It’s April 2020 and I am one of the millions on lockdown inside a small New York City apartment, dreaming of the day the world will be safe enough to open up again. The coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing and like most of us, I was thoroughly unprepared. Being a travel fanatic, I attempt to stay sane by focusing on the day I can get back to travel adventures and cuisines not cooked up in my tiny Brooklyn kitchen. 

Get Caught Up In Travel Research

So, what’s a travel nut to do when the world shuts down? I have spent more than enough time pondering this very question. The most productive thing to do is to stop wondering about when travel will be safe again and spend more energy on virtual exploration. As I have covered in my article on travel planning and creating travel maps, the planning stage is very nearly as exciting as the travel itself. Why not continue to discover and learn about travel by using travel blogs, Google Maps, and watching old travel shows on Netflix and YouTube? Keep building your lists of charming villages, quirky cafes, and exciting museums, even if your trip could be a year or more away.

Did You Already Book A Summer 2020 Trip And Don’t Know What To Do?

If you’re like me, you may have planned and paid for a summer 2020 trip before this pandemic began. My trip is booked to Portugal and Spain in late June, so I am currently waiting to see what will happen. Many airlines and home stay companies aren’t yet proactively refunding tickets for flights occurring mid-to-late-summer and purchased pre-pandemic. Experts agree you should keep waiting until closer to your departure month to see if the airline cancels your flight, or if the flights aren’t cancelled, they should kindly offers vouchers for later travel.

Affordable Travel Alternatives To That Big International Trip

The travel industry may not recover for a long time (years, maybe) due to the enormous upset the coronavirus pandemic has caused. Many hotels and home stay flats may not re-open. Restaurants and cafes may not find funds to immediately serve again. And of course, a huge number of would-be travelers will be in a less financially secure place than they were a few months ago. 

So, while dreaming of far-off travel can help pass the time in isolation, you may want to also begin planning a more affordable, local escape for when restrictions ease in your region. This could very well be in the form of a road trip to someplace rural. Perhaps to my favorite bucolic state, Vermont? 

You’re Still Tempted To Book A Flight

You might be feeling like taking a risk and booking a cross-country flight since US airfare deals currently cost about as much as a dinner for two, just realize some of those low fares may not be fully refundable. Do not book anything with cancellation fees and always read the fine print. However, due to the low cost, it’s not a huge gamble. 

International fares are also cheap right now, but you take increased risks, even if federal restrictions are lifted and the flight occurs. If there’s a recurrence of the virus while you’re away, for example, you’ll risk having a trip ruined and the potential extra costs of getting yourself home in an emergency. Not to mention the frightening risks of getting sick while abroad.

If you are a risk-taker, book with an airline that offers free change and cancellation. Many major airlines in the U.S. are offering this right now if you buy a ticket before the end of May, 2020 for the upcoming year.

Be sure you pay for your travel with a credit card instead of a debit card. It is always much easier to get your money back if the airline ends up canceling your flight when you use a credit card.

Finally, hold off on other non-refundable purchases for any trip, like the hotel accommodations and tours. Only book these things when you're certain your trip will happen. Hotel costs are way down and there won’t be as many people traveling in the coming year, so if your trip does occur, you should not have to worry about expensive lodging rates or many crowds once you get there.

Stay safe out there, everyone!