From Familiar Routes to New Experiences: UK Travel Trends for 2026
British travellers are approaching holidays differently in 2026, according to The Great British Holiday Audit released by easyJet and easyJet holidays. Based on research among 2,000 UK holidaymakers, the report highlights a shift toward longer short haul travel, purpose-driven trips and wider destination choices. Rather than repeating familiar patterns, many people are expanding how far they are willing to fly while remaining within short haul networks.
What Is Driving Travel Choices in 2026
One of the clearer shifts is that British travellers are becoming more comfortable with slightly longer short haul flights. Journeys of five to six hours are no longer seen as a drawback, especially when they open access to warmer climates, better value, and less familiar destinations. Interest is growing in parts of North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, and emerging city break locations made easier to reach by new direct routes from the UK.
“We’re seeing customers become far more intentional about how and when they travel, whether that’s getting away before everyday routines take over, switching off from screens, or planning trips around meaningful moments you simply can’t recreate at home."
As destinations feel more reachable, the reasons for travelling are also changing. Nature based travel is becoming one of the strongest trends for 2026, particularly dark sky tourism. Travellers are planning trips around quiet locations where stars, night skies, and natural events can be fully enjoyed. The solar eclipse visible from parts of Spain is prompting travellers to plan trips around a single, time-specific experience rather than broad sightseeing or crowded resort stays.
Culture and shared interests are also shaping where people go. Places connected to popular TV series, films, and literature remain appealing, while sports-focused travel is taking on new and more varied forms. Many travellers are choosing holidays where they can watch major sporting events with local fans or take part in activities like padel and pickleball, especially in countries where these sports are popular and easy to access.
Taken together, these changes are making it easier for travellers to shape holidays around their own preferences rather than fixed travel patterns. The report suggests that 2026 trips will focus less on habit and more on personal meaning. With better flight connections and helpful technology, travellers are more confident exploring new places, planning trips around interests, and turning holidays into experiences that feel memorable, enjoyable, and truly worth the time away.
