2022 has finally arrived and many of us have at least some travel plans for this new year. As vaccination rates continue to rise, more Americans feel safer about taking to the open roads, the open skies and the open seas. According to The Vacationer, 63% of individuals 18 and older plan to travel during at least one holiday this year, and nearly 43% feel more comfortable traveling. If you are among the majority, you may be antsy to plan your next vacation.
Before you get too carried away, though, Family Road Trip Guru suggests the following travel tips for 2022 (and brushing up on these COVID-travel safety tips will be essential in 2022). We have linked lots of useful expert resources below so be sure to take time to check them out.
Travel Tip for 2022 #1: Study COVID Travel Restrictions
Before you make any elaborate plans, determine whether there are any travel restrictions or requirements for your departure and arrival destinations. Keep in mind that going abroad may mean you have trouble getting back into the country. As well, you may find upon arrival that your options for activities are limited or that you have to quarantine for a certain number of days before you can even leave your hotel room. For example, Mexico has few to no restrictions related to entry, whereas England requires a negative COVID test.
Travel Tip for 2022 #2: Get a Rental
Right now, you want to avoid crowds, so standard hotels and resorts are still not a great idea. Instead, book a vacation rental. In a rental, you don’t have to share a ventilation system with hundreds of other guests. Enhanced sanitation and cleaning means no worries about contaminated surfaces or coming into contact with large crowds. There are no packed lobbies and elevators or questionable cafeterias. Rather, as with a vacation rental, for example, you get your own space with private outdoor areas, private kitchens and ample peace of mind. You can even find a rental that’s pet-friendly so you don’t have to leave your pup at home.
Travel Tip for 2022 #3: Keep It Simple
During your time social distancing, you may have made big plans that involved adding stamps to your passport, visiting a famous museum or riding the world’s tallest roller coaster. However, staying away from crowds means avoiding travel hotspots. Don’t plan to go to theme parks, national monuments or guided tours. You should also skip visits to states that are designated as COVID hotspots.
In fact, steer clear of major tourist destinations entirely and plan a relaxed, outdoor-focused vacation instead. To avoid exposure to too many people, select one area to go to and center your activities around it. Look for nearby beaches, parks and open-air markets. One of the best ways to determine where it’s safe to travel is by working with an experienced travel agent who understands what to look out for. They will be able to provide a “ground level” reality on the area’s COVID status.
Travel Tip for 2022 #4: Come Prepared
For your destination, plan to add a top-rated GPS app to your phone to help you discover hidden gems close by, and consider other travel gadgets to help you feel safe – you may be able to avoid COVID infection but all other travel “hazards”, unfortunately, didn’t vanish, from scammers to pickpocketers – there may be unpleasant travel surprises waiting for you.
In addition to those conveniences, plan ahead for potential emergencies. When traveling by car, have your vehicle checked out before you leave, and always stop for gas when you hit a quarter of a tank. If you’re traveling abroad, make copies of your passport, insurance cards and credit cards in the event that you lose something or it’s stolen. Have a remittance plan in case you lose your wallet. For example, if you’re vacationing in the Dominican Republic and your wallet is stolen, your family or friends can quickly wire you funds through a service like Remitly. Transfers are secure and quick, and you can even count on a great exchange rate.
Don’t forget to pack a travel first aid kit – you never know when you are going to need it (and as the Murphy’s Law has it you will probably need it when you don’t have it). It will give you that extra piece of mind
Also think about travel insurance – investigate different travel insurance options while planning your vacation. This became even more important during the pandemic with thousands of cancelled flights, emergency doctor visits and other calamities. These days there are lots of online tools that let you compare travel insurance options online easily, free of charge.
Travel Tip for 2022 #5: Rent a Car
A rental car may be an added expense, but private transportation, at this point, is safer than public transit. If you plan to fly to your vacation destination, make sure there’s a car waiting for you at the other end. However, be aware that COVID has caused a rental car shortage, so be sure to book far in advance if you plan to go this route.
Travel Tip for 2022 #6: Stay Flexible
Perhaps the best thing you can do for your physical and mental health when venturing out during the pandemic is to stay flexible. Make your travel plans, but plan for them to change. Ask about refundable deposits and be willing to accept vouchers.
Don’t let COVID-19 hold you back from doing the things you love, such as seeing the world. However, plan with the pandemic in mind so that you stay safe wherever the road takes you.
These great travel safety tips for 2022 and beyond have been contributed by Anya Willis, the owner of Fit Kids. As a mom, Anya is outing new ways to get kids moving to help parents keep their children healthy. If you found these travel tips for 2022 useful, please, share them with others as they may help them with their travel plans too.
