Winter in Europe is increasingly bringing snowstorms, flight delays and traffic chaos. Learn how to prepare for the weather, protect your trip and avoid unnecessary expenses

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The beginning of the year has already shown how vulnerable Europe’s transport system can be in winter. Snowfall, ice and severe frosts have led to mass flight cancellations, disruptions to rail services and the temporary isolation of certain regions.

Although the acute phase of these events has passed, winter is in full swing, and forecasters warn that similar weather scenarios may repeat themselves repeatedly – ​​especially in late January and February.

That is why the key question for travelers today is “what to do if a winter storm occurs again”, we tell you.

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Snowfall that caused chaos across Europe in early January 2026

Over the past few days, Europe has once again faced the consequences of difficult winter weather conditions. Snowfall, ice and a sharp drop in temperature have led to massive disruptions to transport services in several countries at once.

France and the Netherlands were the worst affected, where airports were forced to limit operations or temporarily cancel flights due to snow-covered runways and strong winds. Hundreds of flights in Paris and Amsterdam were not scheduled, and thousands of passengers faced delays, forced overnight stays at airports and difficulties with transfers.

The weather conditions also affected rail services: in some regions, train and bus services were limited or suspended for safety reasons. Some countries in the Balkans and Northern Europe have also reported power outages, flooding and difficult road conditions.

While most airports and transport companies are already looking for ways to deal with this situation, forecasters warn that winter in Europe is entering its most unpredictable period, and similar weather scenarios may repeat themselves more than once.

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Why are weather collapses becoming the new norm in Europe?

Winter storms in Europe are increasingly rare and are a one-off phenomenon. The combination of arctic air, strong winds and high humidity leads to situations where even well-prepared infrastructure cannot withstand the load.

For travelers, this means one thing: the risk of delays, cancellations and unexpected expenses in winter is much higher than in the warm season. That is why proper preparation becomes not just a recommendation, but a necessity.

Snow, storms and flight cancellations: what to do as a tourist - unconventional advice from Visit World

1. Plan a trip with “weather slack”

When booking flights in winter, leave at least 12-24 hours of spare time between transfers or important events (cruise, event, connection). This is critically important in winter, when airports can completely stop working for several hours or days.

2. Choose hub airports with alternatives

Large hub airports (Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt) are the first to suffer from bad weather, but at the same time they have the most backup routes. Before traveling, check if there is an alternative airport or high-speed rail nearby.

Renting a car is an important part of comfortable travel in Europe. Read here how to rent a car in Europe safely and without stress.

3. Pay attention to “winter-proof” routes

If there is a choice between a direct flight and a route with several transfers, in winter it is better to choose the minimum number of connections. Each additional transfer increases the risk of disruption of the entire trip.

4. Check the airline’s policy in advance

Not all airlines behave the same during bad weather. Some allow free rebooking or refunds even before the flight is officially canceled. Such knowledge will help you save time and money.

Winter weather conditions abroad mean an increased risk of falls, injuries, and hypothermia. Medical insurance will help you get the help you need without financial stress, even if the situation seems insignificant.

In EU countries, any visit to a doctor without a policy can be very expensive, so insurance is a basic necessity for life and travel in the winter.

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5. Keep offline access to important

In the event of mass delays, mobile Internet may work unstable. Download in advance:

- boarding passes;

- insurance policy;

- airline and insurance company contacts;

- offline hotel address.

This is a trifle that really saves your nerves in an emergency.

6. Don't wait - act first

During flight cancellations, the first to contact will receive a decision. Therefore, immediately join the electronic queue of the support service, check the independent rebooking in the application, and simultaneously record the delay (screenshots, notifications). This is important for both compensation and insurance claims.

7. Think not only about the flight, but about the entire trip

A disaster is not only a canceled flight. It is additional overnight stays, meals, transfers, emergency expenses in another country.

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8. Always have a “winter financial reserve”

In the cold season, it is worth having a separate reserve of funds specifically for unforeseen expenses: an extra night in a hotel, transfers, or meals. Tourists often underestimate this point, and in winter it becomes critical.

9. Follow local warnings, not just the news

Official weather services and transport operators publish warnings before the information appears in the media. Subscribing to local alerts can give you a few hours of head start.

Recent events in Europe have proven once again: winter weather collapses can happen suddenly and in any country. Competent planning, attention to detail and the availability of insurance allow you to maintain control over the situation. In winter, a prepared traveler is a protected traveler.

Winter storms, snowfalls and traffic chaos are the reality of European travel during the cold season. Travel insurance will help compensate for the costs of delayed flights, additional overnight stays, route changes and emergencies abroad.

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Reminder! Punctuality of flights in 2025 has become a key indicator of the quality of air transportation in the world. We have already told you which airlines and airports demonstrated the highest On-Time Performance according to the Cirium rating, who became the leader among carriers and which air hubs topped the world ranking.

Photo - generated by Gemini