It's the busiest travel season ever! How to avoid lines, stay ahead of the crowds
And I'm sorry to break it to you, but it's about to get worse. Much worse.
This summer, travel is expected to hit record-breaking levels, with airports, attractions, and even once-quiet destinations bursting at the seams.
Want to fly somewhere? Get in line. Checking into a hotel? Get in line. Dining at a popular restaurant? Line. Visiting a museum and get out of the heat? Yep, another line.
It's not just an inconvenience. Serious crowds can form at the biggest tourism destinations, which can turn dangerous, said Tamara Herold, director of the Crowd Management Research Council at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
"Not knowing how to handle a crowd can increase the risks of serious injury or trampling," she said.
She's not kidding. Earlier this year, at least 30 people were killed and many more were reportedly injured at the Kumbh Mela festival in India. Tens of millions of people visit Uttar Pradesh to bathe in the Ganges River. And who can forget the 153 people crushed to death in Halloween celebrations a few years ago in Seoul, South Korea?
So, what's the best way to avoid long lines and handle the inevitable crowds?
How to handle a large crowd
Let's start with a worst-case scenario: You're stuck in a crowd this summer with nowhere to go.
Herold, the crowd control expert, has three tips for surviving a crush of people and getting out alive.
I hope you won't need these tips during your summer travels. But what about those long lines? What can you do beyond some of the obvious ways to steer clear of the lines, to avoid standing around during your vacation?
How to avoid the lines this summer
You don't have to get stuck in line during the next few weeks. Here are some practical ways to avoid a long queue.
Of course, you can also pay to avoid the crowds by carrying the right credit card or having a Global Entry membership. However, for many travelers who take only one or two flights a year, that's impractical advice. And as a consumer advocate, I second that. You shouldn't have to pay more to avoid long lines. Everyone's time is valuable, and no one's time should be wasted.
Story continues below.
It can't go on like this
As I review the summer travel projections and gauge visitor sentiment, I'm struck by the growing consensus among experts: something has to change.
There's already a strong case for capacity controls, not just at popular attractions but in entire cities. Many of my colleagues have already promised to stop promoting tourism during the summer because they don't want to contribute to the problem.
I agree with them – it can't go on like this – but I don't think the answer is to stop writing about summer travel. I think it's time to start encouraging responsible summer travel.
For example, most Americans don't realize that it's the off-season in half the world – the southern half. You can get to some of my favorite places, like New Zealand and Chile, and enjoy lower rates, smaller crowds, and great skiing. You can still travel this summer, but if you turn the equation on its head, you might find that travel will become more bearable.
But if everyone goes to the same places, I don't even want to think about the chaos that awaits us.Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
6 hours ago
- CNBC
I'm a travel expert who has visited 70 countries—these 7 phrases make you sound like ‘an obnoxious American'
I know what it's like to have inconsiderate houseguests — the kind where you can't wait for them to leave. I don't ever want to be that person when I'm in another country. I've been traveling almost as long as I've been alive. I've made it to all seven continents, 70 countries, and 47 U.S. states. Along the way, I've learned how much what we say and how we say it matters, especially when navigating different cultures. For example, words like "conquer," "explore," and "discover" have colonial undertones that may not be welcome in countries still recovering from the impacts of colonization. Calling a place "unspoiled" can erase its indigenous history. The last thing I want when I'm abroad is to be labeled an obnoxious American. As a professional traveler, I've learned through experience the best way to avoid that is by not saying things that can come off as rude, offensive, or ignorant. Here are 7 phrases I'd never say that Americans traveling abroad often use: I can't tell you the number of times I've seen an American whip out their dollar bills at a foreign market only to be met by a shopkeeper's blank stare. The U.S. dollar isn't the only currency in the world. Acting like it is — or demanding locals tell you how much something costs in dollars or "real money" — can make you look clueless and self-centered. Look up a country's currency before you visit, and use a currency conversion app to keep track of your spending. You may as well walk around wearing a sweatshirt that says "entitled and privileged." There are many reasons other countries may be more affordable than where you're from, and they often involve violence, exploitation, and systems designed to perpetuate global inequality. Canada has provinces. Singapore and Monaco are city-states that aren't divided into smaller sections. Asking what state a person is from outside of the U.S. is a quick way to show you haven't researched your destination or can't respect that things are different elsewhere. When you go to a foreign country seeking out corporate chains, you're missing out on an opportunity to try something new and to support local businesses. I could have gotten Starbucks on a trip to Athens a few years ago, but then I wouldn't have had a chance to taste incredible Greek coffee and visit several cute cafes I hope to get back to one day. On another trip to Mexico City, I stop at Starbucks — the closest coffee shop to my hotel and a place where I knew for sure I could get a cold brew on a hot day. I got so much side eye from my friends and so many questions about why I didn't opt for better coffee while supporting the local economy. Next time, I'll remember my own advice. English is the most commonly spoken language in the world, with an estimated 1.5 billion speakers around the globe. It's an official or widely spoken language in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Malta, Singapore, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and several Caribbean islands and African countries. It should never come as a surprise to encounter someone who has impeccable English in a predominantly English-speaking country. Yet, I've lost track of the number of times people have said that to me in the U.S. and shudder to hear it when I'm traveling. Calling a country — especially one you're visiting — a "third-world" country can come off as judgmental. Instead, I use "developing country," a phrase that doesn't carry the same connotations. It just doesn't feel right to judge a place whose people I hope will welcome me. I was once invited to a tasting menu dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant not far from Paris. After the second or third course, an American at our table interrupted the meal to request a green salad like he normally eats at home. I've never seen such a mortified waiter, and I don't think the chef ever complied with the request. One of the best things about travel is that it exposes you to new ways of thinking and doing things. Focusing on how it's done at home can blunt the transformative impact. Visiting countries all over the world has opened my eyes to so many different ways of living — and that's exactly the life-changing perspective that makes me so excited to book my next trip.
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows Countries Green-Card Holders Can Visit Without Visas
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. There are many countries across the globe where U.S lawful permanent residents, also known as green-card holders, are able to travel without applying for a visa. Why It Matters The United States passport has fallen to a record low in ranking, but it still remains quite powerful, allowing Americans to enter more than 180 countries without first applying for a visa. U.S. green-card holders are also allowed to enter a smaller number of countries without applying for a visa, as long as they still hold an eligible passport from their country of origin. Travel for green-card holders has become more challenging President Donald Trump's second term, as some lawful permanent residents have been swept up in his administration's increased immigration enforcement. There have been instances of green-card holders returning from international travel being detained upon their return to the United States if they have prior criminal records. What To Know A U.S. green card is not as powerful as a passport, but it can still make international travel easier for lawful permanent residents looking to visit specific countries, specifically in South and Central America, the Caribbean or parts of Europe. Avoiding visa applications can save time and money for those who are eligible. The map below shows which countries allow green-card holders to travel without a visa, as long as they have a passport. Notably, policies change from time to time and there may be some exceptions for each country, so people are always advised to check with their embassies or with an immigration attorney before traveling to another country to receive full information about whether a visa is needed. Some countries still require a visa for green-card holders, but holding the green card may allow them to more easily apply for a visa online. Others may allow green-card holders to enter visa-free for specific nationalities. Additionally, green-card holders should have no issues traveling to overseas U.S. territories such as Guam or Puerto Rico because they are part of the United States. Green-card holders are legally allowed to leave the United States, whether for business or to visit another country, but may need to apply for a reentry permit if they are leaving for an extended period of time—typically a period longer than a year. "Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. If it is determined, however, that you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you will be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status," the website for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says. Green-card holders are not eligible for U.S. passports until they become U.S. citizens. A stock photo shows a permanent resident card with an American flag. A stock photo shows a permanent resident card with an American flag. Evgenia Parajanian/iStock via Getty Images What People Are Saying Belize Embassy website: "U.S. Citizens and Holders of U.S. Permanent Resident Cards/U.S. Multiple Entries Visas do not require a visa to enter Belize." Costa Rica Embassy website: "Permanent residents must show their residence card, which must be valid for at least the length of your stay in Costa Rica. Letters of extension are not accepted. The residence card [Green Card] must meet the new security features according to the specifications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS]. The green card should have an expiration date according to the security features." What Happens Next Although green-card holders may travel internationally, some immigration advocates remain concerned about increased enforcement from the Trump administration and have warned that lawful permanent residents could face scrutiny upon returning to the U.S. The Trump administration has maintained that green-card holders with no criminal past should not be concerned.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
'If You Can't Pay For The Trip, You Shouldn't Take It': Expert Warns Against Buy Now, Pay Later Travel Trend
This summer, millions of Americans are planning trips — and a growing number are using buy now, pay later services to help cover the cost. These short-term installment loans, offered by companies like Klarna and Affirm, are being used to pay for flights, hotels, cruises, and even event tickets. According to a NerdWallet survey, 18% of summer travelers planned to use BNPL this year. Klarna reported a 50% year-over-year jump in travel bookings, and Affirm (AFRM:NASDAQ) said its travel-related volume rose 38% in late 2024, topping $1 billion. While BNPL may seem appealing — especially when it comes with no upfront costs or interest — experts caution that it's not always a smart choice. Don't Miss: Be part of the breakthrough that could replace plastic as we know it— $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. It's Not Just Luxury Travel Anymore BNPL was once associated with high-end purchases, but that's changing. Andrew Lokenauth, founder of told CNBC that many of his clients now use BNPL to pay for basic travel, such as visiting family or attending weddings. "It's not just luxury vacations anymore," he said. "I've worked with over 100 clients drowning in BNPL travel debt, and it's not pretty." BNPL loans typically have zero flexibility — miss a payment, and you might face late fees or damage to your credit score. Even Affirm, which doesn't charge late fees, began reporting pay-over-time products to credit bureaus this year. Trending: This AI-Powered Trading Platform Has 5,000+ Users, 27 Pending Patents, and a $43.97M Valuation — The Debt Can Outlast the Trip The biggest risk with BNPL travel financing is that the fun may end, but the debt lingers. NerdWallet found that 30% of travelers who used credit cards for summer travel in 2024 still haven't paid off their balances. The average credit card interest rate, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, is over 22%. BNPL doesn't charge interest in many cases, but it can still lead to overextension. A recent Consumer Finance Protection Bureau report found that 63% of BNPL borrowers had more than one loan at a time — also known as "loan stacking" — at some point in 2021 and 2022. Disney vacation planner Jackie Steele said he's seen more clients use BNPL to pay for Disney trips, sometimes to make last-minute travel happen or to upgrade their experience. "I always caution people — especially younger adults or families on tight budgets — to look beyond the monthly breakdown," he told Caution and Have a Backup Plan Some travelers say BNPL made their trips possible. One traveler told CNBC she used it to book a last-minute trip to Miami, calling it a "lifesaver." But when she missed one payment reminder, she was hit with extra fees. Some experts say that BNPL can work if used wisely. Fiserv Head of Embedded Finance Sunil Sachdev told CNBC that the service has matured in recent years and, so far, hasn't resulted in widespread defaults. Still, Lokenauth doesn't sugarcoat it: "If you can't pay for a vacation outright, you probably shouldn't take it." Smart Alternatives for Summer Travel Before reaching for BNPL, consider alternatives. According to NerdWallet, 91% of travelers are already looking for ways to save — such as using credit card points or choosing budget hotels. "Travel rewards aren't fine wine — they don't get better with age," NerdWallet spokesperson Sally French says. "In fact, with airlines and hotels constantly tweaking their loyalty programs to a level that's usually not in your favor, your points could be worth less next summer than they are right now." No matter your destination this summer, planning ahead — and paying responsibly — can help you avoid turning your dream vacation into a long-term debt burden. Read Next: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'If You Can't Pay For The Trip, You Shouldn't Take It': Expert Warns Against Buy Now, Pay Later Travel Trend originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
