Travelers Shift to Regional Trips Amid Mideast Tensions

Travelers across Europe and beyond are scaling back long-haul summer holiday plans amid escalating Middle East tensions, soaring oil prices near $100 a barrel and disruptions to air routes, opting instead for shorter regional trips by train or car.

Greg Abbott, a 54-year-old Australian living in Britain, exemplifies the shift. He is organizing a cycling outing with friends in Austria, a music festival in Barcelona and a possible yoga retreat in France, while preparing backup options due to rising airfares and cancellations. "We'll almost certainly be doing short-haul Europe, and almost certainly be doing trains, because they run on electricity," said Abbott, head of operations at a broadcasting company. "The prices are just crazy at the moment."

The conflict, centered on Iran, has tightened jet fuel supplies and nearly doubled prices, severely impacting Gulf carriers and hubs like Dubai. Slow-moving peace talks signal a prolonged standoff, prompting tourists to book later and prioritize flexibility. Susanne Dickhardt, co-founder of German camper van rental firm Roadsurfer, noted travelers are acting more cautiously, favoring nearer destinations, driving and cost-saving formats...