Budget Travel in 2022: How to Stay Safe

 
Guest Blog:  Marjorie McMillian at Come on Get Well

Most of us are itching to put our traveling boots back on. And, as the world slowly begins to reopen, many of us are. But, the pandemic not only closed our favorite destinations, but it also caused a significant shakeup in our economy.
 
Here are some tips from Allen Batista Travel on how to travel in 2022 without blowing your budget or putting yourself at risk unnecessarily.
 
General Travel Tips
 
Travel has changed dramatically since the declaration of the 2020 pandemic. Here are a few bullet points to remember as you plan your pandemic/post-pandemic trip.
 

• Eat healthfully. Eating healthy on vacation is, fortunately, one of the best things you can do to keep costs down. Tips here include limiting alcoholic beverages and sticking as close as possible to fruits and vegetables, ideally from local vendors.

 

• Be prepared. Although a few areas have started to reduce mask restrictions, you’ll still want to be prepared. Make sure to pack, at minimum, a few face coverings, hand sanitizer, and antiseptic wipes. Target is a great place to get these and other travel accessories you’ll need to keep yourself safe. And, to save even more, you can easily find coupons and promotional codes online.

 

• Stay informed. We generally plan trips months ahead of time. In today’s climate, these plans may need to change in nearly an instant. Make a point to confirm hotel and transportation availability and policies a couple of days before you go. Many hotels now offer free cancellation within 24 hours, but cancel as soon as possible to avoid fees.

 

• Prep your home. The last thing you want to do is return from a vacation to a messy home, so before you take off, give it whatever attention it needs. Addressing issues like broken windows, faulty locks, etc. costs a little money up front, but it's worth the cost because you'll avoid damage to your home by weather (or burglars).

 
Even a small crack in a window could turn into a big problem when you're gone if there's a storm and debris hits it and breaks it, allowing rain or snow to get in. Luckily, finding a professional to assist in window repair is easy with Angi’s ratings and reviews system.
 

• Invest in a few pieces of tech. While you don’t have to blow your vacation budget on a bunch of pieces of new gear, there are a few essentials worth buying before you jetset. If you’re taking a road trip, pick up a car charger that will keep your phone and tablet powered up.

Another piece worth buying is a power bank your phone can plug into from anywhere. Lastly, consider picking up a Chromecast, which will allow you to stream videos on your hotel or vacation rental’s TV right from your phone — it’s a great way to keep kids occupied during your downtime.
 
Save Travel Options
 
If you know you’re ready to begin traveling again, you probably already have an idea of your destination. For most of us, it’s the beach, mountains, or to visit friends and family that we haven’t seen in the last year. But, what’s the best way to get there?
 

• Flying. Plane tickets are starting to pick up in price, but flying still remains an affordable option, particularly if you’re going to travel cross country. As an added perk, airplanes have advanced air filtration systems. And, as of the first quarter of 2021, all passengers continue to be required to wear a mask.

 

• Train. Train travel is fun, affordable, and gives you a unique view of the landscape that you can’t get from the air. Like an airplane, train cars are outfitted with air filtration systems. And if you don’t want to ride coach, you can book a private room. Amtrak even offers complimentary meal service for private room passengers.

 

• Driving. Driving is the preferred means of travel for families that want to stick together and reduce their exposure to the coronavirus. Driving with members of your own household is no less safe than living with them in the first place.

 

• And, aside from gas and perhaps an oil change, you don’t have to worry about fees associated with taking your own vehicle. The caveat here is that if anyone you’re traveling with becomes ill, it is much more difficult to avoid droplets from their coughs and sneezes since your vehicle does not have a hospital-grade filtration system.

 
As we continue to learn more about the virus and vaccines become available to a global audience, the world is opening back up. Signs of progress are already in place, and that is measured by the number of people traveling away from home.
 
When you’re ready, remember to have the basics on hand and know which mode of transportation you’re most comfortable with. Remember, the goal is to arrive at your destination happy and healthy.
 
Allen Batista Travel can help savvy travelers -- individual, groups, family reunions -- with roundtrip airfare, hotel, cruise vacations, packaged tours and car rentals. Call (917) 371-3753 or email us at [email protected].
 

image: Pexels


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