Post-Covid travel is tricky. Take some of the stress out with these tips.

After 50+ hours of travel post covid air travel, we have gathered some post-covid travel tips to share. Covid has made uncomfortable travel doubly so. My nomad gene is constantly at odds with my detest of plane travel. To me flying is way down the list of how I like to spend my time; down there with colonoscopy and teeth cleaning. Frankly, I’d rather have my teeth cleaned. 

In addition to the oppressing cramped quarters of an airplane, now add 24 hours straight in a mask. You are in a mask from the moment you arrive at the first airport until you are ensconced in your hotel room these days.

Travel post covid is going to be more expensive and much less convenient. We are all going to learn how to navigate the new normal and collect our own covid travel tips. Following are a few tips for post-covid travel from these traveling nomads.

Flex it Up

There is one new thing we are all going to have to pack. Well, Two things. Masks and Flexibility. You must plan for change. As countries open, but then close again, you could be locked out of your destination. The biggest unknown factor that may scuttle your vacation is going to be – your covid status. Everyone going anywhere must have a covid test within 72 hours or 3 days of travel. Even those with vaccinations need to worry if they have an asymptomatic case. Or a false positive.

During the days and weeks before you embark you need to keep checking the official standings of your destination country, your stopovers, and your airline. People get confused, this is not the US Travel advisory for traveling to that destination. It is the Country’s willingness to let you enter. And any special rules the country has in place. For example, we are planning a trip to Morocco for a week from Spain. Two things to consider: one, as of the date of this post (October 1, 2021), Morocco still has an 11pm curfew. This will not bother us, we are rarely out that late. Second, they are not accepting travelers from Spain. This affects us even though we are not Spanish. Other times we have been prohibited from visiting a country because we are Americans, even though we have not been to the USA in more than three years. Looks like we will be going somewhere else besides Morocco unless this stance changes. It could change any day, so we will not rule it out. It may be a good piece of advice to have a back up vacation planned in the wings. Goes without saying, make sure all your plans have flexible policies. Most do these days.

Planning flights

Flights are fewer, and more expensive than pre covid. Expect fewer options for non stop travel. Flight time is going to be longer and more expensive. I think we are going to have to get used to this for a long time. Most of our recent flights (especially through the USA) have been packed. No social distancing on planes! It may be time to consider first class. Many of our flights for long haul travel have been canceled a few times before we finally get off the ground. Airlines may be canceling if the flights are not full enough, and travel restrictions coming into play cause cancelations too. Keep an eye on your flights if you make plans well in advance. To lessen this risk, plan to avoid legs to cities that may have a covid outbreak – I know, no crystal balls. Direct Country to Country travel is a safer bet, even if you have connections in cities within your departure and destination countries. 

Extra Time at the Airport

Previously, airlines required you to be at the airport an hour early – I know, that was a while ago. Then with additional security post 9/11, 2 hours. Now, post-covid, the direction is four hours prior. Every country has different covid requirements; the airline personnel are confused by each and have to consult their manuals often. Documents are scrutinized slowly. There is a lot of extra paperwork for each Country, even the ones you are connecting through. All this “paperwork” needs to be done both paperless (i.e. in electronic forms), but also pack a paper copy (in case you cannot bring it up on your phone). These forms have lots of glitches and problems with bugs to work out. The recommended four hours has proven necessary.

Documentation

Vaccination Record

Of course bring your vaccine records. This is not new, some countries have always required proof of vaccines. It wouldn’t hurt to see about getting yours translated or registered with your destination country. As of yet, this is not available, but as the world evolves to deal with Covid, it may be.

Passenger Locator Card (PLC)

All travelers will become familiar with this phrase. Every Country is requiring one. Each Country’s is different. Most countries are requiring them to be filled out electronically and submitted electronically. If it is submitted correctly, you receive a QR Code in an email from the Country’s Immigration or Tourist Board. This must be shown at the airport. There are still bugs in the system; we have dumped a lot of time trying to get these forms submitted. You may have to fill out the form again at the airport. This is what is requiring passengers to be at the airport four hours early.

Requirements of your Destination

Regulations for each destination change rapidly. Remember the golden rule: the interpretation of the rules by the person at the gate is the interpretation that counts. So if there is any ambiguity, have all options covered. Print copies of the official websites you consult; it may help, but probably not if you are at odds with the gatekeeper.

Covid Tests

Test Type

There are many different types. Different destinations have different requirements. Know the requirements, fit into those parameters without fail. 

Pre-Flight Covid Test

If the test needs to be 72 hours before departure, give yourself some grace in case your flight is delayed (or canceled). But allow enough time to get your results. If you get a positive test, even a false positive, you are stuffed; there will not be enough time to get a second test.

Some countries say three days, not 72 hours, some are from reaching destination, some from take off. Know your requirements. Check up to the last minute for changes. 

Language

Check the language requirement for your covid test. If traveling from a non-English speaking country, you may need to find a lab that provides your results in english.

Post-Flight Testing

Some countries require a test when you arrive at your destination. To do this you have to think ahead and have your test ordered and mailed to your destination before you arrive. Another thing to arrange with your hotel or host. In the UK we administered the test ourselves and dropped it off at a Royal Mail Priority Center. Travelers are obligated to quarantine until they get a negative result.

Layovers

If your layover is too long, the covid requirements of the connection cities come into play. Also consider the problems you will encounter in these destinations if you miss a connection or the connecting flight is canceled. Probably best to avoid connecting through covid hotspots that may be on your destination’s red list. While the destination country may allow you to connect through one of these places, if you get stuck there, you may cease to be welcome in your desired destination.

Get Comfortable but Hygienic

Wearing a mask full time for long travel days is not easy. Get comfortable while protecting yourself by choosing a comfortable but effective masking plan. The flight is likely to be just as packed as they were before covid. Airlines are not foregoing profits for social distance. You will be with people traveling from all over with everyone breathing the same air for a long time. Supposedly airplanes are equipped with filtering systems to keep us safe, but who knows. This is likely to be a vulnerable link in your covid protection.

Pack many Masks

Change your mask every so often. I found donning a new mask after every several hours helped me to feel refreshed.

Disinfect and Sanitize

Airlines are handing out disinfectant wipes, but not always right away. Bring your own so you can clean up around your seat immediately. Remember under the arm rests, the latch for the seatback tray, controls and screen for the entertainment. I use a Lysol spray for the mesh pocket. Then follow with hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer before and after eating, etc.

At the Gate as well as the Plane

Do not forget the seats in the airport too. Often I see people like myself cleaning up around their airline seat. But way more rarely do I see people doing the same in the airport waiting at the gate. This is just as important in my mind.

All of this we already did before covid just to ensure we did not pick up a virus that would ruin our vacation. I must admit, our protocol for hygiene has not changed too much since before the pandemic. It is just more important now.