Traveling During a Pandemic
The COVID pandemic is not over, but more parts of the world are opening up to travel. If you’re all about living a life of travel, it can be hard to stay put during a pandemic. But you also don’t want to put your health (and others’ health) at risk.
Is it possible to travel safely during a pandemic?
It is – but if you plan and take the proper precautions.
Here’s how you can safely travel during the pandemic.
This Traveling During a Pandemic article contains affiliate links. For more information on affiliate links, click here.
Research Where to Go and Where to Stay
First, you need to decide where you want to go – and if it’s safe to travel there.
International travel is very tricky right now. Travel restrictions vary from one country to another, and many have travel bans. The best way to stay up to date is to check the State Department’s COVID-19 country information.
In general, there are a few rules that may come into play if you decide to travel internationally:
- You may need to quarantine in a hotel at your own expense before being allowed to explore the country
- You may need to get one of the big three vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen
- You may need to get a COVID-19 test and receive a negative test result within a short time frame of travel
If you decide to travel domestically in the U.S., most continental states don’t require additional travel restrictions. However, Hawaii and overseas U.S. territories are different. For example, Hawaii requires a negative COVID test result prior to arrival.
Many people are anxious about crowds. If you want to avoid crowds, try glamping instead of visiting theme parks and resorts. It’s a great way to connect with nature without having to rough it.
What to Know When Traveling
Whether you’re taking a bus, train, or flying, wearing a mask is a must. It’s a federal law to wear a mask when on a plane, or when traveling via Amtrak. Violating the law means you are subject to fines and may be denied travel.
If you’re ridesharing or carpooling during your travel, limit the number of people in your vehicle. Of course, you can wear a mask – especially if you’re ridesharing or traveling with someone outside of your immediate social circle.
If possible, keep the windows open to boost ventilation, and avoid recirculating air.
Of course, you also need to be vaccinated. Vaccines are safe and effective. There’s been a lot of misinformation spread about the vaccine, but it’s important to know that safety protocols were not skipped when developing the vaccines.
Apart from getting vaccinated and wearing a mask, you can practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly, and if you feel unwell, stay home.
Travel Safe With Proper Trip Planning
If one of your goals is to travel, it’s important to know how to travel safely. Proper vacation planning will help you travel safely. You can still have a lifestyle of travel – you just need to exercise additional caution.
Check out our travel and leisure section for ideas of where to go and what to do on your next trip.
We hope you loved Simply Amazing Living's “Traveling During a Pandemic” post.
PIN IT!
24 Comments.
I have seen some people successfully travel during the pandemic. I haven’t outside of going about 4 hours away during the holidays. I’ll be glad, like all of us, when we can have some safe normal return.
Amen! I can’t wait to get back to some type of normal.
We have traveled during the pandemic a couple of times and we have had to do more research than normally. It’s so important to know what kind of requirements every country you visit has and to keep in mind that all these requirements might change from one day to other.
Research is key for traveling during a pandemic!
I can’t wait to book our next trip. We had to push our last trip back to Omicrom but I agree travel is essential to our soul and once this current round of chaos calms down and makes it easier to travel again we will be travelling again!
I miss traveling so much and am looking forward to traveling this year with caution and safety in mind.
Thanks for sharing! We have been traveling during the pandemic quite a bit, definitely had some adjustments but can be done!
You are welcome! Safety and knowledge are key!
I’ve never had the courage to travel abroad during a pandemic. But with planning and precautions, we can travel safely
Yes, indeed we can.
It is definitely my goal to travel more this year even with the 6th wave of Covid and a new Omicron. Thank you for this inspiration
You are welcome!
It can be a huge challenge especially for those citizens who need visa. There’s so many restrictions and rules. Thanks for this article. I learned a lot.
You are welcome!
Travel is so therapeutic. I miss being able to travel easily like before the pandemic. I am looking forward to when things become easier.
I couldn’t agree more! I miss traveling so much.
These are such great tips. I travel a lot and it’s so hard trying to keep up with all the Covid rules and restrictions.
Thank you!
These are such great travel tips for safely traveling during COVID! Planning and due diligence will ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable trip!
Thank you!
Knowing a few things or as much as you can about where you are going will definitely help you plan better for yourself and your journey ahead…I always have my story to tell, about my first time travelling by bus, to Kenya!
Yes, indeed. That sounds like an interesting story!
Great tips and advice. You can travel as long as you take your own precautions and stay safe.
Thank you! I agree!