Travel restrictions for federal employees are governed by Federal Travel Regulation FTR for most agencies and Joint Travel Regulations JTR for Department of Defense, and include many rules to ensure cost-effective and authorized travel. Key restrictions include travel must be authorized in advance by orders, cannot be for personal convenience. Employees must use most economical transportation, economy or coach airfare required, business class only allowed for flights over 14 hours or medical need, first class never allowed without Secretary approval. Must use contract city-pair airfares and Defense Travel System DTS or E-Gov Travel System for booking. Rental car must be compact unless justification for larger. Privately owned vehicle mileage reimbursed at GSA rate but must be cost-effective versus airfare. Lodging limited to per diem rate for location, actual expense only with justification and approval, and receipt required always. Meals covered by per diem, not actual, no receipts needed. Travel must be by usual route, no circuitous travel. Foreign travel requires additional approvals and may be restricted to certain countries. During COVID and other emergencies, additional restrictions like vaccination and quarantine. Federal employees cannot accept free travel from contractors due to ethics. Travel for conferences requires justification that conference is mission essential. Use of premium lodging like luxury hotels restricted. Personal travel combined with official must have clear separation and no extra cost to government. So federal travel restrictions emphasize economy, authorization, and mission necessity, with strict receipt and approval requirements.
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