Forget everything you used to know about international travel because times have changed folks! This article will focus on six things you need to know BEFORE you travel internationally. It has never been more daunting to travel internationally. Not only do we have to worry about the risk of getting Covid, we now have to have a lot more knowledge than we did before (“before”-it’s a distant memory, but yes, there was life before 2020). A few things you might be wondering is, does the country I’m going to require a Covid test? If it does, what kind of test and in what timeframe? Does my travel insurance cover me if I test positive along the way? In this article, I will cover these questions and more. So let’s get started!
1: Read the fine print! You must read the fine print in the information from the airline after you have purchased your flight. Airlines now require specific forms to be filled out before you check in with them. You may also have to download an APP that is specific to that airline. If you are traveling with more than one airline, each will have a different form and a different APP.
2: Arrive at the airport early Gone are the days when you could arrive 2 hours before your flight, check-in without any drama, and grab yourself a Starbucks. I recommend arriving 3 hours before your departure. Not only will this make it less stressful for you, but it will also allow you to gather any information that you may have missed or to get a test that you didn’t realize you needed. Don’t start your trip off on the wrong foot-get to the airport early!
3: Educate yourself about the Covid screening tests that are required for all of your flights If you are traveling with multiple airlines, you want to make sure you have checked the requirements for each flight. Every airline and every country has different requirements, and they are constantly changing. Check the government websites for each country through which you will be traveling. Even if you are just transferring through an airport/country, you need to know their Covid test requirements. Double-check with your airline and the government websites before you get your tests to ensure the requirements haven’t changed. Be sure to check how many hours you need to have your Covid test done before your flight, i.e., 24, 48, or 72 hours.
4: Research your layover airport. If you have a long layover, don’t expect the airport to be fully open. Many airports are not fully opened and do not allow layover passengers access to other parts of the airport. If you have a long layover, make sure to find out beforehand if the restaurants are opened. I would recommend bringing a charging battery for your devices, a good book, and some snacks.
5: Purchase travel insurance and a fully refundable ticket. It may not be the cheapest option, but it will save you a lot of stress in the long run. With a fully refundable ticket, you can make a change or rebook your flight without having to pay a hefty fee. Travel insurance is just as it sounds; it will cover your travel. Some airlines include flight cancelation in their prices but not all of them do. It is essential to check what each airline covers to be sure you are fully covered for the entire length of your trip.
6: Plan a stopover for at least one night If you are on a long international flight, I would highly recommend planning a long stopover. Getting everything prepared for your trip can be stressful, so if you can get some sleep in a hotel, it will make your trip much more enjoyable. Make sure to factor in the time criteria (48-72 hours) to ensure you are still within the correct time frame for your Covid tests to be valid. That’s all for now! I hope this information was valuable to you and helps you as you plan your next trip!