Covid FAQs

It’s important that you are aware of the potential outcomes should you test positive on arrival or while you are in destination. As regulations are constantly changing, we will provide you with up-to-date guidance in advance of departure. Please note that while our in-destination teams will support you in accessing any medical care and support you need, any costs associated with testing, care or quarantine will need to be covered by you or your travel insurance provider. Travel insurance is a requirement of all bookings with InsideAsia Tours and InsideJapan Tours.

The continuing impact of the pandemic means that the situation in individual countries is rapidly changing along with border restrictions, and most of our destinations remain closed to international tourists. However, there have been positive developments in vaccination rates across the region, which means this may change soon.

You can find our complete flexible booking policy here and our general terms and conditions here.

You can start planning your Asia trip whenever you're ready! We're able to plan holidays one to two years in advance, so even if you're uncertain about travelling in the short term, it's not too early to plan ahead. We can also plan as little as one month ahead of departure – so as soon as borders open, we can help you get there. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on travel status.

If changes to the government entry requirements of a country you are visiting (or returning from) prevent you from travelling as planned, you can choose to either rebook your trip for a later date; switch to an alternative destination at no charge; or receive a full refund.

As the pandemic is ongoing and the situation is still developing, vaccine requirements are unpredictable. That said, some early examples of border re-openings may lay the groundwork for wider openings across Asia. As time goes on, it looks increasingly likely that an approved Covid-19 vaccine will generally be required for travel in many Asian destinations.

If, within three weeks of your date of departure, you find you are unable to travel because you are either prevented from leaving your home country by government guidance, or unable to enter the destination country due to visitors not being permitted, you can choose to either rebook your trip for a later date, switch to an alternative destination at no charge, or receive a full refund. Additionally, if you are prevented from travelling due to personal reasons related to the Covid-19 situation* and are unable to claim on your travel insurance, we will provide free rebooking or a full refund.

Travel to Asia from the UK, US, Australia, Europe, Canada, and New Zealand has been extremely limited due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Some destinations, like Thailand, have been easing entry requirements; but there are no fully open borders just yet.

For destinations currently welcoming international visitors, there generally is a quarantine of some kind. However, we expect that this will change with wider vaccine access and as the intensity of the pandemic eases.

Whether or not there is official guidance preventing you from travelling, if you wish to rearrange your trip to a later date, or an alternative destination, you will be able to do so without charge up to three weeks in advance of your original departure date. Only additional costs for your new arrangements will be charged. If you're not in a position to rebook, we will be happy to refund you in full.

We are monitoring entry requirements to, and home from, our destinations very closely. If required at time of travel, we will provide information and support about arranging testing. Costs for any tests are not currently included in our trips.

One of the conditions under which we accept bookings is that our clients take out adequate travel insurance against medical and personal accident risk. While we are not able to advise on specific policies, please check with your provider very carefully as to what will and will not be covered, including for Covid-related expenses or disruption to travel.

You have complete flexibility to rebook your trip for a later date at no charge up to three weeks before departure.

If any member of your travelling party becomes infected with Covid-19 one month or less before your trip commences, this is covered by our Covid booking guarantee. In the event that you are unable to claim on your travel insurance, you can rebook your trip for a later date at no charge, or receive a full refund.