9 Lessons Learned While Traveling During A Pandemic

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Whether you decide to travel or not during the pandemic is a decision only you can make. This post will take into account the extra considerations that travel during Covid brings. Restrictions are constantly changing, so are you ready for this new era of travel? Keep on reading for my tips.

Should you be traveling during a pandemic? And if you do, what additional things do you need to consider? We take a look at things you may not have considered before and need to re-think if you’re traveling during the pandemic.

1. How comfortable are you with travel?

The first obvious question is how comfortable are you leaving your home for a trip? How will you feel about going through a crowded airport? Or sitting on an airplane? Or a train? What about staying in a hotel? If thinking about going to these places doesn’t bring anxiety, then you’re probably a good candidate for traveling.

Keep in mind that the person seated next to you on an airplane may not wear their mask properly (or at all). And if you’re in restaurants or bars, customers remove their masks to eat and drink. How comfortable are you being around others?

Whenever possible, I opted for outdoor eating areas, though that may not work in locations where the weather doesn’t permit it. On the airplane, I made sure to keep my air nozzle on full blast hoping to create a little cone around me. I don’t know that either of these things helped but they made me more comfortable during my travels.

2. Are you vaccinated?

I’m not going to get into the whole whether to get a vaccine or not debate. If you want to travel, you should get vaccinated. The rules are different for those vaccinated and a lot laxer.

Aside from the fact that you’re less likely to get ill, including seriously ill, while vaccinated, many countries have different rules for those who are vaccinated. For example, travel to Europe is much easier for vaccinated visitors. The same is true for those considering going on a cruise,  almost all of which require proof of vaccination now.

Many countries require travelers to prove one of three things:

• Are they vaccinated with a recognized vaccine?
• Do they have a negative Covid test?
• Do they have a medical certification that they have recovered from Covid?

3. What are the rules for travel?

Check for some general guidelines by visiting Sherpa online. Also check the U.S. State Department advisories as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on travel, or those of your country of origin. These organizations provide specific advice to US travelers about what to expect in other countries.

Each airline may also have specific requirements, and you should check your airline’s website before making your final decision.

4. What are the rules at your destination?

Travel is not as straightforward as it used to be. Once upon a time, the main question you needed to answer was whether or not you needed to apply for a visa ahead of time. These days, there are many more considerations. 

Is a specific type of mask required? If so, what kind and under what circumstances must it be worn? Do you need to have proof of vaccination or a negative test? Where will it be required? Do you have to complete a health questionnaire online? The answer to each question is available on your destination’s Covid requirements government page. 

During my trip to Austria, I had to show my Covid vaccination card in order to be admitted to my hotel or any restaurant. I needed to obtain a negative test result to cross into the Czech Republic. 

If you haven’t done so previously, register with your embassies. For American travelers, this is easily done through the STEP (Smart Traveller Enrollment Program) online. 

5. What about returning home?

You should become familiar with the rules for re-entry into your home country. If you’re re-entering the US (my home country), then you need to take a PCR test 3 days prior to your return or a rapid antigen test within two days before your flight (as of this writing). The link will take you to the updated rules. [This does not apply since 2022.)

The US embassy in your destination country will likely have information about testing that is approved to go home. Make sure you contact labs in advance to verify whether you need an appointment or not.

For my return home, I opted for a self-test through Abbott Laboratories. The procedure took about 20 minutes from start to finish and was accomplished through my phone’s camera. I felt more comfortable knowing that I didn’t have to look for a lab at the last minute. But I did bring extras in case I made a mistake or the test was inconclusive.

6. Do you have travel insurance?

Gone are the days when you could get away without having travel insurance. Some countries require specific travel insurance geared to their own requirements. During a trip to Costa Rica, we had to obtain specific coverage and show proof of it before boarding our flight.

Make sure that the travel insurance you obtain includes coverage for your treatment if you need to quarantine at your destination.

7. What happens if you get sick?

Even with the most careful planning, you need to consider what would happen if you get sick at your destination. Hopefully, you won’t get too sick but a positive test is enough to keep you in quarantine (and prevent your return home), even if you are asymptomatic. 

Are the medical facilities at your destination up to par? Will you be put in quarantine at a government facility or can you quarantine in a hotel? Many countries now have hotels specifically designated as quarantine hotels. 

8. Are you flexible?

Things are constantly changing these days. You need to be very, very flexible with your travel plans. Your flights will change. Your destinations may change. The requirements for proving your status may change. Even whether the country accepts visitors may change.

During my last trip to Central Europe, I had to change my arrival and departure airports and my dates of travel, including a last-minute adjustment three days before my departure!

Some attractions are still closed, or have reduced hours, or require advance tickets. Check these in advance of your trip because you may need to adjust your travel dates to accommodate something you really want to see or do. Likewise, many tour companies do not have sufficient participation yet, so tours may not run every day.

For those of us who like to control everything, this is not a great time to travel. Just go into your experience with an attitude that it is okay if the best-laid plans have to change at the last minute.

9. Do you travel with your phone?

You’ll have to prove to any airline (or cruise) that you have complied with all the requirements before starting your travel. While you can carry a lot of paperwork with you, you can also have all documentation saved on your cell phone. When completing a test or filling out a health questionnaire, a QR code is frequently given to you. 

Before boarding, you will need to show the QR code. Do this in advance of arriving at the airport or cruise terminal. If you’re flying, consider using the VeriFly app which airlines accept as proof of meeting all the requirements.

Have you traveled during the pandemic? What other tips do you have for travelers during this crazy time?

Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler