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DISCLAIMER: COVID-19
Traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic is a touchy subject. We want to be respectful of everyone’s position on the topic, and are by no means trying to convince anyone to travel right now if it makes you uncomfortable (or if it is unsafe for you personally)!
If you are thinking about traveling it is important that you consider the risks to yourself and to others around you.
Nik and I agreed early on we were willing to travel cautiously during the pandemic because we are healthy, not regularly in close contact with anyone considered ‘high risk’, and ultimately willing to take the necessary precautions to be safe. Travel is a major part of our lives and we understand the risks as well as the discipline and attention to detail needed in order to continue to travel.
Since we have a few mid-pandemic trips under our belts, we thought it would be helpful to put together a list of tips we think are essential to traveling as safely as possible in these uncertain times (we are a travel blog after all).
So if you are planning to travel during this season this one’s for you!
- Wear a Mask
Early in the pandemic there was some confusion and back-and-forth on the effectiveness of masks, but the evidence is clear that masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you are going to be traveling during this pandemic you will be required at some point to wear a mask, whether for plane travel, checking into a hotel, dining out, or even just walking in public in some counties/cities. You’re going to need a mask.
Two of our favorite mask options:
- KN95 5 Ply Mask – Our go to for travel days. Good for those situations where maintaining a distance of 6ft. or more is difficult (i.e. planes).
- Cloth masks with adjustable ear loops (athleta) – super comfortable
Resources –
- Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize
Hand sanitizer! Nothing beats proper handwashing with soap and water, but you will want to keep some hand sanitizer with you since hand washing opportunities could be limited.
While traveling, we sanitize our hands after touching anything in public – door handles, credit card machines, countertops, etc. Keeping your hands clean (and limiting how much you touch your face) are some of the key steps you can take in reducing your risk of getting the virus.
Since you will likely be sanitizing A LOT we recommend finding a hand sanitizer that has some moisturizing properties (no one likes cracked skin!), something like this!
Additionally, bring some sanitizing wipes to wipe down high touch surfaces for areas you will be in like hotel rooms, planes or rental cars.
- Protect your immune system
First off, if you are at all in an immunocompromised state – DO NOT TRAVEL. It just isn’t worth it. Secondly, in case you couldn’t tell, we are not doctors, so the below is advice on a more general level.
The immune system is your body’s natural defense system against disease, viruses, and the like. A stronger immune system means your body is better equipped to handle what comes its way.
Here are some general, healthy-living practices that will help bolster a healthy immune system – eating healthy, not smoking, exercising, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress. All of these are more long game approaches that require consistency over time – i.e. your immune system won’t just be stronger overnight.
Having a strong immune system is more of a pre-travel thing. Here are some things you can do during your trip to ensure your immune system stays strong:
- Drink plenty of water
- Don’t drink too much alcohol
- Supplement: Take Vitamin C and other immune boosting vitamins. We like to take Emergen-C while travelling.
- Sleep: This one may not be an issue for some. We are known to push it to the limit while on the road, which sometimes means late nights and early mornings. If you’re the same way, be sure to check in with yourself throughout your trip and carve out some evenings to go to bed at a decent hour or sleep in as needed.
- On the Plane
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- Decline food/water service – I know this is a bummer, but really it is best if you can keep your mask on the entire time.
- *Try* to not use the restroom – Another bummer! Note I said ‘try’ because I know this one isn’t possible for everyone. The main reason to try and avoid the on flight restroom is because it is a common space in the airplane – and you honestly can’t guarantee someone didn’t remove their face mask while in there…
- Middle seat trick – One trick we have managed to pull off throughout our travel history is booking one aisle and one window seat, leaving the middle seat empty.
There have been times we’ve done this and managed to not have anyone book the middle seat between us, which could come in very handy on airlines that aren’t automatically blocking middle seats.
Your mileage may vary. There is no guarantee this little tip will work, but if you don’t mind the potential of not sitting next to each other, it is worth a shot!
Worst case, if a person is seated between you, they probably wouldn’t care to switch so you and your travel partner could sit next to each other.
- Hotels
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- Decline room cleaning during your stay – Declining cleaning service limits additional people in your room. Some hotels are already suspending their cleaning services during your stay, but just in case, you can hang the “do not disturb sign” or call the front desk and ask for no room cleaning.
- Sanitize – because we can’t stress enough the importance of sanitizing! Door handles, countertops, thermostat, lamps, sink – all the surface you can think of, wipe them down.
Most hotels are taking extra precaution regarding their cleaning procedures. If you are curious what extra steps the hotel(s) you are planning to book are taking here is a great resource to check out!
- Contactless check – in (when possible) – Contactless check in eliminates the need to go through the standard check-in process which can include interactions with staff and communal areas/surfaces. Most name-brand hotels offer some sort of contactless check-in where you can use a link (via email) or the hotel app to fill out necessary forms, scan your ID and enter your card for payment. Once this is complete, you will usually get access to a digital room key or you can pick up from a designated area in the hotel. Technology for the win!
- Focus on outdoor activities
Figuring out what to do when you arrive at your destination is one of the trickiest parts of traveling during the pandemic.
You will likely want to avoid indoor spaces as much as possible, as well as places where it will be difficult to maintain 6 feet of distance. This is why outdoor activities will be your best friend, and likely a big factor in deciding where you might travel during this crazy time.
Unless you’re planning to just sit in a hotel for a week and eat takeout (wait, that sounds pretty awesome actually), you will want plenty of options for having fun outdoors.
This was a big reason Nik and I decided to take a Southwest road trip through Arizona and Utah! Hiking is a great activity that you can maintain social distance and plan a whole trip around.
Other outdoor-based trips that you might consider:
- skiing/snowboarding
- Camping
- kayaking/rafting
- beach/surfing…
Note – not all National/State Parks are open at this time. If you are planning a parks trip, make sure to visit their site to understand any restrictions that might be in place.
- Order takeout or try to get patio seating
Finding open restaurants was probably our biggest challenge when travelling to Charleston/Savannah in July. This was when restaurants were beginning to open back up for dine in, but there were still heavy lockdowns and restrictions. Many cities are still experiencing this.
Even if the destination you are headed doesn’t have any restrictions in place for restaurants your safest bet is to try and avoid crowded indoor areas. Some places are handling better than others, though. Research which restaurants are enforcing social distancing and masking.
When in doubt, order takeout. Have a picnic or get delivery to your hotel (this is seriously one of our favorite things to do). If you really want to have a night out on the town, opt for patio seating!
- Be aware of the caseloads and travel restrictions of the state you are traveling
Data is your friend here. You need to be informed about caseloads and travel restrictions related to your destination throughout the process of planning and travelling. The CDC has a great tracker with information about caseloads over the last 7 days and will link you to each state’s site with additional detail on COVID-19 restrictions at the state level.
- Book refundable
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Most hotels and airlines have implemented new refund policies and have made the process for changes and cancellations smoother and easier than ever before. Several airlines have waived change-fees for good, offering serious advantages to the savvy traveler.
Take time to familiarize yourself with those policies for the airlines, lodging, and rental companies you are booking with. We’ve all seen how unpredictable this virus can be – spreading and peaking across the country since March of 2020.
You will want the reassurance that you can change your travel plans at any moment based on how things are playing out in the area you plan to visit. Stay informed!
- Transportation
Getting around is yet another one of those planning items you need to consider in a pandemic environment. I understand renting a car may not always fit in the budget, but if you are traveling during this pandemic, in my opinion, it is totally worth the peace of mind to have your own car that no one else uses throughout the duration of the trip.
We have rented a car on all our trips so far during the pandemic and it has been totally worth it. Rental companies are sanitizing vehicles as a practice, but just in case, I advise wiping down every interior surface the minute you first get the car.
If renting a car really isn’t an option, try to walk as much as possible before opting for any rideshare or public transportation options. If you have to take an Uber or taxi just make sure to wear a mask, sit in the backseat vs. the front, avoid pooled rides, ride with the windows down, and if possible request a larger vehicle like an SUV for more space.
Ultimately, know what risks you are comfortable taking.
Obviously the safest option is to not travel at all. But if you plan to travel, there are precautions and steps that you can take to minimize your risk.
Accept that this trip will look different than trips you’ve taken in the past.
I promise it’s not a tough pill to swallow. You can still make the most of it!
