Four ways the pandemic has reshaped my travel habits permanently

As many travelers are ready to hit the skies and roads once more, some believe everything will return to how it was before COVID-19. Others may have anticipated completely new travel experiences.

For instance, TPG's executive editor, Scott Mayerowitz, recently shared how his approach to travel has evolved — not always in the ways he predicted.

This prompted me to reflect on my own travel routines. After some introspection, I discovered that several changes I adopted during the pandemic have continued, despite the shift toward a "post-pandemic" perspective.

I’m thankful that more destinations and attractions are welcoming visitors again, allowing us to travel more freely than in the last two years. However, the pandemic has impacted some of my travel behaviors — in some instances, permanently. Here’s how.

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I've been spending more time outdoors

In March 2020, stay-at-home mandates and travel limitations abruptly halted my upcoming travel plans.

After months of reduced interactions and only leaving home for essential errands, I felt eager to venture out and explore safely. I can't pinpoint the exact moment I first encountered the phrase "social distancing," but as an introvert, I instinctively embraced it.

I had been a solo traveler for years, but I didn't specifically seek out outdoor destinations or activities for my trips. However, once I felt the urge to travel again while keeping my distance from others, outdoor spots and activities became my top priority.

My focus shifted particularly to hiking, which I had seldom explored as a solo traveler before the pandemic. Before 2020, I had only visited two national parks in my lifetime.

In the last two years, however, I've explored 10 national parks and numerous state parks. I previously hesitated to hike alone due to fears of getting lost, doubts about my fitness level, and safety concerns. But I learned to interpret trail markers, navigate the AllTrails app, and analyze trail reviews. I also discovered that even while hiking solo, I’m not alone, as many popular trails have other friendly hikers along the way.

I now prioritize restaurants with outdoor dining options, and I'm pleased to see that many eateries are making this a focus. Even in cooler temperatures, numerous restaurants with outdoor seating offer heaters or fire pits, enhancing the comfort of dining outside.

I enjoy taking road trips or renting a car once I arrive at my destination

It might be surprising to some, but I had only rented a car once while traveling before 2020. I experience driving anxiety and don’t enjoy driving, especially in unfamiliar places. As a result, my travel before the pandemic mostly involved large cities with efficient public transportation or walkable neighborhoods where a vehicle wasn't necessary.

However, during the pandemic, taking road trips and renting a car at my destination helped me confront my anxiety and discover more outdoor locations, like the national and state parks mentioned earlier. Although I haven’t yet rented a car and driven abroad—something that still feels a bit daunting—I’m open to the idea for a future adventure.

My first road trip occurred in May 2020, when I drove five hours from my home in Texas to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for Memorial Day weekend. Since then, I’ve enjoyed short road trips to Central Texas and Oklahoma, realizing there are many interesting spots to explore even closer to home. While I love traveling internationally, I’ve come to value the hidden gems in my own backyard.

In July 2020, I took my first flight after five months to Las Vegas and rented a car to visit attractions like Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park. Later, in October 2020, I flew to Los Angeles, rented a car, and drove to Santa Barbara for a long weekend getaway.

High car rental rates and limited availability are somewhat discouraging. When I visited the Big Island of Hawaii, I paid nearly $100 a day for my rental car. Since it was a brief trip, the steep rental fee wasn't a major expense overall. I would love to explore Alaska, but I'm holding off for now because I've heard that car rental prices are exorbitant — if you can even find a car to book.

I always check cancellation policies

Before 2020, I rarely worried about canceling a trip since it was seldom necessary. Now, I consistently review airline or hotel policies to ensure they offer flexible change or cancellation options that favor customers.

I was definitely grateful for the policy updates during the pandemic, as they allowed me to book potential travel with the confidence that I could cancel or adjust plans if necessary. I took advantage of these policies several times. I hope airlines, in particular, continue to maintain these flexible policies that make it easier to modify or cancel travel without losing miles or money.

I no longer plan my travels as far ahead as I once did

In the past, I would book award travel the moment the booking window opened. However, with travel restrictions constantly shifting, it became challenging to predict if a country that was open when I booked would still be accessible six months later if COVID-19 cases rose. It was equally uncertain whether a country that was closed to tourists would welcome visitors by the time I intended to travel, even if I planned a year in advance.

Now, I tend to make bookings much closer to my travel dates and often discover good last-minute award availability. For instance, I found standard night availability at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal about a month prior to my trip in December 2021.

As more countries lift travel restrictions and testing requirements, I'm feeling more at ease booking trips further in advance and have started doing so again. However, many of my recent travels have been scheduled just one or two months ahead, and I expect to continue operating this way for a while.

While I understand we're experiencing a "sold-out summer" of "revenge travel," leading to high prices, I'm still keen to seize deals when they arise. In fact, I recently booked a Web Special award with AAdvantage miles for late June, and I'm in the process of planning a late spring trip to Europe, which includes arranging some positioning flights and accommodations at my destinations.

Key takeaway

The pandemic has taught me to embrace flexibility in travel. In the past, I would adhere strictly to my travel plans once they were set. However, the pandemic has encouraged me to explore new outdoor activities, drive during my trips, create more adaptable plans, and take more last-minute trips, all of which have pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and become a more versatile traveler.