Tips for Traveling During These Unprecedented Times

Traveling during Covid times is a controversial topic. Whether you think people should be staying at home, or allowed to safely travel, airlines are still running, and people are still traveling. There are numerous reasons why you might find yourself traveling during these times, but I am not about to delve any deeper into this topic. I’m solely here to give any tips or advice I can to those finding themselves hopping on a plane during these unprecedented times, for one reason or another.

My first point of advice is to do research! Check requirements of the place you are traveling to. Many locations are requiring Covid tests to enter (and specific Covid tests. Don’t take the wrong one!), additional travel and medical insurance, and now Covid tests to return to the United States. Don’t be that person that isn’t aware and arrives to the airport to be turned away instantly. I’ve already had to research a few places we’ve gone so if you’re struggling to find information, reach out and I’m always here to help. Just make sure you stay up to date on requirements as they seem to constantly be changing!

Food. Remember those good ‘ol days of being able to buy an overpriced cheeseplate on your flight? Those days are over…at least for right now. Upon walking onto the flight, you are handed a bag filled with a mini water bottle, sanitizer wipe, and bag of pretzels. If you’re flying for 6 hours, that might not hold you over. In addition, a lot of cities, and thus airports within those cities, have limited food services. So, if you are counting on grabbing a meal on your layover, there is a chance that you will be disappointed. My in-laws experienced this in the San Fran airport and were rather hangry by the time they reached their destination 😉 Fill your bag with snacks and food to keep you satisfied until you reach your destination!

Drinks. Several airlines aren’t doing drink service of any type aside from the bottle of water you are handed. And at this point no airline is serving adult drinks in coach. This really isn’t a big deal. But if you were looking forward to a nice Bloody Mary on your morning flight, you’ll be disappointed. Just a heads up so you don’t learn the hard way 😉

Upgrade (when it makes sense). To follow up these last 2 points, fly First Class whenever you can afford it. This isn’t necessarily a Covid traveling tip, just a tip in general. However, there are benefits right now to flying First Class, like being served ACTUAL meals and an adult drink if you like. We definitely don’t fly First Class everywhere, but try to if the prices are close, as it is much easier with kids. There’s more room, a lower person:bathroom ratio for when you eventually have to change their diaper, and it’s more comfortable than being crammed in the back with a 25 pound child in your lap or squeezed in your seat next to you.

Breathe (figuratively and literally). Savor the moments when you pull your mask down to take a sip or bite of your food. With a long day of traveling (something 13 hours or longer), sweating in the mask can sometimes make me feel claustrophobic, and a little gross. I look so forward to the moment I can pull it down and breathe in a breath of fresh air as I take a sip of my drink. In these crazy times, sometimes we just need a minute or two of “normalness.”

Cleanliness. Not a tip per say, but something to help ease your mind. Hotels and Airlines are going over the top keeping their locations clean (in a good way!). Airlines are taking extra time after passengers unload to deep clean all areas and seats, and make sure to pass out sanitizer wipes to all passengers getting on the plane. Along with the reduced capacity, hotels are working hard to make sure all rooms are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized even further than before. Most hotels aren’t allowing early check-in, late check-out because they truly need all that time to sanitize and get areas ready for new guests.

My last point of advice is just about traveling in general right now. Each place we’ve travelled to has had incredible Covid precautions in place. Most places are limiting capacity, social distancing, requiring masks in public areas, and requiring hand sanitizer upon entering restaurants and other public locations. In addition, hotels and resorts are only allowing guests at their restaurants, another way of limiting people and germs. On our last trip, the resort was at 30% capacity. We practically had the resort to ourselves. Brad and I truly believe that we ran into less people at the resort than we do when we run to the grocery store for our weekly shopping trip.

I know this can be a controversial topic, so take it or leave it, but there are still safe ways to travel. You just have to be prepared.