As Heat Deters Travelers in Summer, Will Fall Become the New Peak Season to Visit Europe?

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's record-setting heatwave may be permanently changing when travelers plan their trips to Europe. New booking data from Squaremouth, the nation's largest travel insurance marketplace, found that 62% of travelers are now less likely to book a trip to Europe in the summer due to the heat.

Nearly 1 in 5 travelers (18.4%) have already canceled, altered, or reconsidered their summer plans in favor of fall trips. Squaremouth breaks down the shift we're seeing in how travelers plan their Europe trips.

Travelers Aren't Canceling, But They Are Rescheduling

While the heat has made some travelers hesitant, most are not giving up on their trips entirely. Among those who changed their plans because of the heat, nearly half (48%) simply shifted their travel dates rather than canceling outright. About one-third of travelers (32%) chose a different destination instead.

Older Travelers Are the Most Impacted by the Heat

According to the data, the likelihood of avoiding a European summer trip follows a clear pattern that increases with age:

• Millennials: 55.8%
• Gen Z: 59.0%
• Gen X: 59.1%
• Baby Boomers: 64.4%
• Silent Generation: 70.1%

Older travelers are the most likely to experience heat-related illnesses while traveling. As a result, the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers are the most likely to change their booking behavior.

Fall Travel Is Already Climbing

For travelers who have decided to alter the timing of their trips, fall has emerged as the answer. Squaremouth's sales data shows several destinations that typically peak in the summer see sharp year-over-year gains in September and October. And this surge in fall travel isn't limited to Europe.

• Croatia (+31.20%), Italy (+11.39%), and Greece (+8.19%) are the most notable European destinations to see fall spikes, as travelers book later trips to take advantage of cooler fall temperatures.
• Norway (+31.20%) has seen the largest fall spike among European countries, likely receiving a boost due to increased visibility from the World Cup.
• Caribbean travel is on the rise too, led by Aruba (+53.93%) and the Bahamas (+17.65%), driven by a quiet hurricane season in the Atlantic making fall Caribbean trips less risky.

"If the high heat continues to push travelers away from Europe during the peak season, our data shows that fall could overtake summer as the preferred time to go," says Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth. "Based on what we're seeing already this year, this could happen as early as 2027."

To compare comprehensive travel insurance plans for your European trip, visit Squaremouth.com.

About Squaremouth
For over 20 years, Squaremouth has helped more than 4.7 million travelers quote, compare, and purchase travel insurance online. Renowned for its award-winning customer service, commitment to transparency, and unbiased approach, Squaremouth has been a leader in travel insurance comparison since 2003. As America's largest travel insurance marketplace, Squaremouth.com features more providers and plans than any other platform.

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SOURCE Squaremouth