Europe
- Spain: Travel Advisory | Rail workers will strike nationwide on October 29, followed by a 24-hour Ouigo drivers’ strike on October 30. The October 29 Renfe strike may disrupt Cercanías, Media Distancia, long-distance, and high-speed services across Spain, while the October 30 action will affect Ouigo routes serving cities including Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to confirm train schedules before departure, allow additional travel time, and consider alternative transportation if necessary.
- Italy: Protest Advisory | Airport and transportation personnel will strike from October 29-30 across Italy. Railway and highway staff are expected to cease operations from October 29 at 9:00 PM to October 30 at 9:00 PM. Taxi services will postpone duties throughout October 30. Localized public transportation, including bus services, will be impacted, and times of disruption are set within city limits. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to confirm train or flight status directly with their operator. Review change options before traveling. If traveling by city bus, monitor local news outlets and transportation websites for updates.
- Lisbon, Portugal: Protest Advisory | The “Casa Para Viver” (housing affordability) group will protest outside the Assembly of the Republic, Portugal’s parliament, on October 27 at 6:30 PM. The demonstration is a response to proposed housing cuts and police repression exhibited at Rossio Square, Lisbon, and Praça D. João I, Porto, encampments on October 24-25. Expect localized traffic, crowds, and possible unrest due to conflict between protesters and the police. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid the area and monitor local news for updates.
- Czech Republic: Travel Advisory | On October 28, Czechia celebrates Independent Czechoslovak State Day, a national holiday that will result in all banks and government offices to be closed, as well as large retail stores being closed. Smaller shops and pharmacies will be open, and it is recommended to visit some of the important civic centers for tours. The holiday also marks a large break for school children.
Americas
- Mexico City, Mexico: Security Advisory | The F1 Mexico City Grand Prix will take place at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez from October 30 to November 1. The official race will begin at 2:00 PM, expecting to bring large crowds to travel to the venue. Increased congestion on nearby roads and public transportation, specifically Metro Line 9, is expected from 8:00 AM when gates open to approximately 6:00 PM when fans leave the circuit. Expect increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic to delay airport transfers, rideshare pickups, and travel through eastern Mexico City before and after the race. Travelers are advised to avoid driving near the venue. Plan routes in advance to avoid road closures and gridlock. Remain vigilant against pickpocketing in dense crowd zones.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Protest Advisory | 24-hour public university strikes will be held nationwide across Argentina starting October 28; expect travel and administrative disruptions. FATUN, Argentina’s national union for non-teaching university staff, will strike over the Milei administration’s failure to fully implement the University Financing Law, demanding salary increases to offset inflation and reversal of higher education budget cuts. The following strikes will be held throughout these dates: November 3, 12, and 16. Expect administrative freezes at massive campuses such as the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), National University of Córdoba (UNC), National University of La Plata (UNLP), and other national universities. Rallies, marches, and roadblocks are expected near Argentina’s National Congress and Education Secretariat in downtown Buenos Aires, as well as central squares in provincial capitals. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to monitor local media on strike days and plan for heavy transit delays around major city centers. Prioritize safety by avoiding active protests or blockades.
- Mexico City, Mexico: Protest Advisory | A series of high profile healthcare worker demonstrations will take place through October 30, starting daily at 7:00 AM across Mexico City, Mexico. Organized by various branches of the National Social Security Workers Union (SNTSS) and IMSS-Bienestar, the labor strikes feature thousands of personnel marching from the Angel of Independence down Paseo de la Reforma toward the Zócalo. While union leadership recently negotiated an 8% pay increase with the government, fragmented regional factions continue to hold active blockades to demand the immediate resignation of national executive leaders. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to expect sudden road closures, multi-hour transit gridlocks, and a heavy security presence near the Senate building, Avenida Cuauhtémoc, and the historic downtown center. Travelers should plan routes in advance to avoid these closures and gridlock.
- Quebec, Canada: Security Advisory | The Halloween, Día de los Muertos, celebration takes place on Saturday, October 31, starting at 5:00 PM at the Morin-Heights Library in Quebec. The outdoor, family-friendly event features live mariachi performances, Aztec dancers, and percussionists alongside trick-or-treating and local food trucks. Due to the high-density crowds and nighttime outdoor setting, local authorities expect heavy foot traffic and minor transit delays surrounding the venue. An exact expected turn out is unknown for this event. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain heightened situational awareness, keep personal belongings secure in crowded festival areas, and plan transportation routes in advance to mitigate minor localized traffic disruptions.
Asia & Pacific
- Tokyo, Japan: Security Advisory | Authorities in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, will introduce crowd control measures in preparation for Halloween celebrations on October 30 and 31. Shibuya is a popular gathering place for informal Halloween celebrations, especially around Shibuya Station and Scramble Crossing. Shibuya officials will take measures to reduce overcrowding, littering, noise, and public disturbances. They will deploy approximately 60 security guards on October 30 and 125 on October 31 across around 10 locations, including Hachiko Square. The Hachiko statue will be enclosed and protected from 6:00 AM October 30 to November 1. During this time period, there will also be traffic restrictions around Shibuya Station. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to plan all journeys ahead, allow for extra travel time, and check public transportation schedules. Exercise increased situational awareness in large crowds.
- Auckland, New Zealand: Travel Advisory | The Auckland marathon will take place on November 1 with a 6:00 AM starting time for the full marathon. The route begins in Davenport, runs across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, through waterfront areas including St Heliers, and finishes at Victoria Park. Two southbound lanes on Harbour Bridge will close. The bridge itself remains open for motor traffic, but race officials warn of delays. This event also includes a half-marathon and other shorter races, resulting in various road closures and parking bans across the city. The event typically draws thousands of participants, with over 17,500 participants across all race distances in 2026. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to plan all journeys ahead, allow for extra travel time, and check road closure maps and public transportation schedules. Exercise increased situational awareness in large crowds.
- Hong Kong, China: Travel Advisory | The Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival will take place at the Central Harbourside Event Space and Tamar Park from October 29 to November 1. Event organizers expect roughly 168,000 attendees and over 340 food and drink booths. The festival is open 7:30 PM to 12:00 AM on October 29, 1:00PM to 1:00 AM on October 30-31, and 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM on November 1. Localized travel disruptions are anticipated near the venue, especially during opening and closing hours. Increased pedestrian traffic is expected near the Admiralty entrance to Tamar Park and at Central Pier No. 10, the two entry points to the festival grounds. Increased vehicle congestion is also expected on streets surrounding the venue, with limitations on parking in effect. Train service from the Central and Admiralty stations may also have increased congestion from attendees during opening and closing hours. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to plan for delays if traveling near the event. Travelers should monitor local media for updates on specific disruptions to streets and public transit.
- Philippines: Security Advisory | Authorities across the Philippines will continue to increase security and traffic-management measures ahead of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1-2. Thousands of police and traffic personnel will be deployed around cemeteries, memorial parks, major roads, and transport hubs in Metro Manila to monitor local unrest. Traffic and tour rerouting are expected to be implemented near major cemeteries and tourist areas. Increased passenger volumes are likely at bus terminals and transportation hubs due to the lack of services available until November 2. November 1 and 2 are special non-working days, and some government and commercial services may operate on reduced schedules. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow additional travel time, avoid heavily congested areas near cemeteries, and monitor local transportation and traffic advisories.
Africa & Middle East
- Turkey: Security Advisory | Turkey will celebrate Republic Day across the country on October 28-29. Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayrami) is the anniversary of the founding of the modern Turkish state and celebrates Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, its first president. Festivities begin halfway through the day on October 28 and continue through the entirety of October 29. Events include parades along major streets, wreath-laying ceremonies at monuments to Ataturk, and festivals in city centers. Banks, schools, and government agencies will be closed. SafeAbroad Travelers are advised to determine the times and locations for celebrations in their area and plan for related travel delays. Maintain enhanced situational awareness in public
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Travel Advisory | Dubai is hosting the Dubai Ride cycling event on November 1 as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge. The routes will pass through Sheikh Zayed Road and Downtown Dubai with thousands of cyclists expected to participate. Authorities will restrict vehicle access along the cycling route during the event times with cyclist access scheduled from 6:15 AM to 8:00 AM. Motorists should expect road closures, detours, and traffic congestion along the affected routes. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow for additional travel time during the event and monitor official traffic updates to plan travel accordingly.
- Casablanca, Morocco: Travel Advisory | Casablanca is hosting the WeCasablanca Festival starting October 29 through October 31 at Place Rachidi, as an event for the country’s Unity Day celebrations. Casablanca Events & Animation organized the festival to feature three evenings of free outdoor concerts with Moroccan artists, including Ribab Fusion, Fehd Benchemsi, Statia, and Rym Fikri. The event is open to all and large crowds are expected, prompting increased pedestrian activity and traffic delays in nearby roads. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to allow for additional travel time when passing near the Place Rachidi during the festival dates. Travelers should remain vigilant in large crowds and secure personal belongings.
- Santiago Island, Cabo Verde: Travel Advisory | From October 30 to November 6, the Morabeza Kizomba Festival will take place in Cidade Velha on Santiago Island, Cabo Verde. The week-long international dance festival brings together global dancers, instructors, and tourists to Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Sight, and neighboring cities for workshops, beach/pool events, and evening social dances centered near Hotel Vulcão. The event may generate localized pedestrian crowding, increased traffic along main coastal routes connected Cidade Velha, Praia, and Tarrafal, higher demand for interurban transportation or taxis, and elevated risks of opportunistic theft and pick-pocketing. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness in crowded event spaces, safeguard personal valuables, and plan transit in advance.
