Americans are a little stressed about travel disruptions and expenses—but they’re still going big for their summer vacations.

While seven in ten Americans (70%) plan to travel this summer, their concerns about extreme weather, global instability, and safety are influencing where and how they vacation. As a result, many people are choosing to travel in the U.S. instead of going overseas. One of the biggest summer travel trends is chasing experiences: sports, events, and wellness escapes.¹

The upshot: Summer 2026 can be a challenging time to travel, but wonderful adventures still await! We’ll take a closer look at the trends and the best travel insurance for protecting your summer vacation.

What are Americans’ main travel concerns in 2026?

Here’s what Allianz Partners’ Global Travel Confidence Index survey revealed:

• 63% of U.S. travelers say they are concerned about the global geopolitical situation
• 62% say they’re worried about safety and security while traveling in general
• 56% are concerned about major travel delays and trip cancellations
• 47% say extreme weather conditions are a top travel concern
• 46% worry about getting ill while on vacation
• 44% worry about lost or delayed luggage
• 42% are concerned about having a medical emergency while traveling

What are the biggest travel disruptions in summer 2026?

• Extreme heat: Heat waves first hit the eastern U.S. and Canada in early summer 2026, followed by more extreme heat in Europe and the western U.S.

• The super El Niño: El Niño is a climate phenomenon that affects weather worldwide—and became unusually strong in 2026. During El Niño, the water in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than normal, changing wind patterns and causing extreme heat, wildfires, and floods.²

• Travel health risks: The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo is one health concern for travelers. In summer 2026, parts of the U.S. saw outbreaks of measles and a food-borne illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite.³

• High travel costs: The cost of jet fuel and gasoline rose sharply in summer 2026, making air travel and road trips more expensive. 84% of Americans in Priceline’s 2026 State of Summer Travel Report say they’re paying more for travel and getting less.⁴

• Increased flight delays: Weather-related delays caused by summer storms, high demand, and other factors have hit U.S. airports hard in summer 2026.⁵

• Geopolitics: The ongoing conflict in Iran has caused canceled flights, changed routes, and airspace closures in several nations in the Middle East.⁶

• Increased travel demand worldwide: Despite all the factors we just listed, travelers are undeterred. Major destinations worldwide are reporting high demand in summer 2026, which leads to higher prices and crowds.⁷

How are travel disruptions and concerns changing Americans’ travel plans?

One big travel trend for summer 2026: vacationing in the U.S. Just 19% of Americans said they’d travel abroad, and half (50%) said stricter border controls and travel advisories are affecting their destination choices. However, younger travelers are still eager to see other countries. One in four of travelers under 35 planned to go abroad in summer 2026.

Need affordable travel insurance for a U.S. trip? OneTrip Cancellation Plus might be the answer.

American travelers are also planning trips with weather and climate risks in mind. More than two-thirds of travelers surveyed (68%) say they consider environmental risks and extreme weather when they’re choosing where to travel.

Looking to avoid the heat? Consider shoulder season travel.

Younger travelers are leading the trend of traveling for live entertainment and experiences. More than half of Gen Z travelers (52%) say a ticketed event is the main reason they are traveling this summer, according to the Global Travel Confidence Index. Overall, 38% of travelers were planning trips around sports events or tournaments. Other popular experiences: cruises and expeditions, traveling for a hobby or sport, and spa or wellness retreats.

Find out how travel insurance can help if you have to call off your special trip at the last minute: Trip Cancellation Insurance Coverage FAQ.

What else do young travelers love? High-end travel. In the survey, 44% of travelers under 35 (and 35% of travelers overall) said they were investing more in luxury travel experiences this year. It’s not just about spending more for the sake of comfort. These travelers long for special, meaningful experiences they’ll remember.

Is annual travel insurance the best way to protect luxury trips?

One more travel trend: blending work with leisure travel. This summer, 31% of Americans plan to extend their trips to combine work and leisure, while 28% expect to work remotely for several weeks while traveling. About 23% want to be digital nomads for the long term.

Did you know there’s a travel insurance plan designed for frequent business travelers—that also protects all your leisure travel? It’s called AllTrips Executive.

Where are Americans traveling in summer 2026?

The top five city destinations for U.S. travelers are Seattle, Orlando, New York City, Las Vegas, and Boston. Overseas, Dublin has become the number-one spot, followed by Cancún, Mexico; London; Rome; and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.⁸

Coolcations continue to be a trend for summer travel, as people seek to escape the heat with a stay in New England, Canada, or even Nordic destinations in Europe.⁹

What’s the best travel insurance for American travelers in 2026?

That really depends on where you’re going and what you plan to do on vacation.

If your biggest travel concern is having your trip disrupted by illness, a natural disaster, severe weather, or other factors out of your control, make sure your travel insurance includes trip cancellation benefits. And if you’re worried about getting sick or injured overseas, look for travel insurance with emergency medical and dental benefits and emergency transportation benefits to reimburse the cost of covered emergency medical care.

One of the best all-around plans Allianz Partners offers is OneTrip Prime, which covers kids 17 and under for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents; one child per insured adult).

Compare travel insurance plans for U.S. trips, international travel, cruises, and more.

Related Articles

• The Top Travel Concerns for 2026—and How Insurance Can Help
• What Are the Top Summer 2026 Travel Trends?
• The 6 Top Travel Trends for 2026