Nervous before international travel?

We went on the RS Scandinavia tour in July and as long as you do carry on only I found that it was not very different then it was before Covid hit. We are going to Italy in September and as long as one of my flights isn't cancelled it should be fine. I am lucky in that we fly Delta 95% of the time due to our location and they have been pretty solid during the last 6 mo. as far as not cancelling flights or changing our flights. I tend to get more excited than nervous because I have a passion for travel and early on I learned that things don't always go as planned and you just have to take a deep breath and recalibrate!

I don’t know that it is pre-trip jitters, but I do have a new awareness that my plans may not happen as I expected. Airlines are struggling to manage people/luggage and the possibility of a positive Covid test can dramatically change the itinerary at any moment. I think flexibility is the key at this time……

Great question! My wife and I are traveling internationally for the first time since COVID became a reality for all of us, and we have been following airline travel breakdowns and concerns since earlier in the year. We are soon to take our first RS Tour across Switzerland in late September. Flight and baggage issues seem to have improved somewhat over time, and we've minimized our exposure by taking a direct flight to Europe on Swiss Air. Aside from the anticipatory jitters on heading to a new destination, our chief concern remains COVID protocols/exposure/tour participation jeopardy. We'll be freshly boosted before we go, but have been closely following Trip Reports and Forums for up-to-date info on how folks are handling this, and how best to reduce risk/ensure safe travel overall. It is encouraging to see that MOST travelers have been little affected, and at times concerning to see that some tour members and/or guides have been a bit lax in following/ensuring protocols. I think we've all grown a bit more used to navigating the challenges of the moment, and some of it feels second nature at this stage, but we're certainly crossing fingers as we prepare thoroughly and keep informed prior to departure. In terms of general anxiety, I find that visualization of the destination is incredibly helpful to ease nervous tension. It's delightful to find and see the many, many videos of walking tours/reviews/tips & tricks available on YouTube (we watch them on our TV set via Apple TV - and the 4K videos look stunning]; it really puts one 'on the ground' before you go, and helps to suggest new places/activities to enjoy alongside the planned itinerary as well as educate on how best to utilize time & budget to get the most out of the trip. We've also hit up our local library system to access most available tour books to get different perspectives on the destination, language challenges, etc. Getting informed like this really builds positive anticipation and counteracts apprehension. Best of luck to you on your own journey, and safe travels!

I'm fanatical about details. What time is the flight, which pocket is my passport in, how do I get from A to B at the connecting airport, or from airport to hotel....the list goes on. Sometimes I give myself unnecessary jitters, but they're never enough to cause me stress, it actually keeps me calm because I know I have a plan.

This year was probably the first time where the nerves overtook the excitement because of so many unknown factors; will my flight leave, will my bags make it, will my rental car actually be there?

Donald love the your use of recalibrate. Made me smile.

For years I’ve traveled from LAX to LHR. Neither airport known to be well run. Last year had to take a shuttle across the LAX tarmac to board my flight to Heathrow. I have a video of a Delta plane passing us by as it took its place in the departure queue.

Grateful that I pack light and can afford direct flights.
These 2 realities help me focus so there are minimal negative thoughts. So does the fact its an overnight flight. Via a better life through chemistry ( 2 Aleve PM ) I get some sleep and arrive at LHR ready to go.
Traveling with a carry on helps as well. So does having Global Entry when I return to LAX. Totally by pass the hordes….

I believe your age and experience does play a part in your mental and emotional approach to air travel.

Flexibility, patience, and packing light are my keys to world travel.

I am a complete wreck for a few days before departure and also overloaded with pre-trip tasks which include checking and re-checking details. I am not normally OCD but rather an organized planner, This year I went completely OCD and did not sleep well for three nights, but once we were on the flight, I relaxed a bit. I even got 3 hours of napping on the plane. Once the checked bags came off the plane, all nervousness went away and last night I slept 9 hours so even jet lag seems to be behind me. Whew!

My trip is in 2 weeks and I am a little more anxious. Worried because I don't have a direct flight to England. Anxious because I am flying Aer Lingus (which I have loved in the past) has smaller carry on limits then last time I went (as do many European airline) so I will have to check my roll aboard. Anxious about the Covid test pre tour.....So mostly covid jitters. I am trying to be more excited than anxious and I think once I get my connection to OHare and am waiting in the lounge, wearing my KF94 mask, to board I will feel better. I just need to make that first step. I really don't worry about delays getting home because I am retired and who wants to come home anyway. I would rather be in England or Canada (my last stop.)

I am more impatient than worried. That ratchets down as things get out of our direct control: (1) we get to the airport; (2) our connecting flight boards; (3) our international flight boards. After that I think we can handle whatever happens from experience and common sense.

@AMann Totally understand the senior pet concern as I had that worry during my trips to Europe in 2018 and 2019. I always made sure he was with people I knew and trusted and that he felt comfortable with them. But I still worried because it's what I do as a dog mom! Thankfully, he hung on through the pandemic and well into 2021. (RIP Buster🐾❤)

Now I have a little guy who's only two so I won't be "quite" as worried.

I tend to be a worrier anyway, so yes, I get extra nervous before a trip. I always have to take two flights to get anywhere, so I worry about missing my flights. I worry I will lose my passport, get lost, miss trains, etc. etc. I know it’s just pointless worry, so I just deal with it. The worst of it tends to go away as soon as I am seated on the last flight headed to my destination.

I, too, am a worrier, beyond nervous. This first solo trip gives me lots of reasons to worry. I leave Wednesday. I called my doctor to get a prescription of Sucralfate to settle my stomach.

PS I should add that the flight creates the most stress—will United change it (again). will weather be an issue creating delays, will my carryon get gate checked, will some SOB be sitting in my seat.
Going to Paris is a little stressful too but my plans are made so it should be fine.
Public transportation is a little daunting because here if you don’t drive, you don’t go. Just part of the learning curve.

I've traveled internationally twice over the last year so am less stressed about this upcoming trip as at present there is no need for a negative Covid test to return home.

• I'll be in Italy for 4 nights prior to my RS tour start to allow for any kind of travel hiccup.

• I'll wear N95s from the instant I get dropped off at the local airport to when I'm in my hotel room. I'll eat on the plane depending on what I hear/see around me. I've got a back up plan if I test + for Covid before or during my tour.

• I've stressed myself out most over my suitcase. I have an older RS 20" roller which weighs 6#. I've just succumbed to the lure of the Osprey Ozone which is way more expensive than it seems like it should be and will see how it packs up. A forum friend said it's a bit difficult to pack so will do some trial packs to see how that works out. I have a segment on AF which has a smaller dimension than Delta and also has a weight limit. I'll start out meeting that guideline.

• I've got my unders, socks, travel nightwear in a packing cube already. I've got the rest of my wardrobe selected for packing. I've weighed my packing cubes and various pouches. I've got my toiletries loaded and will work on my meds today or tomorrow.

I'm ready but not leaving for a month, hahaha!! OK, I guess I should walk more!

Not nervous...exhausted!
Packing, buying a few things, booking and rebooking, cleaning house, emptying garbage, stocking the fridge if husband staying at home, buying extra cat food, cleaning bathrooms, changing sheets, taking back library books, arranging transport to airport if husband working, printing stuff.
By the time I'm leaving I'm half thinking of staying home and sleeping for three weeks.
However.... once I'm in the air, I perk right up.

"What was I thinking?" starts repeating in my thoughts the week before travel as well as the typical premonitions of "disaster" that have never happened in my 6 decades. It's such a relief when when my mind clears on takeoff. Now I have an added worry - it never occurred to me that my closely trimmed beard might not allow even the best mask to seal properly. Yikes, I have not been without facial hair since I was 27 years old. At that time I grew it to cover the bruises left when impacted wisdom teeth were removed. It suited me then and almost 40 years later.

I also think: Why am I doing this? I actually say it, as folks who give me a ride to the airport can attest. I feel much better, as others have noted, once on the plane, and definitely when in Europe.

My biggest anxiety is upgrading my phone. I have always relied on minimal, if any, phone usage in Europe. But now I live in fear that somehow I will be without the crucial app I have not needed all these years. I am overthinking this, I hope. I use my cell minimally at home. I like to travel with a small tablet for internet checking in the evenings, and I am hoping for the most part, I can still survive with that modus operandi.

As a non-rev, I'm always nervous since I am never sure if I will get on ... if I don't, Plan B (and maybe even Plan C) would kick in which, if you are flying non-rev, you MUST have ... I don't panic, I just execute the plan (that's one big thing my career in IT has taught me ... plan the work then work the plan) ... thankfully haven't missed a flight going over yet but was stuck trying to return from Milan for 2 days before we got out ... no worries, just meant more divine Italian cuisine (and of course gelato) ... hoping my Spain and Germany trips later this year go without a hitch.

@Debbie - I just returned from my first two-week solo trip to Europe. I took my iPad mini for evenings as you mentioned and carried my phone for the camera. I put the AT&T international day pass on it but only used it one day! I just kept telling myself I didn't really need to know the exact temperature at the moment or even where exactly I was. Nothing went wrong. We traveled for years without a smartphone and I was able to almost pretend I still didn't have one. Happy travels!

Thanks, Janet. That is helpful.

S J and Silas Marner, you both described me! We leave in 17 days and I'm wondering what made me think we should leave home. On the other hand, I just finished washing the windows! My one and two week to-do lists start soon. S J: I used to be able to do all the cleaning and polishing in a couple of days but now that I'm older I need to stretch it out.

I'm not really nervous about the trip though I have been checking our reservations to be sure nothing gets changed. The adventure starts when we pull away from home and nervousness goes away. Hoping that will happen this time.

Carol, I wonder why we feel we have to scrub our homes right before leaving?!!
I think it stems from not wanting whoever gets the job of clearing out a house if someone never returns , and not having them tell the world we were terrible housekeepers!🤣
It is nice, however, to come home to clean sheets and sparkly bathrooms.

I got more nervous this time because after two years of waiting, it felt like we had to do everything and love every minute. Solution: realizing our main goal was to just BE in Europe, and soak it in. We scheduled ourselves less tightly, and enjoyed more everyday events like walking in a park. We were so happy with the pace of our trip, brought back great memories, and we can't wait to go again. Have fun, you will have a blast.

S J, so true, let no one else see! But also, it's a pleasure to come home to a clean house. After a long trip home the last thing I want to see is a messy house. Unpacking is messy enough! Then I can spend my time organizing our pictures and re-live our trip.

Carol, I wonder why we feel we have to scrub our homes right before leaving?!!

In my case we have a pet nanny visiting every day we are gone. I would be terribly embarrassed by disarray so it's a mad scramble trying to reduce clutter before we leave. Of course it later becomes a puzzle trying to find the items that were moved. I know we should do something about the ridges in the carpet but I can't seem to make it a real priority.

And, yes, there's also that "what if I don't return?" question.

@AMann I so understand about the elderly pet. We have a terrier mutt who my husband is absolutely devoted to (I am too, but not as much as my husband). He's about thirteen years old and still pretty lively, but has gone gray and is starting to slow down. We were scheduled to go on the Best of Istanbul tour in October, but cancelled while the testing requirement was still in place because my husband could not bear the thought of being away from the dog any longer than necessary. Once he thought about the possibility of being halfway around the world from him, well, I can't get him to consider another tour right now, or even international travel with me. We are going to Santa Fe for five days during the time we would have been in Turkey, which we are looking forward to, and my husband feels better not to be so far away for so long. He'll still WhatsApp our son every day while we're gone so he can talk to the dog!

Scrubbing the house is like wearing clean underwear.

Just in case.

kayla p:
My husband is the same.
He won't leave our cat, so I travel by myself.
While I'm away next time, he has an opportunity to go to an all expenses paid work thing in another city, so the cat has to go to kennels for a few days.
It's killing my husband, but the work thing is a great opportunity.

Hi Jill, this is a great question & at times was a hilarious thread so thank you!

I've been back & forth to Sweden via Frankfurt, Munich, London & Copenhagen on United with connections on Lufthansa or SAS 6 times in the past 3 years. This includes mid March 2020, a few days before Europe shut its doors to non-residents, & again in July 2020. (when I was able to transit & get into Sweden traveling with my Swedish husband without being a resident.)
Here's what I've noticed in 2022 -

1. 2022 travel doesn't feel like the first 2 years of the pandemic. There are a lot more people traveling, fewer are wearing masks, & it seems there's less fear in the air, if that makes sense. More things like lounges & shops are open in airports, which is really great to see.
2. I no longer get sick after long flights. YAY. Because I'm masked up, I don't catch the bugs I did before the pandemic. I do wipe everything down with Lysol wet-wipes & wash hands often.
3. It is helpful to have a Plan B for missed flights, delays or lost luggage, but I had heard so much about problems this summer, I was anxious about a tight connection time in Copenhagen on a Friday afternoon. I breezed through the 'Other' passport line immigration in 5 minutes. Go figure.
4. I also stick with Star Alliance, and someone mentioned if something goes wrong it's their problem, I agree. Any airline alliance would do the trick I'm sure. If there's a delay or missed connection, I find a quiet corner and CALL United in the US, I don't stand in long lines or, as I was told in Frankfurt by Lufthansa, exit to deal with it at a United desk outside security.
5. Lastly, systems & people are stressed and understaffed, so I try to slow down to figure things out. There's some great advice here, and hopefully all goes very smoothly, hope you have a great trip!

My first flight leg to CDG departs in 4 days, 14 hours and 54 minutes!
I have traveled twice internationally since COVID, but this trip to Paris was scheduled for September 2020. This means I have been planning for it since Winter, 2019.
I am generally an over planner, but this trip just doesn't seem real. I haven't packed, I haven't purchased my med vac policy yet. At least I have Sunday and Wednesday off of work. It should only take me about one to two hours to pack as I don't take much and I have a system down.
Usually I am excited 80% and worried 20% (canceled flight, forgetting something, being unprepared).
For this trip I am strangely calm. I can't possibly be going to Paris.