How to travel responsibly during a pandemic

3 things to consider to remain safer on your next trip

By now, you’ve most likely read dozens of articles on tips for traveling during a pandemic. Some good, some bad, and some with actual pieces of advice you’ve found useful.

We’ve been reading those same articles (most likely) and tried to distill our top 3 pieces of common sense, no bull, things to consider that we think everyone should be aware of if they must travel for a vacation by air, train, or automobile. In the era of information overload, here’s a few logical things to consider to be safer on your upcoming trip.

• Getting there

  Now, there is no mode of transport that will keep you 100 percent safe. Is going to an airport and traveling by airplane more risky than taking your own car or renting one? Most likely. However, if traveling by road, you’ll still have to make rest stops for gas, and, if going longer distances, stay in lodging to sleep and eat. So, both options are not full bullet proof. This decision to go by air or land will be a personal preference on what way makes you feel safer and more at ease during transit to your end destination.

  What will matter MOST is that you wear a mask when out, keep your distance from others you met, and ensure you are washing your hands and sanitizing your personal space. Following the CDC guidelines and their travel resource pages is a good place to start as you weigh your decision.

• Staying there

  Is it safer to stay with relatives vs. staying in a hotel or Airbnb? Just because you’ve decided to visit and stay with your relatives in Colorado doesn’t mean they have not been in contact with others in the community. Same goes for a hotel. The property and rooms are sanitized but there will be countless people you come into contact with during your stay. As for an Airbnb, you still need to venture out to get food locally, even if you are cooking it at home.

  Bottom line is what will matter MOST is that you are aware of the places you go and people you meet and be prepared during your stay however you feel safest to lodge on your trip.

• Experiencing there

  Now this should be an issue topic but it really isn’t. You’d think going to a beach or hiking in the mountains would be the safest thing you could do to social distance on a trip. It can be but, again, it depends on how many people are around you and if everyone is keeping their distance and wearing masks when they get closer than 6 feet from strangers. Solo activities or things to do with those traveling with you are good options on a trip like golfing, going on a small personal boat, hiking in the woods, camping, or laying out in the sun at a private or more secluded beach.

  Eating out can also be made safer but it depends on how the restaurant is keeping hygiene front and center during your dining experience. It’s really a personal call if you think it is worth it to dine out on your vacation. Walking in big city streets and touring architecture can also be made safer, as long as you are keeping distance and wearing a mask. There is no pandemic proof activity to do on a trip, not even going to a buddhist monastery, but if you are deciding to travel you have the ability to make each thing you do just a little bit safer.

  Once again, what matters MOST is that you decide ahead of time how you will handle a crowded situation and that you are prepared should you need to exit your zen like hike to a waterfall, golf outing, or dining experience.

We don’t claim to have all the answers or know what new research will come out to be even safer during a pandemic. However, no matter what, the MOST important thing when traveling is how to get there, where to stay, and what to do on your trip.

Another thing to consider to reduce contact points, crowding is to let go of your bags and ship your luggage ahead of time with LugLess. It’s a logical step towards one less thing to worry about as you ponder the above topics as you prepare for a vacation during a pandemic.