4 major travel trends for 2026, according to Kayak
"Airfare is easing, Europe is drawing more interest, and a few surprising hotspots are emerging — including one destination riding a wave of superfans"
Americans have been planning their 2026 travels for months, and Kayak has spotted some interesting shifts.
The company compared 2026 search data on its site to 2025 figures to identify what’s changing in the year ahead, compiling a travel trend report.
“Airfare is easing, Europe is drawing more interest, and a few surprising hotspots are emerging —including one destination riding a wave of superfans,” Kayak said.
Continue reading to understand the four major trends shaping 2026 travel.
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More travel in 2026
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Kayak found a spike in travel interest for the coming year, with searches up 9% compared to 2025. This may be because prices for 2026 have largely stayed stable, or even slightly decreased compared to 2025.
Kayak recorded a 3% decrease in domestic airfare, a 10% drop in international airfare, and a 7% drop in domestic rental car prices. It did find a 6% increase in international hotel prices and a 1% increase in rental car prices. Domestic hotel prices didn’t change year-over-year.
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Central and Eastern Europe are hot
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Travelers $TRV are more interested in visiting Central and Eastern European cities than ever, according to Kayak.
While Paris, London, and Rome remain hot, seven of the 10 top trending destinations for 2026 were on the other side of the continent.
Kayak saw a 180% spike in interest for Prague, Czech Republic, a 136% increase in interest for Sofia, Bulgaria, and a 106% increase in interest for Krakow, Poland, and an 86% increase in interest for Budapest, Hungary.
But the largest spike was for a destination at the opposite end of the world: Christchurch, New Zealand, which recorded a 194% increase.
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Fandom is taking over travel
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Travelers $TRV want to go where the sporting events are.
Kayak recorded noticeable spikes in Kansas City, Missouri, thanks to the Chiefs, and Milan, Italy, thanks to the upcoming Winter Olympics.
“Sporting events have always spiked global travel, but Milan’s combination of Team USA buzz and falling Europe airfare is accelerating demand,” Kayak said. “Travelers are willing to book trips around the teams, artists, and global moments they care about."
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Vegas is back
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After much discussion about whether interest in Las Vegas is waning, it appears to be recovering already. Kayak recorded an 18% increase in flight interest to Vegas in 2026 compared to 2025. “With new residencies at The Sphere, major events and competitive domestic fares, Vegas is once again climbing travelers’ lists,” the report said.