Overtourism is a very real issue, especially in Europe’s biggest tourist hot spots. The influx of visitors can put a strain on local infrastructure, and the heavy congestion is often a detriment to locals who just want to go about their lives. To help curb the issue, some cities have imposed restrictions such as tourist taxes or limits on rental properties. But one popular destination is taking these measures to a new level by banning outdoor dining in tourist-centric areas.

A Growing Issue in Florence

Only 380,000 residents call Florence, Italy, their full-time home — a tiny group compared with the 16 million-plus tourists who visit each year (more than 40,000 visitors each day).

One of the most popular areas of Florence is the UNESCO-protected city center, where the large crowds make it difficult to navigate the neighborhood’s narrow streets. Walkways are further limited due to the many tables, chairs, and semipermanent dining structures set up by eateries hoping to attract customers with alfresco dining options.

In an effort to address these concerns, Florentine officials plan to ban outdoor dining structures in the city center and regulate setups elsewhere. These measures are set to take effect in the early part of 2026, once the city council approves, and the changes will affect restaurants located along 50 streets in the main historic area, as well as at 73 additional locations around Florence.

Interestingly, the reaction to these new regulations has been almost universally negative — though not for the reasons you may expect. Some residents claim the ban doesn’t go far enough, saying stricter guidelines are essential to make streets more navigable. However, restaurateurs, as you might guess, are concerned about how this change will affect their bottom line, as fewer outdoor tables will mean fewer customers. But despite this pushback, the plan is still expected to take effect in early 2026.

Which Locations Are Affected?

The ban will cover popular sites (and the areas surrounding them) such as Piazzale degli Uffizi, a courtyard situated between two long galleries of the Uffizi Gallery art museum; the Palazzo Vecchio (town hall); and Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone bridge that has many well-trafficked restaurants nearby.

There are another 73 streets subject to a partial ban. According to the Florence Daily News, outdoor dining setups will be permitted but highly regulated, in order to cut back on large, semipermanent, enclosed spaces. Many restaurants will be limited to only a few tables, chairs, and small umbrellas, while others will be granted some leniency to install partial enclosures with transparent side panels during the colder months.

As of the time of publication, there’s still work to be done to determine the exact specifications for the city’s four “noble squares” — Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Santa Maria Novella, Piazza Pitti, and the Piazza della Repubblica. The city hopes to limit outdoor dining in these squares to maintain the central open space. In the case of Piazza della Repubblica, for example, all dining installations will be forced to adhere to a strict symmetry. Further guidelines are set to be implemented within 30 days of city council approval.

Additional Restrictions

In addition to cutting back on congestion, a goal of these new measures is to protect the historic aesthetic of Florence. This means removing eyesores that would otherwise obstruct the artistic and architectural features of the city center.

All restaurants will be prohibited from using plastic materials, including any sheets or tarps that would have previously served as temporary roofing or protection against the wind. Additionally, all advertising, bright lights, or branded signage will be banned. Lastly, restaurants and cafes are being advised to decorate their outdoor spaces with seasonal plants and flowers that are locally grown and sustainable, as to make these exteriors more attractive using Italian foliage.

When you board an aircraft, your mind is likely focused just on finding your seat and settling in. If you’re greeted by a flight attendant, you may just think they’re offering a friendly welcome aboard and nothing more. But in fact, this fleeting interaction is more important than you might think.

Flight Attendants Are Assessing Your Mood and Physical State

A simple greeting and a smile from the cabin crew isn’t all it may seem. Flight attendants use those few seconds to determine if a passenger is in a fragile state emotionally, is a high-maintenance or nervous flyer, or is displaying any important indicators, such as the sunflower lanyard worn by those with hidden disabilities. 

They’ll also be looking for clues that any passenger may be intoxicated and could become uncooperative — flight attendants want to be confident that passengers are going to comply with instructions. Identifying potentially unruly passengers helps cabin crew ensure that everyone has a safe and smooth journey. 

They’re Determining Who May Need Assistance During the Flight

Flight attendants also need to know who may need physical assistance during the flight and crucially, in the event of an emergency. Safety is their top priority, so they’ll be looking out for anyone who might appreciate a helping hand, such as an adult traveling solo with young children or an elderly passenger who may take longer to deplane in an emergency. 

Knowing this in advance helps the crew be more prepared and enables them to make a mental note of anyone that they may need to check on a little more frequently while in the air. Similarly, flight attendants are also clocking able-bodied passengers (ABPs) who have the capacity to look after others or assist with heavy doors in an emergency, and can be called upon by cabin crew if required. 

It’s an Opportunity To Look for Anything Suspicious or Unusual

Even though airports carefully screen passengers and their luggage before they make it to the gate, the ultimate responsibility for passengers while in the air remains with the pilot and, by extension, their crew. So, it makes sense that those greeting passengers as they board will take the opportunity to assess whether anything appears out of the ordinary. Airline staff might also check boarding pass as another security measure to make sure no one sets foot on the plane who isn’t supposed to be there.

Additionally, anyone attempting to board with excessively large carry-ons or too many bags will be flagged at this stage, especially because it can slow down the boarding process. On wide-body aircraft, flight attendants often check boarding passes to tell passengers which aisle is best to use to reach their seat.

The Greeting Sets the Tone for the Flight

Passengers have their first interaction with the cabin crew as they board the plane, and it’s in everyone’s interest to get off to a good start. This is the first instance in which flight attendants can set the tone — some airlines are more formal than others, but friendliness and mutual respect should be universal. A congenial greeting helps foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere onboard where everyone can be comfortable. 

Ever clicked “buy” on an airline ticket and instantly regretted it? Maybe you accidentally picked the wrong date or airport, maybe you spotted a better fare with another airline, or perhaps you simply reconsidered the trip altogether. That’s where the 24-hour rule comes into play. This helpful government policy affords you the flexibility of a full refund on the price you pay for an airline ticket within 24 hours, with certain conditions. Here’s everything you need to know. 

A Guide to the 24-Hour Cancellation Rule

The U.S. Department of Transportation stipulates that:

• Airlines are required to allow customers to cancel their reservation for any reason, without penalty, for a 24-hour period after the ticket is purchased. 
• Airlines must provide a full refund to the original form of payment, instead of only a voucher or travel credit. 
• Alternatively, airlines can offer a free hold, prior to purchase, to allow customers to secure the price of the ticket for 24 hours. (However, airlines don’t have to offer both a free hold and a refund without penalty.)  
• This policy applies on flights to, from, or within the United States, whether the airline is based in the U.S. or internationally. 
• Importantly, the rule applies only for tickets that are purchased at least seven days or more in advance of the scheduled departure date.

It doesn’t matter which type of ticket you buy, so yes, it even works for basic economy. However, airlines aren’t required to provide free ticket changes within 24 hours — only refunds. So if you see the price has gone down after you purchase, but there’s a change fee associated with your ticket, it’s probably a better bet to just cancel your original ticket (if it’s been less than 24 hours) and buy a new one. 

When the 24-Hour Rule Does Not Apply

The most obvious exception to the 24-hour rule is for flights outside the U.S., so take extra caution when booking intra-Europe flights for your big Europe trip. That said, while the EU doesn’t formally require airlines to offer free 24-hour cancellations like the U.S. does, you’ll find that, in practice, many European airlines offer the policy as a courtesy anyway. The same is true for other airlines, like Air Canada. 

Additionally, it’s worth repeating that the 24-hour policy doesn’t apply to last-minute purchases. If you’re booking a ticket for travel within the next seven days, make sure your plans are set, because in most cases you won’t be able to cancel for a full refund without penalty. 

In practice, though, it depends on the airline, so always check your individual airline’s policy. For example, American Airlines lets you cancel for a full refund if you’ve booked two or more days before departure; with Alaska Airlines, it has to be at least one day before travel.  

The rule is also different for tickets booked through a travel agency or online travel agency (OTA) instead of directly with the airline. Technically, the DOT’s rule does not stipulate that third parties must provide the same flexibility; the rule applies only to airlines themselves. However, you’ll find that many OTAs, such as Expedia, still offer free cancellations for any reason within 24 hours; just be sure to check those policies before you book. 

What To Do After 24 Hours

The 24-hour rule can be a useful tool for travelers to score a deal. With dynamic, frequently fluctuating pricing of airline tickets, you can snap up a great fare and think if they really want to commit after the fact. But what if it’s been more than 24 hours since you purchased the ticket? 

Unfortunately, most tickets airlines sell, especially the lowest fares, are nonrefundable. The good news is that, during the pandemic, many U.S. airlines permanently eliminated change fees (except on basic-economy tickets). That means if you need to change your ticket, you can do so without penalty; you’ll just need to pay a fare difference. If you can no longer travel and aren’t sure when you’ll be able to reschedule, you’ll be able to cancel the ticket for a future travel credit, without any fee. 

Additionally, under new DOT regulations enacted in late 2024, U.S. airlines are required to offer a full refund for any significant flight disruptions. In this case, “significant” means three hours or more for a domestic flight or six hours or more for an international flight. If the airline changes it for any reason, at any point up until departure, you are entitled to a full refund, should you not accept their alternative arrangements. This applies to day-of-departure disruptions such as weather or crew availability, but you can also get a refund any time before then if, for example, the airline changes its schedule and moves you to a flight three or more hours later (for domestic travel). 

Featured image credit: Yuliia Kaveshnikova/ iStock via Getty Images Plus 

In 2021, during the pandemic, Amtrak hit a low point in terms of annual ridership, welcoming a mere 12 million passengers across the country. But in the years since, ridership numbers have shot up to unprecedented highs. After setting an all-time record in 2024, America’s national rail provider eclipsed its record ridership totals again in 2025. Let’s dive into the details and examine what’s behind Amtrak’s surging popularity.

Ridership Levels Soaring to New Heights

In the company’s 2024 fiscal year (October 2023 to September 2024), Amtrak saw 32.8 million passengers take to the rails. The following year (October 2024 to September 2025), 34.5 million travelers rode aboard Amtrak, marking a 5.1% increase in ridership. The company also generated $2.7 billion in adjusted ticket revenue (a 10.4% increase) and $3.9 billion in total operating revenue (a 9.1% increase).

Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor — which connects Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., among other major cities — welcomed 1.14 million passengers alone, 8.1% more riders than in the year prior. Amtrak also saw a 4.2% increase in long-distance travel, thanks in large part to more than 500,000 rides aboard the Floridian line, which was introduced in late 2024 and connects Chicago and Miami.

Ridership also surged aboard state-supported train lines, including a whopping 140.7% increase on the Borealis line connecting the Twin Cities to Chicago (88,444 passengers in 2024 vs. 212,909 in 2025). Trains across California, Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and many other states saw notable increases in ridership as well.

Why Are Ridership Numbers Increasing?

One can partially attribute the spike in ridership to substantial investments being made to maintain Amtrak’s infrastructure and ensure that trains run as reliably and efficiently as possible. 

A record $5.5 billion went toward Amtrak’s capital projects throughout the 2025 fiscal year, amounting to a 24% increase over the previous year. This included $1.1 billion for track, catenary, signal, and structural maintenance, as well as additional money toward maintaining bridges and tunnels that are essential to Amtrak. An additional $182 million was invested to modernize stations so they’d be in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, which makes Amtrak more accessible than ever before.

The introduction of new Amtrak routes also boosted ridership. In late 2025, the Mardi Gras line restored Amtrak service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, for the first time in nearly two decades. Approximately 18,000 passengers rode aboard that line in its first month of operation. 

Furthermore, the company welcomed 60,000 monthly riders aboard its new NextGen Acela high-speed train; expanded its Capitol Corridor service between cities such as Sacramento, Oakland, and San Jose; and increased its Winter Park service to five days a week between the cities of Denver and Fraser, Colorado. 

Amtrak has also looked to advertising to boost its ridership. Unveiled in October 2024, the Retrain Travel campaign reminded people that they could avoid the stresses of flying and driving by riding the rails instead. Additionally, the company upgraded onboard amenities: Wi-Fi, food and beverage options, station signage, and other features meant to make the travel experience more pleasant than before. 

What’s Next for Amtrak?

In addition to the continued rollout of high-speed NextGen Acela trains, Amtrak plans to unveil its new, ultramodern Airo fleet in the coming fiscal year. These spacious trains will feature panoramic windows, travel up to 125 mph, and offer the best fuel-efficiency in Amtrak’s fleet. The Airo is set to debut on popular routes such as the Northeast Regional, Maple Leaf, Palmetto, and Keystone Service trains.

In other news, Amtrak is working in tandem with New Jersey Transit to complete construction on the Portal North Bridge Project, which aims to relieve congestion in the ultra-busy Northeast Corridor. And in June 2025, the company began work on the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project, which aims to help relieve traffic in and out of New York City.

Having successfully made 19 stations ADA accessible in 2025, Amtrak also plans to upgrade 50 more stations in 2026, with the goal of achieving system-wide accessibility by 2029. It’s all part of Amtrak’s ambitious goal to double ridership to around 66 million riders by 2040.

Featured image credit: Image courtesy of Amtrak 

The original idea behind toll roads was to provide a simple trade-off: Pay a little extra now to benefit from better roads and faster travel later. But since the emergence of the first paid highway in the U.S. in 1792, “a little extra” has skyrocketed to an eye-watering fee on some stretches of highway. Here’s a closer look at the eight U.S. toll roads that currently cost the most to drive end to end, as of 2026. 

8. New Jersey Turnpike

Price: $21.35 cash ($15.93 toll pass)
Distance: 117 miles

When it opened in 1951, the New Jersey Turnpike was the third-longest toll road in the United States. Stretching between Ridgefield Park and the Delaware Memorial Bridge, it provides a vital transport link between New Jersey’s suburbs and major cities like Newark, New York, and Philadelphia. 

The New Jersey Turnpike also regularly makes its way into pop culture. Simon and Garfunkel mentioned it in their song “America,” as did Bruce Springsteen in “Soul Trooper.” A sign reminding drivers to drive safely, painted on a storage cylinder in Linden, features in the opening sequence of The Sopranos. The turnpike is also known for rest stops and service areas honoring famous New Jersey residents, including Thomas Edison, Vince Lombardi, and Walt Whitman.

7. E-470 – Colorado

Price: $22.25 cash ($13.95 toll pass)
Distance: 47 miles

The E-470 is a semicircular beltway loop around the Denver metro area, connecting the suburb of Thornton and Douglas County. With a speed limit of 75 mph, it incorporates 23 interchanges and 101 bridges. It also forms part of a group of toll roads and express lanes that make Colorado the country’s fifth-most-expensive state for tolls. 

Designed for efficiency and to avoid downtown congestion, the E-470 was constructed in sections between 1991 and 2009. It has the potential to be widened to eight lanes and to incorporate multiuse recreational paths as well. 

6. Kansas Turnpike

Price: $22.92 cash ($11.46 toll pass)
Distance: 236 miles

Running southwest from Kansas City to South Haven, near the Oklahoma border, the Kansas Turnpike was built in just 22 months, beginning in December 1954. The goal was to create a safer journey between Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita. Predating the interstate era, it now incorporates sections of I-35, I-335, and I-70 — welcoming around 120,000 daily motorists. 

Recent infrastructure developments saw the removal of toll booths in 2024 to make it a cash-free road; bills are instead mailed to the address associated with your license plate. Driving end to end offers views of far-reaching prairies and the Flint Hills, along with nearby attractions like the 8,000-acre El Dorado Lake and 11,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.  

5. Ohio Turnpike

Price: $22.75 cash ($15.50 toll pass)
Distance: 241 miles

Travel across the Midwest became easier in 1955 with the opening of the Ohio Turnpike. Some 10,000 workers took 35 months to complete the job. The east-west road now cuts across northern Ohio, linking with the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the east and the Indiana Toll Road in the west. Around 56 million vehicles traveled on the Ohio Turnpike in 2024, over five times more than in its inaugural year. 

Not only a commuter thoroughfare, the road also offers access to dozens of Ohio attractions. The thrilling roller coasters of Cedar Point on the shores of Lake Erie are a short side trip away, as is Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the country’s newest national parks. 

4. Florida’s Turnpike

Price: $23.97 cash ($19.05 toll pass)
Distance: 312 miles

With its slogan of “The Less Stressway,” Florida’s Turnpike winds over 300 miles through central Florida, offering a quieter alternative to its parallel interstates. From Miami Gardens, the roadway travels north to Wildwood in the Orlando area via interlinking expressways and parkways. The turnpike handles approximately 3 million daily customers, connecting Orlando and cities along the state’s east coast. 

In Orlando, Florida’s Turnpike passes by world-famous attractions such as Universal Studios Florida. Farther south, it runs along the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area and wetlands of Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area, offering a glimpse of the state’s varied natural beauty. 

3. Texas State Highway 130

Price: $26.58 cash ($18.87 toll pass)
Distance: 91 miles

Texas State Highway 130 is a welcome alternative to the stop-and-go traffic of Interstate 35. The toll road stretches from Georgetown to Seguin, largely avoiding the congestion of Austin. The southern section, segments 5 and 6, has the highest legal speed limit in the nation at 85 mph. The highway as a whole utilizes open tolling, thus allowing drivers to cruise through without slowing for booths. 

It’s also part of one of the largest toll networks in the U.S., covering around 850 miles and over 50 individual tolled roads. Within easy reach from State Highway 130 is the Circuit of the Americas, the venue for the United States Grand Prix. 

2. New York State Thruway

Price: $39.66 cash ($22.66 toll pass)
Distance: 570 miles

The New York State Thruway (officially named the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway) is the backbone of New York’s toll system. Carrying major stretches of I-87, I-90, and I-287, it links New York City’s northern border with Yonkers, travels up to Albany and Buffalo, and then continues to the New York-Pennsylvania border. 

As well as being among the priciest roads for an end-to-end trip, it’s also one of the country’s busiest toll roads. Some 338 million vehicles used the New York State Thruway in 2024, generating $1.1 billion in toll revenue. From Yonkers, the roadway loosely follows the course of the Hudson River to Albany, with glimpses of the Catskill Mountains between Kingston and Saugerties.

1. Pennsylvania Turnpike

Price: $120.74 cash ($60.27 toll pass)
Distance: 361 miles

Costing around three times as much to travel end to end as its nearest competitor, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is the priciest toll road in the U.S. This is partly due to a 2007 state law obliging the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to make yearly payments to the state’s transportation department for improving public transit in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other cities. 

Built in 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is often called “America’s First Superhighway.” From Lawrence County, it cuts through the Appalachian Mountains en route to the Delaware River-Turnpike Toll Bridge, where it becomes the New Jersey Turnpike. 

About the data: Prices are for end-to-end travel for passenger cars on the specified toll road, as sourced by Reddit user ixvst01 and verified by Daily Passport. The first price shown is the cash (pay-by-plate) rate; the price in parentheses is the discounted amount for having a transponder or highway pass. Bridges, tunnels, express lanes, and national park roads are excluded. 

You’ve been checking your flight itinerary for weeks and finally scored a great upgrade offer. But one minute, you’re looking forward to extra legroom and a glass of wine before takeoff, and the next, right before you board, you find your seat has been given away and you’re back in coach. You’ve been downgraded — and though it’s rare, airlines do really do this, even if you bought a premium fare from the beginning. Here’s what to do when it happens and what you’re entitled to. 

What It Means To Be Downgraded

There’s a key difference between getting downgraded and having your seat changed from an aisle seat at the front of the economy-class cabin to a middle seat at the back of the plane. While you might consider that a downgrade in your experience, in travel terms, “downgrade” refers specifically to being involuntary bumped from a higher class of service to a lower one. 

In the example above, you’re still seated within the same cabin, so airlines don’t owe you any compensation. Per their contracts of carriage, airlines don’t guarantee a specific seat assignment within the same cabin. But if you’re moved, for instance, from Delta Comfort to Main Cabin, or from United Polaris (long-haul business class) to Premium Plus (premium economy), that constitutes a downgrade. 

Why You Might Be Downgraded

There are several reasons an airline may need to move you out of the seat you paid for. The most common is overbooking a flight, according to Anton Radchenko, CEO at AirAdvisor, a company that helps passengers claim compensation for flight disruptions. In an interview with CNN, he shared this was the reason he had been downgraded twice in the past. 

Other reasons might include a last-minute aircraft swap to a model with a smaller first-class cabin, a broken or inoperative seat, or an off-duty crew member who requires the seat to commute to their next assignment. 

In some cases, you may be downgraded due to operational reasons — for instance, missing your connecting flight after your inbound flight arrived late. If the next available flight doesn’t have any seats remaining in the cabin you booked, you may be reaccommodated in a lower class of service than the one you paid for. 

How Do Airlines Decide Whom To Downgrade First?

Each airline has a specific process for how they determine who will be downgraded. While these policies aren’t usually published, AirAdvisor notes that “their decision is based on a combination of a passenger’s status as a frequent flyer, their seating class, and when they checked in.”

To avoid the chance of a downgrade happening, check in for your flight as soon as it opens and be sure you’re at the gate on time before boarding starts. It also pays to hold elite status with an airline, as those passengers tend to be last to be downgraded. You might even consider a more expensive fare, as those who purchase lower fares have higher odds of being bumped. It’s generally also more likely the airline will bump solo passengers to avoid splitting up companions and families.  

Keep in mind, however, that downgrading is relatively rare — and you have options if it does happen — so paying more to reduce the likelihood of something that’s already unlikely may not be worth it. 

What Are Your Rights if You’ve Been Downgraded? 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, passengers who are downgraded to a lower class of service are entitled to a refund. If you choose not to travel or accept an alternative form of compensation from the airline (such as travel credits or vouchers), you can get a full refund of the price you paid, which is due back to your credit card within seven days after you reject the airline’s offer. 

If you choose to still fly on a downgraded segment, airlines are required to refund you the difference between the original fare you paid and the downgraded fare. Importantly, the fare difference should be calculated based on the time you originally booked, not the time you were downgraded. Beyond that, the DOT doesn’t stipulate airlines offer you anything else, but some carriers may offer miles or a voucher as a goodwill gesture. 

If you’re traveling within Europe, however, downgrades are handled a bit differently. Under what’s known as EU 261, a broad set of regulations around flight disruptions, airlines in Europe are required to refund between 30% and 75% of the ticket price for involuntary downgrades, based on the distance of your flight. 

Why It’s Important To Be Proactive

As we’ve already noted, downgrading is rare. But if it happens to you, it’s important to act quickly and be proactive about receiving the compensation you deserve. 

Ideally, the airline will notify you of the situation, but it’s also a good idea to regularly check your itinerary details before the departure date. If you notice you’ve been moved to a lower class of service, take action immediately — the sooner you reach out to the airline, the higher the likelihood they’ll be able to reaccommodate you in a premium seat on another flight within a reasonable time frame.

If you find out at the gate, speak with the gate agent or customer service desk about your options. Sometimes, an airline’s app or website may show you alternative arrangements, which you should book as quickly as possible before other customers take them. In either case, make sure you get written confirmation of the downgrade and hold onto your boarding pass, which you may need in order to get a refund. 

If you still choose to fly and are owed a refund, you may have to seek it out yourself on the airline’s website (for example, Delta’s refund request form). And even though U.S. airlines aren’t required to provide anything beyond the refund of the fare difference, it doesn’t hurt to ask for additional compensation and explain your reasoning with your request.