In this case: Summer travel crowds
In this story
This summer is expected to be the busiest travel season ever, with record-breaking crowds at airports, attractions, and popular destinations.
Experts warn that dense crowds can be dangerous and advise travelers to stay calm, move with the flow, and have a reunification plan if separated.
To avoid lines, travelers can fly early, use less popular entrances at attractions, or consider traveling during the “shoulder season” right after Labor Day.
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If you feel like you’re spending more time standing in line than on vacation, then you’ve probably been traveling this year.
And I’m sorry to break it to you, but it’s about to get worse. Much worse.
This summer, travel is expected to hit record-breaking levels, with airports, attractions, and even once-quiet destinations bursting at the seams.
Want to fly somewhere? Get in line. Checking into a hotel? Get in line. Dining at a popular restaurant? Line. Visiting a museum and get out of the heat? Yep, another line.
It’s not just an inconvenience. Serious crowds can form at the biggest tourism destinations, which can turn dangerous, says Tamara Herold, director of the Crowd Management Research Council at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“Not knowing how to handle a crowd can increase the risks of serious injury or trampling,” she says.
She’s not kidding. Earlier this year, at least 30 people were killed and many more were reportedly injured at the Kumbh Mela festival in India. Tens of millions of visit Uttar Pradesh to bathe in the Ganges River. And who can forget the 153 people crushed to death in Halloween celebrations a few years ago in Seoul, South Korea?
So what’s the best way of avoiding long lines and handling the inevitable crowds?
How to handle a large crowd
Let’s start with a worst-case scenario: You’re stuck in a crowd this summer with nowhere to go.
Herold, the crowd control expert, has three tips for surviving a crush of people and getting out alive.
Stay calm and take deep breaths
Don’t panic! That will make the situation much worse. “Try to stay as calm as possible and remain situationally aware,” she says.
Move with the crowd
If you’re caught in a dense crowd, don’t fight it. “Move with the crowd to stay on your feet and avoid injury,” advises Herold. Check for alcoves or stairways for an opportunity to leave the crowd.
Have a reunification plan
If you’re traveling with others, agree on a meeting spot in case you get separated. “It’s a simple step that can save a lot of stress,” says Herold.
I hope you won’t need these tips during your summer travels. But what about those long lines? What can you do beyond some of the obvious ways to steer clear of the lines, to avoid standing around during your vacation?
Your Voice Matters
�️ Your voice matters
Have the summer crowds affected your travel plans this year? Are you avoiding certain destinations because of over-tourism?
The article suggests traveling to the Southern Hemisphere for an “off-season” experience. Is this a practical solution for most travelers, or just a fantasy?
What is your single best tip for avoiding lines and staying sane during the busiest travel season? Share your advice in the comments.
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How to avoid the lines this summer
You don’t have to get stuck in line during the next few weeks. Here are some practical ways to avoid a long queue.
Get there early
That’s the advice of Henri Chelhot, CEO of the venture capital firm that owns FlightHub and justfly.com. “The best advice I can give is to book the first flight of the day,” he says. No one wants to get up at O’dark hundred to catch a flight, so you’re less likely to see a huge line at TSA or the gate. Here’s a pro tip: Chelhot says you can also ask to use the PreCheck line, even if you’re not a member. “Sometimes, you’ll be surprised by the answer.”
Zig when everyone else zags
In other words, if visitors go to one entrance, go to another. “Every time I go to the Louvre in Paris, it’s amazing to see long lines at the Pyramid entrance, while the Carrousel du Louvre entrance will help you breeze in,” says Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips.
Wait a while
We’re heading into the busiest time of the year — late July and August. But wait! Summer doesn’t end until mid-September, and the crowds start to thin out right after Labor Day. “An often overlooked travel hack to avoid airport crowds is taking advantage of shoulder-season travel,” advises Denise Yaghi, a flight attendant for the Icelandic airline Play. “Not only can travelers enjoy faster and smoother airport experiences, but airfare during shoulder season is often more affordable.”
Of course, you can also pay to avoid the crowds by carrying the right credit card or having Global Entry membership. But for many travelers who are taking one or two flights a year, that’s impractical advice. And as a consumer advocate, I second that. You shouldn’t have to pay more to avoid long lines. Everyone’s time is valuable, and no one’s time should be wasted.
It can’t go on like this
As I look at the summer travel projections and take the pulse of visitors, I’m struck by the growing consensus among experts: Something has to change.
There’s already a strong case for capacity controls, not just at popular attractions but in entire cities. Many of my colleagues have already promised to stop promoting tourism during the summer because they don’t want to be part of the problem.
I agree with them — it can’t go on like this — but I don’t think the answer is to stop writing about summer travel. I think it’s to start encouraging responsible summer travel.
For example, most Americans don’t realize that it’s the off-season in half the world — the southern half. You can get to some of my favorite places like New Zealand and Chile and enjoy lower rates, smaller crowds, and great skiing. You can still travel this summer, but if you turn the equation on its head, you might find that travel will become more bearable.
But if everyone goes to the same places — I don’t even want to think about the chaos that awaits us.
Summer Travel Survival Guide
Your survival guide to the busiest travel season ever
This summer is expected to break travel records. Here’s how to stay ahead of the crowds and handle the lines when you can’t.
How to avoid the crowds
Fly early
Book the first flight of the day. Fewer people are willing to wake up early, meaning shorter lines at security and the gate.
Zig when others zag
At major attractions like the Louvre, look for less-used entrances. A little research can help you bypass the main queue entirely.
Travel off-season
Consider a “shoulder season” trip after Labor Day or visit the Southern Hemisphere, where it’s currently winter, for fewer crowds.
How to survive a crowd
Stay calm
If you’re caught in a dense crowd, don’t panic. Take deep breaths, stay on your feet, and remain aware of your surroundings.
Move with the flow
Don’t fight the current. Move with the crowd to conserve energy and avoid injury. Look for openings like doorways or alcoves to escape.
Have a reunion plan
If you’re with others, agree on a specific meeting spot in case you get separated. This simple step can save a lot of stress.
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Is your right to travel more important than a destination's right to survive?
This summer's record-breaking crowds are making travel miserable and pushing popular cities and natural wonders to the breaking point. Some experts say the only solution is to implement strict visitor caps or "tourist taxes" to reduce the strain.
What should be the priority?
My freedom to travel wherever I want.0
Protecting the destination, even if it means I can't go.3
FAQs
FAQs
What’s the single best way to avoid lines at the airport?
Book the first flight of the day. Airports are significantly less crowded in the early morning hours, leading to shorter lines at security and the gate.
What should I do if I get caught in a dangerous crowd?
Stay calm and try not to panic. Move with the flow of the crowd instead of fighting against it to stay on your feet. Look for an opportunity to exit the crowd, like a doorway or alcove.
Is it really cheaper to travel during the “shoulder season”?
Yes. Traveling in the shoulder season (the period just before or after the peak season, like September) often means more affordable airfare and accommodation, in addition to smaller crowds.
Are there any “secret” ways to get into popular attractions faster?
Often, yes. Many famous sites, like the Louvre in Paris, have multiple entrances. The main entrance may have a long line, while a lesser-known entrance could have almost no wait. A little research beforehand can save you hours.
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