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The Glacier Express, a red passenger train crossing a stone viaduct through colorful autumn forest with alpine mountains in the background — scenic autumnal travel in the Swiss Alps.
Travel news · 4 min read · November 28, 2025

Top travel trends for 2026: Going further, slower and smarter

From slow travel and plot-led getaways to ethical escapes and big family breaks, here's what 2026 has in store for your holiday plans.

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

Travel in 2026 is all about going further afield and choosing holidays with meaning. People are seeking lesser-known destinations like Svalbard or Sri Lanka, and aligning trips with personal values – whether that's visiting ethical destinations or avoiding politically contentious ones. Literary tourism is booming, with readers turning plotlines into travel plans. Budget airlines now including luggage are fuelling spontaneous mini-breaks, while slow travel via trains and ferries is growing in popularity. Multi-generational trips are also on the rise, with grandparents often funding getaways that cater to the whole family.

If 2025 was about returning to old favourite destinations and snapping up a good deal, 2026 is shaping up to be more adventurous – and a bit more thoughtful. This year, travel feels less about ticking boxes and more about finding places that mean something. Places that match your values, tell a story, or just work better for the whole family.

Flying further than ever

Commercial airplane flying through a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds – travel and aviation concept in clear weather.

Forget the usual sun, sea, and sangria. In 2026, travellers are casting their nets wider – hopping over to the Jaffna peninsula in Sri Lanka, weaving through the jungle in Palawan, or heading deep into Norway's icy wilds in Svalbard. Culture-rich cities like Genoa and Colmar are drawing weekenders, while spots like Kerkennah in Tunisia or Kuélap in Peru are quietly landing on people's radar.

And with budget airlines stretching their reach (think Jordan or even India), plus changes like the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS visa rules, more of us are looking east – or south. Tunisia, the Black Sea coast, and the Caucasus are all set to see more visitors as we branch out from the usual Mediterranean mainstays.

Travel with a conscience

Glass skyscraper with TRUMP signage viewed from below against a dramatic cloudy sky — modern architecture in downtown Chicago.

It's not just about where's hot – it's about who's doing things right. With the world feeling more divided, people are choosing destinations that line up with their ethics.

Almost a third of UK travellers are now avoiding the US due to political concerns, while countries making social progress – like Thailand with its equal marriage law – are climbing the must-visit list. When travellers feel good about where they're going, they're more likely to book.

Losing the plot for literary tourism

Person reading a paperback book by a calm lake, wearing jeans and bracelets – peaceful outdoor relaxation with scenic waterfront view.

2026 is the year of the literary-inspired getaway. Call it plot tourism – when the story sets the itinerary.

Last year's bestseller? Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, which nudged readers toward Morocco and the Egyptian desert. But it's not the only book shaping travel plans. Dan Brown's Angels and Demons in Rome, Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude in Colombia, and Donna Tartt's The Secret History in Vermont are pulling in fans.

Bigger cabin bags mean smaller breaks

Woman with rolling luggage walking through a festive Christmas market in Warsaw's Old Town Square, surrounded by pigeons and colourful historic buildings.

Budget airlines are finally including baggage again – even on ultra-cheap fares. That's opened the door to more spontaneous escapes. Quick trips to Italy or Eastern Europe are back on the table, especially for travellers watching their budgets. It's not about one big holiday anymore – it's about lots of little ones.

The Bank of Grandma and Grandad

Smiling grandfather swinging young boy by the arms on a sunny beach with blue sky and calm ocean – joyful family moment by the sea.

Multi-generational getaways are on the rise, and grandparents are footing the bill more often than not. The upside? More time together. Villas, cruise cabins and big countryside rentals are proving popular as families look for space – and memories – that work for all ages.

Slow travel's picking up pace

The Bernina Express, a red scenic train curving along a turquoise alpine lake with forested mountains in the background – peaceful Swiss mountain travel experience.

Tired of airport queues? You're not alone. The slow travel movement is quickly becoming more popular, with more people choosing trains, boats and overland routes over short-haul flights.

New sleeper trains across Europe are making it easier to swap skies for tracks, and ferries to Spain and Ireland are having a moment. It's about the journey as much as the destination – Alpine views from your bunk, sea air on deck, and time to actually unwind along the way.


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