How Has Travel Changed? Let’s Count the Ways

How Has Travel Changed? Let’s Count the Ways

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The pandemic has disrupted nearly every facet of life, and air travel was no different. Almost two years after the start of the pandemic, the vaccine rollout has made flying safe in certain regions, but things won’t be the same as they were.

Let’s take a look at what’s different, the good and the bad, so travelers have an idea of what to expect before their journey.

Drive Yourself to the Airport

Everyone from Cincinnati knows that CVG airport parking was prohibitively expensive, but thankfully, a new model means that’s no longer the case. Now, you can park your car at a lot beside the airport for a fraction of what it used to cost.

Before your trip, go online and book a spot at a parking lot adjacent to the airport. Once you arrive, all you need to do is show the reservation to the attendant, and they’ll show you to the free shuttle to your terminal.

Hold onto the receipt for the way back, so you can catch the airport terminal to your car just as easily. Stop spending a fortune to get to your plane by depending on other drivers and take matters into your own hands.

Be Vaccinated

The medical establishment around the world agrees that COVID-19 vaccinations are the best way to keep you and everyone around you safe and help end the pandemic. Many countries require visitors to be vaccinated before entry.

If you’re flying regionally, you should follow all the recommendations from local health experts. If you’re flying internationally, you might need to show proof of vaccination to cross a border.

Please be kind and courteous to all staff, as they’re just trying to keep everybody safe amid hostility from violent anti-vaxxers. Give yourself a little more time than you would ordinarily, as there may be lineups and some delays.

Higher Fares

Many airlines are charging more for tickets to help make up for the hits they took during the pandemic. You can fight back in a couple of ways.

If you know you want to fly far in advance, use Google Flight Tracker to gauge how your flight changes in price. When the price drops, buy your tickets. It’s liable to go back up, so don’t try to wait too long.

Also, don’t bring any checked-in luggage, just fit all you’ll need for the trip in your two carry-on bags. Not only will you skip the fees they charge for checking-in bags, but you also won’t have to wait for your luggage at the baggage carousel or fear that the airline may have accidentally sent them to the wrong city.

The excitement of flying again is real but be prepared for the different ways travel has changed. You should reserve a spot and drive yourself to the airport, get vaccinated, and know all the travel obligations on both sides of the border. If you do these things and use savvy tactics to skip unnecessary airline fares, you’ll have a safe, smoother, and less expensive trip.