Beyond escape: Travel as an expression of self

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Step into our lobby, where global travel trends meet, conversations spark, and every corner hints at where travellers are headed next.

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This is the story taking shape, of shifting habits and fresh horizons, backed by Skyscanner’s data, consumer insights and trusted experts.

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In 2026, travel isn’t about escaping real life – it’s about bringing your whole self along for the journey.

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2026 UK traveller snapshot

What are travellers planning next year? Our survey of 2,000 UK travellers reveals that:

• **43‏% **will explore local supermarkets or grocery stores abroad
• **40‏% **will lose themselves in a good book
• **31‏% **will travel with their family, including multi-generational journeys
• **27‏% **will stay in accommodation that’s part of the travel experience or destination itself
• **20‏% **will meet new people on the road, either making friends or dating
• **18‏% **will embark on a hiking adventure
• **13‏% **will shop for local skincare and beauty products

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**The era of made-for-me travel **

In 2025, travellers have searched for shared stories and collective experiences. But next year? It’s getting personal.

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From the destinations they pick to the rituals they pack, travellers are curating trips that feel more in tune with who they are and what they love.

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With the cost of living still top of mind, trips in 2026 are being built with purpose – shaped around passions, priorities and a personal sense of ‘worth it’.

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Whether it’s incorporating a beauty routine into their travel itinerary, choosing a destination based on the accommodation they want to stay in, or making unexpected connections on the road, travel next year won’t be an escape from real life – it’ll be a way to feel more connected to it.

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**"Creating trips that feel less like an escape and more like an expression of self.” **

Bryan Batista, CEO of Skyscanner

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“Skyscanner’s 2026 Travel Trends report shows how travel is about to get more personal than ever. Next year will see travellers choose destinations and build itineraries that feel less like an escape and more like an expression of self.

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Whether it’s building a trip around a must-stay ‘destination hotel’, getting lost in a new favourite book on a reading retreat, or bringing the whole family along for the journey, travel will become more curated, grounded and uniquely personal.

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Price, though, is still a factor and travellers are continuing to spend carefully. They’re planning with greater purpose, shaping trips that reflect who they are and what matters most, at a price that’s right for them.

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The shift is clear: it’s not about getting away from real life – it’s about bringing who you are and what you love along for the ride.”

• The Beauty Trend
• The Food Trend
• The Mountain Trend
• The Literature Trend
• The Family Trend
• The Solo Trend
• The Hotel Trend
• The places on the rise
• Biggest flight price drops
• A view from the industry