Breathe a sigh of relief - this year's biggest travel trend takes nearly zero planning
In 2026, more Australians are going to take holidays - both international and domestic - than ever before.
From Tokyo city breaks and coastal Aussie road trips to skiing in France and safaris in Kenya, we've got our sights set all across the globe.
Here are five major trends you can expect to see in 2026.
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Most Aussies have a holiday planned for 2026. Getty
'Do nothing' trips
Wellness travel has been booming for the past five years, and this trend is an extension of that.
'Do nothing' trips are all about, well, doing nothing. Instead of packing your itinerary full of activities, treating your vacation like an actual holiday, where you take a break from real life.
This could include lying by the pool in a beachside resort, heading off-grid to a cabin in the woods, taking a reading holiday with friends, or choosing to holiday in a small town rather than a city.
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Going off-grid is very appealing. Getty
Half of Aussies surveyed by Expedia say in 2026 they're keen to swap the stress of over-planned trips for peaceful escapes in smaller towns.
The travel company highlighted places like Robe in South Australia, Nagambie in Victoria, and Huskisson in NSW as ideal 'slow down towns'.
Tour tourism
This one isn't new, but the data shows that it's very much still trending.
We saw the rise of tour tourism - planning travel around a music artist's concert dates - back in 2023 and 2024 as Swifties travelled across the globe to see Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour.
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Tour tourism really took off with Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana
The trend is still very much alive and kicking. When Lady Gaga performed in Sydney in December, Airbnb searches for Sydney accommodation during concert dates were up 178 per cent compared to the same dates in 2024.
Tour tourism isn't just about seeing the artist, but about using their concert dates as a convenient reason to travel, to explore new places and see new sights.
Micro Retirement
Instead of waiting until they're in their 60s and can retire from work, more travellers are taking their 'big trip' mid-career, with extended sabbaticals on the rise.
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People don't want to wait to see the world. Getty
Explore Worldwide says that 39 per cent of Australians are considering extended time off work and many cite travel as their main motivator.
Ben Ittensohn, Regional Director of Explore Worldwide AUNZ, says the trend is being fuelled by a change in how people view their jobs.
"It's a response to burnout, long hours, and a culture that waits too long for life to begin," he says.
"With careers potentially stretching into our 70s, priorities and perspectives change. People are beginning to ask themselves: 'Why wait? Life's too short to not see the world.'"
One million Aussies visited Japan in the last year - it's getting crowded. Getty
Off-peak travel
The new golden rule of travel? Go when everyone else stays at home.
With record numbers of people packing their bags and hitting the road, it's getting pretty busy out there.
9Travel writer Sarah declared earlier this year that Euro Summer is over - why would you want to elbow your way through sweaty throngs of tourists in the peak of the hot season, when you could get spots all to yourself just a few months later?
Travelling off-peak is often cheaper, too, when you're booking flights, accommodation, and even car rental.
I personally saved hundreds of Euros by visiting the Amalfi Coast in October instead of July.
Train travel is booming. ©Pete Seaward/Lonely Planet
Rail journeys
Just like do nothing trips, this one's about slowing down.
Travellers are eschewing flights in favour of travelling by train - either on epic, multi-day journeys like the Ghan or short scenic trips between European countries.
If you need some inspo, North America's famous Rocky Mountaineer train was named the world's best rail journey by Travel + Leisure, featuring a glass roof that shows off the beauty of the landscape.
Closer to home, there's a five-hour luxury train ride that hugs Vietnam's coastline, for an unforgettable day trip.
The Ghan traverses the Outback. Journey Beyond Rail
Meanwhile, many travellers reckon that the best way to explore New Zealand is by train.
Great Journeys New Zealand Executive Tracey Goodall says that multi-day train tours "give travellers the chance to slow down, soak in the scenery, and experience New Zealand in a way that's effortless, stress-free, and unforgettable.
You get to tick off bucket-list experiences, but actually sit back and the journey itself, too.
Small ship cruises
While mega cruise ships will always be fun and have their place, Aussies are increasingly exploring the world of small ship cruising.
With fewer guests on board, a higher crew-to-guest ratio, and access to smaller, lesser- known ports, small-ship cruises deliver a unique experience for seasoned cruisers.
Small ship cruising is having a moment. Supplied
It's also a great antidote to overtourism, particularly if you want to have a more authentic interaction with local destinations and communities.
Unforgettable Croatia reports it is already more than 50 per cent sold for its 2026 small-ship cruising program - the strongest early demand in the company's history.
"There is strong demand for a boutique style of cruising," Graham Carter, co-founder of Unforgettable Croatia, says.
. The reasons for this are varied, but what we hear is that people are looking for a personalised, immersive experience, where every journey feels uniquely tailored. It often comes back to the desire to truly explore a destination, at its heart, rather than rigidly sticking to the tourist hotspots. With Unforgettable Croatia, our fleet of 38-guest, luxury ships offer a unique way to cruise that puts the guest at the forefront of the experience," Graham said.
