Eastern Europe, global events and early summer planning are redefining where—and how—people travel next year
Airfares are falling for 2026 as Eastern Europe surges, fandom-driven travel grows, and new summer deals reshape global travel planning.
The Big Picture: Travel Interest Is Rising as Prices Cool
Travel demand for 2026 is gaining momentum, with travelers planning more trips, looking further abroad and paying closer attention to value. Flight and hotel searches for 2026 are up 9% year over year, while interest in rental cars has softened, down 12%, signaling a shift toward urban and international travel.
At the same time, pricing pressure is easing—particularly in the air. International airfares are down 10%, while domestic fares are down 3%, creating new opportunities for long-haul travel that had been priced out in recent years.
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2026 vs. 2025 price snapshot:
- Domestic airfares: ↓ 3%
- International airfares: ↓ 10%
- Domestic hotel prices: No change
- International hotel prices: ↑ 6%
- Domestic rental cars: ↓ 7%
- International rental cars: ↑ 1%
Europe Is the Center of Gravity—Especially the East
Western Europe remains popular, but the biggest momentum for 2026 is coming from Eastern Europe.
Seven of the ten fastest-growing destinations for next year are in the region, driven by a combination of affordability, expanding air routes, cultural depth and fewer crowds than Europe’s traditional hotspots.
Cities including Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Sofia, Tirana and Sarajevo are attracting tourists seeking historic architecture, vibrant food scenes and lower-than-average airfares.
Tourists can find more information about those cities and explore accommodation details on Expedia.
Why Eastern Europe is surging:
- Lower flight prices than Western Europe
- Strong value for hotels and dining
- Improved connectivity from U.S. gateways
- Less congestion during peak seasons
Sofia, Bulgaria, for example, has seen flight interest jump 136%, while Prague is up 180% and Krakow up 106%, reflecting a clear shift in traveler curiosity.
The Most In-Demand Destinations for 2026
Based on year-over-year flight search growth, these destinations are emerging as the most sought-after for next year:
Top trending destinations for 2026
- Christchurch, New Zealand (+194%)
- Prague, Czech Republic (+180%)
- Sofia, Bulgaria (+136%)
- Krakow, Poland (+106%)
- Budapest, Hungary (+86%)
- Bucharest, Romania (+80%)
- Split, Croatia (+74%)
- Tirana, Albania (+66%)
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (+62%)
- Castries, Saint Lucia (+51%)
Visitors can find more information about those citie and explore accommodation details on Expedia.
The list highlights a mix of emerging European cities and long-haul destinations where travelers appear willing to trade distance for value and experience.
From Sports to Pop Culture: The Fandom Effect
Global events and pop culture are increasingly shaping travel decisions, and two destinations stand out in 2026: Kansas City and Milan.
Kansas City’s unexpected rise
Flight searches to Kansas City are up 14%, placing it among the top trending U.S. destinations. Interest is being driven by a convergence of sports fandom, global attention on the city’s football team, and its role as a host city for an upcoming world soccer tournament.
Milan and the Winter Games
Milan has seen a 15% increase in flight interest as it prepares to host the 2026 Winter Games. Combined with falling Europe airfares, the event is accelerating demand beyond traditional winter sports travelers.
Together, these cities highlight a broader shift: travelers are increasingly planning trips around the cultural moments, teams and events they care about.
Las Vegas Is Rebounding
After signs of cooling in 2025, Las Vegas is back.
Flight interest is up 18% year over year, fueled by new entertainment residencies, major sporting events and competitive domestic fares. Las Vegas has re-entered the top 50 trending destinations, underscoring how entertainment-led travel continues to influence demand.
Where the Best Flight Deals Are in 2026
With airfare dropping across many markets, several destinations stand out for value.
Biggest airfare drops year over year:
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (↓36%)
- Split, Croatia (↓33%)
- Naples, Italy (↓26%)
- Florence, Italy (↓26%)
- Shannon, Ireland (↓25%)
- Sapporo, Japan (↓25%)
- Sofia, Bulgaria (↓24%)
- Dubrovnik, Croatia (↓24%)
- Guangzhou, China (↓24%)
- Okinawa, Japan (↓23%)
Travelers can find more information about those cities and explore accommodation details on Trip.com and Expedia.
Lower fares are helping reopen destinations that were previously cost-prohibitive, particularly across Europe and Asia.
The Cheapest Places to Fly in 2026
On the domestic front, average airfare remains lowest in several U.S. cities, making them consistent value picks:
- Punta Gorda, FL
- New York, NY
- Raleigh, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Fort Myers, FL
- Boston, MA
- Minneapolis, MN
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
Travelers can find more information about those cities and explore accommodation details on Expedia.
Early Signals for Summer 2026
Even with months to go, summer travel patterns are already taking shape.
What early data shows:
- Summer flight searches are up 9%, led by international trips
- Domestic summer airfares are down 6%
- International summer airfares are down 12%
- Middle East searches are up 35%
- Caribbean searches are up 15%
Europe and Asia are emerging as the strongest value regions for long-haul summer travel, with airfare down 14% to Europe and 16% to Asia, driving early interest in cities like Warsaw, Naples, Stockholm and Tirana.
At a Glance: 2026 Travel Trends
- Airfares are falling, especially for international routes
- Eastern Europe dominates destination growth
- Events, sports and pop culture are shaping travel demand
- Las Vegas is rebounding after a 2025 slowdown
- Summer 2026 favors early planners and long-haul value seekers
Bottom line: 2026 is shaping up as a year where flexibility, early searching and openness to emerging destinations could unlock some of the best travel value seen in years.
