Travelling to the UK from Ireland

bleuhh · 11-04-2021 11:25pm #1

Hi All

Looking for some advice. I haven't seen my other half since early December and I am hoping to fly over to stay with his him in the next month or two in England.

Has anyone done this recently? Apart from the Covid tests that apply, I was wondering what the story is with Gardai checks in the airport.

I don't have a real reason for travelling so am I going to have to book a medical appointment over there or is there anything else you can advise them at the airport to allow you to travel?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

afatbollix · 17-04-2021 8:44pm

No test needed to fly into England.

But you will need a test to return from England to Ireland.

I'm not saying to do this, But travel from London to Belfast does not require any tests

bleuhh · 19-04-2021 8:05pm

afatbollix wrote: »

No test needed to fly into England.

But you will need a test to return from England to Ireland.

I'm not saying to do this, But travel from London to Belfast does not require any tests

Thanks a million that is very good to know!

Do you know if Gardai are in Dublin Airport 24/7 now? Trying to find out!!

DessieJames · 21-04-2021 9:21pm

bleuhh wrote: »

Thanks a million that is very good to know!

Do you know if Gardai are in Dublin Airport 24/7 now? Trying to find out!!

i flew last weekend, 2 garda inside just before you go throigh to customs but werent asking anyone questions just checking boarding passes ansd passports, there was a large enough crowd in the airport bigger than what i seen since this madness began,great to see it was.

i flew back via Belfast no test required, and was great to have a sense of normality in the UK, few beers outdoors and nice weather.

DessieJames · 21-04-2021 9:24pm

afatbollix wrote: »

No test needed to fly into England.

But you will need a test to return from England to Ireland.

I'm not saying to do this, But travel from London to Belfast does not require any tests

dont see why not what ive been doing now for ages, fcuk that having to pay stupiod money for a test which gives false positives.

Poulgorm · 22-04-2021 8:35am

On return to Ireland, do you still have to have the Irish government locator form filled up?

DessieJames · 22-04-2021 3:44pm

Poulgorm wrote: »

On return to Ireland, do you still have to have the Irish government locator form filled up?

Flying into Dublin you do, but if you fly back from England , Wales or Scotland to Belfast you dont.

bleuhh · 22-04-2021 5:36pm

DessieJames wrote: »

dont see why not what ive been doing now for ages, fcuk that having to pay stupiod money for a test which gives false positives.

Yeah dead right. Are you driving from Belfast down or is there any public transport operating at the moment?

DessieJames · 23-04-2021 2:17pm

bleuhh wrote: »

Yeah dead right. Are you driving from Belfast down or is there any public transport operating at the moment?

Public transport, never any trouble at all.

Corholio · 24-04-2021 1:50pm

DessieJames wrote: »

Public transport, never any trouble at all.

Did you get bus from Belfast to Dublin? If so, what one may I ask?

redcup342 · 24-04-2021 3:11pm

DessieJames wrote: »

dont see why not what ive been doing now for ages, fcuk that having to pay stupiod money for a test which gives false positives.

I’ve done loads of them and didn’t get any false positives. (Either PCR or Antigen)

Boonie96 · 26-04-2021 3:25pm

Hey guys, I'm in a similar situation to the OP, I haven't seen my girlfriend since last year. Very concerned with fines, is relocating a valid excuse? How would I even prove that I am relocating there? I plan to live in her house and work remotely from there.

antix80 · 27-04-2021 2:05pm

Boonie96 wrote: »

Hey guys, I'm in a similar situation to the OP, I haven't seen my girlfriend since last year. Very concerned with fines, is relocating a valid excuse? How would I even prove that I am relocating there? I plan to live in her house and work remotely from there.

Just show them a photo of the two of you together and say you're in love. Unlikely to be a dry eye in the house and they'll wave you through amidst sobs of happiness.

Oh... And use a one-way ticket.

lawred2 · 27-04-2021 2:09pm

OP - it's easy enough. You don't need a test nor a locator form to go to the UK.

Go enjoy yourself. Stay there a good while too. Away from this misery ridden kip for a while. Be good for your soul.

lawred2 · 27-04-2021 2:09pm

Boonie96 wrote: »

Hey guys, I'm in a similar situation to the OP, I haven't seen my girlfriend since last year. Very concerned with fines, is relocating a valid excuse? How would I even prove that I am relocating there? I plan to live in her house and work remotely from there.

if you are moving - you are moving. End of. Just do it. Don't be worried about anyone stopping you.

antix80 · 27-04-2021 2:10pm

redcup342 wrote: »

I’ve done loads of them and didn’t get any false positives. (Either PCR or Antigen)

There's a very low risk of a false positive. I tried to find out before and i think it's like 1 in 200 or i could be making that up.

It's like looking in a box.. Either it's there or it's not.

Doesn't mean false positives can't happen, just means it's rare enough not to be in issue.

bleuhh · 27-04-2021 9:44pm

DessieJames wrote: »

Public transport, never any trouble at all.

Would you mind letting me know what bus or train you have gotten? Cheers

Lmkrnr · 27-04-2021 9:52pm

Nothing to worry about. No check points on the motorways. If you fly easyJet you won't even need ID. Just boarding pass.

bleuhh · 27-04-2021 9:54pm

Lmkrnr wrote: »

Nothing to worry about. No check points on the motorways. If you fly easyJet you won't even need ID. Just boarding pass.

I won't be driving unfortunately it'll have to be public transport! Any idea what buses are operating from Belfast do Dublin at the moment?

Lmkrnr · 27-04-2021 10:42pm

No sorry. If you really have to go just pay somebody to drive you up.

Boonie96 · 28-04-2021 2:01pm

Has anyone had any recent experience with the Dublin to Belfast Irish rail line? I am thinking of flying from Belfast to London come next month. Wondering if the trains are being checked for essential reasons or not.

DessieJames · 28-04-2021 4:02pm

bleuhh wrote: »

Would you mind letting me know what bus or train you have gotten? Cheers

Irish Rail or sometimes its the NI Translink train,coaches dont appear to be running between the North and Dublin at the moment but id imagone they will be back next month.

DessieJames · 28-04-2021 4:04pm

Boonie96 wrote: »

Has anyone had any recent experience with the Dublin to Belfast Irish rail line? I am thinking of flying from Belfast to London come next month. Wondering if the trains are being checked for essential reasons or not.

Never have from what ive seen, have done it numerous times, maybe during the early stages of the lockdown they were but not now.

DessieJames · 28-04-2021 4:06pm

redcup342 wrote: »

I’ve done loads of them and didn’t get any false positives. (Either PCR or Antigen)

Rapid antigen tests id trust over PCR which pick up all types of dormant illness

Mimon · 28-04-2021 4:31pm

DessieJames wrote: »

Rapid antigen tests id trust over PCR which pick up all types of dormant illness

Have you any evidence of this or are you spreading misinformation based on nothing?

DessieJames · 29-04-2021 3:24pm

Mimon wrote: »

Have you any evidence of this or are you spreading misinformation based on nothing?

A lad i know done a PCR test in one of the test centres after getting a notification he was a close contact, he had no sympthoms at all and it said positive so he was shocked, but for clarity and peace of mind he followed up wth 2 rapid antigen tests within 4 days of each which both said negative, so draw your own conclusions here!!

i can also quote you numerous articles which state that PCR tests give out false positives, but even if i did you'd probably say fake news or something,people are far to quick to believe that PCR tests are the only covid tests worth taking, when the facts are they are renowned in numerous cases to give out false positives, it's been proved beyond doubt.

But you'll believe what you want!!

coggy79 · 30-04-2021 9:49pm

Hi,

I've to travel to the UK for business purposes on the 10th May returning 13th May. The only flights operating close to where I need to be is Belfast-Teesside. I'm from Clare so will be travelling up to Belfast city airport on the day of the flight. Is there anything I need to know in regards getting Covid tested pre flight or when I get back (to Belfast or Clare) or indeed any other requirements?
Thanks in advance.

DessieJames · 03-05-2021 11:52am

coggy79 wrote: »

Hi,

I've to travel to the UK for business purposes on the 10th May returning 13th May. The only flights operating close to where I need to be is Belfast-Teesside. I'm from Clare so will be travelling up to Belfast city airport on the day of the flight. Is there anything I need to know in regards getting Covid tested pre flight or when I get back (to Belfast or Clare) or indeed any other requirements?
Thanks in advance.

if your traveling back from anywhere in England or the rest of the UK to Belfast you dont need to take a test,ive done it several times.

coggy79 · 03-05-2021 5:16pm

DessieJames wrote: »

if your traveling back from anywhere in England or the rest of the UK to Belfast you dont need to take a test,ive done it several times.

Thanks Dessie James.
Would you know if a Covid/Antigen test is required before departure from either airport?

theguzman · 03-05-2021 5:44pm

Boonie96 wrote: »

Has anyone had any recent experience with the Dublin to Belfast Irish rail line? I am thinking of flying from Belfast to London come next month. Wondering if the trains are being checked for essential reasons or not.

I flew into Belfast City (BHD) two weeks ago, took a taxi to Lanyon Station in Belfast and was down in Dublin 2 and a bit hours later, no checks and waltzed out of Connolly Station a free man.

theguzman · 03-05-2021 5:44pm

coggy79 wrote: »

Thanks Dessie James.
Would you know if a Covid/Antigen test is required before departure from either airport?

London to Belfast is a UK internal flight so no covid test needed.

DessieJames · 04-05-2021 4:23pm

theguzman wrote: »

London to Belfast is a UK internal flight so no covid test needed.

yep this is correct.

No test required if you fly from Dublin to the UK too.

DessieJames · 04-05-2021 4:24pm

theguzman wrote: »

I flew into Belfast City (BHD) two weeks ago, took a taxi to Lanyon Station in Belfast and was down in Dublin 2 and a bit hours later, no checks and waltzed out of Connolly Station a free man.

have done it several times, no hassle, no queues, and no expensive PCR tests.

Portlaoise Pictures · 04-05-2021 8:11pm

Does that mean that you can travel as in pre-Covid times? Thanks

beggars_bush · 04-05-2021 8:25pm

theguzman wrote: »

I flew into Belfast City (BHD) two weeks ago, took a taxi to Lanyon Station in Belfast and was down in Dublin 2 and a bit hours later, no checks and waltzed out of Connolly Station a free man.

Did you quarantine/isolate after you got back?
Asking for a friend
Most people will not travel as they like to abide by public health guidelines

wisjoc · 05-05-2021 2:27pm

Has anyone travelled by car from Belfast or Larne on the ferry to Scotland and whether you need to produce a negative test before getting on the ferry? I thought maybe the Irish registration might invoke some questions.

patscott27 · 05-05-2021 11:49pm

I got enterprise train to Drogheda on Monday. Asked lady who works on it are guards or psni coming on board the train to Belfast. She said not in the last few weeks. Very rarely even before that. My worry is that if you don't have an essential reason to travel from Dublin the guards will issue fines at Dublin Airport. Also what is the story in Belfast airport? Are they checking if you are travelling for an essential reason before boarding?

DessieJames · 08-05-2021 11:51am

patscott27 wrote: »

I got enterprise train to Drogheda on Monday. Asked lady who works on it are guards or psni coming on board the train to Belfast. She said not in the last few weeks. Very rarely even before that. My worry is that if you don't have an essential reason to travel from Dublin the guards will issue fines at Dublin Airport. Also what is the story in Belfast airport? Are they checking if you are travelling for an essential reason before boarding?

no not at all its just like it was before all of this madness except it's quieter.

braychelsea · 12-05-2021 12:21am

coggy79 wrote: »

Hi,

I've to travel to the UK for business purposes on the 10th May returning 13th May. The only flights operating close to where I need to be is Belfast-Teesside. I'm from Clare so will be travelling up to Belfast city airport on the day of the flight. Is there anything I need to know in regards getting Covid tested pre flight or when I get back (to Belfast or Clare) or indeed any other requirements?
Thanks in advance.

Did you find out if they are doing checks at Belfast Airport / seeing if your flight is essential or not? Or if anyone else has gone through Belfast Airport recently could reply that would be great

12-05-2021 8:18am

braychelsea wrote: »

Did you find out if they are doing checks at Belfast Airport / seeing if your flight is essential or not? Or if anyone else has gone through Belfast Airport recently could reply that would be great

They don’t check at Dublin Airport. People are expected to exercise personal responsibility and follow the guidelines. If your journey is necessary, it’s necessary. Just wear a mask and carry sanitizer and use it regularly b

whomitconcerns · 12-05-2021 8:23am

So I've been back and forth recently. Coming back to Ireland you have to do the 10 days quarantine and arrive with a negative test. (You can do another test after 5 days of quarantine and if that's negative exit early also)

Coming in via Belfast is now covered in the rules, you still need to quarantine. Will they catch you,. Probably not... Are you taking the piss.. Yes of course.

Really is up to yourself to decide, obey the law or break it. But there is no loophole.

Going to England from Ireland, nothing is required. Completely free movement

theteal · 12-05-2021 8:33am

I've not really been following the guidelines but I just admit I'm surprised by the above. I've the boat back to Dublin booked for mid August. I checked UK guidelines and there are no issues there. There's quarantine on the Irish side? Even coming from a country in a "better" state of covid affairs?

The wife had her 2nd jab on Monday. I expect I'll be getting my first quite soon. I suppose there's room for policies to change before we depart.

FlubberJones · 12-05-2021 8:36am

theteal wrote: »

I've not really been following the guidelines but I just admit I'm surprised by the above. I've the boat back to Dublin booked for mid August. I checked UK guidelines and there are no issues there. There's quarantine on the Irish side? Even coming from a country in a "better" state of covid affairs?

The wife had her 2nd jab on Monday. I expect I'll be getting my first quite soon. I suppose there's room for policies to change before we depart.

I would 100% anticipate the restrictions coming from the UK to ease soon, the ridiculous need to test from there will have to change.
I will be heading over in June hopefully and would not like to have to do a PCR test within 72 hours of travelling

TSQ · 12-05-2021 11:57am

I have another Covid question: I am taking a return trip to UK, returning within 2 days. If I take a Covid test in Dublin pre-departure and return within 72 hours, will the negative covid test be valid, even though it was done in Ireland, or does the test have to be done in the UK? Can't find any information anywhere on this.

finbarrk · 12-05-2021 12:15pm

TSQ wrote: »

I have another Covid question: I am taking a return trip to UK, returning within 2 days. If I take a Covid test in Dublin pre-departure and return within 72 hours, will the negative covid test be valid, even though it was done in Ireland, or does the test have to be done in the UK? Can't find any information anywhere on this.

I read somewhere that it will do.

TSQ · 12-05-2021 12:32pm

finbarrk wrote: »

I read somewhere that it will do.

Any idea where you saw this? I have searched all the govt, hse, Dept Foreign Affairs sites, no help or information at all

12-05-2021 12:45pm

TSQ wrote: »

I have another Covid question: I am taking a return trip to UK, returning within 2 days. If I take a Covid test in Dublin pre-departure and return within 72 hours, will the negative covid test be valid, even though it was done in Ireland, or does the test have to be done in the UK? Can't find any information anywhere on this.

As long as it’s a PCR test, it doesn’t matter where it was done. Just keep the 72 hour timeframe in mind as it can take around 24 hours for the results to come in, but you can still fly to uk without the results.

whomitconcerns · 12-05-2021 4:40pm

TSQ wrote: »

Any idea where you saw this? I have searched all the govt, hse, Dept Foreign Affairs sites, no help or information at all

There's no issue where from. Just has to have all the details included of where it was and it has to be a PCR test and of course within the 72 hrs

whomitconcerns · 12-05-2021 4:41pm

theteal wrote: »

I've not really been following the guidelines but I just admit I'm surprised by the above. I've the boat back to Dublin booked for mid August. I checked UK guidelines and there are no issues there. There's quarantine on the Irish side? Even coming from a country in a "better" state of covid affairs?

The wife had her 2nd jab on Monday. I expect I'll be getting my first quite soon. I suppose there's room for policies to change before we depart.

As it is now, you have to quarantine in Ireland. I'm back over here for the second time at the moment. Last July there were loopholes galore, now your just plain breaking the law of you don't do it.

TSQ · 12-05-2021 6:42pm

whomitconcerns wrote: »

There's no issue where from. Just has to have all the details included of where it was and it has to be a PCR test and of course within the 72 hrs

Thanks @whomitconcerns. Citizens Advice gave me a Dept of Foreign Affairs number to phone, and I was told in fact that it is better to get the test in Ireland - as long as you return within the 72 hours - because it means I won't have to self-isolate when I return.... go figure!.:D

whomitconcerns · 12-05-2021 8:36pm

TSQ wrote: »

Thanks @whomitconcerns. Citizens Advice gave me a Dept of Foreign Affairs number to phone, and I was told in fact that it is better to get the test in Ireland - as long as you return within the 72 hours - because it means I won't have to self-isolate when I return.... go figure!.:D

Well I'm not disputing you were told that, but that would be incorrect based on their published rules and laws, you still need to quarantine on return to Ireland with very limited job based exceptions.

Travelling to the UK from Ireland

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