5 Precautions to Take When Traveling Over the Holidays This Year

Holiday travel is bound to look a little different this year. Experts already predict holiday travel trends will be different this year, but if you’re determined to travel this November or December, take note of these considerations to ensure the safest trip possible.

Do your homework

Carefully research the destination you’re planning to visit regularly leading up to your scheduled trip, as different states and cities will have different regulations and be in varying stages of reopening. Keep a close eye on local and state quarantine rules, as they can vary from day to day. 

Review testing guidelines

If you’re considering traveling internationally, look for a destination that’s requiring COVID-19 testing either before departure or upon arrival.

Communicate with those you’ll be seeing

Think about who you’ll be spending time with and communicate how you’ll each prepare for the trip. Have a phone call a few weeks before and ask [each other] what you’ve all been doing and what they’re comfortable with. This is especially important if you’re including older family members, who should always check with a doctor to get his or her recommendations before traveling.

Research airlines

If you’ll be traveling via air, review airlines’ policies closely, as they’re all doing different things when it comes to safety. Some flights will be emptier than others; a good bet is to choose flights later at night or red-eyes for the least-crowded planes. 

Get travel insurance

Make sure you read the fine print, as many travel insurance companies now have disclaimers that they won’t cover changes or cancellations due to the pandemic. You may even want to work with a professional travel advisor, who can make sure travel plans are flexible in terms of both schedule changes and refunds.