Sometimes, when describing my solo travel adventures, I fear I sound a bit like Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry Potter fans will remember this odious character from the second book; he remains one of the most loathed characters in the series for his pompousness and for telling tall tales of brushes with death around the world.
Lockhart, like me, delights in sharing his travel stories—the difference between us is that mine are true. I’ve always wanted a passport full of stamps more than a house filled with stuff. This means I’ve traveled to over 25 countries yet have never owned a kitchen whisk. I’m proud to say that 90 percent of those international trips were done solo. I’m passionate about solo travel and how empowering it can feel, particularly for women. And while the Covid-19 pandemic continues to upend the travel industry, solo travel is still possible, even during a pandemic. But whether you’re traveling alone or with others, be prepared to do some extra legwork before your departure.
Shannon Tobin and Richard Newman are an international couple from the US and New Zealand who met in Australia and live in Scotland. Tobin says, “Traveling during Covid-19 takes preparation. We are no longer living in the days of simple travel, where you book a flight, pack your bags, and go.”
The pair emphasizes the importance of keeping abreast of the latest rules and guidance. “Many countries require pre- and/or post-flight Covid tests, Passenger Locator forms, proof of vaccination, specific types of masks, etc.,” says Newman. “For instance,” adds Tobin, “tomorrow we are leaving for Lake Como, Italy and need to take a lateral flow test within 24 hours of departure and will need to take a PCR test within two days of returning to the UK.”
As Tobin and Newman illustrate, the pandemic has negatively impacted almost every industry, including travel. In January of this year, over 2,600 US flights were canceled due to the pandemic. But countless vaccinated travelers are still buying flights and planning adventures.
The effect of the pandemic on global travel has been devastating. According to the World Tourism Organization, international tourism declined sharply around the globe, with tourist arrivals falling by 73 percent in 2020. This threatened many jobs in the tourism industry and deeply impacted those whose livelihood depends on tourism, particularly in countries that rely on tourism as a primary source of income, like the Maldives and Aruba.
Due to increased regulations, many people have had to rethink their travel plans. “Pre-pandemic, we didn’t think twice about visiting a handful of countries in one trip,” says Tobin. “Now, in the era of Covid-19, visiting many countries meant we had to be up-to-date on the Covid-19 entry restrictions for many different countries. It’s by no means impossible; we did it and had an excellent time. But be prepared and check the latest guidance often,” says Newman.
For women embarking on a solo journey during the pandemic, safety tends to be top of mind, as it is even during non-pandemic times. My predeparture mental checklist goes something like this: Passport? Check. Pepper spray? Check. iPhone’s “Share My Location” turned on for family to see where I am? Check.
Travel is a calculated risk, and it’s one you can—circumstances permitting—take during the pandemic, no matter what kind of traveler you are. Technology and preplanning help with risk mitigation for travel, particularly during the pandemic. And for women traveling alone, safety gadgets like handheld alarms, portable door locks, car safety hammers, and more can help enhance your safety. As another precaution, consider enrolling your trip with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that lets US citizens traveling abroad register their trip with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
