How to Navigate Traveling This Holiday Season

If you’re traveling this holiday season (or have been paying attention to the news), you might notice things feel a little off. The recent government shutdown may be over, but its effects haven’t disappeared completely. Combine that with busy airports, unpredictable weather, and higher-than-usual travel demand, and it’s shaping up to be a season that demands a bit more patience and planning than usual.

Whether you’re flying across the country or heading out on a road trip, being prepared can make a big difference. This guide breaks down what’s going on, what to expect, and a few ways to make your travel experience as smooth as possible.

What Was the Government Shutdown All About?

In case you missed it, the U.S. government officially shut down for over a month this fall. That doesn’t mean everything stopped working, but a lot of federal agencies were either closed or operating with very limited staff. For travelers, this caused ripple effects across air travel, national parks, passport and visa services, and more.

Now that the shutdown has just ended, many people are just trying to understand what it was and how it might still affect their holiday plans. In short, a government shutdown happens when Congress doesn’t pass a budget to fund operations. Without that funding, certain government functions pause until a deal is reached.

Important services like air traffic control and TSA screening kept running, but many employees were working without pay, and non-essential operations were put on hold. All of this led to slower processing times, reduced services at national parks, and some travel-related delays that are still being felt even though things are officially “back on.”

Expect Bigger Crowds and Book Early

With the shutdown officially over, more travelers are feeling confident about moving forward with their holiday plans, which means demand is bouncing back fast. Flights are filling up, airport lines are getting longer, and popular destinations are seeing a surge in bookings, especially around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

If you haven’t booked your travel yet, now’s the time. Flight prices will likely go up the closer you get to your departure date, and hotels in busy areas (like ski towns, theme parks, or major cities) can sell out weeks in advance. This year, it’s especially important to plan ahead, not just to get the best prices, but to make sure you actually get the flights and lodging you want.

Here are a few quick tips:

• Set price alerts on tools like Google Flights or Hopper so you can jump on deals when they pop up.
• Look into alternative airports near your destination. Smaller regional hubs might have better availability or cheaper fares.
• Consider flying on less popular days like Monday or Christmas Eve instead of the weekend before. It could mean less stress and lower prices.
• Once your trip is booked, you can move on to the fun part: planning what you’ll actually do when you get there. But securing your travel is step one.

Airport Staffing and Delays May Still Linger

Even though the shutdown has ended, its effects are still showing up at airports. TSA agents and air traffic controllers worked without pay during the shutdown, and while operations are back to normal on paper, staffing shortages and backlogs haven’t disappeared overnight. 

Travelers are reporting longer lines at major hubs, and some airports are still playing catch-up with scheduling and staffing, especially at large, high-traffic hubs like Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. Even though flights are running again, schedules are tighter, and delays are more likely to snowball throughout the day.

If you’re flying through any of these busy hubs, plan for extra time at the airport, keep an eye on your flight status, and consider having a backup plan in case your travel is disrupted.

What to do:

• Arrive earlier than usual – at least 2 hours for domestic flights and 3 for international.
• Sign up for programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear if you haven’t already – they can seriously cut down wait times at security and customs.
• Use airline apps for real-time gate info, delay alerts, and mobile boarding passes.

Delays Beyond the Airport

It’s not just air travel feeling the strain. During the shutdown, a lot of federally managed parks, landmarks, and scenic routes either closed temporarily or operated with minimal staff. And just because the shutdown has officially ended doesn’t mean everything snapped back to normal overnight.

Some national parks and monuments are still ramping up their operations. That might mean limited visitor services, reduced hours, or fewer rangers on duty. If your trip includes stops at federally run locations like the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, or even scenic roads like the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s worth checking their official websites or social media like Reddit and Instagram to confirm what’s open.

Travel Insurance and the Shutdown

Here’s where it gets a bit technical but still important. Standard travel insurance policies don’t usually cover government shutdowns. But there’s a workaround: if you’re still in the planning phase, you may be able to buy a policy with Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. This basically lets you cancel your trip for almost any reason, not just the typical “covered reasons” listed in most policies, and still get a big chunk of your non-refundable costs back (typically 50% to 75%, depending on the plan).

Just keep in mind, there are rules: you usually need to buy CFAR within 1–3 weeks of your first trip payment, and you have to cancel at least 48 hours before departure.

Also worth noting: if you’re a federal employee who booked a trip before the shutdown and had to cancel due to being furloughed, you might be covered under Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption. But policies bought after the shutdown started likely won’t cover it, since it became a “foreseen event.”

Best bet: review your policy’s terms or check TravelInsurance.com to compare plans with CFAR before your next trip.

Be Flexible With Your Plans

This might not be the year to cut it close. Weather, staffing, and general high demand could all throw some surprises your way. Build in buffers where you can. Leave earlier, plan for potential delays, and avoid overly tight connections.

If you’re renting a car, reserve it in advance. Rental car inventory is still tight in some regions, especially during peak travel weeks. Prices can spike quickly, and in smaller destinations, availability might disappear altogether. Booking early gives you more options and more control over your budget. Be sure to double-check pickup and drop-off times, especially around holiday closures.

If you’re booking a tour, double-check their refund or rescheduling policies. Flexibility is your best friend this holiday season.

Final Thoughts

Holiday travel always comes with a bit of chaos, but this year might feel a little more unpredictable than usual. Between the recent government shutdown and high travel demand, staying flexible and informed is key.

Give yourself some extra time, double-check your plans, and consider travel insurance if you haven’t already. A little preparation now can go a long way toward making your trip less stressful and maybe even enjoyable. If you’re not sure where to start, TravelInsurance.com makes it easy to compare plans from multiple providers so you can find coverage that fits your trip and your budget.

And if you already have a policy, it’s worth reviewing your coverage or contacting your provider. For furloughed government employees who booked before October 1, you may qualify for trip reimbursement under certain policies.

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