I departed the US in late May for a two and a half week long trip to Greece. It’s actually my third international trip since the pandemic started; I visited South Africa in November 2020 and Maldives in February 2021. It was honestly a pleasure to travel during that time because airports and planes were empty and prices were low. That is no longer the case. Travel is making a comeback with a vengeance so if you’re considering leaving the country in the near future, here’s some advice for making it go as smoothly as possible.

1. Get to the airport early.

Airline flight departing from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport

I cannot stress this enough. For the foreseeable future, I recommend arriving to the airport 3.5 hours prior to departure for international flights. Pretend like you’re traveling on Thanksgiving. This may sound like an excessive amount of time and the actual need for it will vary by date, time and airport but better to be safe than sorry. Checking in online to get an e-boarding pass and carrying on your luggage will not help you get to your gate any faster. For international travel, everyone is required to see an agent for a boarding pass before proceeding to the security line. This is because of the extra paperwork that is needed (varies by country but most will need a negative PCR test and/or vaccination card, plus a filled out pre-authorization form, etc). An agent will need to approve the necessary paperwork required by your destination and this, on top of the fact that many people are not familiar and prepared with the requirements, is creating long lines. Many airports also aren’t staffed up to pre-covid levels so there are less people doing more work.

2. Check entry requirements often and have paperwork organized.

Things are constantly changing. CONSTANTLY. It’s important to check the entry requirements of your destination prior to booking a trip but also again as your trip approaches. I recommend checking two weeks out and again at five days out and then monitor until departure. The best idea is to set a google alert for your destination so that you’re updated in real time with any new information that comes in. If you have a layover, don’t forget to check the requirements there too. Yes, even if you aren’t leaving the airport and are just transiting. It also doesn’t hurt to have hard copies of your paperwork as well as photos of your vaccination card (in addition to having the hard copy). Be overly prepared and it will greatly increase your chances of keeping things smooth sailing.

3. Lower your expectations.

I know that no one wants to hear the suggestion of lowering expectations on your first vacation in forever, but I think it’s helpful to at least manage them. If you go into the trip knowing that things might be slightly “off”, you’re going to enjoy yourself more and not be frustrated when things aren’t absolutely perfect. Many hospitality workers are coming off of being unemployed for the past year so service may be a notch or two below where you’d expect. Travel has ramped up very quickly, leaving the hospitality industry scrambling to hire, train, and get back into the swing of things, all with many new protocols they must follow. The ramp up period is going to take a minute so if the service is slower than usual at the five star hotel you visit every year, just take it in stride. On a positive note, planes and hotels are the cleanest I’ve ever seen them so at least staffing in that department seems to be prioritized.

4. Be Prepared for things to look a little different.

Besides wearing mask, a few things will look different. As far as flying, don’t go to the airport hungry and bring your own snacks and entertainment. Many restaurants are still closed and the places that are actually open are probably pretty busy. A lot of shopping will be closed as well so if you take my advice and get to the airport early and end up having extra time, come prepared with something to do. No, don’t plan to buy a book at the airport because that store may be closed as well. In terms of in-flight service, international flights seem normal but there is very limited service on domestic flights. Expect to receive hand sanitizing wipes in lieu of snacks and drinks. At hotels, most in-room mini bars will be empty, gyms are usually by appointment only, and not all dining options will be up and running. These are small prices to pay, just something to bear in mind so that you aren’t surprised

5. Use a Travel Advisor.

Dinner at Mystique Hotel in Santorini, Greece

Sure, of course I would say that because I am one! But I also truly believe in the value that a travel advisor can provide, and now more than ever. With the ever-changing requirements you will want an additional pair of eyes on your trip and a go-to for questions along the way. Think of it like a security net, or insurance. You don’t think you need it, until you need it, and then you regret it if you don’t have it.

6. Have patience and be kind.

The patience part is easier said than done, I know, but remember that we are all in this together. Everyone has had an incredibly challenging year and as we try to approach normalcy, there are going to be hiccups. The person you see screaming in the airport is probably frustrated because they are trying to get home to see family they haven’t seen since 2019. The hotel staff member that isn’t being friendly is probably overworked and exhausted picking up the slack of others because they aren’t fully staffed yet. Post-covid travel is new for EVERYONE. Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution.

My recent trip to Greece had a few hiccups but nothing that made me regret going. Sure, you could wait until more of the kinks have been ironed out but if I’ve learned anything in the past year, it’s that you never know what is around the corner. The key is to be prepared, be patient, and be thankful that the world is opening up again.

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