6 Travel Perks You Can Get In Canada Right Now If You've Been Vaccinated Against COVID-19

As travel restrictions in Canada and across the rest of the world gradually begin to loosen up, there are an increasing number of perks available if you've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

From missing queues and skipping quarantine periods to saving hundreds of dollars and taking fewer tests, your trip abroad could actually be a lot simpler!

Here are some examples of the biggest benefits of getting a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine before you head overseas:

Avoid quarantine

Since July 5, fully vaccinated citizens, permanent residents and others who are permitted to enter Canada have been allowed to skip the 14-day quarantine period upon arrival.

This means that if a fully vaccinated Canadian goes abroad, they're allowed to bypass quarantine upon their return home.

It makes taking a trip overseas significantly easier, as there is no requirement to spend two weeks isolating post-vacation.

Skip the hotel stopover

Eligible fully vaccinated travellers are also permitted to skip the multi-day hotel stopover upon their arrival in Canada (or return home to Canada).

This means they're not required to spend hundreds of dollars to stay in a government-approved hotel and will not be expected to stay there for several nights while awaiting COVID-19 test results.

Instead, they can go straight to their accomodations after arriving in the country.

Spend less time in airports

Back in June, federal officials confirmed that Canada's airports would have different lines so that fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers could be separated.

This means fully vaccinated people won't be required to wait in lines with partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers as they leave the airport to head for hotel quarantine.

Officials say this enables airport staff to "quickly sort passengers based on vaccination status and get them to the appropriate screening checkpoints efficiently and safely."

Take fewer COVID-19 tests

Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people entering Canada are required to take a pre-entry test, a test upon arrival in the country and another one on day eight of their quarantine.

In addition to skipping the hotel stopover and the two-week quarantine upon arrival in Canada, eligible fully vaccinated travellers are permitted to bypass the day eight COVID-19 test.

Travel to more destinations

While some international destinations have reopened to all Canadians, regardless of their vaccination status, others are easing restrictions for fully vaccinated people only.

Those who've received the full course of a COVID-19 vaccine may also be able to skip travel measures upon arrival at their destination, too.

Save money

Canadians who've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may find that their trip abroad costs less than their partially vaccinated or unvaccinated counterparts.

This is because they save money by avoiding the pricey multi-night stay at a pre-approved hotel, as well as the cost of any additional COVID-19 testing overseas.

Both the hotel stay and testing can cost hundreds of dollars, which could rack up to thousands if you're travelling in a family or group.

It's worth noting that although Canadians can travel abroad again, the Government of Canada continues to advise against all non-essential trips abroad (regardless of vaccination status).

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.