10 International Travel Tips For Your First Post-Pandemic Vacation
It’s time to dust off that suitcase, dig out that passport, and prepare for what might be your first international trip in two or more years.
The world has changed a bit since 2019, and for those fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants travellers, you’ll need to get more comfortable with more detailed travel planning – at least for now.
While booking last-minute vacations, tours and even dinner plans are not always impossible, you may be left disappointed if you don’t at least do some pre-travel research.
Don’t let all the talk of testing and restrictions deter you from what is sure to be a much-needed vacation. You might need a few more things added to your travel checklist but it’s worth it if you get to finally take that trip you’ve been putting off for the last two years.
My Top International Travel Tips For 2022
Your next travel experience will be a lot smoother, and a lot less anxiety-inducing, if you follow these easy travel tips. Some of them might be common sense, but an extra reminder never hurt anyone – I’m sure we’re all had someone throw the “Got your wallet? Passport? Cell phone?” checklist at us as we’ve walked out the door.
Make sure that you passport is up to date
Two years without international travel is a long time. Long enough that some of us may find our passports expired in December 2020. The last thing you want is to find this out a week before your trip as you’re packing. Check yours early, as current passport renewal processing times are longer than usual.
Get insurance – with COVID protection
Travel insurance is the one thing I can’t believe more people don’t have. Vacations are expensive – so are health care bills if you injure yourself abroad – so do yourself a favour and make sure you’re covered. Read the policy carefully before you purchase to make sure it covers sickness or medical costs due to COVID-19. There are some countries that require you to have COVID cover insurance before they will let you travel there.
Allow time to research rules and restrictions
Just because we don’t need a test to enter Canada anymore, doesn’t mean you don’t need one anywhere else. Take time to check an official government website for requirements on pre-departure as well as arrival testing. It’s also wise to check for local mask mandates – and a safer bet to pack a few with you. Since planes are federally regulated you will need one when boarding a plane to/from Canada anyway.
Things can change on a dime – keep up to date
Don’t just check the rules once and never take a second look. As we’ve seen here at home, things can change by the week or month. I recommend checking restrictions and rules before booking your trip, then a couple of weeks before you travel to make sure nothing has changed.
Pack a supply of hand sanitizer
I have a love-hate relationship with hand sanitizer. But when travelling it really does come in handy. For years people have talked about the germs on planes (especially the tray tables), so now more than ever is the time to arm yourself with some sanitizer. Better to use one you like than the clinically smelling one most places use. Individually wrapped disinfectant wipes are super handy to pack and great for wiping your plane tray table and armrests when you sit down.
Have your proof of vaccine document downloaded to your phone
You’ll need this to get back into Canada, and will need to upload it to the ArriveCAN app. Many airlines won’t let you check in now until you upload your proof of vaccine in advance, and you may need to show it at the airport either departing or arriving in a new country. Some countries only require two doses; however, others require a booster also. Check in advance what is required so you’re prepared.
Download all the apps
There’s an app for everything, and travel is no different. One app you will definitely need is ArriveCAN. Prior to your arrival back in Canada, you will be required to upload documents such as vaccine proof to the app before you can board your flight. There will also be questions about your journey and to make sure you’re not sick.
Most airlines have their own app so you can upload documents and check-in for flights, but an easier app to download is VeriFLY. Linking to a number of airlines, the app helps you upload the required documents and work through a checklist of requirements. You may be unable to check-in without submitting these and completing this step.
The world has gone cashless
How many times have you seen the sign that cards are preferred? Going abroad is no different. Most places assume you’re using a card before you even have time to open your wallet. I still recommend taking some local cash – perfect for small purchases or tipping – but it’s more likely you’ll be using a card for most things. Check with your bank for cards with minimal or zero international transaction fees and give them a heads up you will be travelling so you don’t have issues with your card while abroad.
Have all your apps/documents and carry on items well organized
I have always found the whirlwind that is Airport Security the most stressful thing about travelling. So now that you need to show about 3 extra things before you can even get that far, it just got even more so. Not to worry, with some good planning and a bit of organization you’ll be airside with a vacation drink in your hand before you can say “I’m negative”. Download all required documents in advance and keep the tabs open so you can easily scroll between them. If a printed boarding pass gives you one less thing to show on your phone, that might be easiest too.
Plan some activities in advance
Between reduced capacity, timed entry to many places and just the sheer volume of people wanting to visit the same places now that travel is back, you’ll want to make sure you actually get to see the things you wanted to see. Make a list of your must-do activities (the “I will sob into my poolside margaritas if I don’t get to do this” activities). Check if pre-booking is required as far in advance as possible – I’ve planned a couple of trips where certain activities are selling out a month or two in advance due to capacity restrictions.
International Travel is Back
As a tourism professional, I know that I, for one, am glad to see the return of travel. The excitement of people planning a trip somewhere they haven’t been before or being able to give tips and advice to people visiting Canada is something I really missed. It also makes me so happy about my own trips, planning vacations and using my personal time off for something other than staycations.
International travel might require checking off a few extra items than in the past, but once you are able to sit on that beach or stroll through a new city it’ll all be worth it. Don’t let the thought of too many changes in travel be the reason you miss out this year.
About Emma Gilbert
Emma Gilbert is a travel blogger and tourism industry professional, working as a sales manager for Rocky Mountaineer. A British expat, Emma settled in Vancouver over 10 years ago and now loves exploring Canada as much as she can. She is big into the outdoors and always looking for the next incredible view to hike to, and promoting British Columbia as the amazing tourism destination it is. You can find more of her adventures on her blog Forever Lost in Travel.