Just a few weeks later, travelers faced a different kind of anxiety, as Iran airstrikes hit Dubai, forcing tourists to scramble for flights home. Flights in and out of Dubai International Airport, the busiest airport for international travelers, were cancelled, forcing those stranded to shelter in nearby hotels.²

As global events continue to unfold, travelers should be concerned. Both smart preparation and timely information are key to planning a safe trip. Here are some tips to help you plan for your next vacation:

• Check for travel advisories. Before traveling, check the U.S. State Department website for your destination’s travel advisory level. The advisory levels are organized into four categories ranging from Level 1 (which recommends exercising normal precautions) to Level 4 (indicating a strong recommendation not to travel to that destination).

• Research your travel destination and surrounding areas. Take extra time to check the conditions of the areas surrounding your itinerary. Look into local news, as well as reviews from other travelers to help determine if you should modify plans.
• Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, also known as STEP. This is a free service from the U.S. State Department that allows Americans to register their trip abroad and so they will receive accurate and prompt information in case of emergencies like a natural disaster or civil unrest.
• Make note of nearby emergency resources in advance. Before your trip, identify nearby resources such as hospitals, police stations, and U.S. embassies or consulates. Consider researching alternative airports, so you know where to begin if flights are disrupted. Knowing where to go and how to get help can save critical time in situations that can escalate quickly.
• Protect your trip with Travel insurance before problems arise. Travel insurance policies define “covered reasons” for cancellations. Some cover cancellations due to a destination being issued a Level 4 travel alert in the days immediately prior to a departure.⁴ However, if the region already had a Level 4 travel alert when you booked the trip, such a cancellation is typically not covered. So don’t plan to visit a dangerous location, but buy coverage so that if a previously safe destination becomes unsafe, you have financial protection in place.
• Consider adding “Cancel For Any Reason.” This feature provides extra flexibility to cancel a trip due to circumstances beyond the list of “covered reasons,” so if you just don’t feel safe or change your mind, you can cancel. Note, however, that most Travel insurance policies don’t refund 100% of the trip cost when using this feature, but often cover 75%.

Learn more about Travel insurance.

¹Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico Right Now? The New York Times. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/travel/mexico-tourism-safety-spring-break.html, February 24, 2026.
²Photos show chaos at airports as passengers are left stranded due to canceled flights. Business Insider. www.businessinsider.com/dubai-international-airport-photos-iran-strikes-canceled-flights-passengers-stranded-2026-2, March 2, 2026.
³Worldwide Caution. U.S. State Department. travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/global-events/worldwide-caution.html, February 28, 2026.
⁴Travel insurance plans vary, so check yours for specific details, rules, and exclusions.