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20 Ways to Say Have a Safe Flight!

Do you have a loved one who is about to go on a flight and looking for a clever way to kick off their trip letting them know you’re thinking of them? Then this list of 20 different ways to say have a safe flight is perfect for you.

The list below encompasses some of the most common terms used to wish someone a safe journey. Most of these are terms used for journeys involving flights, however, some are generic for any type of travel.

Before we jump into the list of different ways to say have a safe flight, here are a few other travel-related posts you may be interested in.

• 13 Clever ways to ask:  How was your trip?
• How we accumulated over 600,000 points and miles in one year
• How to plan a trip using Google My Maps
• 15 different types of vacations
• How to get a complimentary trip to Atlantis Bahamas

If you’re limited on time, then here’s a short list:

Have a Safe Flight Sayings

• Have a safe flight!
• Safe travels!
• Text me when you land!
• Enjoy the trip!
• Enjoy the trip! See you next fall! (humor)
• Wishing you a relaxing time in the sky
• Wishing you a safe and joyful journey ahead
• Have a blast and don’t enjoy it too much!
• Looking forward to hearing about your trip!
• I hope you have smooth skies!
• Bon Voyage!
• Have a safe journey, I’ll be thinking of you!
• Can’t wait to see you when you get back, I wish I was with you!
• Have a safe journey and a relaxing vacation!
• Safe flight, can’t wait to have you home, safe and sound!
• Happy travels!
• If you fly into turbulence, just think you’re on a roller coaster and enjoy the ride!
• Don’t be nervous, flying is the safest form of travel!
• The chances of a plane crash are 1 in 11 million (according to The Economist)
• There are over 80,000 flights flown every day

Don’t forget your MASK!

Most common ways to say have a safe flight

The two most common ways to wish someone a safe flight is “Have a safe flight”, “Safe travels”, and “text me when you land” The saying “safe travels” is more broadly used and accepted for any mode of transportation. This could come in handy especially in a setting where you do not know exactly how someone is traveling.

Creative ways to say have a safe flight

The phrases listed below are less common than “have a safe flight” and “safe travels” but could add some spice to your conversations with your loved ones!

• Enjoy the trip! See you next fall!

For the fearful travelers

If your loved one is afraid to fly, then these statistical phrases may help ease their fear.

It’s really remarkable how safe flying is, the fact that there are over 80,000 flights flown every single day and so many security measures in place to ensure everything operates as planned.

Tips for a safe flight

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• Travel Tips

If your loved one is new to flying, then here are a few helpful tips to ensure everything goes smoothly

• This is especially true for flying out of a major city hub. If you’re flying out of a major city and flying internationally, then you may want to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before the departure time.
• If possible, consider bringing only a personal and a carryon for your trip and avoid checking a bag. This will save you money since most airlines charge you to check bags (some charge you for carryons as well). It will also save you time since you do not have to worry about dropping your luggage off at the gate.
• Flights tend to dehydrate you, so do your best to hydrate well throughout the flight.
• The mobile app allows an airline to send push notifications directly to your phone indicating you of any gate changes, delays, and more.
• Checking into your flight online often saves you time and money. Then you can pull up your boarding pass directly on your phone without having to worry about losing your paper boarding pass ticket.
• Some flights are hot and some are cold, I always bring an extra layer to keep me warm during a flight. If I get hot I can always take it off!

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On our past vacations.

Check out our e-course to learn how we accumulate over a million points and miles to redeem for free travel anywhere in the world. 

Track your loved one in real-time

It is relatively easy to track your loved ones adventure with today’s technology. I use an app called Flight Radar 24 , which allows you to track the exact flight they’re on and pinpoint exactly where they are in the sky.

This is also great if you want to know if there will be any delays or exactly when they land.

You can use this app for other things as well, like exploring the map view and seeing every plane in the sky! It’s amazing to see how many planes are actually in the sky at once.

In general, it’s always good to stay in close contact with your loved ones, especially when they’re away from you! Letting them know you’re thinking of them with a simple text message goes a long way!

I hope this list of how to say have a safe flight adds some flavor to your conversations and if you want to help continue to grow this list then please leave a suggestion below in a comment!

Also if you know someone who just came back from a trip and want to ask them about it, then check out our 13 clever ways to ask extend the question, how was your trip?

One Comment

It sure was helpful when you said that you must do your best to do well throughout the flight since lights tend to dehydrate you. This is something that I will share with my parents since they mentioned that they are planning to rent a helicopter for a tour next week. They have been wanting to tour different places since last year, and they want to do their adventures before the year ends.

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• COVID-19 travel advice

Considering travel during the pandemic? Take precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.

A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine can prevent you from getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19 . But even if you're vaccinated, it's still a good idea to take precautions to protect yourself and others while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, you're less likely to become seriously ill or spread COVID-19 . You can then travel more safely within the U.S. and internationally. But international travel can still increase your risk of getting new COVID-19 variants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should avoid travel until you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

Before you travel

As you think about making travel plans, consider these questions:

• Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19 ? If you haven't, get vaccinated. If the vaccine requires two doses, wait two weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel. If the vaccine requires one dose, wait two weeks after getting the vaccine to travel. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination.
• Have you had any booster doses? Having all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, increases your protection from serious illness.
• Are you at increased risk for severe illness? Anyone can get COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 .
• Do you live with someone who's at increased risk for severe illness? If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the COVID-19 virus to the people you live with when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.
• Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Even if you've had all recommended vaccine doses, you must follow local, state and federal testing and travel rules.

Check local requirements, restrictions and situations

Some state, local and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks, get tested, be vaccinated or stay isolated for a period of time after arrival. Before you go, check for requirements at your destination and anywhere you might stop along the way.

Keep in mind these can change often and quickly depending on local conditions. It's also important to understand that the COVID-19 situation, such as the level of spread and presence of variants, varies in each country. Check back for updates as your trip gets closer.

Travel and testing

For vaccinated people.

If you have been fully vaccinated, the CDC states that you don't need to get tested before or after your trip within the U.S. or stay home (quarantine) after you return.

If you're planning to travel internationally outside the U.S., the CDC states you don't need to get tested before your trip unless it's required at your destination. Before arriving to the U.S., you need a negative test within the last day before your arrival or a record of recovery from COVID-19 in the last three months.

After you arrive in the U.S., the CDC recommends getting tested with a viral test 3 to 5 days after your trip. If you're traveling to the U.S. and you aren't a citizen, you need to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.

You don't need to quarantine when you arrive in the U.S. But check for any symptoms. Stay at home if you develop symptoms.

For unvaccinated people

Testing before and after travel can lower the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 . If you haven't been vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a viral test within three days before your trip. Delay travel if you're waiting for test results. Keep a copy of your results with you when you travel.

Repeat the test 3 to 5 days after your trip. Stay home for five days after travel.

If at any point you test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 , stay home. Stay at home and away from others if you develop symptoms. Follow public health recommendations.

Stay safe when you travel

In the U.S., you must wear a face mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. The mask must fit snugly and cover both your mouth and nose.

Follow these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

• Get vaccinated.
• Keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) when you're in indoor public spaces if you're not fully vaccinated. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).
• Don't touch frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
• Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces. The CDC recommends wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly and that fits. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask in indoor public places and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with people who aren't vaccinated.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
• Don't eat or drink on public transportation. That way you can keep your mask on the whole time.

Because of the high air flow and air filter efficiency on airplanes, most viruses such as the COVID-19 virus don't spread easily on flights. Wearing masks on planes has likely helped lower the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus on flights too.

However, air travel involves spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when traveling can help protect you from COVID-19 while traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment, including bins, at screening checkpoints. TSA has also made changes to the screening process:

• Travelers must wear masks during screening. However, TSA employees may ask travelers to adjust masks for identification purposes.
• Travelers should keep a distance of 6 feet apart from other travelers when possible.
• Instead of handing boarding passes to TSA officers, travelers should place passes (paper or electronic) directly on the scanner and then hold them up for inspection.
• Each traveler may have one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces (about 350 milliliters) in a carry-on bag. These containers will need to be taken out for screening.
• Personal items such as keys, wallets and phones should be placed in carry-on bags instead of bins. This reduces the handling of these items during screening.
• Food items should be carried in a plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. Separating food from carry-on bags lessens the likelihood that screeners will need to open bags for inspection.

Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds directly before and after going through screening.

Public transportation

If you travel by bus or train and you aren't vaccinated, be aware that sitting or standing within 6 feet (2 meters) of others for a long period can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 . Follow the precautions described above for protecting yourself during travel.

Even if you fly, you may need transportation once you arrive at your destination. You can search car rental options and their cleaning policies on the internet. If you plan to stay at a hotel, check into shuttle service availability.

If you'll be using public transportation and you aren't vaccinated, continue physical distancing and wearing a mask after reaching your destination.

Hotels and other lodging

The hotel industry knows that travelers are concerned about COVID-19 and safety. Check any major hotel's website for information about how it's protecting guests and staff. Some best practices include:

• Enhanced cleaning procedures
• Physical distancing recommendations indoors for people who aren't vaccinated
• Mask-wearing and regular hand-washing by staff
• Mask-wearing indoors for guests in public places in areas that have high cases of COVID-19
• Vaccine recommendations for staff
• Isolation and testing guidelines for staff who've been exposed to COVID-19
• Contactless payment
• Set of rules in case a guest becomes ill, such as closing the room for cleaning and disinfecting
• Indoor air quality measures, such as regular system and air filter maintenance, and suggestions to add air cleaners that can filter viruses and bacteria from the air

Vacation rentals, too, are enhancing their cleaning procedures. They're committed to following public health guidelines, such as using masks and gloves when cleaning, and building in a waiting period between guests.

Make a packing list

When it's time to pack for your trip, grab any medications you may need on your trip and these essential safe-travel supplies:

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
• Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol)
• Thermometer

Considerations for people at increased risk

Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness. This may include people with cancer, serious heart problems and a weakened immune system. Getting the recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses can help lower your risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 .

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 . If you're unvaccinated, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 . If you must travel and aren't vaccinated, talk with your health care provider and ask about any additional precautions you may need to take.

Remember safety first

Even the most detailed and organized plans may need to be set aside when someone gets ill. Stay home if you or any of your travel companions:

• Have signs or symptoms, are sick or think you have COVID-19
• Are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test
• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past five days and you're not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines

If you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 , get tested after at least five days. Wait to travel until you have a negative test. Wear a mask if you travel up to 10 days after you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 .

• How to protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Domestic travel during COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• International travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• U.S citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants: Travel to and from the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Non-US. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: Air travel to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• People with certain medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Pack smart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Travel: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/who-advice-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-the-sars-cov-2-omicron-variant. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• VRHP/VRMA Cleaning guidelines for COVID-19. Vacation Rental Management Association. https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp/vrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Safe stay. American Hotel & Lodging Association. https://www.ahla.com/safestay. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Khatib AN, et al. COVID-19 transmission and the safety of air travel during the pandemic: A scoping review. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2021; doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000771.

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U.S. travel resources

• Check CDC recommendations for travel within the U.S.
• Review testing requirements for travel to the U.S.
• Look up restrictions at your destination .
• Review airport security measures .

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Watch CBS News

Experts give tips on traveling safely this summer

By David Morgan

May 17, 2021 / 11:41 AM EDT / CBS News

In our week-long series, "Spring Into Summer," we are looking at what to expect when you make your summer travel plans.

The CDC has lifted mask mandates just in time for the summer vacation season. " CBS This Morning " asked experts about what we should expect to find as we venture out, and how to do so safely.

Air travel is heating up; the TSA screened 1.8 million passengers yesterday, the most since the pandemic began. But Americans don't want to trek too far, with top destinations including Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico. 

Masks are still required for fully-vaccinated passengers on planes. Why is that? 

"It's basically to protect people who are either unvaccinated or vaccinated but for some reason they didn't get an adequate immune response to the vaccine — for example, somebody who's immunocompromised," said CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook. "In that scenario, if you're inside of a plane and people aren't wearing masks, if somebody doesn't wear a mask and they're infected, they pose a danger to other people." 

"CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King asked about the safety of ventilation on an airplane. "I think many people — by people, I mean me! — many people need reassurance about the ventilation on planes. It's still very scary to me." 

"You should be reassured," LaPook said. "I did a deep dive on this, and ventilation on planes is excellent. About half of the air comes from the outside; it's combined with recirculated air. It all goes through HEPA filters that get rid of viruses, other organisms. It comes from the ceiling down and near the floor, it comes out of vents. If you want a little bit of a trick, you open up the air vent above you; have it flow right on you to help disperse air. 

"The air is completely exchanged about every three minutes, which is better than in some medical settings," he noted.

"First thing I do is turn off  the vent because the sound bothers me, this air blowing down on me is annoying," said King.

"Turn on the vents!" LaPook replied.

With airlines ending their policies of blocking middle seats on wide body jets, CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg said, "right now they're filling every seat on every available plane." 

"CBS This Morning" co-host Anthony Mason asked, "How crowded are the airlines expecting it's going to be this summer? Are we close to getting back to pre-pandemic levels?"

"Every airplane is now unparked, they're in the skies," Greenberg said. "The airlines have added 170 new routes in the United States alone. In many cases, they're all outdoor destinations, close to state and national parks. The one example I'll give you is Bozeman, Montana. They just added 200,000 seats to that airport. It's the fastest-growing airport in the United States. Now, do they have 200,000 rooms in Bozeman? They don't! So, it may be inexpensive to get there, [but] watch your wallet as to how expensive it's going to be to be there." 

When asked about trends in rental cars, Greenberg said, "It's bad. I just got an estimate for a rental car today in Florida, it's $441 a day. And that doesn't include the drop-off charges, the mileage caps, and God forbid, you have them refuel the car, could be as much as $11 a gallon.

"What you need do is rent a car midweek. Do not rent it at the airport. You'll be able to return it there with no drop-off charge. But for trips of under 500 miles, do yourself a favor, it's BYOC: Bring Your Own Car."

Travel restriction updates

Mason asked Greenberg, "Every state has different restrictions at this point on COVID. So, what should you keep in mind as you're traveling?" 

"First, you can always go to the CDC's own website to see what each state is doing," he replied. "But the reality, Anthony, is that very few states have the resources or the staff to enforce those guidelines, let alone monitor them. We're morphing into an honor system where individual personal responsibility and situational awareness is key. 

"So, I'm less concerned about flying to a destination right now than I am about the behavior of the people in that destination."

Guest co-host Drew Barrymore asked, "Where would you suggest that people go to look for global travel [guidelines], as far as what each country, continent, state, is really requiring, or doesn't have open yet — where do you go to know?" 

"What you look for, of course, is their own websites from their own consulates," Greenberg replied. "They'll give you state-of-the-art, cutting-edge information. But keep in mind it changes almost hourly. Greece opened yesterday; Italy's opening today; France may be opening later this week. And the same thing applies in the rest of the 48 continental United States."

What to pack

King asked LaPook, "What's the one thing, the most important thing people should bring when they travel?" 

"Best thing to bring is the knowledge that you've been vaccinated," he replied. "And on top of that, your common sense, okay? Figure out what the risk is in certain areas. 

"The potential Achilles heel of the CDC guidelines is, you're in an indoor setting, the ventilation's not great, it's crowded, and there are some people there who are not wearing masks. Now, if that person is not wearing a mask, potentially they could be infected, not vaccinated, and a potential danger to infect other people. So, in that setting – I think especially if you're immunocompromised, if you're at increased risk – you should either try to stay away from those settings, or get the best possible masks you can. And I think it's not unreasonable in that setting if you have to be indoors to wear an N95 or something equivalent to that." 

See also: 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

David Morgan is a senior editor at CBSNews.com and cbssundaymorning.com.

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Omicron and Holiday Travel: How to Strategize

Even as the variant surges, the seasonal travel rush seems unstoppable, but there are steps you can take to travel more responsibly and mitigate the health risks for yourself — and others.

• Share full article

By Heather Murphy

Taylor Allen wanted to be a responsible traveler, but she was finding it difficult.

Late last week at least seven people Ms. Allen knew in Brooklyn posted on Instagram that they’d tested positive for the coronavirus. She had not seen any of them in person. But after developing an intense headache and runny nose on Friday, she canceled her Saturday morning flight to Jacksonville, Fla., where she was planning to see her parents and grandparents.

Two at-home tests — one Friday and one Saturday — came back negative. But Ms. Allen, 22, who is fully vaccinated but not yet boosted, wanted more official assurance before she rebooked her trip. On Sunday evening, long after her scheduled appointment at an urgent care clinic in Crown Heights, an employee told her and the 30 or so other people waiting for tests in the bitter cold that they’d have to come back at 8 a.m.

“I really don’t want to put anyone in danger,” said Ms. Allen, who left the clinic with plans to return again the next day.

Even as the number of coronavirus cases is skyrocketing in some parts of the country , largely driven by the Omicron variant, the holiday travel rush appears unstoppable. On Friday, Los Angeles International Airport reported its busiest day since early 2020, and on Sunday, 2.1 million people passed through airports in the United States, nearly twice as many as at this time last year.

For those who are determined to keep their travel plans, figuring out how to do so responsibly has never been more confusing. Part of the problem is that testing has been hard to obtain in a timely way, particularly in hard-hit cities like New York. Another key challenge is that many people plan to stay in a house with fully vaccinated friends and family. Now, they are learning that vaccination is far from a guarantee that they won’t infect one another. So what can travelers do?

1. Get a booster

Only one in six Americans have received a booster, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fully vaccinated individuals without a booster are at least twice as likely to test positive as those who received a booster.

If you plan to travel over the coming weeks and months, and you’re already fully vaccinated, one of the best ways to be a responsible traveler is to get a booster, said Jeffrey Kahn, the director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics.

In terms of timing, the data show that the optimal immune response comes about two weeks after the booster, according to Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York. But many will see some protection within a few days, other experts noted, so getting a third shot today could still benefit those traveling over the holidays.

2. Consider the worst-case scenario

When deciding what’s responsible in terms of holiday travel, Kelly Hills, a co-founder of Rogue Bioethics, a consulting firm in Boston, advises thinking about “moral injury” and asking whether you are mentally prepared for the consequences if you infect a vulnerable person.

That doesn’t have to translate into canceling plans, but it may encourage you to wear an N95 instead of a homemade mask on a plane or to take a test even though it’s a hassle. If you are indoors, unmasked around many people in the days leading up to the trip, you may also want to pay extra to book a separate house or motel room, rather than staying with family or friends.

“‘I don’t want to be a spreader’— that should be the motto today,” said Leonard J. Marcus, the co-director of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and the director of an initiative focused on public health on flights.

Dr. Marcus said that though he’s not aware of any data suggesting children are likely to become infected on planes, he advises parents not to fly with unvaccinated children — if possible — until more is known about Omicron.

“If it were my grandchildren, I would postpone,” he said. In general, if someone is wearing a proper mask on a plane, the risk of being infected should be low because the ventilation system is so good, he said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease official, told CNBC that he feels safe having his adult children fly to see him over the holidays. He also noted that they are vaccinated.

3. Test as close to the gathering as possible

Testing in many parts of the country is challenging right now.

“On a one to 10 scale of hard, it’s a 10,” said Mary Mathurin, 51, outside a testing site in Brooklyn on Sunday evening. As she waited for her name to be called, her cellphone emitted hold music from a call with another facility that had yet to send her P.C.R. results from several days earlier. After around 70 minutes, the call dropped. A few minutes later, a patient care assistant at the Brooklyn site told her the site could not accommodate her. She was supposed to fly to St. Lucia the next morning and was unsure what she was going to do.

Many pharmacies and online retailers have sold out of at-home tests. The White House is planning to make 500 million free at-home tests available, but that won’t happen until January. For those who do manage to get a kit, use it as close to your departure date as possible, several experts said.

“The closer you are to the event, the better and more accurate it will be,” said Dr. Lin H. Chen, a professor at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Mount Auburn Hospital Travel Medicine Center in Cambridge, Mass.

Dr. Chen suggested taking an at-home antigen test the day of the gathering. (If a person tests positive at any point, she advised not going to the event and getting a P.C.R. test for confirmation.) If people are staying in a house together for an extended period, testing periodically throughout their stay is advisable, Dr. Chen said. This is particularly important if someone is not vaccinated or boosted, or has been exposed to someone who has tested positive, other experts noted.

Yes, everyone is confused

Ms. Hills, the bioethicist , said that it’s understandable that many people are confused by having to make what should be public health decisions.

“We should be getting more guidance,” she said, noting that many state and federal agencies offer different advice.

At the testing site in Brooklyn, several travelers echoed this point and lamented that public health authorities were not making what they considered responsible travel — getting tested before visiting family — easier.

Compounding these frustrations, some travelers said, is the sense that the burden is on them to figure out what is socially responsible and epidemiologically safe and then to convince their family and friends of the policies they have come up with. One woman, who declined to use her name because she didn’t want her family to identify her, said she no longer feels comfortable flying with her 2- and 3-year-old children after learning over Thanksgiving that her own family members would fly even if they tested positive.

Rather than fight with them about what’s appropriate or worry that the people sitting next to her share her family’s approach — and could infect her or her children, leading them to infect her father — she is going to stay home this Christmas.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

Heather Murphy is a reporter on the Travel desk. She welcomes tips, questions and complaints about traveling during the pandemic. More about Heather Murphy

11 Better Ways To Say “Safe Travels”

“Safe travels” is a polite way to wish somebody well on their upcoming journey. However, there are better ways to be polite and reassuring to your friends when they’re ready to go somewhere (often by plane). This article will share the best alternatives for such a case with you.

What Can I Say Instead Of “Safe Travels”?

There are plenty of ways to use “safe travels” in more exciting manners. You should check out one of the following:

• Have a good flight
• Happy landings
• See you on the other side
• Let me know when you arrive safely
• Stay safe out there
• Enjoy your trip
• Have a relaxing time away
• Happy travels

The preferred version is “be safe” because it keeps it simple. It’s a common phrase we use when we want to wish someone well, and we don’t want them to come across any complications or dangers that might occur if they’re not “careful” enough.

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“Be safe” is great to show we care about someone. It lets them know that we worry about them, and we want them to stay “safe” no matter what happens. It works regardless of the method of transport for the journey as well, which makes it a good general phrase.

It’s common for family members to use the phrase “ be safe ” when seeing each other off. This shows that there is a lot of love behind the phrase and that it works well to show how much you care about someone’s wellbeing.

Here are a few ways we might be able to use this phrase:

• Be safe out there. I know you like to find trouble, but for once, I’d love it if you looked after yourself!
• Be safe on your way out! I would love to hear from you and see the pictures of all the things you get up to.
• Don’t forget to message me when you get there! Be safe, and I love you!

“Safe trip” is a simple phrase we can use to make sure someone knows we care. Using words like “safe” reminds people that we worry about them. Even if we are not physically there with them, we hope they are “safe” and do not get into trouble.

This phrase works well regardless of the trip that someone is taking. It could be a long-distance or a short-distance trip. Likewise, it could be by car, plane, boat, or something else entirely!

This phrase works in the following situations:

• Safe trip, Yuri! I’ll miss you, but I know you’ll be thinking about me while you’re away.
• Safe trip back to your hometown, then. Let me know when you get there safely.
• Safe trip, old friend. I’ll see you again whenever you’re next in town!

Have A Good Flight

“Have a good flight” is appropriate to use when someone is going to get on a plane . We use “flight” here to be specific, which helps us to show that we know what someone is getting up to and what they’re likely going to expect from their journey.

We can use this phrase in the following ways:

• Have a good flight! I’m sure you can get all the food and drink you want on there!
• Have a good flight, and don’t forget to let me know when you land safely!
• Have a good flight! There’s nothing to worry about, and you know it’ll all be okay!

Happy Landings

“Happy landings” specifically highlights the “landing” portion of a journey. It works well when someone is going on a plane, and we want them to be “happy” throughout the course of their journey.

Here are a few useful examples of how this one works:

• Happy landings, fella! Don’t forget that they really like their tips out there when you’re dining out!
• Happy landings, then! I’ll miss you every second, so I want you to send me all the photos you can!
• Happy landings! Don’t forget to explore some of the local scenery!

See You On The Other Side

“See you on the other side” is an informal idiom that works well in many cases. We can do it when we know that someone will be returning to see us again soon. “The other side” indicates the place where we will be staying while they go on a journey.

Check out some of these examples to see how it looks:

• See you on the other side, then! Have a great holiday!
• Have a great time away, Fred! See you on the other side!
• I’ll be here waiting for you as always! See you on the other side!

Let Me Know When You Arrive Safely

“Let me know when you arrive safely” is a calm way to let someone know that you are worried. When they arrive at their destination, we can ask them to “message” us to ease our minds and show us that they are thinking about us even after their journey.

We could also use a phrase like “text me when” instead of “let me know when.” If we want to be more specific about the manner of messaging, this phrase works just as well.

This phrase works well in the following ways:

• Let me know when you arrive safely, please! You know how much I worry about you while I’m not around!
• Text me when you arrive safely, please! I want to know just how much fun you’re getting up to.
• Let me know when you arrive safely! I’ll miss you every second that you’re away.

Stay Safe Out There

“Stay safe out there” is a good way to show that you care about someone. “Stay safe” helps to let them know that you’ll be looking out for them and that you want them to explore, but in a reasonable way that won’t cause them harm.

We typically use this phrase when someone is going on a long-distance journey. “Out there” is a good indicator of that.

Check out some of these examples to see how it works:

• Stay safe out there, then! I know you’ll make all the best choices while you’re away.
• Stay safe out there! I’ll miss you, but I know you’ll be having an absolutely adoring time!
• Stay safe out there. You never know what hijinx you might get into, so make sure you text me!

Enjoy Your Trip

“Enjoy your trip” is a simple way to show someone that you care. It helps to let them know that we want them to “enjoy” themselves. While trips can sometimes be boring (especially long-distance ones), we want people to feel like they can still have fun.

This simple phrase works as follows :

• Enjoy your trip, Michael! Let me know when you arrive so we can discuss the adventure more!
• Enjoy your trip! Don’t forget to immerse yourself in the local culture when you get there!
• Enjoy your trip! I expect you to be fluent in German by the time you get back, okay?

Have A Relaxing Time Away

“Have a relaxing time away” works well in many cases. It’s most effective when we know that someone is inclined to worry (whether about the journey or the place they’re going). If we want to calm them down, this phrase works well.

These examples will help you make more sense of it:

• Have a relaxing time away! Remember, you don’t need to worry about a thing when you get on that plane!
• Have a relaxing time away! If anyone deserves it, it is most certainly you!
• Have a relaxing time away! I’m going to miss you, but I know you’ll be back in no time!

Happy Travels

“Happy travels” works really well when we want people to feel “happy” on their journey. “Travels” can refer to any method of transport, but the idea is that they’ll be spending a long time getting from point A to point B, and we want them to feel “happy.”

Perhaps one of these examples will help you make more sense of it:

• Happy travels, mate! I know you’ll love it over there in Australia, but you must tell me all about it.
• Happy travels, Sue! I’ll miss you, so don’t forget to write to me every day about what you do.
• Happy travels, Dan! Thank you for coming to see me again, and I’ll see you again soon, yeah?

“Bon voyage” is a great way to wish someone well before they go on an adventure. It’s French (and Italian), and it means “good journey.” It’s a commonly-used exclamation in English when we want to wish somebody well for something they’re going to do.

It’s also comforting because it shows that we do not wish any problems to come their way when they’re on their journey.

• Bon voyage, my little friend! I’ll see you again when you return!
• Bon voyage, then! I will miss you, but I hope you get a chance to text me a bunch when you get there!
• Bon voyage! I love you so much, and I’ll definitely miss you while you’re away.

You may also like: Safe Travels – Meaning & Usage (Helpful Examples)

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

• “Arrive To”, “Arrive At”, or “Arrive In”? Correct Preposition
• “Made It Home Safe” vs. “Made It Home Safely” – Correct Version
• Be Safe, Stay Safe, or Keep Safe? [Helpful Examples]
• Will Arrive or Will Be Arriving – What’s the Difference?

Is it “Safe Travel” or “Safe Travels?” (Correct Grammar + Examples)

Is the correct phrase “safe travels” or “safe travel?” When telling someone that they should have a safe trip or a safe upcoming travel, does the word “travel” have an “s” letter or does it not have an “s” letter?

Learn the correct spelling of the phrase in this short American English guide.

Is it “safe travel” or “safe travels?”

The correct phrase is “safe travels,” with an “s” letter. The reason why this form is correct is that someone who is traveling would be doing so in the plural form. We would say have “safe travels” rather than a safe “travel.”

What to say instead of “safe travels”

Here are alternatives someone could say rather than saying “safe travels”:

• Have a good trip.
• See you soon.
• Have a safe trip.
• Have a wonderful journey.
• Have a good time.
• Bon voyage.

Can you say have a “safe journey?”

Yes. Having a “safe journey” is another way of telling someone that you wish their upcoming trip or travel be a safe one. A journey is sometimes referred to as travel, considering it is both an adventure and the act of arriving at a predetermined destination.

What does “bon voyage” mean?

Bon Voyage is a French term that means, “have a good trip.” It is common for “bon voyage” to get used in American English as a common phrase.

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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How to Find Out if a Destination Is Safe for Travel

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If you’re planning a trip and want to know if the destination is safe to visit, there are so many resources at your disposal to help you decide. As someone who has traveled full time as a digital nomad for three years, I’ve come to rely on a few useful sources for gathering destination safety and trip advice. Here are some simple steps you can take to check safety information for your upcoming trip.

1. Check U.S. government websites for COVID guidelines and other info

Familiarizing yourself with the latest COVID-19 guidelines posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a good first move. Also check the COVID-19 FAQ page on the U.S. Embassy websites for the country you’re traveling to so that you’re up to date with the country’s entry requirements. Unfortunately, entry requirements can change , so don’t get caught off guard if a new quarantine or test rule pops up .

In addition, the U.S. Department of State travel advisories page lets you search the country you’re traveling to so that you can see the latest travel alerts. The advisories can be particularly useful if you’re going to a destination that is known to be risky, as it can tell you which regions should be avoided and why.

2. Join Facebook groups for travelers and digital nomads

Facebook groups are another great resource for finding information on the destination you plan on visiting. Region-specific information, including safety, can be found in expat or digital nomad groups related to the city or country you’re headed to. If your destination is obscure, look for general digital nomad groups or groups specifically dedicated to solo travel.

These groups often have thousands of members, and you can use the search feature in the group by typing in your destination to see if anyone has asked for the same information. Some of the groups are private and some are public, so you may need to join before you can search or make your own post. In addition, if you’re traveling solo and want to meet others who are living in or traveling to your intended destination, posting in these groups is a great way to connect with other travelers, especially if you’re nervous about traveling.

For example, if you’re thinking about going to Medellin, Colombia, and want to know safety information and travel tips, join the Digital Nomads Medellin Facebook group to ask your questions.

» Learn more: 8 safety tips for solo female travel

3. Leverage your existing online and offline communities

Taking stock of your existing community is another great way to find information about your destination. You can make a post on Facebook or Twitter and ask for advice. Maybe one of your followers has recently returned from a vacation in that country or maybe another friend did study abroad or moved there temporarily for work. If Instagram is more of your thing, post an Instagram story that you’re planning a trip to a specific area and are looking for safety and general advice.

Another great way to leverage your community is to use the search feature on Facebook. Using the above example of a trip to Medellin, in the Facebook search field, type “my friends who live in Medellin” and you will see a list of Facebook friends who live there. You may end up reconnecting with old friends or getting lots of helpful advice from a community you didn’t even know you had. Even if you think you may not know anyone who has traveled to wherever you’re headed, it is worth the small effort to check because that connection could be a wealth of knowledge.

Of course, there is also the old-fashioned way of asking your friends, family, classmates or coworkers if they’ve ever traveled to where you’re heading. It is easy to forget how many people we actually know and could ask for travel advice.

4. Read relevant blog articles

Reading blog articles for your intended destination could also provide a lot of useful travel advice and safety information. Again, using the Medellin trip as an example, head over to your favorite search engine and type, “Is Medellin safe?” and you will see pages of results discussing the safety information. In addition, you’ll find helpful tips (e.g., which areas are safe, how to get around, the best things to do, areas to stay in).

Not every article is going to give you the information you need, so take time to read through a few of them so you get an overall picture of the safety situation of where you’re headed. The more quality sources you have, the more accurate picture you’ll be able to get of the situation.

Bonus tip: Consider travel insurance

Once you decide to book your trip, consider whether you need travel insurance. Some benefits, like Cancel For Any Reason, or CFAR , need to be purchased on or near the date when you make your trip payment, so you want to start thinking about travel insurance sooner than later. Whether you’re going to use the travel insurance provided by your credit card or will purchase a standalone policy, you have many options to choose from. Traveling carries a certain element of uncertainty, and protecting yourself with trip insurance is a great safety net to protect against a wide range of issues, including lost or stolen luggage, rental car problems and medical emergencies.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Best ways to find safety information for your destination

From leveraging your existing Instagram or Twitter community to joining Facebook groups and reading articles specifically related to trip advice, you can find so much information on travel safety.

When you’re in trip-planning mode, consider your travel insurance options, check the CDC guidelines, U.S. Department of State travel advisories and read the latest COVID notices posted on the website of the country you’re going to (or its U.S. Embassy site) so that you’re up to date on the latest information. And be sure to tap into the power of social media and your own circle of friends to get even more information.

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Is It Correct to Say “Safe Travels”?

By: Author Dr. Patrick Capriola

Posted on Published: September 9, 2021

It’s early in the morning, and you have your suitcase by your side. You’re holding your tickets, climbing in the car that will take you to the airport when, behind you, your friend waves and shouts, “Safe travels!” You stop for a second because the phrase sounds a bit weird — is it correct to say “Safe travels”?

It is correct to say “safe travels” as a way to express your wishes for someone’s safe and healthy trip. This phrase is typically used during a goodbye and is one of the last things you would say to someone you wish to have a safe journey. You usually only hear it in the phrase “safe travels” or when it comes with a possessive adjective.

Here, we’ll take a look at the usage and grammar of the phrase “Safe travels” and then look at some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding the expression. 

Is It Grammatically Correct to Say “Safe Travels”?

If you’ve ever wondered if “Safe travels” is grammatically correct, in short, yes: it is grammatically correct. Although the phrase may sound a bit strange at first, it is actually right. So let’s discuss why it is technically correct.

The plural noun “travels” might seem a little weird to you because it is an old word; people don’t really use the word “travel” as a countable noun very much these days. Instead, “travel” is usually a verb. 

However, the phrase “Safe travels” — along with other specific phrases and usages that include the plural countable noun “travels” — has kept the word alive in very specific situations. 

This means that, even though we don’t say the word “travels” very often, it is grammatically correct, especially when you use it in the phrase “Safe travels.” 

So, the main reason why it is correct to say “Safe travels” is because it is a widely accepted and clearly understood English pleasantry that has stood the test of time. Since the expression “Safe travels” has such wide and clear usage by English speakers, we consider it correct. 

The Many Forms of “Travel”

If you’re wondering if the phrase “Safe travels” is correct, then it probably has a strange ring to your ears. This perception is most likely thanks to the plural form of the noun “travel” that appears in the expression. So why does it sound weird? It has to do with the form of the word “travel.”

Travel as a Noun or Verb

The word “travel” has a few different forms in English ( source ). For example, you probably think of a verb when you hear the word “travel.” You might picture taking a trip or going on a vacation. The verb “to travel” is the most popular form of this word.

However, “travel” is also a noun; in fact, it is a countable noun ( source ). So, you can use the word “travel” as the subject or object of a sentence. This also means that the noun “travel” can have both a singular and a plural form ( source ). So why does “travels” still sound a bit strange?

Contemporary Expressions

The noun form of “travel” isn’t prevalent anymore. In the past, people used “travel” as a countable noun much more frequently, but nowadays, we usually opt for other ways to express the noun form of “travel.”

For instance, a more popular way to use the verb “to travel” in noun form is to use the gerund, “traveling.” Both “travel” and “traveling” are nouns; however, “traveling” is the more popular and contemporary way to talk about the action of moving from one place to another. 

Another countable noun that has replaced “travel,” especially when you’re using the plural form of the noun, is the synonym “trip.” Consider these two examples:

• I keep a journal when I travel; I make notes about all of my travels.
• I keep a journal when I travel; I make notes about all of my trips.

The second sentence sounds much more modern, and only one word is different. You can see how the plural noun “trips” sounds much more typical in today’s English.

Here’s another thing you should know about this tricky noun: if you’re going to use the plural noun “travels” outside of the phrase “Safe travels,” it will usually take the possessive ( source ). So, instead of asking a friend, “How was your trip?” you can ask, “How were your travels?” 

Of course, this sounds a bit archaic, but it is technically grammatically correct. 

The Adjective “Safe”

So, since the word “travels” is an acceptable plural countable noun, it makes sense that it should come with an adjective. Thus, the adjective “safe” in the phrase “Safe travels” modifies the word “travels.”

We have to use the adjective form of “safe” rather than the adverb form since the word “travels” here is a noun and not a verb. However, don’t get confused: when you use the verb form of the word “travel,” you should use the adverb “safely.”

Review the following example sentences to see the differences between “Safe travels” and “travel safely.”

Whenever Jane drives, she travels safely : she wears her seatbelt and follows all traffic rules.

As Jane was leaving for her long road trip, I stood in the driveway and called out, “ Safe travels !”

The pilot said, “We want everyone to travel safely , so we’ve upgraded all of our safety and emergency equipment.”

The pilot said, “We hope you enjoy the flight, and we wish you all safe travels !”

From these examples, you can see the difference between the adjective “safe” and the adverb “safely.” 

We use the adjective form of “safe” with the plural countable noun “travels,” while we use the adverb form “safely” with the verb form of the word “travel.” The adjective comes before the noun, while the adverb comes directly after the verb. 

For more information about using adjectives and adverbs correctly, you can check out the article “ Doing Well or Doing Good: Can Both Be Correct? ”

How Do You Say, “Safe Travels”?

So, now that we’ve broken down the expression, how can you use it in action? You usually say (or write) the phrase “Safe travels” right before your friend goes on a trip. It’s a quick and easy way to show them that you hope their trip — whether it’s a long vacation or just the drive home — goes smoothly.

“Safe travels” is an expression that you’re more likely to hear when you’re speaking or texting with a friend. It’s not a very formal phrase, so you will probably see or hear it in a conversation rather than an essay or formal document.

It’s also very likely that you will see the phrase “Safe travels” written in places like an airport, a train station, or a bus stop. You can find this quick and easy phrase mostly in informal situations, although it’s not inappropriate in a formal situation, either. 

“Safe Travels” FAQs

If you still have a few questions about the phrase “Safe travels,” you’re not alone! Here are some of the most popular questions about the expression “Safe travels” and some helpful explanations to help you use it correctly every time. 

Is “Safe Travels” a Complete Sentence?

To put it simply, “Safe travels” is not a complete sentence on its own. To create a complete sentence, you need a subject and a verb. This requirement means that you need to define who or what is doing or being something and then define what they are doing or being.

So technically, the phrase “Safe travels” is just a noun with an adjective to modify it. However, when we use the expression “Safe travels” in English, it can stand alone without a verb because it is a pleasantry. 

You might not be familiar with the word “pleasantry,” but you’ve certainly seen and heard many examples of them. A pleasantry is an expression or phrase that people use to show positive wishes, and you usually use it for a specific context or occasion. 

An example of a popular pleasantry is “Happy birthday.” You say “happy birthday” to a specific person on a particular day of the year. And even though it technically isn’t a complete sentence, it expresses a complete thought and stands alone.

Just like “Happy birthday,” “Merry Christmas,” or “Good morning,” the phrase “Safe travels” can stand by itself, even though it technically isn’t a complete sentence. 

Most people accept this because they understand that you are wishing them well when you use these pleasantries, even when it’s not a complete sentence with a noun and a verb.

For more examples and information about using English pleasantries in conversation and writing, you can check out the articles “ Greatly Appreciated: Meaning and Proper Usage ” and “ Is It Proper Grammar to Say, ‘Looking Forward to Talking to You’? ”

What Can I Say Instead of “Safe Travels”?

It’s always a great idea to express positive wishes to your friends, coworkers, or even your boss before they travel. But perhaps you’ve used the phrase “Safe travels” several times in your past emails or correspondences, so you might be looking for new ways to express the same sentiment.

There are lots of pleasantries that English speakers use when a friend, family member, or colleague is leaving for a trip. If you’re looking for other ways to say, “Safe travels,” then check out this list of examples:

• Have a safe trip!
• Wishing you an excellent vacation!
• Hope the trip goes smoothly!
• Have a nice flight/drive/ride!
• Bon voyage!

These phrases all have a very similar meaning to “Safe travels,” and you can use them to send well wishes and good intentions to your friends or colleagues before they set out on a trip. That way, you can send them off with a smile!

How Do You Say “Safe Travels” in an Email?

Generally, you’ll find the phrase “Safe travels” at the end of an email. It’s usually the sign-off after the main part of the message, right before you sign your name at the end of the email.

You might be wondering if it’s professional or acceptable to add “Safe travels” to an email. In most settings, it’s perfectly fine to add this expression to the end of an email, whether you’re writing to a friend, family member, coworker, or boss. 

It’s professional enough to send to everyone without adding too formal or heavy a tone to your message. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com. 

Although “Safe travels” isn’t a complete sentence, you can still use it as a pleasantry in conversation or as a sign-off for an email or a message. Like many phrases and expressions in English, the wide usage and easy understandability of “Safe travels” makes it correct. 

Final Thoughts

Even though the phrase “Safe travels” may sound a bit strange at first, it is a correct and grammatically accurate way to wish a friend, family member, or colleague a nice trip. The expression “Safe travels” is a light and positive way to send your friend off on their vacation or to wish them well before their journey.

You can use the word “travels” as a countable noun in this phrase, although it’s not a very popular plural noun in contemporary English. It was a widely-used word in the past, but nowadays, people prefer to use the synonym “trips.”

Of course, the word “travels” has remained part of the modern English language thanks to the phrase “Safe travels” and other specific usages of the word. 

You can use the phrase “Safe travels” in an informal or professional setting: it is versatile and appropriate for all occasions, from casual conversations to formal work emails. 

While “Safe travels” is not technically a complete sentence all by itself, it is a common phrase that can stand alone. This type of expression is called a pleasantry, and there are many widely-used pleasantries in the English language; “Safe travels” is just one example.

dictionarykiwi, created by the community

How to correctly use the expression “safe travel(s)”?

The expression, “safe travels” is used when someone you know, such as a friend or relative is going on a trip. It might be used when they are going on vacation or traveling for work. But it can also be used when someone is traveling for a shorter distance, such as driving home from a party. In short, it can be correctly used at any time that someone will be traveling, by whatever means.

“Safe travels” is used as a way to express your wish for someone to have good fortune during a trip. When you say, “safe travels,” you are expressing that you hope someone’s journey goes well. It is used in a similar fashion to another commonly used expression, “good luck.” It can serve as a reminder to drive carefully as much as anything else. But it is also used to express your hope that nothing goes wrong while they are on the road or in the air.

As an example, imagine that your sister is flying to California to visit her boyfriend. She says goodbye to you, and as you help her load her suitcases into the taxi she will take to the airport, you might then say, “Safe travels.”

Imagine another scenario in which the phrase may be used. You are driving from Nashville to Chicago for a work conference. Your spouse kisses you goodbye, and then says, “Safe travels.”

Some other ways of expressing the same sentiment include: “be safe,” “stay safe,” and “drive carefully.”

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20+ Creative Ways to Say “Safe Travels” to Someone

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Wishes & Celebrations

“Safe travels” is a term that has a literal meaning. One way of wishing someone “safe travels” is to say “have a safe trip” or “travel safely.”

Other ways to say “safe travels” include “have a safe journey” or “travel well.” Here are 25 other ways to say that you hope travelers are safe and enjoy the journey.

Wishing family members “safe travels”

  Saying goodbye to the family can evoke plenty of emotion.   You will miss the family member who is traveling but you also want to wish them well, express your love, and express your desire for them to return safely.   The following phrases are less common than “safe travels” as they express more emotion and show the closeness of the family bond.  

  All of the above phrases talk about making memories and enjoying the adventure.   They encourage family members to make the most of the opportunity but they also express love, appreciation and a sense of anticipating their return.  

Other ways to say “safe travels” to a close friend

  When close friends go traveling, you often wish that you could go with them.   At the same time, you want them to have the very best travel experience and come home safely so you can find out all about their adventures.   Close friends often travel together and if you’re the one that’s left behind for some reason, here are some other ways to say “safe travels” to your close friend.  

You May Also Like:

25 Creative Ways to Say “Take Care”

Wishing a work colleague “safe travels”

  When a work colleague goes traveling, what you say will depend on how well you know the person. When you know the person well, you can be more lighthearted, whereas if it’s someone you don’t know as well, your tone will be more formal.   Whether you want to wish a colleague a safe journey in person or you prefer to write a card or send an email, here are some other ways to say “safe travels” to a work colleague.  

  As you can see, some of the above suggestions are more formal than others. If a colleague is a close friend, you can use the phrases that are more intimate and light hearted, such as looking after a plant or catching up on office gossip.  

How to say it to someone who is afraid of flying

  Do you know someone who is afraid of flying and about to go on a flight? Many people have different levels of fear when it comes to flying and some are unable to fly at all because they have such a big fear of flying.   A fair number of people have at least some trepidation when it comes to flying. Helping to cheer them up with some humor or reminding them that flying is safe can help them to overcome their fear and set off in good spirits.   Here are some other ways to say “safe travels” and let those afraid of flying know you are thinking about them and you wish them well for the trip.  

20 Other Ways to Say “I Hope All Is Well” in Emails

Wishing someone traveling in a pandemic “safe travels”

  One of the main reasons we travel is because we love to explore and have new experiences.   During a pandemic with many countries around the world in lockdown, travel of all kinds has been impacted and people are less willing to travel.   As people are beginning to travel again, they are experiencing some changes. There are all the safety protocols they have to follow that can be tiresome. However, there are far fewer people traveling, so that has certain advantages.   Expressing “safe travels” to someone traveling in a pandemic carries more of a sense of urgency than when you are just wishing someone a pleasant journey. However, people also tend to joke a little as a way of coping in difficult circumstances.   Here are some ways to say “safe travels” during a pandemic, It is often better to emphasize the positive rather than the negative aspects of traveling.  

A final word

  Travel used to be a perilous affair full of danger but today, the most you usually have to deal with is delays, lost luggage, obnoxious fellow passengers or turbulence.   “Safe travels” is a term that’s evolved to mean more for the trip itself than the transport to get there.   As you can see from the examples above, there are many other ways to say “safe travels.”  

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Safe travels or Safe travel? Which is correct?

When you want to wish someone to have a journey that is completed without a problem you can say “Safe Travels”. Safe travel is ok but not commonly used.  

Correct Ways to wish someone a safe journey:

• Safe travels
• Bon voyage 
• Travel safely 
• Drive safely
• Have a safe trip
• Have a nice trip
• Have a safe journey

The reason we use safe travels is that we often associate travelling with many different trips and not just one trip.

Safe travel is ok to use but in modern English, it is just not common. 

We often want to wish someone a nice journey but we know that we will see them again so we just want to wish them a journey that is safe from danger. 

If you will not see the person for a long time then it is better to say goodbye. You can find many ways to say goodbye in this article here.

Travel safe or travel safely?

Travel safely is correct because in this case travel is a verb and to modify the verb we need to use the adverb “safely”

Can you say Safe trip or Safe journey?

Yes, you can say “Safe trip” or “Safe Journey” but we usually use “Have a….”.

John: I am leaving now, see you later!

Peter: Have a safe trip!

Peter: Have a safe journey! 

Bon Voyage – Wait isn’t that French? 

Yes, Bon Voyage is the French for Safe travels or literally “have a good trip”

It is common to use bon voyage in English because people are often going on a trip to a foreign country so people use it to sound more exotic.

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To learn more about the guidelines about travel to Israel - click here

ISRAEL TRAVEL ALERTS & SAFETY INFORMATION

During these challenging times, we in Israel stand together with you, the American people, offering our prayers and support, united in the hope for a brighter, better tomorrow.

ISRAEL TRAVEL ALERTS & SAFETY INFORMATION

In order to remain fully informed, below is the updated information about the ongoing situation in Israel with regard to the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).

LATEST INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS TO ISRAEL ON THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19):

Tourists looking to travel to israel:.

At the moment, and until further notice, entry to Israel will be refused to non-citizens or non-residents of Israel arriving from anywhere in the world. In exceptional cases, one may apply for approval of the Foreign Ministry subject to proof of the ability to remain in self-isolation for 14 days.

Tourists who are currently in Israel:

• Visitors who are currently in Israel will not be allowed to continue with their planned visit and are requested to stay in their hotel and plan their departure from Israel as soon as possible.
• For now, hotels will continue operating according to the new regulations. This means, no more than 10 people in one area and maintaining a safe distance of 6.5 feet (two-meters) between each person.
• If you’ve been required to enter self-isolation , you must report it to the Ministry of Health:   https://govforms.gov.il/
• If you develop a fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher, a cough, trouble breathing, or other respiratory symptoms, you must immediately enter self-isolation and call the 101 MDA Emergency Services Hotline for medical advice.
• It is absolutely forbidden to enter clinics or hospitals if you are showing any of the above symptoms!

General guidelines for all those staying in Israel:

• For the latest information on coronavirus cases in Israel, please refer to the Department of Health's website .
• The Israeli Government is monitoring the outbreak closely and has implemented temporary measures including border restrictions for travelers from around the world.
• Commercial establishments and entertainment venues will be closed including:
• Shopping malls (except for supermarkets, pharmacies, and places that provide TA food services)
• Discos, bars, pubs, and dining establishments, including hotel dining (excluding TA food services)
• Banquet halls
• Gyms and swimming pools, water parks, zoo, safaris, petting zoos
• Ritual baths (men), and bathhouses
• Cinemas, theaters, and other cultural establishments
• Amusement facilities and amusement parks
• Businesses for non-medical treatment of the human body
• Exhibition halls and fairgrounds
• Public boats
• Heritage sites
• Prayer and religious ceremonies can be conducted in groups of up to 10 people, with 6.5 feet (2 meters) between people and no more than 2 groups at a time.
• Prohibition of visits to welfare, nursing, or healthcare facilities serving as homes for their residents, with the exception of a maximum of one caregiver, preferably a permanent caregiver.
• Regarding visits to hospitals and institutions:
• Visits to hospitals and senior facilities should be avoided.
• If a caregiver is needed, one caregiver must suffice.
• People showing symptoms are not permitted to accompany patients or visit institutions for seniors.
• Medical staff responsible for treating patients can only gather for work purposes in groups not to exceed 15 people.
• Seniors and patients: It is recommended for those aged 60 and over and those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease or immunosuppression, avoid crowds and contact with people who have returned from any destination abroad, those who show symptoms, or people who are suspected of being infected, while maintaining their routine.

Public transport: The Ministry of Health recommends avoiding public transport.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• I am a tourist in Israel and I am concerned that I may have COVID-19, where should I go?

If you have a fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher, cough, trouble breathing, or other respiratory symptoms, you must immediately enter self-isolation and call the 101 MDA Emergency Services Hotline for medical advice. Do not go to an HMO clinic or emergency ward.

• I already have a trip booked for April and May, should I cancel my reservations?

At the moment, entry to Israel will be refused to non-citizens or non-residents of Israel arriving from anywhere in the world. In exceptional cases, one may apply for approval of the Foreign Ministry subject to proof of the ability to remain in self-isolation for 14 days.

• Are there any tourist sites, museums, institutes, and/or cultural spaces closed? Are restaurants and bars operating as normal?

Currently, commercial establishments and entertainment venues are closed. Please see the above list for details and exceptions.

• Are any upcoming events or conferences canceled? If so, which ones?

No events of more than 10 people are permitted in Israel.

• Will upcoming religious ceremonies still take place as regularly scheduled (Passover, Easter, etc.)?

Prayer and religious ceremonies can be conducted in groups of up to 10 people, keeping 6.5 feet (2 meters) from one person to another and no more than 2 groups at a time.

• What are the restrictions regarding local travel throughout the country?

The Ministry of Health recommends avoiding public transport.

No gatherings of more than 10 people are permitted.

• When will Israel be open to incoming visitors again? At this moment there is not a known date in which Israel will be open to incoming visitors.

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"have a safe flight tomorrow" vs "have a safe fly tomorrow"

Last Updated: March 11, 2024

• have a safe flight tomorrow

This phrase is correct and commonly used to wish someone a safe journey.

• Have a safe flight tomorrow!
• I hope you have a safe flight tomorrow.
• Wishing you a safe flight tomorrow.
• May you have a safe flight tomorrow.
• Safe travels tomorrow.

Alternatives:

• have a safe trip tomorrow
• have a safe journey tomorrow
• have a safe voyage tomorrow
• have a safe travel tomorrow
• have a safe departure tomorrow

have a safe fly tomorrow

This phrase is incorrect. 'Fly' is a verb, not a noun, so it doesn't fit in this context.

• wishing you a safe flight tomorrow
• hope you have a safe flight tomorrow
• may you have a safe flight tomorrow
• safe travels tomorrow

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News | World

Is it safe to travel to Dubai? Airport flooded by over one year's worth of rain

Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates was thrown into disarray after severe thunderstorms caused over a year and a half’s worth of rain to lash Dubai.

The world’s busiest international airport was soaked by more than 5.59 inches of rain in a single day by the end of Tuesday (April 16). Annual rainfall at the airport averages 3.73 inches.

AP News reported that the state-run WAM news agency called the rain “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949”.

The airport stopped accepting new arrivals on Tuesday evening after passengers struggled to get to terminals due to floods. There was standing water on taxiways as flights touched down.

So is it safe to travel to Dubai at the moment?

Here’s what you need to know.

Is it safe to travel to Dubai?

Dubai International Airport said on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday (April 17) morning that flights “continue to be delayed and diverted”.

It added: “We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary.

“Please check your flight status directly with your airline. We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.”

The Dubai-based airline Emirates said it had suspended check-in for departing passengers until midnight tonight.

It said this was “due to operational challenges caused by bad weather and road conditions” — and added: “Affected customers can contact their booking agent or visit https://emirat.es/support for rebooking.

“Passengers arriving in Dubai and already in transit will continue to be processed for their flights. Customers can expect delays to departures and arrivals, and are advised to check the latest flight schedules on https://emirat.es/flightstatus.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. Emirates is working hard to restore our scheduled operations, and our teams will provide all possible support to affected customers. Please DM us if you require any assistance.”

Given this, passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling.

Meanwhile, the Times reported that the UK Foreign Office had not changed its advice on travelling to the UAE to Iran’s attack on Israel.

The Foreign Office emphasised the importance of obtaining travel insurance and ensuring it provides sufficient cover, stating that it is more crucial than ever.

The Times added: “Previously, on March 25, the Foreign Office updated its travel advice for the UAE to reflect a change in the terror threat level in the Middle Eastern country. While it’s still considered safe to travel to, the terror threat level is now considered high, with travellers warned to ‘remain vigilant at all times’.”

Dubai floods LIVE: Thousands of UK travellers suffer flights chaos as torrential rain grounds planes

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Friday, 26 April, 2024

Should you be worried about safety on your next flight?

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© Artturi Jalli on Unsplash

Dana is a Travel Tomorrow reporter. She graduated in Political Science and International Relations. She moved to Brussels from Romania for her studies and Mont des Arts made her fall in love with the city and remain here. She loves animals, especially dogs, and everything food related, but dessert most of all.

As aviation and specifically Boeing have been increasingly criticised this year, many people have started questioning whether flying is safe and if they should or should not get on their next flight, especially if the plane is a Boeing.

1. 2024 recap

One of the first breaking news of this year was a  plug-in door  blowing out mid-air on a Boeing 737 Max 9 during an Alaska Airlines flight. The incident happened on 5 January and was followed by a  grounding  by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of all 737 Max 9s with the plug-in door configuration.

In the follow-up investigation of the Alaska Airlines blow-out, it has been revealed that Alaska Airlines pilots had  flagged depressurisation problems  on previous flights operated on the same plane, which had been ignored. More worryingly, the FAA has found  loose bolts  and even  misdrilled holes  in some aircraft’s fuselage. In the  last update , the FAA gave Boeing 90 days to “must develop a comprehensive action plan to address its systemic quality-control issues to meet FAA’s non-negotiable safety standards.”

Other Boeing models have also been facing problems. The  windshield of a 777 cracked  on 28 February and earlier this year, the nose wheel of a 757  just fell off  and rolled down the runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Yet  another wheel  fell off a 777-200 on 7 March, damaging several cars in San Francisco. On 4 March, the engine of a 737  burst into flames  only minutes after take-off and, on the morning of 11 March, a Latam Airlines flight operated on a 787-9 Dreamliner suddenly lost altitude about one hour before reaching its destination, sending  passengers flying through the cabin .

Boeing warns airlines to check pilot seats after Latam flight altitude loss

Meanwhile, a former Boeing employee was found dead in his car while he was in the middle of testifying in court in a whistleblower case against the company. And, while CEO Dave Calhoun has announced he will be stepping down at the end of the year, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stan Deal, has announced his retirement and has already been replaced in the role by Stephanie Pope, “effective today” (25 March).

Most recently, the FAA has initiated a safety probe on United Airlines , as most of the accidents of this year involved United aircraft, while the FBI is allegedly investigating the Alaska Airlines incident as a crime.

2. Is flying still safe?

Although it might seem like flying is getting out of hand, the answer to “Is flying still safe?” is yes. Commercial flying remains the safest mode of transportation, flying safety having reached “best ever” results in 2023 , according to IATA.

Robert Sumwalt, a former chairman of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said that the increasing worries are partly due to increased exposure. “What I believe we have is a situation where once one or two of these things happen, the media starts jumping on these things. It’s a feeding frenzy”, he explained.

During an Axios conference, US Transportation Secretary has also reassured that flying remains as safe as ever. “Every time I get on a plane, I know that I’m participating in the safest mode of transportation in America. And I know the people who work very hard to keep it that way. And that’s part of why we’re pressing Boeing so hard”, he said.

Jennifer Homendy, the chair of NTSB, who is responsible of investigation all aviation incidents that result in major damage to the aircraft or injuries to passengers, has also reiterated the safety of flying. In an X post from 19 March, she pointed out that an average of 118 people die in the US in car accidents each day. In comparison, 49 people were killed in a regional jet crash in 2009 in New York and, since then, only 5 other people have died in the US due to incidents on commercial flights.

118 people will die on our roads today. Where is the outrage? I’ve seen a lot of sensationalism around aviation lately. The fact is our aviation system is the safest in the world and all of us – investigators, regulators, airlines, employees, and manufacturers – are working to… pic.twitter.com/9P9IE7P9a4 — Jennifer Homendy (@JenniferHomendy) March 19, 2024

However, at the moment, other factors are coming into play that have not existed until now or not to the same extent, according to Ed Pierson, the director of the Foundation for Aviation Safety. On the one hand, the aviation industry, from aircraft manufacturers to airlines and airports, is under stress due to the “shortage of staff, in air traffic control, a shortage of pilots, of maintenance personnel, of manufacturing personnel.”

Moreover, Pierson believes that there is a “sense of overconfidence”. “The gold standard is melting down, because we continue to try to downplay everything and talk about how safe the system is. That’s not the right mindset. That’s the mindset that gets people killed”, he said.

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In a video tour of the house, a sculpture of Captain Tom with his walking frame can be seen in the hallway, while a photo of the fundraising hero being knighted by the Queen is on a wall in the separate coach house building.

Introducing the property, an estate agent says in the tour video: "I'm sure you'll recognise this iconic and very famous driveway behind me as it was home to the late Captain Sir Tom Moore who walked 100 laps of his garden, raising over £37m for NHS charities."

It comes less than three months after the demolition of an unauthorised spa pool block in the grounds of the property in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

Speaking at an appeal hearing over that spa, Scott Stemp, representing Captain Tom's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, said the foundation named after the fundraising hero "is to be closed down" following a Charity Commission probe launched amid concerns about its management.

For the full story, click here ...

"Status symbol" pets are being given up by owners who get scared as they grow up, an animal charity has said, with the cost of living possibly paying a part in a rise in separations.

The Exotic Pet Refuge, which homes parrots, monkeys, snakes and alligators among others, says it receives referrals across the country, including from zoos and the RSPCA.

"They're a status symbol. People will say, 'OK, I'll have an alligator or a 10ft boa constrictor'," co-owner Pam Mansfield told the BBC.

"But when the animal gets big, they will get too frightened to handle them, and then the pet has to go."

She added people who want to get rid of the pets sometimes call zoos for help, which then call on her charity.

In some cases, owners don't have licences to own dangerous animals, she says, blaming a "lack of understanding" for what she says is a rise in the number of exotic animals needing to be rehomed.

She says people "just don't have the space" for some snakes, for example, with some growing to as much as 12ft and needing their own room.

The cost of living crisis has also forced owners to give their pets away, she says.

Her charity has also been affected by those increased costs, with the electricity bill rising to £10,000 a month at their highest, to fund things like heated pools for alligators.

Private car parks are accused of "confusing drivers" after introducing a new code of conduct - despite "doing all they can" to prevent an official government version.

The code of practice launched by two industry bodies - British Parking Association and the International Parking Community - includes a ten-minute grace period for motorists to leave a car park after the parking period they paid for ends.

It also features requirements for consistent signage, a single set of rules for operators on private land and an "appeals charter".

Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.

That comes after a government-backed code of conduct was withdrawn in June 2022, after a legal challenges by parking companies.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "We're flabbergasted that the BPA and the IPC have suddenly announced plans to introduce their own private parking code after doing all they can over the last five years to prevent the official government code created by an act of Parliament coming into force.

"While there are clearly some positive elements to what the private parking industry is proposing, it conveniently avoids some of the biggest issues around caps on penalty charges and debt recovery fees which badly need to be addressed to prevent drivers being taken advantage of."

BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: "This is a crucial milestone as we work closely with government, consumer bodies and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists."

IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: "The single code will benefit all compliant motorists and will present clear consequences for those who decide to break the rules."

Sky News has learnt the owner of Superdry's flagship store is weighing up a legal challenge to a rescue plan launched by the struggling fashion retailer.

M&G, the London-listed asset manager, has engaged lawyers from Hogan Lovells to scrutinise the restructuring plan.

The move by M&G, which owns the fashion retailer's 32,000 square foot Oxford Street store, will not necessarily result in a formal legal challenge - but sources say it's possible.

Read City editor Mark Kleinman 's story here...

NatWest says its mortgage lending nearly halved at the start of the year as it retreated from parts of the market when competition among lenders stepped up.

New mortgage lending totalled £5.2bn in the first three months of 2024, the banking group has revealed, down from £9.9bn the previous year.

The group, which includes Royal Bank of Scotland and Coutts, also reported an operating pre-tax profit of £1.3bn for the first quarter, down 27% from £1.8bn the previous year.

An unexplained flow of British luxury cars into states neighbouring Russia continued into February, new data shows.

About £26m worth of British cars were exported to Azerbaijan, making the former Soviet country the 17th biggest destination for UK cars - bigger than long-established export markets such as Ireland, Portugal and Qatar.

Azerbaijan's ascent has coincided almost to the month with the imposition of sanctions on the export of cars to Russia.

Read the rest of economics and data editor Ed Conway 's analysis here...

Rishi Sunak has hailed the arrival of pay day with a reminder his government's additional National Insurance tax cut kicks in this month for the first time.

At last month's budget, the chancellor announced NI will be cut by a further 2p - so some workers will pay 8% of their earnings instead of the 12% if was before autumn.

The prime minister has repeated his claim this will be worth £900 for someone on the average UK salary.

While this additional cut - on top of the previous 2p cut in January - does equate to £900 for those on average full-time earnings of £35,000, there are two key issues with Mr Sunak's claim:

• Once the effect of all income tax changes since 2021 are taken into account, the Institute for Fiscal Studies reports an average earner will benefit from a tax cut of £340 - far less than £900;
• Moreover, anyone earning less than £26,000 or between £55,000-£131,000 will ultimately be worse off.

In short, this is because NI cuts are more than offset by other tax rises.

We explain below how this is the case...

Tax thresholds

This is partly down to tax thresholds - the amount you are allowed to earn before you start paying tax (and national insurance) and before you start paying the higher rate of tax - will remain frozen. 

This means people end up paying more tax than they otherwise would, when their pay rises with inflation but the thresholds don't keep up. 

This phenomenon is known as "fiscal drag" and it's often called a stealth tax because it's not as noticeable immediately in your pay packet.

That low threshold of £12,570 has been in place since April 2021. 

The Office for Budget Responsibility says if it had increased with inflation it would be set at £15,220 for 2024/25.

If that were the case, workers could earn an extra £2,650 tax-free each year.

Less give, more take

Sky News analysis shows someone on £16,000 a year will pay £607 more in total - equivalent to more than three months of average household spending on food. 

Their income level means national insurance savings are limited but they are paying 20% in income tax on an additional £2,650 of earnings.

In its analysis , the IFS states: "In aggregate the NICs cuts just serve to give back a portion of the money that is being taken away through other income tax and NICs changes - in particular, multi-year freezes to tax thresholds at a time of high inflation."

Overall, according to the institute, for every £1 given back to workers by the National Insurance cuts, £1.30 will have been taken away due to threshold changes between 2021 and 2024.

This rises to £1.90 in 2027.

The UK could face a shortage of cava due to a drought in the sparkling wine's Spanish heartlands.

The Penedes area of Catalonia is dealing with its worst drought on record, with vineyards across the region so parched the roots of 30-year-old vines have died.

It's left shrivelled red and green grapes languishing under intense sun, fuelled by fossil-fuel driven climate change.

Cava is an increasingly popular drink in the UK, with 17.8 million bottles sold in 2023 - an increase of 5% from the previous year, when Britons stocked up on 16.8 million bottles, according to the Cava Regulatory Board.

That makes the UK the fourth-biggest buyer, behind only the US, Belgium and Germany.

Workforce slashed

The problems have been compounded after Catalonia-based cava producer Freixenet announced it will temporarily lay off 615 workers, almost 80% of its workforce.

Under Spanish law, companies facing exceptional circumstances can lay off staff or reduce working hours.

This measure is expected to take effect from May and it is not known how long it will last.

Price rises

One industry source told retail publication The Grocer  that cava shortages would push up prices "certainly for next year" if there isn't enough supply.

This could last for years if the drought persists, they added.

Consumer expert Helen Dewdney told MailOnline the staff cuts at Freixenet can only mean one thing - price rises.

However, she added, supermarkets say they are not experiencing any issues right now.

Parents are being hammered by rising childcare costs, according to a new study that suggests they may spend more than £160,000 raising their child to the age of 18.

Research by Hargreaves Lansdown has found that parents with children pay £6,969 a year more than couples without.

Over 18 years and assuming an annual inflation rate of 3%, that amounts to a whopping £163,175, the investment platform said.

Its study also found that parents were less likely to have money left at the end of the month.

Single parents carry the biggest burden, with the research suggesting they have just £85 left on average compared to £365 for couples with children.

Hargreaves Lansdown also found just 23% of single parents reported having enough emergency savings to cover at least three months' worth of essential expenses, compared to 63% of couples with children.

Parents are also at a slight disadvantage when it comes to pensions, the research found, with only 43% of couples with children on track for a moderate retirement income, compared to 47% without. Only 17% of single parents have a decent projected pension fund.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the firm, said "having children is one of the most expensive decisions a person can make".

She adds that as a result of having a child, "financial resilience suffers across the board", and added: "For single parents, life is even tougher, and they face far lower resilience on almost every measure.

"It means we need all the help we can get."

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

One of the top stories shaking up the markets this morning is that UK-based mining company Anglo American has rejected a major $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover bid.

Details of the attempted buyout by Australian rival BHP emerged yesterday  - sending Anglo American shares soaring.

The deal would have created the world's biggest copper mining company - with the news coming as the price of the metal hit record highs this week.

However, Anglo American has now dismissed the proposal as "opportunistic" and said BHP had undervalued the company.

Anglo's shares are slightly down by 0.8% this morning - suggesting investors may not have given up hopes that a deal could eventually be agreed.

However, overall the FTSE 100 is up around 0.4% this morning, buoyed by strong reported earnings from US tech giants Microsoft and Google owner Alphabet.

It's helped the index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, hit yet another intraday (during the day) record of 8,136 points this morning.

The winning streak comes after a week of all-time highs on the index - including a record close of 8,078 points yesterday. The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Among the companies doing well this morning is NatWest - despite the bank reporting a fall in pre-tax profits of nearly 28% for the first quarter of the year.

Shares in the lender are up more than 3% after its results were better than expected by analysts.

On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, almost on a par with yesterday.

Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil has crept up slightly to $89 (£71).

Self-checkouts - they're like marmite, people seem to either love them or hate them.

But the boss of Sainsbury's has claimed that his customers do  enjoy using self-checkouts, despite criticism that that machines don't always provide the convenience promised.

Simon Roberts told The Telegraph that there are more of them in Sainsbury's stores "than a number of years ago" as shoppers like the "speedy checkout".

But despite this, he said there won't be a time when they'll replace cashiers completely.

"Over the last year, where we've put more self-checkouts in, we're always making sure that the traditional kind of belted checkout is there," he said.

His comments come after northern supermarket Booths ditched self-checkouts at all but two of its sites after customer feedback. 

Walmart and Costco in the US have also scaled back on the systems.

Let us know in the comments - do you love or hate self-checkouts?

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Smart meters save you money'

For this one, we've enlisted the help of Dr Steve Buckley, also known as the Energy Doctor and head of data science at Loop...

So do smart meters help you save? 

"The short answer is both yes and no," Steve says.

"Installing a smart meter by itself won't magically reduce your energy consumption. But, by giving you easy access to your energy usage data, smart meters pave the way for savings that you couldn't achieve otherwise."

Before smart meters, most households only found out how much energy they had used when the bill arrived. 

By that stage it's too late to address wasteful usage, leading to what's known as "bill shock". 

"With a smart meter, you can see your usage and costs in real-time through an in-home display or an app provided by your supplier," Steve says. 

"This immediate feedback encourages you to use less energy. If you measure it, you can control it."

In 2022, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero found that homes with smart meters used about 3.4% less electricity and 3% less gas. 

"This might not seem like a lot, but it adds up to a saving of over £50 per household annually," Steve says.  

If all homes in the UK made similar cuts, that would amount to savings of around £1.5bn and a potential reduction in CO2 emissions by about 2.7m tonnes each year. 

"Good for individual households but also great for the planet," Steve says. 

Smart meters are often installed at no extra cost to the consumer - it's effectively free data for households. 

Limitations

Smart meters are more or less what you make of them - a simple, free tool that allows you to see headline figures. 

However, "without detailed analysis, it's tough to identify and eliminate" where you could be wasting money, Steve says. 

Apps like Utrack, Loop and Hugo Energy can help you work out where you might be losing money by offering a more detailed breakdown if connected to your smart meter. 

Those tools are often free, but you may need to register your card details as proof of address. 

The tools give a number of useful insights, including looking at consumption in other households of similar size or monitoring where chunks of your money are going, such as to a faulty boiler or the "phantom load" (energy wasted by devices left on unnecessarily).

Myth or must?

Although smart meters alone don't reduce energy bills, they are a vital tool to help energy efficiency and cost savings. 

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