightly different, following the end of the EU transition period. Advice on any extra steps you may need to take can be found on the ABTA website. 

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

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: 

Price: £43 return 

Destination: Milan, Italy

Dates: 9 - 14 April

Echo:

(Image - Unsplash)

Synonymous with Fashion Week, Milan is recognised as one of the world's four fashion capitals and is the second largest city in Italy.

Travellers looking for chic culture and a romantic getaway can head to Milan for a glamorous city break, the average temperature in April is 17 degrees. 

Holidaymakers looking to head to the slopes can also fly into Milan and get a direct transfer to the Alps. 

For more information visit Momondo.

Price: £45 return 

Destination: Dublin, Ireland

Dates: 4 - 11 April

The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin is a hearty location that's an absolute corker of a holiday. 

Surrounded by rolling Irish countryside there's a lot more to Dublin than just Guiness however, the iconic Guiness Factory is a must-see when visiting the city. 

Go to Momondo for more. 

Price: £48 return 

Destination: Bucharest, Romania

Dates: 4 - 11 April

Echo:

(Image - Unsplash)

Also known as 'Little Paris', the capital of Romania boasts incredible architecture and a beautiful city that is a paradise for explorers. 

The name Bucharest directly translates 'to the city of joy' or 'the beautiful city' which is unsurprising given its many winding alleys filled with a feast for the sensations at every corner. 

Bargain flights to Bucharest in April can be found for as little as £48 from Southend Airport. 

Price: £62 return 

Destination: Vilnius, Lithuania

Dates: 4 - 11 April

Like something straight out of a fairytale, Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, located between Latvia and Russia. 

The average temperature in spring time is a fresh 12 degrees.

Nestled on the banks of the jaw-dropping Vilnia River, which the city was built around, this stunning capital is ideal for explorers. 

Mixing contemporary living with its Medieval roots, the city boasts cobbled streets and modern architecture. 

For more information visit Momondo.

Price: £115 return 

Destination: Zurich, Switzerland

Dates: 4 - 11 April

Echo:

(Image - Unsplash)

The global centre of banking and finance, Zurich is an upmarket city break for the rich and famous. 

If you're dying to get out on the slopes and hit some of Switzerland's finest pistes then a cheap flight into Zurich could be just what you need. 

Make sure you go with enough cash however as Switzerland can be pretty pricey. 

Flights from London City to Zurich take just one house and 40 minutes and cost just £115. 

Will you be going on a foreign holiday next year? Let us know in the comments.