Guest article by Molly Barnes, Digital Nomad Life
Travel ground to a halt in 2020 – and it’s complicated in 2021, with health and budgetary concerns being top of mind for all who wander.
After quarantining for close to a year, the ability to travel again was a welcome return to near normalcy. But now, we’ve hit more road bumps, in the form of slower vaccination rates and the delta and lambda COVID variants. As a result, caution is still important on the road.
Meanwhile, the surge in demand for airline tickets, hotel rooms, and gasoline has sent prices soaring, so you’ll have to account for that as you budget for any trips you plan to take.
With things in such a high degree of flux, travelers will need to find the happy medium between planning ahead and staying nimble, at least for the foreseeable future.
Budget Well
With prices rising, you’ll have to put more money aside (and start saving sooner) in order to have what you need by the time you head out on your journey. Whether your voyage will be by plane, train, or automobile, travelers will do well to keep an eye on the following variables.
Gas
Gas prices are still going up.
- Keep in mind that prices are different depending on your destination, availability, state taxes, and other factors.
- In general, they’re lowest in the South and highest in the West.
- If you don’t care where you’re going, you might consider a trip to the Big Easy instead of the Golden Gate.
- If you’re renting a car, choose a model that gets good gas mileage.
Lodging
You’ve got some options here, so think about what kind of trip you want and consider the possibilities. Thinking outside of the box could help you save a lot of cash – and make some quality memories.
- Use Trusted Housesitters to get free lodging. The caveat is that you have to take care of whatever pet(s) is in the house. You can get 25% off their annual membership!
- Rent an RV (if you don’t own one already) and stay at campgrounds. For even more savings, join an RV club, and stay at member properties. Yearly rates are pretty reasonable. You can even stay at some Walmart parking lots — although you won’t have hookups there.
- Track down hotel deals. The key here is comparison. While you may get good discounts online or through a hotel rewards program, you should always call the hotel to ask about direct rates. Don’t forget to ask about senior and military discounts, if they apply. You can book off-season and during the week to save more, and consider staying outside of tourist areas. Even a few miles can save you big bucks. And don’t forget to factor in perks. Free breakfast and coffee at the hotel can save you $5 or more per person per day.
- Consider a home exchange. These programs offer homeowners the opportunity to swap homes with other members for the duration of their stay.
- Don’t forget friends and relatives. You don’t want to impose, but some may be glad to see you and happy for the company.
Airfare
- One study in 2021 found that the “perfect” time to buy, based on data over the previous 12 months, was 64 days in advance.
- More broadly, it found that the “prime booking window,” when you’re likely to get the best price, is between 21 and 95 days before takeoff.
- Your choices are likely to be more limited than if you’d booked sooner, but that’s the trade-off.
With airfares rising, it may well be worth it to you.
Food
You can save money by purchasing nonperishable snacks for the road at your local supermarket ahead of time, rather than at an overpriced convenience store along the way. This strategy can help you offset the money you’ll spend on eating out, allowing you to treat yourself to dinner at a restaurant you’ve always wanted to visit, even if it’s a little pricey.
Think authentic cajun cuisine in New Orleans and Maine lobster in New England.
Tourism
You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on all the “must-see” tourist attractions and theme parks. You can save money and avoid the crowds by heading to lesser-known destinations that are off the beaten track, but no less beautiful or interesting.
- Take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia
- Visit Monument Valley in Arizona
- Seek out quirky roadside attractions wherever you go.
Unexpected Expenses
Unexpected purchases, hotel, and rental car deposits, and medical emergencies happen. So be sure to include an emergency fund in your travel budget.
You can always open up a secured credit card. As an added bonus, these types of accounts build credit as you use them responsibly.
Stay Healthy and Safe
While the benefits of travel overwhelmingly outweigh the risks, it’s important to address as many of the safety concerns as possible before hitting the road. Furthermore, the pandemic’s not over. Luckily, we know a lot more about the virus than we did a year ago, including what steps to take to remain healthy and safe.
Health
To protect yourself against COVID and other viruses, keep stops to a minimum, and keep masks with you. They may or may not be mandated at your destination, but CDC guidelines have changed several times as the pandemic has evolved. It’s best to keep them handy, especially in hot spots.
Wash your hands in warm water for at least 20 seconds after touching public surfaces. If this isn’t possible, use hand sanitizer. You should have some with you at all times. Also, carry along disinfectant wipes to use on dashboards and other frequently touched surfaces, and consider using gloves when pumping gas.
If you’re traveling abroad, take stock of pandemic-related restrictions before you make your plans. Some countries have rules about testing for the virus, carrying insurance, and other regulations you’ll want to be aware of.
More generally, take along a first-aid kit with items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, scissors, gauze, tweezers, aspirin, single-use thermometer, cold compress, and antibiotic ointment.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, take along something for that, too. And remember your prescriptions, along with your medical insurance card and doctor’s contact information.
Safety
Know the rules of the road wherever you’re going (speed limits change from state to state), and download apps for weather and road conditions to help you avoid hazards, traffic congestion, and road work.
Depending on where you’re headed, other apps, such as Google Translate and Foodspotting, can come in handy as well.
Pack for the weather you’re likely to encounter, including long underwear and a mummy bag for cold conditions, or sunscreen for a trip to the beach. If you’re backpacking, you might even want to take along an umbrella.
If you’re driving, make sure your car insurance is adequate and up to date, and consider buying roadside assistance insurance through your insurer or RV club. Refresh your car emergency kit, ensuring you have jumper cables, a jack and lug wrench, extra antifreeze, and, in winter, tire chains and an ice scraper. Before you leave, have your oil, filters, and brakes checked and serviced; rotate your tires, and make sure the tread looks good (use the quarter test).
Finally, don’t forget to ready your home for your absence. Make a list of things you’ll want to take care of before you leave, such as turning off burners, setting automatic lights, pausing mail and newspaper deliveries, turning up/down your thermostat, arranging for the care of pets and plants, etc.
You may not know what the future holds in terms of travel, but you can still be prepared and make your journey safe, healthy, and financially stress-free.
This guest article was by Molly Barnes.
