9 Helpful Travel Apps & Websites for Covid Travel

Planning a trip during a pandemic is not going to be the same as it was pre-coronavirus. There are a lot more rules and regulations that you have to worry about in a COVID-19 world, so your trip might take a little more planning and consideration than it would have before 2020.

Testing, quarantining, masks, temperature checks...expect it all for the foreseeable future.

This might be okay if you revel in planning, but if you’re more of a spontaneous traveler, you’ll need to do some extra research before embarking on your journey so you don’t run into any unexpected bumps or surprises along the way.

The biggest changes to travel in a Covid world have been the increased health and sanitation measures every step of the way, and border and travel restrictions. Beyond the initial trip-planning, it’s important that you stay updated on current developments and restrictions wherever you’re headed.

This may sound like a lot of extra work, but don’t worry! We’ve already compiled a list of helpful apps for Covid travel, as well as useful websites for planning travel during COVID-19. With these resources, planning for a trip during the pandemic will go a lot more smoothly.

Explore our COVID-19 Travel Hub for even more resources

9 apps and websites for planning travel during COVID-19

1. CDC

• Why it’s useful: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a very useful resource for planning travel, no matter where or when you’re planning on going. You can view current advisories, recommendations, vaccination requirements, and other tips as you are preparing for travel. They have an extensive section on COVID-19 and travel during the pandemic that will help you make decisions and stay safe. Even after the pandemic, the CDC website should be your go-to for learning about the health and vaccine situation at your destination.
• Check it out here

2. Travel.State.Gov

• Why it’s useful: The U.S. Department of State website is another great resource when planning out your travel. They give you an indication of the level of safety in each country based on the local political and health situations, including COVID-19, laws, general country information, current COVID-19 restrictions, border closures, and more. If you’re a U.S. citizen, it’s also a good idea to enroll in their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) when you travel, which will notify you of any dangers or special circumstances you need to be aware of.
• Check it out here

3. IATA Travel Centre

• Why it’s useful: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has compiled a map that displays the current coronavirus restrictions in every country around the world. The information in the maps includes up-to-date entry requirements and restrictions, required forms, testing, quarantine measures, and more. This is an important resource to help you get started figuring out what you need to get to your destination smoothly.
• Check it out here

4. COVID Controls

• Why it’s useful: COVID Controls is another helpful map that can help you figure out where you’re allowed to go during the pandemic. You can search the map for a number of different factors, including entry regulations, lockdown status, virus containment, and more. Additionally, you can view graphs about the number of new cases in almost any country and read about the current regulations and recent pandemic-related news in that area. This map is also helpful even if you are traveling within the U.S. and want to see the Covid status and restrictions in different states.
• Check it out here

5. Contact Tracing Apps

• Why it’s useful: Many cities, states, and countries have created their own contact tracing apps to help curb the spread of the virus. Although not mandatory in most places, downloading one of the apps before your trip can help you to become more aware of any possible contact and to keep yourself and others safer in case you come in close contact with the virus. The quality and availability of the apps can vary, and please note that they are not 100% effective. You can’t rely on an app to avoid coronavirus, and it’s best used in combination with masks and social distancing. Follow this link so you can learn more and find an app for your destination. 
• Check it out here

6. Google Maps

• Why it’s useful: A travel (and everyday) staple, Google Maps has published some updates that will help you navigate coronavirus restrictions and social distancing. With the update, you can view real-time transportation alerts, regulations, and checkpoints, the expected size of crowds on public transportation and at attractions, and information about medical facilities and COVID-19 testing centers to help you plan your daily commute or other travels while still practicing social distancing. It’s available on both Android and iOS.
• Check it out here

7. Airsiders Compass

• Why it’s useful: The Airsiders Compass website is a handy tool to tell you more about the safety measures, requirements, and services that airlines and airports have implemented around the world. You can input any airport you’ll be traveling through to view anything from open restaurant options to disinfection checkpoints. They’re currently working on creating an app, so be sure to check back for more details.
• Check it out here

8. Check & Fly

• Why it’s useful: The Airports Council International recently released an app (currently only available for iOS) that, like Airsiders Compass, compiles information from airports about their current health and safety measures so you know what to expect when you’re in transit. Through this app, airports can directly communicate with passengers the most up-to-date information to help you prepare and arrive at your destination safely and without hassle.
• Check it out here

9. App in the Air

• Why it’s useful: If you prefer to take care of all your travel planning and arrangements in one place, App in the Air can help you with trip planning and navigating COVID-19 at the same time. Available online, on Android, and iOS, you can search and book flights by certain COVID-19 safety measures (such as mask requirements or open middle seats), get notifications about changes, and learn about other pandemic regulations at your destination. Another fun feature allows you to save and track all your flights so you can view maps and statistics of your travels. 
• Check it out here

Bonus: Any airline or accommodation website/app

Some of the best, most accurate websites for planning travel during Covid are airline and accommodation websites; there you’ll find information you’ll need about the companies you booked with. They’ll explain their most recent health and sanitation measures, changes in services, their expectations for you, and if you need extra documentation of a Covid test.

Depending on how you’re booking your travel, if you have any additional or specific questions, there’s usually a customer service representative that you can contact to assist you.

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Bookmark these apps and websites for planning your future travels!

Technology—especially helpful apps and websites—can help you feel more secure in a Covid world.

Don’t forget about all your favorite travel apps and websites from before! Although it’s important to keep up to date on the most recent coronavirus regulations and rules, you still need to plan your experience, book transportation, and find accommodations.

It’s best to use a combination of these apps and websites, plus your old favorites, so you can make sure that you’re staying safe when traveling abroad during the pandemic. More helpful apps for COVID-19 travel are being developed and improved, so even if you don’t find something that works for you now, there may be something new in the future!

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