Overseas travel rules have eased across the UK, making holidays cheaper for many.

The "traffic light system" of red, amber and green list countries has been scrapped, leaving just red-list countries and the rest of the world.

Foreign Office advice to avoid non-essential travel to another 32 countries due to Covid fears has also been lifted.
What are the new travel rules?

Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from non-red list countries no longer have to take a PCR or lateral flow test before setting off for the UK.

This includes people vaccinated in the UK, the EU, the US, or 18 other recognised countries.

You must be able to prove that you are fully vaccinated.

Everyone under 18 - and resident in one of these countries - can also travel to the UK without taking a pre-departure test, whether or not they've been vaccinated.

All travellers - except children under five years old - still have to book and pay for a PCR test two days after arrival.

The government says you should book this test before you travel.

You also need to complete a passenger locator form.

In addition, the Foreign Office has removed its advice that UK citizens should avoid holidays in 32 destinations, including Bangladesh, Fiji, Gambia and Malaysia.

The destinations weren't on the government's red list, but non-essential travel was not recommended because of fears about how Covid was being managed.

The change should make it easier for people to get travel insurance.
What if I'm unvaccinated?

If you aren't fully vaccinated - and you're 18 or over - you still need to take a PCR or lateral flow/antigen test (not a free NHS test) within three days before returning to the UK.

You also need to take a test on or before day two and on or after day eight after your return.

You must also self-isolate at home for 10 days after arrival in the UK.

Test to Release will remain an option for unvaccinated passengers to England who want to shorten their quarantine.
What else is changing in England?

From the end of October, the government says that people coming to England may no longer have to take a PCR test two days after arrival.

Instead, they'll be able to take a cheaper and simpler lateral flow test.

It's hoped this change will happen in time for people returning from school half-term breaks.

As yet, no other UK nation has said it will follow suit in this.

Scotland says it will "align with the UK post-arrival testing regime", but hasn't announced further details.

The Welsh government said it had "concerns" about easing its testing regime.

What are the red list rules?

Red-list countries are those the UK government says should not be visited "except in the most extreme of circumstances".

There are currently 54 countries on the red list, including Brazil, South Africa and Thailand.

If you have been in one in the last 10 days, you can only enter the UK if you are a UK or Irish national, or UK resident.

Whatever your vaccination status, you need to:

Take a Covid-19 test before departure
Complete a passenger locator form
Self-isolate for 10 days in a quarantine hotel, paid in advance

Rates for quarantine hotels are:

10 days (11 nights) for one adult, £2,285
Additional adult (age 12+), £1,430
Children aged five to 11, £325

Can I visit the US?

From November, fully vaccinated UK passengers will be able to travel to the US.

This should include people who've had the AstraZeneca jab, although the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to make a final decision.

Visitors will need to take part in testing and contact tracing.

At present, only US citizens, residents and foreigners with special visas can enter from most European countries.