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April has traditionally marked the beginning of peak European travel for Americans, but new data suggests that travel patterns are shifting in 2026 with more travelers reconsidering destinations and spending more domestically.
According to insights from Squaremouth, the nation’s largest travel insurance marketplace, this spring is shaping up differently than in previous years. Travelers are increasingly favoring destinations perceived as safer and more politically neutral (while others are adjusting their plans closer to home).
Across Europe, countries such as the Netherlands, Ireland, and Norway are seeing a rise in demand (driven by their reputations for stability and safety). Meanwhile, destinations like the United Kingdom have seen declining interest amid concerns about crime and Iceland has also experienced a dip in popularity, potentially influenced by broader geopolitical attention in the region.
At the same time, more Americans are opting to stay within the United States, but that shift is not translating into cheaper travel. Instead, domestic travel costs are climbing sharply. Average trip spending for April and May has increased by 20% year over year, rising from $4,290 in 2025 to $5,124 in 2026. The increase suggests travelers are reallocating budgets typically reserved for international trips toward more premium experiences at home.
For those still planning European vacations, flexibility has become a top priority. Interest in Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance has surged with nearly 20% more travelers researching the coverage compared to last year. This type of policy allows travelers to cancel trips for reasons outside standard coverage, including geopolitical concerns or personal hesitation about travel, and can reimburse up to 75% of non-refundable expenses.
However, many travelers are missing the opportunity to secure this added protection. More than a 25% of those interested in Cancel For Any Reason coverage were unable to purchase it because they did not meet the eligibility window, which typically requires booking the coverage within 21 days of making the initial trip deposit.
I guess I’m bucking the trend as I have trips planned to London for Wimbledon, Malta (thanks to Delta’s great award sale), and Italy in the coming months. Europe in the summer (especially beach destinations) is amazing (if you set expectations in advance around crowds and try to go a bit off the beaten path). I bought tickets early and found some great Business Class fares on American, Delta, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
Anthony’s Take: The trends are not surprising and might lead to some more bargains in the coming months. I’ll take emptier planes and some sales where I can find them. After all, I want more space for my beach umbrella.
(Image Credits: Diamond Dogs and SerrNovik via iStock.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
