As 2026 approaches, travel is becoming more about identity than itinerary. According to Skyscanner’s new Travel Trends 2026 report, next year’s trips will be deeply personal, passion-led, and more curated than ever. With the cost of living still in focus, travellers are prioritising purpose — building trips that feel “worth it” on an emotional, not just financial, level.
The report, combining Skyscanner’s global data with insights from Reddit, Malin + Goetz, AllTrails, and Penguin Books, outlines seven key trends that will define how and why people travel in 2026.
Skyscanner CEO Bryan Batista summed it up simply: “In 2026, travellers are curating trips that feel more in tune with who they are and what they love.”
Beauty on the Move: Glowmads
Beauty rituals are stepping off social media and into travel itineraries. Nearly a third of travellers now want to experience local beauty culture, from Seoul’s skincare clinics to Parisian pharmacies. Skincare routines, inflight treatments, and shopping trips for cult beauty brands are reshaping how people explore the world.
Supermarket Safaris: Shelf Discovery
Forget fancy reservations — the new food trend is found in local supermarkets. From Tokyo vending machines to Icelandic geothermal bread, travellers are “eating like locals” by discovering culture through convenience stores and everyday snacks.
The Mountain Escape: Altitude Shift
Mountains aren’t just for winter anymore. A rising number of travellers are booking summer and autumn alpine getaways, chasing peace and panoramic views instead of powder. Searches for hotels with “mountain views” are up more than 100% year-on-year.
Literary Journeys: Bookbound
Books are shaping itineraries as travellers seek slower, more introspective escapes. From reading retreats to visits to world-famous bookshops and libraries, literature is inspiring travel like never before. Skyscanner reports a 70% increase in searches using its “library” filter.
Love in Transit: Catching Flights and Feelings
Solo travel is taking on a social twist. More than a third of travellers have gone abroad to meet new people — for dating, friendship, or just shared experiences. The “solo” booking filter is up 83%, suggesting that travel is becoming a way to connect as much as it is to escape.
Family Travel 2.0: Family Miles
Multi-generational travel is making a comeback as families look to save money and make memories. From grandparents to adult children, groups are pooling resources and time, turning shared experiences into the new family tradition.
Hotels as Destinations: Destination Check-In
In 2026, travellers are choosing where to go based on where they want to stay. A quarter of people have picked destinations for the accommodation itself — from architectural hotels and design-led stays to social media–friendly “dupes” of luxury resorts. Hotels are no longer just part of the journey; they are the journey.
The Future of Travel
Looking ahead, travel will be curated, considered, and clever. Skyscanner predicts that 84% of people plan to travel abroad as much or more than in 2025, but they’ll seek deeper meaning from each trip.
Artificial intelligence will also transform how travellers plan and experience trips — evolving from a simple assistant to a true travel agent, managing inspiration, booking, and in-destination support seamlessly.
As social media and smart search redefine how people discover new places, travellers are expected to look beyond the usual hotspots. Yet, some habits remain strong: more than three-quarters still return to the same destinations, often because they don’t know where else to go.
With 2026 on the horizon, travel is becoming less about ticking boxes and more about finding balance — between self-care, connection, and discovery.
