Written by: cricchio michaela

There is nothing better than the feeling of packing for a vacation or a 6-month backpacking trip through Europe. Many people tend to steer clear of traveling because of the stress it tends to bring on. From having to score the best deals of flights or hotels, to meticulously planning out your itinerary.

If you’re a first-time traveler, you’re probably scouring the internet for all the best advice on how to make the most out of your trip. Allow me to put your mind at ease. Close all the tabs on your computer and keep reading. In this post, you’ll find all the best tips and tricks to making your trip memorable. Without further a due, here is some first-time travel advice for 2021.

The COVID-19 Pandemic

Before we get into booking the flights and all the fun details it’s time to face reality. The world has been going through a global pandemic for about a year now. It was slow buildup when the virus began in Asia then quickly made its way to Europe and America. Country by country the world began to close its borders and lock its citizens inside. This inevitably changed the way we travel for at least the next couple of years.

Most seasoned travelers desperately tried to find any way possible to get back on a plane. By now the entire world knows that many restrictions depending on the country you want to visit. There is a lot of confusing information out there, but allow me to simplify it.

Countries With Restrictions:

The section is dealing with countries that are partially open and have some restrictions. These include places that require a negative covid within 72 hours of travel. meaning your test has to be taken a minimum of 3 days before your departure. Keep in mind that the rapid test will not be accepted by most countries. Ideally that you pay a little extra for the regular PCR test. Testing facilities usually offer results in a minimum of 24 hours or so. You may also need to take a test upon arrival to that specific country. Another restriction is a mandatory 14-day quarantine in which you are responsible for funding. This quarantine typically includes paying for the accommodations at a government-recommended facility and other supplies like food. Some of these quarantine packages can cost up to $1,000. Please be aware of the extra financial cost before you book anything.

North, Central, and South America

• The United States (typically only a 10-day quarantine, unless you have the vaccine)
• Canada (quarantine and testing upon arrival)
• Chile (traveling is banned)
• Argentina (traveling is banned)
• Venezuela (traveling is banned)
• Peru (partially opened)

Europe

• Belgium has banned travel completely.

Africa and The Middle East

• Most of Africa is still closed; Algeria, Libya, South Sudan, Angola, and Benin
• Most of the Middle East is partially open with the exception of Yemen

Asia

• Mongolia, India, and Myanmar will be reopening soon
• China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan, are partially opened with restrictions.

Countries Without Restrictions

Central and South America

• Brazil
• Mexico
• Paraguay
• Bolivia

Europe

• Kosovo
• Albania
• Armenia

Africa

• South Africa
• Tunisia
• Sudan
• Somalia
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Mali

The Best Seasons to Travel

The best time to travel completely depends on where you want to go. If you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for a plane ticket, be sure to stay away from the peak seasons aka summer. Here are some tips when booking a flight:

• Buy your ticket weeks in advance (a sweet spot is 4-8 weeks)
• Purchase on a Tuesday at 3 pm EST
• Fly out early
• Don’t be scared of the budget airlines
• Use incognito mode when searching for flights because the cookies can’t track you
• Never go directly to the airline website because tickets will be super expensive there
• Use sights like SkyScanner or CheapoAir
• Arrive at the airport early: 2-3 hours for international flights
• Travelers insurance

Let’s look at the cheapest times to travel around the world:

The United States, Canada, and Mexico

• The cheapest time to go to the United States or Canada is September-October. This is low season and an excellent time to see the fall foliage. Plus, attractions won’t be as busy.

Europe

• Europe is a dream destination for many people, but the ticket prices make your wallet say otherwise. The most affordable flights to Europe are from Mid-October to Mid-March. This is during fall through winter so you won’t have to deal with the annoying crowds. Please keep in mind that ticket prices might spike during Christmas time.

South America

• August is considered the cheapest month to fly anywhere in South America

Asia

• The summer months are awfully hot but if you can deal with it, that is the cheapest month to go to Vietnam or Thailand. For the rest of Asia, booking September-October is the cheapest month.

Australia and New Zealand

• These places have a reputation of having ridiculous prices but if you book in September that is the cheapest price guaranteed.

Documents

This is pretty important or else you may not be allowed into your destination. Use government websites to check information regarding visas or any other documents that you might be for travel. Be sure your passport has 6+ months of validity before traveling, and a page for the airport to scan it. For new travelers, it takes around 4-8 weeks to get a passport processed.

Accommodation

If you’re a first-time traveler, the accommodation is a hefty price to pay on top of the plane ticket. I suggest booking an Airbnb or a hostel if you don’t want to destroy your bank account. I know that hostels usually have a bad reputation for being grimy but they’re not that bad. You can find nice ones on websites such as HostelWorld that also give great discounts. However, if you want more privacy Airbnb is the way to go. You can book an entire house and the company also offers discounts for travelers that book a place for the long-term (a month or longer).

City Passes

A lot of cities around the world have passes specifically for travelers. These cards can be used on public transportation or even get you discounts at popular attractions and restaurants. You pay one flat fee and have it for the duration of your trip.

Minimalism is Key

Packing is annoying but it’s better to be prepared. A good way to make sure that you don’t bring more than you need or to not break the scale at the airport is to check the weather and climate. You can easily spend 2-weeks in Europe with only a couple of shirts and jeans. Also, be respectful of the local culture. If you are going to a conservative country you don’t want to make yourself stick out.

Local Culture

One last thing to remember is knowing your audience. Smile and be polite. Learning a few phrases if you’re going to a foreign country won’t hurt either. The locals will actually appreciate it. Be aware of scams, shady behavior, and your surroundings.

Traveling can be fun and exhausting, especially during these unprecedented times. Just remember that it’s still possible and thriving in some small way.