When to Pull the Plug on a Vacation and Tips for Ending a Trip Early

Have you ever planned a vacation, and it didn’t turn out as planned? Or, you felt like you needed to cancel it altogether before the trip even began? In the world of traveling, messed-up plans are inevitable. I recently had to pull the plug and leave mid-trip. There were some questions to consider and realizations I made, so I thought this would be a good topic to cover.

The first time this happened to me, I was in Cebu, Philippines and a typhoon was coming directly at us. I had already planned to go to Boracay, an island in the Philippines so going a few days earlier was an easy decision to make. But what if the decision isn’t always that easy?

Why I Had to Leave Redding, California Soon After Arriving

I recently planned a trip to the sunny city of Redding, California. I was planning to fly fish for the weekend but had been keeping an eye on the fires up north. They were far enough away that I kept my plans. Unfortunately, when I landed, things had changed. It was extremely smokey outside as the winds shifted and blew all the smoke through the Redding area.

I went ahead to the hotel and checked in with the plan to go fly fishing in the morning. But then I woke up to the smoke being even worse than the day before and a very unhealthy AQI. There were times in the morning where it was 300+ and didn’t show any signs of going down. That’s when I had to make the call. Go fishing and risk damaging my lungs, stay and check out some local restaurants, or pull the plug and head back home?

Deciding to Back Out or Leave a Vacation Early

Regardless of planning for a vacation, you’re going to run into issues or the need to be flexible as things come up before and during your trip. I typically plan my trips 3-4 months out and sometimes even up to a year in advance if I’m taking a long trip. But, there are some things you can’t plan for – like a natural disaster or weather.

When I was faced with the issue of leaving Redding soon after I got there and before I even got to enjoy my vacation, I had to ask myself some questions. 

When you’re deciding to back out or leave a vacation early, ask yourself these questions:

Can you still go out?

When I was in Redding, I could still go out and explore. However, the AQI was hitting 300-350 throughout the morning, so it was likely if I went out for the day, damage could be done to my lungs. Same with when I was in Cebu, Philippines, where I could be stuck at a hotel while a typhoon was occurring right outside.

Are there other things to enjoy?

If your trip is messed up due to an event being canceled or something similar, can you find other activities to enjoy? In my cases, natural disasters and weather affected the entire area. But, of course, that isn’t always the case. Do some research and see what else you can do. If you’re already there, you can always ask locals for suggestions – sometimes this makes for the best adventures in a new place.

How easy is it to go back home or detour to somewhere else?

This plays a big part in the decision. If you’re using PTO and already have free time, then finding somewhere nearby is probably the best move to make. That’s why we decided to head to Boracay early when we faced a typhoon in the Philippines. Sometimes the best vacations happen because of unexpected detours like this.

Are you entitled to a refund?

This one actually makes the decision much easier. Why wouldn’t you pull the plug on a trip gone wrong if you can get a refund? It’s all going to come down to who you booked through and what the cancellation policy is. Both times I’ve had to cancel a trip, I didn’t get a full refund as the room was booked. Since I booked my second trip through Amex, they were able to recover the night I didn’t stay, which was completely fair. Travel insurance can help with this, too. 

Does travel insurance cover your cancellation?

You can plan ahead by getting travel insurance to cover accommodations and other lost fees during issues during a trip. I’ve only purchased travel insurance on a few trips and didn’t have it on the two I had to pull the plug on. I use my Amex or Chase Reserve for all bookings, and they provide insurance up to an extent. The insurance covered neither from what I found out, and I didn’t pursue it any further. But, it doesn’t hurt to look into cards like these that offer some kind of insurance.

Here’s a list of travel insurance options if you want to take the extra step to plan for mishaps and be reimbursed for some or all of your trip. The good thing about travel insurance is there are options for everyone – including avid travelers and people who only travel every so often.

Final Thoughts on Pulling the Plug on a Trip

At the end of the day, it comes down to two things for me. Can I still enjoy my time, and how much extra will it cost? For me, travel is all about enjoying my time away from home. When that’s gone, it’s time to go home. And, remember, it’s always okay to back out and plan another trip later. Travel is supposed to be enjoyable.