7 tips from travel writers on how to plan safe vacations during a pandemic

I previously wrote about how I booked a small cottage-style hotel on Hotels.com for a weekend with my husband. We weren't comfortable flying, staying in large hotels, or planning a long road trip that required multiple stops and encounters with others. With vacation rentals either booked up or too expensive, we selected a small property with standalone accommodations and private exterior entrances.

While I was initially nervous, I ultimately enjoyed my decision. I'm someone who loves hotels and I was able to enjoy the amenities only a hotel can provide (super clean renovated room, a pool) in a smaller setting akin to a private home.

My nerves weren't quelled immediately, but here's how I eased them: I opted for contactless check-in, brought my own pillow, and upon entering my room, wiped down high-touch surfaces, opened all the windows, and promptly left for three hours to air it out.

Heeding these tips from experts made us feel much more comfortable. More importantly, we knew our limits and established boundaries. We wanted to avoid restaurants, so we brought takeout back to the hotel's spaced out picnic tables. We limited our time at the beach to the morning when it was less crowded, and returned to the hotel to avoid public restrooms and use the small hotel pool when everyone else was still by the ocean. In doing so, we took advantage of on-site amenities we may not have otherwise and were able to still enjoy our vacation.

Next time though, I'm booking farther in advance with a generous cancellation policy so I can widen my scope of lodging choices. Many hotels offer significantly more flexible policies and fewer fees than you'll find on vacation rental platforms — take advantage of these deals. — Emily Hochberg, Insider Reviews travel editor

As a travel editor, I'm used to frequent global trips and typically go for flights over road trips and hotels over vacation rentals. But all that was upended in 2020.

This year, I opted for a few domestic trips, all within easy driving distance and social distancing in mind. Like many New Yorkers, I don't own a car, but after reading expert advice, I felt safer renting a car for short road trips than taking flights or trains. Similarly, I followed recommendations to stay in vacation rentals since there is less contact with others.

My first trip post-pandemic trip was to Cape Cod. I stuck to socially distant activities like biking and beach picnics in uncrowded areas. After I felt comfortable with that, I planned a short weekend trip to a campsite on Long Island since camping in your own designated area feels especially safe. Now, for the fall, I'm eyeing a similarly remote-but-nearby getaway to catch the fall foliage the Northeast is famous for.

While the pandemic often makes it hard to plan in advance, I've learned it's best to look for vacation rentals and car rentals as far out as possible. Both are becoming increasingly popular and booking up fast. If you can, opt for rentals that come with flexible cancellation policies so you have your bases covered, especially if you aren't sure how you feel about resuming travel. — Hannah Freedman, Insider Reviews associate travel editor

Staying at hotels is a big part of my job. But with COVID-19, the idea of communal spaces like hallways and lobbies made me anxious. For my 2020 summer vacation, I decided to try Airbnb. The idea of having an entire house for just my family felt much safer.

But beyond just picking a home within driving distance, I looked for one with a Superhost, stellar reviews, and followed Airbnb Enhanced Clean guidelines.

I found that in this restored sawmill. My Superhosts not only followed the Airbnb Enhanced Clean program, they also chose to leave the property empty for three days between guests.

Also, living in a house in a small town gave us a true taste of local life and after a few days, we no longer felt like tourists. The overall experience was more immersive than staying in a hotel, and we felt the right balance of privacy and togetherness.

I liked my experience so much, I came back a few weeks later and rented another property from the same hosts, an airy apartment at an old boarding house. It was equally spotless and fabulous. I am now hooked on Airbnb, pandemic or not. — Allison Tibaldi, freelance travel writer

My biggest tip for traveling during COVID-19 is to speak to the hotel before you book. The majority have reopened with limited amenities, meaning, the pool, spa, gym, and restaurants may be partially or completely closed.

Beyond that, try to get as much information as possible regarding how they're handling social distancing and protocols. If the hotel pool is open and your plan is to spend the day there, make sure there isn't a time limit per guest, which some hotels are doing, or if there is food and drink service available by the pool.

For example, on my recent weekend getaway to the Catskills, I didn't know the pool had a limit of only 10 people at a time and was with five other girls. We had to make sure we got to the pool extra early to ensure we had spots, which forced us to alter our morning plans.

Next time, I will check beforehand to plan accordingly. Plus, when you learn of the details before you book, you'll know how to adjust your expectations and still enjoy the experience. — Lindsay Paige Stein, freelance travel writer

I'm based in Barcelona and when Americans can once again travel to Europe, they should be prepared for any eventuality. COVID restrictions, including social distancing, mask requirements, and even lockdowns, are constantly shifting, from one country to another, and sometimes even within a single country.

I'm generally a DIY-er when it comes to planning travel, but with Europe's COVID restrictions constantly in flux, it might be wise for Americans to use a travel agent when they can once again visit Europe.

An experienced agent can respond quickly to any COVID-related issue, whether it's arranging alternative destinations due to a lockdown or managing flights should any problems arise. You may recall in mid-March, following sweeping travel restrictions on Europe, Americans abroad were desperately seeking flights and spending thousands of dollars on return tickets. Hopefully, this won't occur again, but a travel agent is far better positioned to work with airlines to get you home. — Jennifer Ceaser, freelance travel writer

Wake up early. Even when there's not a pandemic, I always try to avoid the crowds while traveling. During a recent trip to the Jersey Shore, I felt much freer to go for a run on the beach or bike down the boardwalk in the morning when there were fewer people.

And don't let yourself feel silly. If your vacation destination is more crowded than you anticipated, you might see a lot of people walking around without a mask. It's even possible that you'll be the only one following the rules. While no one will tell you to take your mask off, the pressure to fit in is real and can be strong. Be aware that this feeling might come up and be prepared to stick to your guns. — Jamie Ditaranto, freelance travel writer

I'm loving Amtrak as an alternative to flying or driving and took it all the way from New Orleans to New York City.

The coach fares are comparable to flights and you don't have to worry about traffic. Plus, not having to deal with airports is a real bonus right now. Taking a train requires a little more time flexibility, but you'll have Wi-Fi and meals available on board so it's easy to work, relax, and watch movies. You'll also arrive right in a city center for added convenience without having to look for parking.

I hadn't traveled much by train prior to the pandemic, but I'm an absolute convert. The new Amtrak booking engine also shows you how full each service is, making it easier to book with social distancing in mind. — Paul Oswell, freelance travel writer