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If the thought of a post-pandemic world has you eager to travel, then you should know about three Google updates that can help you plan your next trip. With the number of people being vaccinated increasing rapidly, many have turned their attention to their next journey.
But planning your next trip may be more challenging. You need to know about COVID restrictions for travelers, which are ever-changing. Or you may need inspiration for which spot on the globe will be the next place you explore.
Google can help with these travel challenges. Three new updates can help travelers plan their getaway.
Google Search COVID-19 Advisories
You may already have your ultimate destination in mind and are ready to head there as soon as you’re fully vaccinated. But restrictions on travel can make planning complicated. Rules are complex and keep changing.
The good news is that Google can help keep you on top of COVID travel restrictions. With a new update, Google can advise you about what the COVID rules are now for your vacation location and alert you when those rules change.
When you search for a place on Google, you’ll see COVID-19 travel restrictions for that location in the search results. Google will show you whether a place requires quarantining upon arrival, proof of COVID testing, or vaccination records.
Google has also made keeping up with changes to COVID travel restrictions easier. No need to keep searching for a destination to learn whether its rules have changed.
You can request email updates from Google if a destination’s COVID travel restrictions are added, lifted, or reduced. Just check the box that says, “Receive an email if this guidance changes” to get email updates.
Google’s email travel updates are available by country around the world and by state in the United States.
Travel Inspiration with Explore
Need inspiration deciding where your next travel destination will be? Check out the new Explore tab at Google Travel. Similar to the Explore tab in Google Flights, Google Travel’s Explore tab can help you discover new places to visit.
Click or tap the Explore tab in Google Travel to view a map with suggested places you can visit. Scroll the map to explore other places to go around the world.
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You can search for places according to location, price, dates, and number of travelers. Or leave the dates flexible and see suggestions for trips in the next six months.
Choose a destination to see the best times to visit and get ideas about what to do when you’re there. You can search the top sites for the area or filter according to your interests. See ideas for:
- Local favorites
- Kid-friendly
- Outdoors
- Art & culture
- Museums
- Amusement parks
and more.
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No need to blow the budget, Google Travel also shows flight and hotel prices for a destination so you can better plan for the cost of your trip.
Google Maps
Google Maps can now offer suggestions for places to stop along a route. When you search for directions on your computer using Google Maps, you’ll see tabs at the top for places to stop along the way such as hotels, gas stations, rest stops, and more.
Click the More tab to see additional ideas for where to stop along the way.
A side panel will open with options for Accommodations, Food & drink, Services, and Things to do. Under each category are tabs for finding helpful and interesting places to visit during your trip.
You can save these directions, along with the stops along the way, and send them to your phone.
You can change your travel plans on the go by swiping up from the bottom of Google Maps. There you can add or delete stops along your route.
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Your Thoughts
Are you looking forward to making post-pandemic travel plans? Do you like getting inspiration for travel destinations or stops along the way? Is finding out about COVID travel restrictions and then getting updates important to you?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
