Americans Rethink European Travel This Spring

Travelers seek safer, more politically neutral destinations as domestic trip costs climb

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:37pm

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A stylized, geometric illustration depicting the grand scale and streamlined forms of travel, with sweeping gradients and forced perspectives, conveying the emotional tone of uncertainty and change in the travel industry.As global tensions rise, American travelers are seeking safer, more politically neutral destinations for their spring vacations, while prioritizing flexible trip insurance policies.St. Petersburg Today

According to data from travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth, Americans are reconsidering their European travel plans this spring, opting for politically neutral destinations like the Netherlands, Ireland, and Norway instead of the UK and Iceland. Domestic trip costs have also risen 20% year-over-year as travelers stay closer to home, investing more in elevated experiences within the U.S. European-bound travelers are prioritizing flexible trip benefits like Cancel For Any Reason coverage to mitigate the financial risks of canceling their vacations.

Why it matters

The variety of global risks and political tensions have driven increased interest in travel insurance policies with more flexible cancellation options, as travelers seek to protect their investments in both international and domestic trips this spring.

The details

Squaremouth's data shows that countries traditionally viewed as politically neutral, such as the Netherlands, Ireland, and Norway, are seeing an increase in demand from American travelers this spring. In contrast, the UK, which has faced heightened scrutiny over crime concerns, and Iceland, whose decline may be a result of broader geopolitical attention on its neighbor Greenland, are falling in popularity. For those Americans heading to Europe, nearly 20% more researched Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage compared to last year, as this benefit allows travelers to cancel their trip for reasons not typically covered by standard policies.

  • Historically, April marks the start of the European travel season for many Americans.
  • Domestic trip costs for April and May have grown by 20% year-over-year, increasing from $4,290 on average in 2025 to $5,124 in 2026.

The players

Squaremouth

The nation's largest travel insurance marketplace, which provided the data and insights on changing American travel patterns this spring.

Chrissy Valdez

Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth, who commented on the increased interest in flexible travel insurance policies like Cancel For Any Reason coverage.

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What they’re saying

“The variety of global risks we're seeing right now is driving a lot of the interest in CFAR. It gives travelers a level of flexibility that standard policies simply won't offer.”

— Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations

What’s next

Travelers looking to compare policies and explore CFAR coverage options can visit Squaremouth.com.

The takeaway

This shift in American travel patterns highlights the growing importance of flexible travel insurance policies that can protect travelers from a range of global risks and uncertainties, whether they are venturing abroad or staying closer to home this spring.