The travel trends of 2026: here’s what’s the travel experts predict will shape your next holiday

From reading retreats and longevity travel to seeking comfort in childhood memories, and combining travel with mind and body improvements, here are some of the trends shaping travel into 2026 and beyond.

Railway travel: new – and cooler – highs

Two trends collide as travellers hop on board the train trend while also escaping hot European summers. According to no-fly railway specialist Byway Travel, there’s increased interest in cooler Alpine spots in Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland – and it helps that these places are just made for overland train travel. Staggeringly beautiful routes winding their way through mountain passes are often only accessible by train (or a hike) and with a variety of mountain guesthouses and hotels on the way, it’s never been easier to connect the popularity of railway travel with a desire to holiday in more comfortable temperatures.

Read 8 of the most breathtaking train journeys across the world to get inspired and plan your ultimate train trip...

Identity travel: a sense of self

It’s nothing new that many travellers are seeking out more meaningful experiences, as they look to make holidays a truly impactful break away from hectic everyday lives. But for some, travel is also about finding a deeper connection to themselves, their families and their ancestors.

A combination of a rise in the purchase of DNA kits, vastly improved digital archives and records, and GlobalData’s prediction that this form of genealogy or roots travel is on the rise, this can mean exploring your family’s Scottish history, tracing your ancestors’ journey from West Africa, or discovering an unexpected connection from genealogy results. It’s a form of travel that feels more reflective, adding another, and more personal, layer to the destination.

Longevity travel: wellness with a twist

At 2025’s Luxury Summit in Las Vegas, industry experts cited longevity travel as a top trend for 2026. Combined with the overall beauty trend of biohacking – making intentional changes to your diet, lifestyle, and mindset to maximise what the body can do – travelling for deeper restoration and better health is set to grow.

According to a survey by eDreams ODIGEO which incorporates travel brands such as Opodo, 92% of global respondents already feel that holidays have a ‘very’ or ‘quite’ positive impact on their mental wellbeing. As we focus increasingly on improving our mental health and sleep hygiene and an enthusiasm to embrace traditional healing methods, it’s no surprise that it will become more of a factor in shaping our time off.

Check out our round-up of the best health retreats to try, from stress-relieving retreats in Thailand to sleep clinics in Spain.

Respectful safari-ing: keep your distance

In summer 2025, dozens of safari jeeps were filmed blocking wildebeest crossing a river during the Great Migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, causing outrage across the board. Not only was it morally and ethically wrong, is a crowded experience on safari even enjoyable?

Travelling to see wildlife has and always will be a huge draw, but it seems a ‘less is more’ approach is being cultivated. Tour operators aim to make safari more sustainable by encouraging travellers to enjoy wildlife experiences outside the peak season, visit lesser-visited national parks and reserves (including to lesser-visited countries such as Uganda, Gambia, Malawi and Zambia) and incorporate experiences that show Africa as a place of diverse communities, culture and entrepreneurship, and not just a wildlife haven.

Quiet travel: calm over crowds

It’s a noisy world outside and we’re all craving a little peace. But it’s not just about total quiet; the sounds of nature can be just as soothing. As tour operator Black Tomato says, recent studies have connected natural soundscapes to higher satisfaction and pro-environmental attitudes.

This could mean seeking out quiet hours at busy attractions, listening to monks chanting, farm stays that allow you to experience rural idylls, hearing the squawks and sounds of the jungle, or enjoying the stillness and darkness of the night sky. With so many of us managing a fast pace of life, and an over-stimulated one at that, seeking out natural or low-stimulation on our travels is one trend that will endure way beyond 2026.

We've chosen 10 destinations to disconnect – ultimate remote places to stay to get away from it all.

Nostalgia travel: safe spaces in testing times

Whether it’s going off grid or simply unplugging from your phone or laptop, retro stays that remind us of holidays past are on the up. Think forest cabins with actual record players, watching DVDs and playing board games: going analogue has never been more on-trend.

Booking.com’s 2026 survey highlights a growing number of travellers who want to “relive meaningful moments and share them with others.” It found that 46% of global travellers are drawn to destinations that make them feel young, connected or at home.

Event-driven travel: travelling for the moment

2026 is the year for one of the world’s biggest sporting events, the Fifa Men’s World Cup. It’s also the first time it will be hosted by three countries – USA, Canada and Mexico – and data from eDreams ODIGEO show that searches for Mexico have increased by 15% and by 14% for Canada.

Similarly, interest in Milan is up 24% as the city and nearby resort town Cortina D’Ampezzo prepare to host the Winter Olympics in February, all motivated by a desire to be part of something beyond evergreen experiences and attractions. Travelling for music festivals and concerts in also on the up, alongside planning around cultural festivals such as Rio carnival, Day of the Dead in Mexico and Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival.

Group travel: solo but not alone, with women leading the way

While solo travel can mean anything from travelling completely independently to joining a guided group tour as a solo traveller, Hostelworld’s 2025 State of Solo Travel 2025 report found that many solo travellers (58%) said meeting new people was the best aspect, up from 43% in 2024.

While freedom and spontaneity were the biggest reasons to go solo, over two-thirds actively look to meet new people. At the heart of this trend are female solo travellers; they’re more likely to take solo trips, citing stepping out of comfort zones, increased self-confidence and feeling mentally refreshed among the benefits.

Connected to this is the rise in women-only group travel, often tours created by women for women with a focus on female-owned businesses and experiences. This year, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) reported that the number of travel companies focusing exclusively on female travellers had increased by 230% in the last few years.

We've got 8 of the best foodie destinations for solo travellers around the world, or 8 UK food trips for solo travellers if you want to start closer to home.

Book club retreats: readaway travel

Reading on holiday is nothing new, but the desire to focus on reading and take part in reading-focused trips is set to grow. In their Unpack ’26 trends report, travel company Vrbo reported that searches for ‘book retreats’ and ‘book club retreat ideas’ are up 100% and 265% on Pinterest.

They also found that 91% of travellers are seeking trips focused on reading, relaxation and quality time with loved ones, tapping into the wider trend for more meaningful, mindful and slower-paced holidays. Many retreats choose books based on the destination, mixing the book with a sense of place and community, bringing the book alive in the very place it’s set in. According to market research company Future Market Insights, the entire literary tourism sector, including visiting places because of their connection to a book, was worth an estimated $2.4bn last year.