Disclosure: Advertising and affiliate services, including Amazon Associates, help the cost of running my blog. Clicking ads or making purchases through affiliate links may, at no additional cost to you, earn me a small commission. I appreciate your support.
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. So I’m sure everyone’s looking for a few international travel tips to help with the transition to a post-pandemic travel world.
The world has changed a bit since 2019, and for those fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants travelers, 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 and booking of tours.
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.
Given the travel chaos in the summer of 2022, I recommend you pack carry-on only. Try to ditch the checked bag if you can. The number of bags getting lost, it’s not worth the extra stress – and you’ll be surprised how much you can actually fit in a carry-on.
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’ve all had someone throw the “Got your wallet? Passport? Cell phone?” checklist at us as we’ve walked out the door.
Make sure that passport is in 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 The last thing you want is to find out your passport is out of date a week before your trip as you’re packing.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 travelers don’t have. Easily one of the biggest international travel tips you can get. Vacations are expensive – so are health care bills if you injure yourself abroad – so do yourself a favor 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 you might not need a test to enter your country anymore, doesn’t mean you don’t need one for anywhere else. Canada no longer requires a test, but at the time of writing this the USA does. 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 but most other countries don’t require this.
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. That gives you a couple of opportunities to make sure nothing has changed. As international travel tips go, this one can be a lifesaver – or at least a vacation saver.
Pack a supply of hand sanitizer
I have a love-hate relationship with hand sanitizer. But when traveling 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.
I have a lavender scented hand sanitizer spray – better to use one I 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
You’ll need this to get into Canada or into many other countries. You may also need to upload it to a pre-arrival app (in Canada we have 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. Always keep a copy of your vaccine proof on your phone for easy access.
Download all the apps
There’s an app for everything, and travel is no different. One app you will definitely need if visiting Canada is ArriveCAN. Prior to your arrival 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 in various countries, 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 so don’t forget to check it out in advance.
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 traveling so you don’t have issues with your card while abroad.
Have apps, documents and carry on items organized
I have always found the whirlwind that is Airport Security the most stressful thing about traveling. 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.
Top Tip: 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 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. This was especially true on a recent visit to Amsterdam to see the Anne Frank House – which should definitely be combined with an Anne Frank/WWII walking tour of Amsterdam.
International Travel is Back
As a tourism professional and travel blogger 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 or other places I’ve visited 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. Not that Vancouver, Canada isn’t great, but it’s nice to go somewhere new again. There’s nothing more fun to me than arriving in a country where I don’t speak the language and just figuring it all out.
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.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Do you have any post-pandemic international travel tips that have worked for you?
I thought you made a good point when you mentioned that it is important that you actually get to see the things you want to see during your vacation. I would imagine that scheduling some tours would be a good way to see the things you want during your trip. Having a structured tour means that you won’t have to worry about running out of time.
The world really has gone cashless Emma in travel terms. I am stunned at how many folks accept cards these days, compared to the cash heavy travels I experienced as a new international traveler back in 2011. Everyone wanted cash only back then it seemed save a few businesses.
Ryan