Travel has been turned upside down thanks to the pandemic. The vaccine has helped improve travel safety, but Omicron is currently active and this makes planning for a trip more difficult. Uncertainties have driven consumers to book closer to departure dates than before, and the industry has responded with more flexible cancellation policies and other accommodations. Before you plan your vacation in 2022, here are five steps you should take.
1. Consider your health and safety
Staying healthy should start before your trip because traveling can put extra pressure on your immune system. Breaking your routine, jet lag, exposure to sick people, and environmental toxins can all take their toll, even without the ongoing pandemic. A strong immune system can protect you while traveling.
It is difficult to predict in advance what health conditions may prevail either at home or in your destination. For any kind of travel, it is important to follow health and safety guidelines as you don’t want to compromise your health while traveling.
2. Keep up to date with the latest travel restrictions
Much of the travel planning process is the same as it was before but you will obviously need to know about the latest travel restrictions and requirements. You don’t have to avoid booking travel to places with current warnings but you will have to check in frequently as your trip approaches and have a backup plan ready.
On sites like Sherpa, you can enter where you’re coming from and where you’re going to and dates if you want to find out what travel restrictions are in place. An interactive map shows you the Covid-19 test requirements, quarantine protocols and entry restrictions anywhere in the world.
If you need proof of a negative Covid-19 test before you fly, a rapid PCR test is your best option. An at-home rapid PCR Covid Test in San Diego, CA with a private service like Drip Hydration, RedBox and GetBrio is a convenient option that lets you focus on packing and planning. You need to get tested no more than three days before you travel by air and rapid PCRs are deemed as valid.
3. Book expecting to change your bookings
You need to book knowing that you may have to change your bookings. Domestic flights are more likely to take off than international flights, so it may be better to choose a local destination than an international one.
Read the fine print for details about changes and cancellations. Some airlines may only offer cancellation at no cost for some fare levels, while others do this for all fare levels. On booking sites, you are likely to find that the lower the prices, the less flexible a booking will be. There are even some policies that allow you to book a trip without set dates so you can decide on the best time to travel.
It will be easier to make changes to an airline or hotel booking if you book directly rather than through a search site. Otherwise, you can get stuck in a battle between a provider and the search site about who owes you money.
4. Think about driving instead of flying
Some countries are still not accepting foreign visitors, even those who have been vaccinated, and your dream destination may be off-limits to you. If you want to travel, it may be worth considering driving instead of flying. The whole travel industry is trying to attract tourists and their money, so you can find some great deals locally, such as special discounts for select time frames.
It’s a great time to visit some cities in the U.S. at much lower price points than before. Hotel rates may be much lower, especially during the week.
5. Purchase travel insurance
Insurance will protect what you invest in your bookings if you cannot go on the trip you planned. Trip insurance often covers so many ‘what-ifs’ at a fraction of what your whole trip may cost. It is important to research different options and select insurance carefully as companies do not offer the same pandemic coverage and those that do can be pricey. You also need to check whether your country’s travel advisories void your insurance.
6. Check travel documents
Depending on where you’re traveling from and where you want to go, you may need to obtain certain travel documents such as a visa. It’s worth checking an FAQ to see what kinds of requirements there are and if they concern you. There are certain situations where you may not need any kind of documentation as long as you limit your stay to a certain number of days. If you do need to obtain documentation, then it’s best to plan this weeks in advance so that it arrives well before the day you travel out. This ensures that you’ll be ready to go and the country won’t deny your entry when you arrive.
Conclusion
There’s a great pent-up urge to travel, so it is best to plan and book a vacation with these considerations in mind. Instead of seeing them as restrictions, take advantage of more flexible bookings and great deals to make sure you don’t blow your budget, and make sure you can recoup any booking expenses if travel restrictions or your own health prevent you from traveling.