• Confessions of your travel expert
    Confessions of your travel expert

Things your Flight Centre Travel Expert wants you to know

Chances are you're thinking of your next holiday, especially with the December holiday season fast approaching. No matter what type of holiday you’re dreaming of, here’s what the Flight Centre Travel Experts want you to know about travelling right now.

Confessions of your travel expert: International Travel

Here’s what the Flight Centre Travel Experts want you to know about travelling abroad right now.

International travel is complex

Be sure to consult your Flight Centre Travel Expert before making any travel decisions. For example, some of our South African favourites include the balmy Indian Ocean Islands, such as:

Zanzibar

Currently, South Africans can travel to Zanzibar. Tanzania's borders are open, and travellers are welcome. You will be screened on arrival and could be required to take a COVID-19 test if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Tests can cost anywhere from $100 - $150.You may be required to quarantine for 14 days, at your own cost, if a COVID-19 test is completed on arrival. Although the government of Tanzania doesn't (currently) require a negative COVID-19 test, the airline may require one upon departure. If so, then Tanzania border control may also request one. 

Mauritius

While Mauritius is a much-loved December getaway for South Africans and has opened its borders to long stay visitors, there are strict conditions in place (including a 14 day quarantine), along with uncertainties around which airlines are flying. Consider booking your Mauritius holiday now for 2021 instead.

The Seychelles

A little further afield, the authorities in Seychelles have permitted South African travellers to enter the country. Air Seychelles also announced weekly (Saturday) flights to Johannesburg from November 2020, as well as three times a week from December for the holiday season.

The Maldives

The Maldives is also open, with Air Seychelles offering flights from Johannesburg to the Maldives from 4 December 2020 to 9 January 2021.

Travel news & COVID-19 restrictions

Are you looking for up to date travel information in real-time? Check out our Travel News information hub, which allows you to search for any country and get COVID-19 travel information and more need to know resources, for free.

Please note: Although every effort has been made to ensure the information is up to date, information is subject to change at any time. Travel is incredibly fluid at the moment as governments continue to change border entry requirements on a daily if not weekly basis. It is always advisable to consult your Flight Centre Travel Expert for the latest information.

Confessions of your travel expert:  Air Travel

Here’s what the Flight Centre Travel Experts want you to know about air travel right now.

You do not want to be going it alone when it comes to any travel during a global pandemic. Never before has travel had more variables and perhaps never before in the history of travel have travellers needed someone to deal with mountains of admin and follow-ups and hold their hands through a confusing process.

Travellers are looking for expert advice and the assurance and flexibility to make any travel decision confidently.

For example, check out our Moneyback Guarantee on our Homegrown Holidays domestic travel packages allowing you the flexibility to cancel your booking, in writing, 24 hours before the intended check-in date, and we will refund immediately – no questions asked. Ask your Flight Centre Travel Expert for more information.

Here are some airline suggestions to discuss with your Travel Expert when planning your next flight:

FlySafair

With flexible fares, the option to take a bag or not, plus an on-time performance of 96% in September 2020, FlySafair is a great choice for your no-frills domestic flight.

Airlink

Airlink is a full-service airline, with fares including a checked-in bag plus a meal. Airlink also flies to a wide range of destinations that other carriers do not.

Emirates

Emirates offers free COVID-19 cover, as well as a range of flexible ticket and travel voucher options. They're renowned for their health and safety protocols, from navigating the airport to the onboard experience.

Qatar

Qatar is another popular international airline, that offers enhanced health and safety protocols, as well as the flexibility to travel with confidence.

Turkish Airlines

Browse Turkish Airlines flexible travel options, as well as their safety guidelines, to give you peace of mind.

Contact your Travel Expert to discuss the best possible flight to meet your holiday needs and give you the peace of mind and flexibility you need.

Plan ahead

Fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants travel is, at least for now, off the cards. While you can snap up a great last-minute local travel deal, you're going to need time to consult your Travel Expert and get your ducks in a row. 

The travel journey – from getting to the airport to checking in to your hotel – may take longer. Allow for extra time throughout so you don't feel rushed, or heaven forbid, miss a flight because you haven't made provision for the extra time needed to pass through all the new health and safety checks. Be patient and expect longer queues.

Don’t forget to check if your usual airport parking spot is open! Some OR Tambo airport goers were left with a hefty parking fee after accidentally using ORT's short-term parking area, which has now been designated a pick-up and drop-off zone only.

Travel news & COVID-19 restrictions

Are you looking for up to date travel information in real-time? Check out our Travel News information hub, which allows you to search for any country and get COVID-19 travel information and more need to know resources, for free.

Please note: Although every effort has been made to ensure the information is up to date, information is subject to change at any time. Travel is incredibly fluid at the moment as governments continue to change border entry requirements on a daily if not weekly basis. It is always advisable to consult your Flight Centre Travel Expert for the latest information.

Confessions of your travel expert: Local Travel

Chances are you're thinking of your next holiday, especially with the December holiday season fast approaching. Here’s what the Flight Centre Travel Experts want you to know about local travel right now.

Local is lekker

While no doubt you desperately want to escape to a tropical island, complete with swaying palm trees and bathwater warm sea, perhaps keep it closer to home this December and instead plan your island holiday for 2021. Browse Indian Ocean Islands for 2021 here.

For December this year, enjoy exploring South Africa with our Homegrown Holidays collection. Check out these incredible Homegrown Holidays ideas:

- Visit historic Graaff Reinet

- Camp in the Augrabies Falls National Park

- Road trip to the mountain hamlet of Hogsback

- Glamp in the Kruger National Park

- Explore the Golden Gate National Park, with combos including Bloemfontein and Clarens

- Set off on nine- to ten-night road trips exploring KZN's coastal route from north to south

- Enjoy the ultimate South African road trip experience, exploring the timeless Garden Route

- Discover the Eastern Cape's unspoiled Sunshine Coast

- Experience the Kokerboom Food and Wine Route in the Northern Cape and the national parks of the Northern Cape

Local cruise update

Your local cruise is going to have to wait until 2021. MSC Cruises recently announced that the MSC Opera would no longer operate its scheduled itineraries for the 2020/21 season, a popular favourite with South African cruisegoers. 

Enjoy exploring South Africa!

Sure, travel looks a little different than it did pre-pandemic, particularly international holidays, but this is a new world in which we find ourselves.

For now, use the time to plan and book your 2021 getaway or beyond. And enjoy exploring our beautiful country.  Millions of international travellers visit South Africa each year and fall in love with our country. Now is our chance to be re-inspired too!

Travel news & COVID-19 restrictions

Are you looking for up to date travel information in real-time? Check out our Travel News information hub, which allows you to search for any country and get COVID-19 travel information and more need to know resources, for free.

Please note: Although every effort has been made to ensure the information is up to date, information is subject to change at any time. Travel is incredibly fluid at the moment as governments continue to change border entry requirements on a daily if not weekly basis. It is always advisable to consult your Flight Centre Travel Expert for the latest information.