Planning A Trip Post Lockdown? Here’s How You Should Plan For It

A vacation a year keeps stress and boredom away.

You might not have heard of this saying before, but it makes total sense, right? A vacation gives you a chance to rejuvenate and let go of all your stress. When you return to your regular life after a trip, you are all set to face the challenges it throws at you.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to all vacations around the world for almost a year. However, with widespread vaccination and a global reduction in the number of cases, people are slowly starting to travel.

If you plan a trip post-lockdown, you must know that it will be nothing like the trips you have gone on before. The pandemic hasn’t ended, and you still need to take a lot of precautions. A post-lockdown trip also requires careful planning and budgeting. Here is how you should go about planning a vacation trip post lockdown.

Choose Your Destination Wisely

The first step is choosing a destination for your trip. While you may have been itching to go to Paris or Bali, are they the best choice in the current scenario? Travel restrictions can prevent you from visiting these places, so find out if there are any such barriers in place. 

You need to readjust your selection criteria to keep up with the times. Why not choose a destination within your country for your post-lockdown trip? It is easier and cheaper to travel, and you will be supporting the local economy.

You can also opt for lesser-known locations as opposed to tourist hotspots. With many people suddenly travelling, tourist hotspots are bound to have more crowds than lesser-known destinations. Visiting these places will be safer, and you will get a chance to explore some hidden gems.

Check Travel Guidelines

Once you have narrowed down the destination, you need to check the travel guidelines. Some places require you to have a COVID-negative report before you board a flight. Others require you to get tested before you take off and after you land.

Some places also need you to quarantine upon arrival for 7 or 14 days. These regulations also keep changing with time, so ensure that you keep checking them for any changes.

If your destination requires you to quarantine, you need to factor in this period’s added time and cost. Loans from instant money app such as StashFin can help cover unexpected costs. 

Book Tickets and Rooms As Early As You Can

With the changing travel guidelines, you may feel like waiting till the last minute to book tickets. However, there are many advantages to booking your tickets and hotels early.

With the hospitality and travel industry reeling from the pandemic, they are offering huge early-bird discounts. These bookings help them stay afloat and are a promise of future business.

You can stay at a better hotel than you usually would while paying less than you normally would. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enhance your vacation experience while also supporting the hospitality industry. 

Moreover, you never know how the situation might change in a few months. With more people getting vaccinated, there is a good chance that many more will start travelling soon.

It can create an increase in demand and an increase in prices for hotels and flight tickets. 
To support the aviation industry, many governments are raising the ceiling for the price of tickets. This can mean that last-minute tickets will get much more expensive than they are now. 

Plan Your Itinerary in Advance

There are a lot of uncertainties surrounding the pandemic. Many tourist destinations have closed their doors for the time being and many will only open once the pandemic is well under control.

It would be a shame if you plan a trip to visit a specific place but cannot do so since it is closed. It would be wise to plan your itinerary. List out all the places you want to visit and then check if they are open for tourists.   

Opt for Flexible Bookings

One of the reasons many are currently putting off booking tickets to the last minute is the uncertainty in COVID protocol. When you book months in advance, and the destination has to go under lockdown suddenly, it can lead to the cancellation of tickets.

However, almost all flight operators and hotels offer flexible booking options. You are eligible to change the dates of your stay or travel. Since the post lockdown travel scenario has many uncertainties, it is better to opt for flexible booking. 

Carry Masks, Sanitizers and Disinfectant Wipes

A vacation does not mean a vacation from precautions. On the other hand, this is time to be more cautious. You will be visiting places where there are many people, and you may even have to interact with many.

Make sure that you carry enough masks, sanitisers and disinfectant wipes. If you are using public or shared transport, then you must wipe down the seats before and after use. Keep sanitising your hands from time to time.

Carry reusable cloth masks as well as disposable masks. It is understandable that you may prefer the cloth masks since they are more comfortable to wear. However, you will need to wash them after each use and they take time to dry.

If you forget to wash them or are unable to dry them thoroughly, then you will run out of masks. Disposable masks can come in handy in such circumstances.     

Opt for Cashless Payments

Now more than ever, you need to shift to cashless payments. It reduces the contact you have with others. Cashless payments, especially online payments via mobile banking or e-wallets, are completely touch-free.  

Even credit cards and debit cards have smart chips that enable you to use them without swiping them. Just make sure to sanitise your hands after entering your pin. Online line of credit can become a real life-saver during your travel.

Opting for cashless payments also reduces your reliance on ATMs.

Try to Get Vaccinated Before Travelling

If you belong to the age group that is eligible for vaccination, ensure that you have completed the full vaccination course before travelling. It will minimise your risks of getting infected and will make your vacation stress-free.

Happy Vacationing!

After a stressful year, you deserve a vacation. With a little bit of careful planning and following the tips mentioned above, you can have a stress-free vacation.

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