Travel Just Got Riskier: How To Stay Safe In A Dangerous World

Forbes

6 hours ago

How do you travel safely at a time like this? getty
Deborah Kaminetzky was canoeing through Peru's Amazon rainforest last week when the bombs started falling in Iran. She wondered about her return trip to the U.S.
"I've discussed ways to get back to the U.S. should airspace be closed down," she says.
The leading contender: Booking a cheap cruise through the Panama Canal and coming home by sea.
Her backup plan wasn't paranoia, even though the Middle East is far away from South America. It was preparation. Days earlier, Iran's bombing had escalated global tensions, potentially throwing trips like hers into disarray.
Kaminetzky, an IT project management consultant from Woodmere, NY, says she felt safe in South America, but the prospect of returning to the U.S. with the world on edge puts her on edge.
"I'm watching the skies," she adds. Travel isn't as safe as it used to be
It's not your imagination. Travel just got a little riskier. A U.S. State Department worldwide advisory now urges Americans to exercise increased caution abroad. Rising crime, protests, and retaliatory threats have turned once-benign destinations into potential flashpoints.
"Yes, travel is more dangerous right now," says John Gobbels, chief operating officer of Medjet, a medical transport and security response program for travelers.
But dangerous how ? In the past, many destinations had specific, well-known risks that travelers could prepare for, according to Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection.
"Today, the risks are more complex," he adds. "They're often layered, ambiguous, and harder to spot. This makes travel potentially more dangerous, especially for those who are unaware of these evolving challenges." What are travelers afraid of?
Nearly half (47 percent) of travelers surveyed by Squaremouth expect flight delays and disruptions to be worse this year than in years past, signaling growing concern ahead of the busy summer season. "Growing unpredictability is fueling anxiety among travelers," says Squaremouth spokesman Ned Tadic.
The latest Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey finds over 80 percent of travelers say they are either "very concerned" (28 percent) or "somewhat concerned" (55 percent) that instability could still affect travel through the end of 2025.
"While the ceasefire has brought a measure of relief, it has not fully restored traveler confidence," says Global Rescue spokesman Bill McIntyre. Where are the new danger zones?
I asked security experts, insurers, and seasoned globetrotters to help identify the dangerous places for travelers. Their advice: Rethink where you go, how you get there, and what you buy.
Don't go here. There are a few Middle East destinations that shouldn't be on your list now, according to Gobbels. He recommends avoiding the Gulf states, including Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. Obviously, Israel and Iran are off-limits during any conflict. He's also concerned about conflict erupting between Taiwan and China. If things take a turn for the worse there, you might want to reroute your trip to Hong Kong. Level 4 "Do Not Travel" countries, such as Iran, Russia, and Haiti, are no-gos, but Level 3 spots like Egypt also warrant scrutiny. "Even Level 2 countries have Level 4 zones," he warned, citing India's border with Pakistan.
The touristy areas. Valerie Bowden, a frequent traveler who runs an outsourcing agency, says it's not just the country, but also the location. For example, the anti-tourism protests in France make touristy areas particularly vulnerable. She's avoiding popular museums in Paris this summer. "I've never been more hesitant to travel as an American than I am now," she adds. (And don't forget Spain, where they're squirting tourists with water pistols.)
Even the borders can be dangerous. Rob Housman, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney and national security expert, says many travelers are getting snagged at the border, coming back into the United States. His advice: Disable biometric identification on your phone. "That way, the CBP can't use your eye or finger to access your phone," he says. He says the government has been reviewing users' social media, and you could get detained if you've posted something objectionable. Housan also recommends using privacy apps for email and other communication, which are more difficult for agents to access. How do you travel safer this summer?
But experts say you can still travel this summer without incurring unnecessary risks.
Monitor your whole itinerary. Arthur Harris, a security consultant, just rerouted clients from Dubai to Frankfurt after Gulf airspace closures stranded passengers. He says it's important to review your entire itinerary for security vulnerabilities. Check for connections in major hubs that could be vulnerable, such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Doha. "Watch your entire itinerary — not just the destination," he stressed. "A connection in a shutdown zone can wreck your trip."
How about travel insurance? War or acts of war have generally been excluded from coverage for standard travel insurance policies, according to Terry Boynton, president of Yonder Travel Insurance. "And since the war and conflict in Israel have been ongoing since 2023, any claims related to those events likely won't be covered." Pro tip: If you're heading somewhere with growing tensions or just feeling uneasy, purchase a plan with 'cancel for any reason' benefits. "It lets you cancel for reasons outside the standard list and still get some of your money back,' says Wendy Stahl, travel insurance product director at AXA Partners US.
Get help. A travel advisor can help you monitor your trip and recommend changes you need to make for a safer trip. Your travel insurance policy can also help. For example, Allianz Travel Insurance has a mobile app called Allyz with destination-specific safety and security alerts that will warn you about known risks at your destination. The app and the alerts are free for anyone to download and use. "When travel is unavoidable or catastrophe strikes while you're traveling, there are ways to mitigate your safety risk and ensure you're able to continue with your trip or return home when it's safe to do so," says Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz.
Speaking of insurance, is it too late to get coverage if you've already booked your trip? Not necessarily, says Will Nihan, president of Travelex Insurance Services.
'If you've already booked your trip, it's not too late to purchase travel insurance with coverage for events such as terrorism," he explains. "However, you must purchase your policy before the event becomes foreseeable to be eligible for coverage. It's a good practice to review the policy details thoroughly before you buy to understand any limitations.' When should you bail out on your trip?
I asked several travel experts when they'd cancel a trip. The consensus: If the State Department declares your destination a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" country.
If an airspace closure at your destination lasts more than 48 hours.
If there's no safe way to reroute you through a different airport, land, or sea route.
But don't be too trigger-happy with a cancellation, advises Leigh Matthews, a therapist in Barcelona who has worked with thousands of nervous travelers.
"My advice is to separate media-driven fear from actual risk assessment," he says. "Check government travel advisories for your specific destinations, not general news coverage. If you're genuinely concerned, adjust your itinerary rather than canceling entirely. Psychological preparation and having backup plans reduce anxiety more effectively than avoidance." My advice on traveling during an uncertain time
I'm on the road constantly — in fact, I'm writing this on a plane between Okinawa and Seoul — and I think a certain amount of anxiety is to be expected at a time like this. But I've heard all kinds of overly cautious advice. For example, some experts have told me to avoid Turkey and Cyprus, which is absurd. Cyprus is on my itinerary in a few months, and I visited Turkey last fall.
Another thing I've noticed: A lot of travelers are trying to invoke their own fears and new State Department warnings to get a refund on a nonrefundable airline ticket. But that's not how it works. An airline has to cancel your flight for you to be eligible for a refund, or you can file a claim on your "cancel for any reason" travel insurance policy, if you have one.
All of which brings me to my advice, which is to stick to your plans. You'll know when it's too dangerous to travel. The airport will close, your hotels will shutter, you won't be able to rent a car.
Don't let tourism protests deter you, because if you're reading this story, I can already tell you that you're not one of those tourists. You'll be fine.
"It's important to remember that no travel destination is entirely safe," says Susan Sherren, founder of luxury travel agency Couture Trips. A proactive mindset is essential in today's unpredictable travel climate.
Oh, and what about Kaminetzky, the IT consultant from New York? She got back to the States just fine. Apart from a brief delay, her flight home was uneventful. No one interrogated her at the airport. And she's already planning her next vacation — to a safe destination, of course.