Summer travel tips are in high demand this year, as record-breaking heat and some of the busiest travel days on record collide to make trips more stressful than usual. The good news: a few smart habits — staying hydrated, tapping your credit card perks, packing the right gear, and vetting hotels for working AC — can keep you comfortable and sane on the road.
The conditions are genuinely extreme. In the US, June 23 set an all-time record for TSA screenings at 2.99 million in a single day, and eight of the 10 busiest travel days ever occurred in the past month alone. The World Cup, spread across major North American cities, is adding even more crowds to places already straining under the heat.
Europe is not the escape it once was, either. The continent just logged its hottest June on record, with temperatures hitting 111 degrees Fahrenheit in Paris. Two separate heat-driven disruption waves — around June 21 and again on June 25–26 — each snarled thousands of European flights within a single 24-hour stretch.
Summer travel tips: stay hydrated in extreme heat
Hydration is the simplest and most important defense. It is easy to land in a new city, drop your bags, and head out to explore, only to realize hours later that you have not had a sip of water. When it is over 100 degrees outside, that is genuinely dangerous.
Pack a reusable water bottle — a collapsible one folds down so you are not lugging a rigid bottle around — and consider bringing electrolyte packets. When you are sweating through a hot city day, you lose more than just water, and an electrolyte boost can noticeably change how you feel. One tip that catches people off guard: flights are actively dehydrating, so start drinking water hours before you board. These are exactly the kinds of heat-safety basics we cover in our health section.
Use your credit card perks to skip crowds
Your wallet may already hold a way to beat both the heat and the lines. Premium cards such as the Amex Platinum offer lounge access, and that extends beyond airports — at some events, cardholders can duck into an air-conditioned lounge with complimentary water and food, a welcome break during a sweltering afternoon.
With that in mind, check whether your cards include benefits at concerts, sporting events, and conferences. It is also worth knowing that Clear members get expedited security at airports and at a number of arenas and stadiums, which can shave meaningful time off waiting in the heat. Perks like these are the sort of value we dig into in our deals coverage.
Pack the right cooling gear
The right gear goes a long way when temperatures spike. A few items travelers swear by this summer:
- A battery-powered portable fan — perch it on the seat in front of you at a hot, un-air-conditioned venue.
- A cooling migraine mask, which chills your head and blocks out stimulation on a stuffy plane or train.
- A pack of bandages to head off blisters, since heat and sweat increase friction on your feet.
None of these take up much space, and each solves a specific problem that can otherwise derail a day.
Research hotels — or escape to winter
Before you book, confirm your hotel or rental actually has working air conditioning. There is little worse than trekking through a heatwave with your luggage only to arrive somewhere with no way to cool off. Hotel websites and online travel agencies list this, and Airbnb and VRBO listings note whether a property has AC — something to watch closely if you are headed to Europe.
If all else fails, chase cooler weather. Heading south of the equator, to a destination like Australia, means arriving in the middle of winter, with pleasant temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Closer to home, places like Nova Scotia offer mild mid-70s days and thin crowds, while other options for beating the heat include Patagonia, South Africa, Scandinavia, and New Zealand. For more practical guides, browse our latest news and tips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to stay cool while traveling this summer?
Stay hydrated with a reusable water bottle and electrolytes, use credit card lounges to escape the heat, pack cooling gear like a portable fan, and book accommodations with working air conditioning.
Where can I travel to escape the summer heat?
Destinations south of the equator, such as Australia, are in winter during the northern summer. Cooler northern spots like Nova Scotia, Scandinavia, and New Zealand are also good options.
