The top 6 germiest places to avoid when traveling, according to experts

• Traveling, even with disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer, can still be filled with high-risk areas to avoid.
• Experts name the six germiest spots with the most bacteria and viruses that travelers should avoid.

Traveling cross-country on airplanes or in rental cars, and even staying in hotels can make anyone anxious in the post-COVID pandemic era.

Despite packing plenty of disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer, and keeping masks handy, it can feel like a huge effort to avoid germs and stay as healthy as possible.

Experts have named the six spots that you encounter when traveling that carry the most bacteria and viruses.

Self-service kiosks at check-in

Most travelers are eager to skip the lines and get to their gates at airports, which means the first thing they touch is the self-service check-in kiosks. Shaun Veran, a microbiologist and the cofounder of Oura, which makes germ-cleaning towels, said those kiosks are a hot spot for germs.

"There are a ton of pathogens all over those screens," he said. "While they may save you time, these kiosks have over 1,000 times more germs than a toilet seat, which makes them incredibly unsanitary."

Research by Insurance Quotes found that the average self-check-in screen had 253,857 CFU, colony-forming units. In comparison, about 172 CFU are found on toilet seats.

TSA security bins

As you unload your belongings into TSA security bins, be careful how much you touch the containers. These bins hold passengers' carry-on luggage, and those bags have been wheeled through the airport and streets, picking up all kinds of microbes along the way, Veran said.

Veran said that a 2018 study found respiratory viruses on 50% of security trays.

"You may want to think twice before tossing your phone or keys onto the bare tray," said Veran. "Instead, store those items inside your bags to minimize the number of touchpoints that occur between the tray and your personal items."

Airplane trays

When you're flying, it's hard to avoid using an airplane tray table for eating, drinking, a laptop, or resting your head. But Charles Gerba, a health-environmental microbiologist and professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, said it's crucial to remember how much use these trays get regularly and that they are usually not cleaned or disinfected between flights.

According to research Gerba did for a private study, influenza, norovirus, and MRSA were found on the trays. If a person touches the tray with their hands, Gerba said they can infect themselves, especially if they touch their nose, mouth, or eyes afterward.

Escalator handrails

A lot of airplanes and larger hotel complexes are multilevel, which means you'll likely take a trip or two on an escalator. Gerba recommends being aware of handrails, since people are touching them every few seconds.

In a lab test, Gerba found evidence of blood, urine, saliva, and feces on handrails, all of which can contain infectious microorganisms.

While it can be hard to avoid touching an escalator handrail, Gerba suggests washing your hands or using hand sanitizer immediately afterward.

Airplane and public restrooms

It's hard to avoid an airplane or public bathroom, but Gerba said restrooms are breeding grounds for many different viruses.

Gerba said a study of public restrooms found that the most common virus was adenoviruses, found in about 70% of public restrooms. These viruses can cause diarrhea, respiratory, and eye infections. Gerba said that restrooms have been linked to outbreaks of MRSA skin infections, hepatitis A virus, and shigella bacterial diarrhea.

After using a public restroom, Gerba said it's important to wash your hands and then also use a hand sanitizer to kill as much bacteria as you can.

Public water fountains

If you want to fill up your water bottle before a flight, Dr. Michael May, the medical director at the Wimpole Clinic, warned that public water fountains can be breeding grounds for germs and bacteria.

"These water fountains are generally safe to drink from, however the surfaces around the fountain are what you want to avoid touching, since that's where people before you could have sneezed, coughed, or even spit, leading to viruses," said May.