Going away is supposed to be a fun, exciting, and even rejuvenating experience. You get to enjoy some time away from it all, forget about your responsibilities for a little while, and just explore a new place and have fun. However, many of the aspects of travelling can prove difficult during the pandemic, it’s important to travel consciously for you and the planet. Travelling requires a lot of planning, and if you don’t plan it right you could end up missing out on something spectacular and regretting it for the rest of your trip. With this in mind, here are 5 ways to travel consciously during the pandemic:
Do Your Research
You’d think this goes without saying, but you’ll probably need to do more research than reading a few travel posts on the subject. You’ll make your trip far more pleasant if you know what the local rules are, if there are any restrictions, what to pack for the weather, what could offend the locals, and so on. Make sure you make a list so you’re well prepared.
Work With A Reliable Travel Agent
The last thing you want is to work with a travel agent that won’t refund you if there are any issues, especially in the current climate. Make sure you do your research and work with a reliable travel agent so that you have peace of mind your trip will go ahead as planned.
Consider A Staycation
Make sure you look at the local rules and understand what you need to do when it comes to your transport arrangements. It might be more relaxing to stay local, to travel by train and avoid busy airports. Choosing the train is by far the most environmentally friendly option. You can make it easier by staying relatively local, if the rules change you can be flexible and return home with ease.
Book Your ‘Must Dos’ In Advance
If you want to save money and hassle, booking certain things in advance can help. Obviously you need to book your tickets, hotels, and the like, but if there are any attractions you’re certain you want to see, then you should ensure you book those tickets, too. Just don’t overplan, as you could end up making your trip more stressful than fun. It might also be a good idea to look into left luggage so you don’t have to carry your bags around with you all day. Everyone has a few ‘homeless’ hours before you can check in so make sure you don’t have to worry about your bags!
Prepare Your Money
Have some of the local currency with you before you travel, and make sure you have options for when you need more. Having a card that allows you to withdraw from ATMs for free could be a good idea. Don’t rely on your cards, though, and make sure you have some money on you in case of emergencies. Taking money out of an exchange could leave you with less than you bargained for, so know where to go beforehand.
Traveling consciously during this uncertain time is a balancing act of research, planning ahead, being more mindful of your destination and how you get there. Consider a staycation and be sure to read up on the local restrictions.
