Can I travel right now?
Well, depends on where you live and where you are going. Some countries in Europe start to live normally again, while some other Asian countries followed with limited travel lanes and reopening schemes.
International travel starts to see the light at the end of the tunnel with more countries announcing their reopening and this good news brings joy to our adventurous souls.
If you are thinking to travel again during this pandemic-ish time, make sure you have prepared yourself better than the pre-pandemic era. Elizabeth Lilly from Buzzfeed shares her realistic advice from her trip over this pandemic year.
Travel within the land, air, and the sea might not be the same right now, but once you have ticked off these checklists, you are good to go!
- Double-check all the travel restrictions that your destinations and layover locations may have. Different cities within a country might have different restrictions. Always check the latest update before your departure.
- Check the testing requirements for all the activities you plan to do. Some are stricter than others and you can take that as a benchmark.
- Buy some travel insurance, including for your flights and other coverages. It will cost you a bit more, but better be safe than sorry.
- Get to the airport earlier than your normal early. We never know how long the queues are going to be with the extra checking procedures.
- Expect and be ready for some inconvenience and hiccups with your travel plan. Done is better than perfect!
- Pack more face masks. You'll need it, we promise.
- Bring your own sanitizing wipes, spray, and hygiene equipment. Keep it in a small bottle to prevent problems at the boarding gate.
- Prepare to be around a lot of people in public places, especially if you haven't been doing activities in a crowd for some time.
- Prepare your vaccine card or certificate within your reach because you'll use it a lot.
- You might always have to wear a face mask and that's for the sake of your own health and safety!
- Be respectful to the locals and wear masks whenever they do.
- If possible, always make reservations in advance. Avoid making decisions at the last minute to make it less stressful for you.
- Ask for daily cleaning in your hotel to make it even safer and more comfortable.
- Prioritize outdoor dining and activities so you can maintain the social distance. It's been a while since you are enjoying the outdoors!
- Expect smaller crowds than usual, including for the tour groups. This actually nice because you get to enjoy the tour more privately. Don't forget to tip the guide if you have extra money!
- Opt for telehealth and at-home Covid-19 test service before heading to your next destination.
- If you'd rather get tested at the local health facilities, spare a bunch of extra time to do it. You don't wanna rush to the airport because of waiting for the test result to come out.
If you have done and are ready to face all the items listed above, then you are good to go! Find the inspiration for the best post-pandemic destinations in these articles below: