2026 Travel Takes Off: Falling Prices and Global Events Push New Cities Into the Spotlight, per KAYAK Data

Core Insights - KAYAK's 2026 Travel Trends Forecast indicates a year of exploration driven by increased travel interest, lower airfares, and emerging global hotspots [1][2] Travel Interest and Airfare Trends - Travel interest has risen by 9%, while airfares have decreased by 3% domestically and 10% internationally, making travel more affordable [2] - International airfare has decreased by 12%, with Asia and Europe seeing reductions of 16% and 14% respectively [10] Trending Destinations - Eastern Europe is highlighted as a leading region for travel in 2026, with seven of the top ten trending destinations located there [3] - Notable increases in interest for specific cities include: - Prague, Czech Republic: up 180% - Sofia, Bulgaria: up 136% - Krakow, Poland: up 106% - Budapest, Hungary: up 86% - Tirana, Albania: up 66% - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: up 62% [5] Fandom and Event-Driven Travel - Travel behavior is increasingly influenced by pop culture, sports, and global events, with cities associated with major fandoms experiencing significant interest [4] - Kansas City has seen a 14% rise in interest, driven by its football team and upcoming world soccer tournament [6] Best Deals and Affordability - KAYAK's analysis indicates that the best flight deals are returning, particularly for long-haul travel, with significant drops in airfare for various destinations: - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: down 36% - Split, Croatia: down 33% - Naples, Italy: down 26% - Florence, Italy: down 26% - Shannon, Ireland: down 25% [6] Summer 2026 Insights - Early searches for summer 2026 show a 9% increase compared to the previous year, indicating strong international interest [7]