Is it Safe to Travel Again? How to Book Flights Safely For the Future In the Time of Coronavirus
I think we can all agree that after this year we’ve had, we ALL deserve a vacation. And, with the flights and travel deals as low as they are right now, it can be tempting to start booking and planning travel while you’re relaxing at home and scrolling Pinterest for travel ideas. But how soon is too soon to travel? Is it safe to travel right now? Where CAN we travel right now? And when will it be safe to travel everywhere again after coronavirus? These are the questions I’ve been getting a lot from you guys on Instagram, so I figured I’d answer with this post.
Here are my travel tips to keep in mind while booking any travel for later this summer, later this year, and even into 2021:
1. Right now, domestic travel is open up for safe, cautious travel. As far as international travel goes, depending on the location, many are open with COVID testing requirements (Make sure you read my tips for getting a COVID test before travel here!).
2. Only book with trusted airlines that have great change and cancel policies. Do not book ANYTHING non-refundable. For airlines, stick to big airlines you know, not a random airline you’ve never heard of. If that airline goes under, you will not get your money back.
3. For hotels, I like using Booking for hotel bookings since they always have full-refund cancellation policies available. Southwest is one of my favorite domestic airlines because they never charge change fees. United is now also offering free flight changes through the end of the year for flights purchased now, American is offering free changes if booked before April 30, as are many other airlines.
4. Consider the destination you’re traveling to and what their status with the CDC is like. Here is the CDC’s map of risk, with travel notices for each destination. I personally will not be booking any travel to any COVID hot-bed in 2020.
5. If you’re booking a bigger trip like a honeymoon, get travel insurance. You can read more about my picks for travel insurance here and how to make sure your trip is protected from COVID-19.
6. In general, stay flexible. This virus and global impact is unprecedented and affecting absolutely everyone, so keep your plans flexible and consider alternatives. Have a plan B.
7. Get a good travel face mask. They are REQUIRED for flying – and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. So whether you’re planning future travel or need to fly somewhere this summer, you’re going to want a chic face mask to travel (I have a ton of cute face mask recommendations here)
What questions do you guys have about planning travel in the time of coronavirus? I’ll do a Q&A here and continue to add to it as the situation evolves:
Q: Where is safe to travel right now?
Check out this post on places to travel right now that are safe with coronavirus.
Q: What measures can we take to travel safer when we can travel again?
A: Prepare, prepare, prepare. For one, read up on how to disinfect a hotel room when you check in. These easy steps to clean a hotel room and things to be aware of when traveling will help keep you safe and sanitized on your next trip – whenever that is.
Q: Where are some domestic US travel destinations for after lockdown that we can go?
A: For a fun, easy post-lockdown getaway, look into places like Charleston, Key West, Big Sur, Napa Valley, Palm Springs, Cabo san Lucas, and of course Hawaii – which just announced they are opening up for tourists again with COVID-testing. Depending on where you are in the US, a road trip to a national park (once they open again) is always a great option too (I’m personally dying to get to Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park). If you’re looking for somewhere that’s allowing international travel right now from the USA and looking to escape, look into these resorts in Mexico.
Also, consider basing from somewhere new for a month or two for a working vacation! Since we’re all working remotely right now, I rounded up the Best Airbnb’s in the US to Work Remote from This Year. After all, for about what you’re probably paying in rent in the same place you’ve been for the last 4 months, you can get out and experience a whole new area, or live by the beach!
Where is your first trip going to be when this is all over? Let me know in the comments!
Check out these related blog posts:
Where to travel with girlfriends – the best girls trip destinations
The best furnished airbnbs to rent this summer or fall
Best airbnbs for groups in Palm Springs
Drinking around the world: 20 Incredible travel-themed cocktails to get you through quarantine
How to celebrate your husband or wife’s birthday in quarantine
The best face masks that match your outfit (or match your dog’s bandana)
Cute face masks for COVID-19 (that also help workers on the frontlines)
Self-care tips for quarantine with wellness expert Morgan Marie Jones
The best loungewear brands for working from home in style
two-ingredient healthy banana pancakes
The best honeymoon destinations in the US
How to celebrate a postponed wedding, vacation, or any celebration at home
The best cocktail recipes from around the world for quarantine cocktails
My favorite greek lamb meatballs recipe
What to watch on netflix or hulu right now – TV show and movie recommendations
The best almond butter sugar recipe cookie ever
Bora Bora vs. The Maldives – Which is better between the Maldives and Bora Bora?
The best wedding registry gifts
The cutest gifts for a bride to be
What to wear to every type of wedding
what to wear to a destination wedding
How to dry brush and why it is so good for you
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Alyssa
Maldives in October….too soon?
Christina Vidal
I hope not! October is so far out still! No one knows, but I do know the Maldives were very good and proactive about quickly containing the impact of the virus in their islands. I’m hopeful for them. Also not many crowds on private islands in the Maldives – hah! I rescheduled our Maldives honeymoon to early December! So I’m right there with you! Fingers crossed.
Jessica
Currently dealing with the stress of turning all my global conferences digital/rescheduling them, so have decided I’m definitely booking the dream Bali holiday I’ve always wanted when this is over. Trying to decide if late October/early November would be too soon, or whether to wait until March!
Christina Vidal
So sorry to hear that! And ugh, your guess is as good as mine 🙁 I would wait a couple months and see. Either of those seasons are beautiful in Bali. Fingers crossed!!
Chelsey
Your post has me feeling optimistic! My husband is currently deployed overseas, and isn’t due back until November. I’m terrified for him to travel home, as military travel often consists of multiple flights. We are also in the epicenter of the virus In New York. Things really need to start improving fast!
William
We’re looking to go to Bali too in October. Flight is booked and just waiting for our fate. 🙁 hope this is far out enough that i do not have to cancel.
Joshua
Cancun, mid October – Covid will still be around but the world has to move and people have to work.
Kryštof
Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil in late October/early November – too soon?
Christina Vidal
Oh fun!!! I hope not!!
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Karina
Israel in late August? Hopefully things will soon down by then.
Christopher
I really hope to travel soon, I’m currently under quarantine in Medellin – Basically my whole summer travel plans have been ruined now, I’m not sure I can even get a full refund on my recent cancellations. I’m going to be a lot more careful when booking in the future. Venting!… after being stuck in quarantine for the last few weeks 😉
So how do we begin traveling ASAP? I like the concept of immunity passports, but as I was doing research for my recent article on this subject, immunity passports don’t seem to be reliable enough yet,
meaning:
If we do develop immunity to COVID-19, how long is it going to last?
To what extent can high levels of antibody protect someone from re-infection?
Will the virus mutate to a new form that evades the immune system’s protective memory?
Can people who are “immune” to COVID-19 still pick up the virus and transmit to others?
What determines if someone develops high, low or undetectable antibody levels?
These questions all need to be answered before we can really move forward with immunity passports or something along these lines.
Take care everyone!
Sam
Hey Chris! I’m planning on going to Medellín for a few months in January 2021. How’s it looking there at this point in June?
Stacy
Hello Christina!
I am a young first timer traveler. I had booked a trip to Norway and Italy May 19th of 2020. But with this ongoing pandemic I have to say sadly but have to cancel my travels. Any advice for me? I am in the choice of either rebooking or cash points with 20% extra. Which seems smart and safe? To be honest, I do not want to risk it, rebooking this year, because I already have fully paid my flights and adding more rebooking fees is another issue. Any tips?
Thanks!
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Brittany
When I can finally get out of here, my family is going to Hawaii and then I’m doing a big trip to Disneyland with a friend. I’m not too optimistic we’ll get to either of those things later this year, but it’s not until October. Thinking we won’t get to go makes me actually want to have a meltdown/panic attack, but there’s no use in worrying about what can’t be changed. We’ll all just have to hope our plans can continue later in the year
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Mallory
Domestic travel is going to be tricky too so not a perfect fallback plan. Hawaii seems like an awesome idea but many travelers would not be able to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival before their vaca even begins… unfortunately for all of us travelers we are likely in a holding pattern for a long time. International is basically out of the question until there is a vaccine unless, again, you can quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival. Outside of the US, countries don’t give a shit if you are from NYC or LA or a tiny town in Nebraska. US is the hottest hot spot of them all and no one is going to be excited for us to visit. It sucks but it’s the truth.
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Anni
Wanting to have our honeymoon after our wedding end of September…Bora Bora. After reading your article and all the comments looks like it’s not going happen. Although travel seems really trivial because of what’s going on, not having the normalcy of doing anything like most people have done in the past is really devastating.
Christina Vidal
I feel this completely. We had to reschedule our wedding and honeymoon, and it’s devastating. It’s okay to be sad and miss the normalcy. I hope you are able to get to Bora Bora soon. Fingers crossed. I personally wouldn’t count September out yet -it’s still many months away! But I think it will come down to what you are comfortable with.
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