What are you afraid of this holiday travel season?
Missing your flight? Losing your luggage? Getting stuck in bad weather?
“Knowing the risks, preparing with the right tools and coverage, and staying informed in real time can separate a smooth trip from a stressful one,” says Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pearl Lemon Adventures, a travel agency.
But this holiday travel season is different in several important ways. There’s more risk and uncertainty than perhaps at any time since the pandemic. Travel is more expensive than ever. And travel patterns are changing, too.
How do you navigate all of that safely?
Your voice matters
This holiday season is marked by high costs and high anxiety. Travelers are worried about everything from flight cancellations and winter storms to digital security and unpredictable borders. How are you handling the risk?
- Are you more or less anxious about traveling this holiday season compared to last year? What is your single biggest concern?
- How are you preparing differently this year? Are you using a VPN for digital security, packing differently, or leaving earlier for the airport?
- With trips costing 75% more, are you buying “cancel for any reason” travel insurance, relying on a credit card, or just self-insuring and hoping for the best?
How worried are travelers this holiday season?
This holiday season, the travel sentiment is a combination of fear and defiance, according to experts.
A recent study commissioned by AXA Partners US, found that 58 percent of Americans said they were concerned about an unexpected event or accident while traveling.
“These worries tend to spike during the holiday season, when higher passenger volumes, winter weather, and a greater risk of illness add more uncertainty,” explains Stephen Samataro, chief revenue officer of AXA Partners US. (Related: “Extreme” travel inconveniences — and how to avoid them.)
What are they worried about? According to Global Rescue’s Traveler Sentiment and Safety survey, 63 percent of travelers are worried about the effects of natural disasters on their future travel (ranging from “a little” (21 percent) to “a great deal” (9 percent).
“Travelers are proceeding with their plans despite the risks,” notes Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies.
In other words, travelers are worried about their safety — but they’re not letting it stop them.
This year feels different. Prices are high, flights are packed and every airport looks tense already. My biggest worry is border unpredictability. One random policy shift can turn a smooth trip into a long hold at immigration. Having printed copies of everything is underrated. It has saved me more than once.
Read more insightful reader feedback. See all comments.
What could go wrong this holiday travel season?
“When it comes to travel, there are a lot of extra concerns during the holidays — particularly related to busy airports, flight cancellations, and lost luggage,” says Kyle Sobko, the CEO of SonderCare, a travel logistics company.
But there are other worries, including:
- Handling unpredictable border crossings.
- Keeping your digital life safe from attacks.
- Handling health emergencies.
Perhaps the worst thing that could happen is that you could lose the value of your vacation, which this year is significant. The average cost of a holiday trip has risen by an eye-popping 75 percent from last year, to $5,500, according to new figures from Faye Travel Insurance.
Julian Moro, senior vice president and regional security director at International SOS, says that travelers still often lack a basic awareness of the travel risks during the holiday season.
“Because the holiday season is such a popular time to travel, it’s imperative that travelers are aware of their surroundings, as there is an increased of risk during this time,” he notes. “Stay vigilant and keep valuables secure or out of sight, especially in large crowds.”
How to make your holiday trip safer
“A lot of travel safety comes down to a little preparation,” explains Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research for online protection company McAfee.
Take digital safety, for example. Before you even get to the airport, it’s worth taking a few simple steps, like turning on two-factor authentication, using strong passwords, and making sure your devices are up to date. If you know you’ll be jumping on public Wi-Fi, using a VPN is a smart move because it adds an extra layer of protection. And if you are crossing the border, you should decide whether you’re going to swap out your regular phone for a prepaid burner phone.
Speaking of missing your flight, there are some common-sense steps you can take to avoid that during the holidays, too.
“Check in online and save your boarding pass to your phone,” recommends Charlie Neville, the marketing director for JayWay Travel. “There’s less chance of losing it or spilling coffee on a paper version.”
Also, get familiar with your airport in advance, so you know the location of your terminal and gate. And finally, know your flight number, departure time, and destination.
If there’s a twist this holiday season, it’s political. Border controls have become unpredictable this year.
“Dual citizens, visa holders, and those with specific cultural, religious, or political affiliations should prepare diligently by documenting plans,” advises Frank Harrison, the regional security director of the Americas for World Travel Protection. In other words, carry a copy of your printed itinerary, back up all documents in cloud storage, and research your legal rights before leaving. Also, if you get travel insurance, make sure it includes legal support — just in case.
Can travel insurance make your next holiday trip safer?
Another way people are trying to protect their trip is through travel insurance.
“As we look ahead to the 2025 holiday travel season, one thing’s already clear — travel insurance is in high demand,” says Ned Tadic, a spokesman for the travel insurance site Squaremouth. “People are more tuned in to the possibility of disruptions, whether it’s winter storms, flight delays, or unexpected events.”
Robert Gallagher, President of the US Travel Insurance Association, notes that travel insurance can address many common concerns for travelers. Those include getting stranded because of a flight cancellation, falling ill away from home, or dealing with lost baggage during a busy season.
“Travel insurance can help address these risks by offering coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions, emergency medical care, and baggage protection,” he says.
This year, companies like Squaremouth have seen a growing interest in “cancel for any reason” travel insurance, and “cancel for work” policies, which offer you more flexibility and protection (but are also more expensive).
Savvy travelers are also looking beyond traditional coverage to policies that include apps such as the Allianz Allyz mobile app. It includes geolocation capabilities to find resources at a destination and provides users with one-touch dialing to Allianz’s travel assistance team. Travelers can also use the app to book a virtual or in-person doctor visit or access their insurance documents.
“Many travel insurance plans include 24/7 travel assistance that can help you with almost any travel-related problem, including finding an appropriate medical facility or helping replace a lost passport,” notes Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Partners USA.
Why this holiday travel season feels different
If there’s one thing safety experts agree on, it’s that this holiday travel season feels a lot different than any other. Specifically, the recent government shutdown has made air travelers hesitate to book an airline ticket. The chances of holiday air travel disruptions are high.
“The upheaval in our society from the massive shift in politics is creating uncertainty,” says Thomas Barth, a security expert and crash investigator. “That translates into stress and concerns that affect travel and booking decisions.”
Travelers may try to avoid risk either by cutting costs or by buying more insurance to make sure they’re covered if something goes wrong. Hopefully, these strategies will ensure that nothing does.
Holiday travel safety 2025: what could go wrong and how to avoid it
This season is more expensive, more unpredictable and more stressful. Here is how smart travelers are protecting themselves.
Why this holiday season is different
Prices are higher, flights are fuller and the world feels less stable. Experts say the 2025 holiday season comes with more uncertainty than any year since the pandemic.
- Average holiday trip cost has jumped to about $5,500, a sharp increase over last year.
- Winter storms, crowded airports and strained airline operations raise the chances of disruption.
- Political tension and recent shutdowns add new layers of risk to an already busy season.
What travelers fear most
Surveys show a mix of fear and determination. Travelers know the risks, but they are still going.
- Most travelers worry about an “unexpected event or accident” while they are away from home.
- About two thirds are concerned about natural disasters and extreme weather affecting future trips.
- Concerns spike during holidays, when passenger volume, winter illness and stress all rise at once.
Flight delays and airport chaos
Packed terminals, tight connections and winter storms can turn a simple flight into an all day ordeal.
- Busy airports and overbooked flights make missed connections and long lines more likely.
- Weather systems can ripple across the network and disrupt flights far from the original storm.
- Delayed or rerouted flights raise the risk of checked bags going missing or arriving late.
- Check in early online and save your boarding pass to your phone and watch if you have one.
- Learn your airport layout and terminal in advance so you are not guessing at the gate.
- Build longer buffers into connections, especially in winter and at major hubs.
- Booking the very last flight of the day with no backup plan.
- Checking bags on tight connections when you could go carry on for a short trip.
- Ignoring airline app alerts or not turning on notifications for gate and time changes.
Border unpredictability and politics
Immigration rules, political shifts and security alerts can change fast and may affect who gets extra screening.
- Dual citizens, visa holders and travelers with certain profiles may face closer questions at the border.
- Government shutdowns and policy changes can slow processing or cause sudden confusion.
- Documentation issues can derail a trip even when flights and weather are perfect.
- Carry printed copies of your itinerary, insurance, and key reservations.
- Scan and store passports, visas and vital documents in secure cloud storage.
- Know your rights for searches and device inspections in the countries you visit.
- If possible, choose a travel insurance plan that includes legal or assistance support.
- Share your route and emergency contacts with a trusted person at home.
Digital and cybersecurity safety
Your trip plans, bank accounts and identity all live on your devices. Holiday travel is prime time for online scams and data theft.
- Public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels and cafes can expose passwords and personal data.
- Phishing emails and fake travel apps become more common when people are rushed.
- Device checks at borders may give officials a look at sensitive information if you are not prepared.
- Turn on two factor authentication and use strong, unique passwords.
- Update your devices and apps so security patches are current.
- Use a trusted VPN when you connect to public Wi-Fi.
- Consider a temporary “travel phone” if you cross sensitive borders often.
- Limit how much personal and work data you carry on any single device.
Health and medical emergencies
Winter travel brings crowded spaces, long days and more illness. An unexpected medical problem can turn serious when you are far from home.
- Holiday crowds increase your exposure to seasonal viruses and other illnesses.
- Existing conditions may be harder to manage when you are tired, stressed or in a different climate.
- Local care can be expensive, unfamiliar or difficult to access without help.
- Pack a small health kit with basic medicines you trust and any prescriptions in original bottles.
- Check whether your destination requires or recommends specific vaccines.
- Know which nearby clinic or hospital you would use in an emergency.
- Use assistance services from your insurer or card if you need help finding care.
- Share medical information or allergy notes with someone traveling with you.
Protecting your trip value
With trip costs higher, losing your investment can be the most painful risk of all.
- Nonrefundable airfares and prepaid rentals can wipe out thousands if plans change.
- Delays can trigger extra hotel and meal costs that add up fast.
- Lost, delayed or pilfered bags can force you to replace essentials at premium prices.
Keep every receipt, confirmation and email in one place. If something goes wrong, documentation is your leverage with airlines, hotels and insurance companies.
How travel insurance fits in
Insurance cannot prevent a storm, a shutdown or an illness, but it can soften the financial and logistical hit when things go wrong.
- Trip cancellation and interruption benefits can protect prepaid, nonrefundable costs.
- Emergency medical and evacuation coverage can be vital if you get sick far from home.
- Baggage protection can help when your bags are delayed, lost or damaged.
- “Cancel for any reason” or “cancel for work” riders for maximum flexibility.
- Plans that include strong assistance services and mobile apps for one touch help.
- Tools that use your location to connect you with local resources and doctors.
- Read what is covered and what is excluded, especially for storms and political events.
- Buy early, since many upgraded benefits are only available within a short window after your first trip payment.
Many plans also include 24/7 travel assistance that can help you find medical care, replace a passport or sort out next steps after a missed connection. For the 2025 holidays, that support can be as important as the reimbursement itself.
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What you’re saying
This holiday season feels different, according to top commenter The Brown Crusader. Prices are high, airports are tense, and the biggest worry is “border unpredictability.” Readers agree that preparation is key.
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Preparation is the best defense
Miles Will Save Us All emphasizes that risks are “manageable with planning,” like building in buffer time. The Brown Crusader agrees, noting that “having printed copies of everything is underrated” and has saved him more than once.
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Digital and financial security is crucial
Miles Will Save Us All calls public Wi-Fi a “hacker’s playground” and says using 2-factor authentication and a VPN is “absolutely necessary.” deemery highlights financial safety, sparking a debate about using cash versus credit cards overseas to minimize risk.
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Will travelers actually follow the advice?
737MAXPilot voices skepticism, wondering if travelers “are going to spend more to double-insure when they’re already shelling out five grand for their trips.” The consensus is that while the advice is good, the high costs may force travelers to take risks.
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