If early searches are any indicator, travelers are ready to make 2026 count. Airfare is easing, Europe is drawing more interest and a few surprising hotspots are emerging, including one destination riding a wave of superfans. We analyzed our flight searches to uncover the biggest trends shaping travel in 2026. Here’s what to know before you start planning.
2026 travel trends at a glance.
Interest up, prices down.
Flight interest for travel in 2026 is up 9% vs. 2025. Domestic airfare is down 3% and international airfare is down 10%.
Eastern Europe FTW.
Seven of the top ten trending destinations of 2026 are in this region, including Prague, Sofia and Krakow.
Fandom is driving trends.
Major football, soccer and winter sports fandoms are driving interest up in cities like Kansas City and Milan.
The big picture: travel interest and prices.
Travelers want more in 2026: more trips, more international experiences and more value.
Interest in flights and hotels for travel in 2026 is up 9% compared to 2025, while interest in rental cars for travel in 2026 is down 12%.
Europe is the star of 2026.
Europe continues its winning streak, but 2026’s biggest story isn’t Paris, Rome or London. It’s Eastern Europe.
Seven of the top ten trending destinations for 2026 are located in this region, thanks to a compelling mix of value, culture, affordability and growing connectivity from U.S. gateways. Cities like Prague, Sofia, Krakow, Budapest, Tirana and Sarajevo are capturing travelers’ attention with lower-than-average airfare, rich history, vibrant food scenes and fewer crowds than Western Europe’s usual tourist hubs.
180%↑
Prague, Czech Republic
Did you know? Prague’s historic Old Town Astronomical Clock is the world’s oldest still operating — and it puts on a mini show every hour.
136%↑
Sofia, Bulgaria
Did you know? Sofia is one of Europe’s only capitals where you can ski in the morning and be back in the city for lunch, thanks to nearby Vitosha Mountain.
106%↑
Krakow, Poland
Did you know? Krakow’s Main Market Square is the largest medieval town square in Europe, and its underground museum sits atop 1,000 years of excavated history.
KAYAK’s top trending destinations for 2026.
These destinations saw the strongest YoY growth in flight interest, signaling where travelers are most eager to go next.
AI Mode is here: faster answers, smarter planning, better trips.
From superfans to the Winter Games: The fandom trend influencing 2026 travel.
Pop culture, sports and global events are influencing where travelers want to go, and two destinations are breaking out because of it: Kansas City and Milan.
The fandom effect: Why Kansas City and Milan are trending.
Together, these cities reveal a growing trend: Travelers are willing to book trips around the teams, artists and global moments they care about.
Where to find the best flight deals in 2026.
If 2026 has a headline story, it’s this: great deals are back. With international airfare down 10% YoY and domestic airfare down 3%, travelers have more opportunities than ever to snag lower fares. Across millions of searches, these were the destinations where airfare dropped the most, making them smart picks for value-driven travelers.
And these are the destinations in 2026 with the lowest average airfare.
Early bird special: A first look at summer trends and where to save.
Summer may still be a ways off, but travelers are already planning — and the early data is painting a clear picture of what the season will look like. Here are the four biggest insights shaping summer 2026 so far:
Travelers are planning earlier and in bigger numbers.
Summer flight searches are already up 9% compared to last year. Most of the early momentum is coming from travelers looking to go abroad.
Airfare is trending cheaper for summer, especially abroad.
Domestic airfare is down 6% and international is down 12% year over year. Early planners searching Europe and Asia are seeing some of the strongest price drops.
The Middle East and Caribbean are early trend standouts.
The Middle East is up 35% and the Caribbean is up 15% in summer searches. Both regions offer warm weather, but the Middle East’s surge is especially tied to growing flight connectivity.
Europe and Asia are shaping up to be the best-value long-haul picks.
Summer airfare to Asia is down 16% and Europe is down 14% compared to last year. That’s driving early deals to places like Warsaw, Tirana, Naples and Stockholm.
Searching earlier pays off, but so does exploring beyond the usual picks. With new routes expanding destination accessibility and prices shifting downward, now’s the perfect time to start searching on KAYAK, set a Price Alert and see where 2026 takes you.
Methodology
Based on searches made on KAYAK in the period between 4.1.2025 and 9.30.2025 for travel between 1.1.2026 and 12.31.2026. They were compared to searches made in the period between 4.1.2024 and 9.30.2024 with the travel period between 1.1.2025 and 12.31.2025. Flight prices are average prices for economy, return tickets. Hotel prices are average for 1 night in a standard double room. Rental car prices are daily averages. Prices may vary and savings cannot be guaranteed. Percentages for changes in searches and prices are approximate.
Thanksgiving data is based on flight searches made on KAYAK in the period between 3.1.2025 and 8.31.2025 for flights with departure between 11.21.2025 and 11.30.2025 from any US airport. They were compared to searches made in the period between 3.1.2024 and 8.31.2024 with the travel period between 11.22.2024 and 12.1.2024. All prices are average prices for round-trip, economy tickets. Prices may vary and savings cannot be guaranteed.
