Travelling has always been one of the most memorable activities that people indulge in. Whether it’s going to white sand beaches, national parks, breezy mountains, or the hustle and bustle of big metropolitan cities, there are many experiences that you can get when travelling.
However, the past year has seen many changes to how people travelled. People would be buzzing in and out from airports before the pandemic since restrictions were not as tight as it was. But these days, people need to go through a variety of hoops if they plan on travelling.
Since there are many factors that you need to consider when travelling, here are some core aspects that get you out of a tricky situation.
Health and Safety
Health and safety should be essential factors that you must consider in this situation. Although the looming fear of COVID-19 might keep us up at night, it shouldn’t stop you from making the necessary preparations for your travels.
It’s crucial to be cognizant that each area, government, and region have its own way of handling the cases in their region. There are some countries and states that are handling the COVID-19 situation better than others. If this is the case, you should assess the COVID-19 situation in any of these areas. Being aware of the safety and health standards in the area is the best way to decide what your next course of action is
If you’re unsure where you are planning on travelling, Singapore should be one of your best bets. Not only do they have some of the best health and safety standards in the region, but they’re also known for handling much of their cases well. Changi airport should be your gateway to Lion City. It’s also known that many reputable hotels close to Changi airport can ensure maximum safety at all times.
Your Budget
Another critical factor that you need to keep in mind is that travelling during these times is bound to be more expensive and you’re bound to spend more than usual. Although travelling might take a good deal of time, money, and effort, it’s still necessary. In certain countries, you must submit various requirements that usually involve getting tested for COVID-19. Usually, this is in the form of the PCR test. As long as the results are negative and you confirm (depends on each location) from the local government units, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be let into the place.
You’ll also need to ensure that you have confirmed your hotel bookings and tourist establishments.
When it comes to your budget, the currency plays a significant role in this situation. There are bound to be exchange rates that you need to keep in mind since this is one of the things that can affect how much you’ll spend. Many travellers make mistakes when managing their money since they are not sure how the conversion rate works. This is why many restaurants and business establishments charge more than what most businesses charge in the local scene.
Most veteran travellers would also suggest changing their money at the intended destination. One common mistake that travellers make is exchanging their currencies right before travelling, resulting in an exorbitantly high exchange rate that’s going against your favour. You might lose more money because of these exchange rates, especially if you decide to exchange some at the bank.
Since most banking systems are automated these days, there’s a good chance that you can get the best exchange rate through the use of ATMs when you arrive at your destination.
Still, you need to inform your bank beforehand that you’re travelling so that your account won’t be placed on hold or temporarily frozen from being accessed in another country. No worries; these are just security measures in place to prevent any form of suspicious activities.
The Geopolitical Situation
One of the essential factors that you should remember this 2021 is that there are bound to be countries and regions that aren’t as stable as most people think. Whether it’s because of current COVID-19 cases or because of armed conflict, it’s essential to consider if you’re planning on going to some regions of a country. In most cases, your country’s national embassy will issue travel advisories for certain provinces and territories.
If you haven’t made any final decisions on the matter just yet, it’s best to go to a nation or a region that’s relatively safe while also staying in an area with proper living conditions.
When you’re travelling, you need to consider and prepare for a lot of essential factors. However, there are even more hoops that you might go through during these tumultuous times. Whatever the situation may be, it’s best to comply with what the authorities have in place. Remember: health and safety should be your priority. Although you’re probably more careful these days, that should stop you from having fun and relaxing when you’re travelling.
