International travel updates: French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Thailand, Japan
Farewell to pre-departure tests and hello to more countries reopening.
At this rate, it won't be long before international travel will be as it was before the pandemic (fingers crossed). Here are the major changes to overseas travel that have happened this month.
1. French Polynesia
What's changed?
French Polynesia has scrapped pre-departure tests for vaccinated visitors. Visitors must be triple vaxxed if their second dose was over 9 months ago.
Unvaccinated Aussies over 12 must do an RT-PCR test 72 hours before departure or an antigen test 48 hours before departure. They must also provide a compelling reason for not being vaccinated.
Unvaccinated minors under 12 do not need to undergo any tests or provide a compelling reason.
While Aussies can't fly directly to Tahiti, they can fly via Auckland, New Zealand. Flights are available on Air New Zealand.
Things to do while you're there:
- Snorkelling and lunch tour. Discover the crystal clear waters of Polynesia on a small group tour.
- Tahiti island crossing. Discover the heart of the islands by 4WD.
- Sunset cruise: Moorea sailing on a catamaran. Watch the sun paint the skies pink, yellow and purple as it dips below the horizon.
Book flights to Tahiti Book your hotel
2. New Caledonia
What's changed?
New Caledonia has followed in the footsteps of other Pacific Island nations and removed pre-departure testing. This applies to vaccinated travellers from "green" or "orange" countries.
Australia is orange at the moment.
An on-arrival RAT is still required for travellers 12 years and older. It needs to be taken within 48 hours of landing. This is free at pharmacies.
The 7 days of self-isolation have also been scrapped.
Things to do while you're there:
- Rent a beach car. Travel your own way and rent a beach car to drive around Nouméa at your leisure.
- Guided tour of Nouméa. Get your bearings on this short tour before exploring on your own.
Book flights to New Caledonia Book your hotel
3. Thailand
What's changed?
Thailand's restrictions are easing again with the country now removing quarantine or sandbox stays from 1 May.
Vaccinated travellers only need to do an entry screening without any pre-departure or on-arrival tests. Unvaccinated children under 18 years old can skip quarantine when travelling with vaccinated parents.
All other unvaccinated persons must provide proof of a negative RT-PCR or professional rapid antigen test kit (ATK) within 72 hours prior to arrival. Otherwise, they must do a 5-day mandatory quarantine.
All international travellers still need to apply for a Thailand Pass prior to arrival. This includes showing proof of vaccination and a US$10,000 health insurance policy.
Things to do while you're there:
- Phi Phi Maya Area, Kahi and Bamboo Island snorkelling day trip from Phuket. This is island hopping at its finest.
- Phuket paradise ATV adventure. Active travellers can travel by ATV on a safari adventure and ride along jungle trails, calling in at panoramic pitstops.
- Bangkok by night: Temples, markets and food by tuk-tuk. Bangkok comes to life after dark. See it by a traditional tuk-tuk and tick that off your bucket list.
Book flights to Thailand Book your hotel
See our guide to travelling to Thailand from Australia.
4. Japan
What's changed?
At the end of May, Japan held a small tourism trial accepting 50 visitors from low-risk nations to test the waters.
Now, the Prime Minister has announced it's expanding this, allowing visitors from 98 nations, including Australia, into the country from 10 June.
However, tourists will have to be booked onto a group tour to enter.
To facilitate the influx of visitors, the number of international arrivals permitted daily will increase from 10,000 to 20,000 on 1 June.
Things to do while you're there:
- See it all on a Japan Unrivalled tour: Contiki can show you the highlights on a 13-day Japan Unrivalled tour that covers 7 destinations and includes some food.
- See the cherry blossoms: March and April are Japan's cherry blossoms season. Book your trip early to be one of the first international visitors to catch them in 2023.
- Have a Japanese whisky tasting experience: Japanese whisky culture is famous. Taste the best with a private guide.
Book flights to Japan Book your hotel
See our guide to travelling to Indonesia from Australia.
5. Germany
What's changed?
In the lead-up to the European summer break, Germany is relaxing its entry restrictions from 1 June. But there is a catch: it's only for 3 months.
Until the end of August, visitors will no longer have to show proof of vaccination, a negative test result or proof they've recently recovered from COVID-19.
Masks are still required on flights into Germany.
Things to do while you're there:
- Discover Berlin on a half-day walking tour. Get your bearings in the bustling city of Berlin on this short walking tour.
- Berlin skip-the-line Pergamon and New Museum guided tour plus Museum Island pass. Join the VIP line into Berlin's popular museums.
- Bavarian beer and food evening tour of Munich. When in Bavaria, you should spare the time for a local beer.
Book flights to Germany Book your hotel
Other updates
- Philippines: Following relaxed restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers, Cebu Pacific is resuming its Sydney-Manila route, offering flights 3 times weekly from July. Flights are on sale for $299 until 9 June for travel between 1 November 2022 and 31 May 2023. Find your flights through Skyscanner here.
- New Caledonia: Qantas is resuming direct flights from Brisbane and Sydney to New Caledonia from 4 June. Brisbane flights will be weekly and Sydney flights 3 times weekly. Flights from Sydney will increase to 4 times weekly from 13 August.
Missed last month's updates? Get caught up.
Ready to head overseas? See where to book PCR tests for travel and all of our latest travel deals.
