COVID-19 travel advice

Date Updated: 07/13/2026

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Successful travel starts with being prepared for the unexpected, and COVID-19 is now a part of travel planning. As you choose a destination, travel group or event, add COVID-19 considerations to your planning. When packing for yourself or anyone you're caring for on the trip, consider COVID-19 prevention and testing. No one wants to plan for the worst. But having a plan in case you get sick while traveling can save time if you need medical care.

As you make plans, ask these questions.

Am I up to date with my COVID-19 vaccine?

Staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine helps prevent serious illness, the need for hospital care and death due to COVID-19. If you need a vaccine, get it at least a few weeks before you travel. The vaccine’s protection isn’t immediate.

Am I at high risk of serious COVID-19 illness?

Many people with COVID-19 have no symptoms or have mild illness. But for older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions, COVID-19 can lead to the need for care in the hospital or death.

If you or someone around you is at high risk of serious COVID-19 illness, take extra safety measures during and after travel. Ask a healthcare professional if there are any specific actions you should take.

Does my destination, tour group or event need proof that I had a COVID-19 vaccine or tested negative for COVID-19?

The country you travel to may not need to know your COVID-19 status. But you might need the information for other reasons. Events, venues or tour groups might ask for proof that you tested negative for COVID-19 or are up to date on a COVID-19 vaccine. Check before you go so you have all the paperwork you need.

What's the plan if I get COVID-19 on my trip?

No one wants to get sick while traveling. But in case you do, it helps to know where you can get medical care and whether you'll be able to stay apart from others while you have symptoms. If you're traveling with a tour group, read the group's policies and any guidance from the destination's health officials.

Put together a COVID-19 travel kit with rapid home tests, masks, a thermometer, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Before you leave, gather your health information from your healthcare professional. Make sure it includes details about any health conditions you're managing and any medicines you take.

COVID-19 spread during travel

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person. When the virus is spreading, spending time indoors with a crowd of people raises your risk of catching it. The risk is higher if the indoor space has poor airflow.

The coronavirus is mainly spread through the air when a person with COVID-19 breathes, coughs, sneezes, sings or talks. Other people can breathe in the virus if they are close together or in areas with low airflow.

Clean hands often

While you travel, one way to lower your risk of COVID-19 and other illnesses is to clean your hands often. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, before making food or eating, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. If you touch something that others regularly touch, such as an elevator button or a handrail, make sure to clean your hands afterward.

Also, try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Pack a face mask

Wearing a face mask is another way to lower your risk of COVID-19.

Travel brings people together from areas where viruses may be spreading at higher levels. Masks can help slow the spread of respiratory viruses in general, including COVID-19.

Masks help the most in places with low airflow and where you are in close contact with other people. Masks also can help if viruses are spreading at high levels in the places you travel to or travel through.

Wearing a mask is especially important if you or a companion have a high risk of serious COVID-19 illness. Choose the most protective mask that fits well and is comfortable.

Get the COVID-19 vaccine

As the virus that causes COVID-19 changes, COVID-19 vaccines are updated, so stay up to date with the recommended shots.

Keep some space around you

Choose outdoor activities, and keep some distance between yourself and others. Poor airflow and crowded indoor spaces raise the chance you'll come in contact with the virus that causes COVID-19.

If you can, try to avoid spending time with people who have COVID-19 symptoms or who are sick. There will likely be times during travel when you don't have a choice about how close you are to others.

Air travel

Your risk of catching COVID-19 during air travel may depend on a few factors. These include the duration of the flight, if COVID-19 is spreading at a high rate in the community, and the level of crowding in the boarding area.

Air on planes is often filtered to catch germs, including viruses, and includes fresh air from outside the plane.

You can help lower your risk by keeping some distance from others when you can and cleaning your hands often. Wearing a mask in crowded areas, such as security lines and bathrooms, can help protect you from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Trains, buses and cars

Trains and buses may have good airflow and air filtering. But check before you travel so you know what to expect. When a vehicle is crowded, wear a face mask and take other steps, such as cleaning your hands.

Taxis and private cars used for ride-sharing may not have air filtering. But rolling down a window could be an option to improve airflow. Rental car companies may post their cleaning policies online, or you can ask when you book the vehicle.

Hotels and other lodging

Cleaning protocols at hotels, vacation rentals and other lodging have largely returned to the way they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have questions about how hosts or businesses protect guests, contact the business directly. In public areas of hotels, take steps to lower your risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19.

Travel and illness

Despite your planning, an illness may delay or cancel your trip. Stay home if you or anyone you're traveling with has:

Symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever or new loss of taste or smell.
Taken a COVID-19 test and is waiting for results.
Been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Watch for serious symptoms of COVID-19, such as trouble breathing and chest pain. Get help if you or a person you're taking care of has symptoms that worry you.

Once a fever is gone and symptoms are getting better, you may choose to travel. But for about five days after feeling better, you could still spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. Take extra actions to protect the people around you.

Wear a mask.
Keep your distance from others, especially when indoors.
Clean your hands regularly.
Keep the air flowing by turning on fans or opening windows when you can.

If you start to feel worse or your fever comes back, avoid being around others again until you feel better.

Stay flexible

With COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and treatment, events and travel are back to typical levels in many places. But as COVID-19 outbreaks happen, it's important to stay flexible with your plans.