Europe’s Travel Trends in 2026: Navigating the Challenges of Cost and Accessibility
As summer approaches, many Europeans are preparing for their annual holiday season. However, this year brings a new set of challenges, including rising temperatures, limited air conditioning, and increased travel costs. The combination of soaring jet fuel prices, flight cancellations, and additional fees from airlines is prompting many to rethink how and where they will spend their holidays.
Despite these challenges, Europe remains a top destination for travelers. According to the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI)’s annual Travel Trends Report 2026, the continent continues to attract strong global demand, even amidst geopolitical and economic pressures. Cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels remain among the most popular destinations, with consistent growth in international travel.
“Against a backdrop of continued geopolitical uncertainty, Europe’s travel economy has shown resilience thus far,” said Natalia Lechmanova, Chief Economist Europe at Mastercard. “Affordability is a key driver in how travelers are making decisions. Rising costs for transport and accommodation, fluctuating exchange rates, and shaky income growth are impacting destination choices and the number of trips people take.”
The report highlights that as travel patterns normalize, Europeans are placing greater emphasis on value, affordability, and experience-led journeys. Despite these challenges, as many as 77% of Europeans remain committed to their travel plans for this summer, according to findings from Europ Assistance’s 2026 Holiday Barometer survey of 26,000 people.
Countries like the UK and Portugal ranked highest among Europeans with a desire to travel this year, with 84% and 82% of respondents having plans to do so. Even in countries where enthusiasm was lower, such as Germany and Belgium, 70% and 72% of respondents were still considering travel.
Air vs. Land Travel: Cost Considerations
Research by Raisin, a savings and investment platform, found that travelers are paying an average of 13.1% more for airfares across nine European destinations when flying from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The average cost of flights for a family of four—excluding baggage fees—has risen from €808 last year to €914 in 2026. Vienna was the only destination surveyed where prices fell slightly.
One solution may lie in no-frills flying. Low-cost carriers continue to promote travel at a cheaper rate but without the perks of carry-on bags, checked baggage, or seat reservation. However, for an additional fee, these can typically be added upon request.
For a carrier like EasyJet, this model seems to keep passengers happy. The British low-cost carrier told Euronews Travel: “40% of our customers travel having paid the fare only, which includes a small cabin bag for free. Our options and pricing are transparent and well understood by our customers. We allow them to pay for only what they want and no more, instead of all customers having to pay for things they don’t want or need, which keeps our fares lower for everyone.”
Other travelers may choose to avoid flying altogether. Raisin’s research found that train fares from Amsterdam Central Station increased by only 2.5% from last year. Train travel was also found to be cheaper on nine out of the 10 routes surveyed, with the exception of a train trip to London costing more than by air.
Package Holidays and Domestic Travel
With a reported 13,000 flights being cancelled in May alone due to the jet fuel crisis, some passengers may have delayed booking their summer trips. Rory Boland, editor of consumer website Which? Travel, advised travelers to book package holidays as it offers better protection against disruptions.
Home or away? In 2024, as many as 1.19 billion personal and professional trips were made by Europeans, with 92% being intra-European voyages. According to Eurostat, holiday expenditures on foreign trips outside the continent were 40% more expensive compared to domestic trips.
To make your money stretch further when traveling on the continent, The UK Post Office advises travelers to do plenty of digging in advance. “Although flights to some European destinations may be cheap, the city itself might be expensive on arrival,” the Post Office noted. Other key advice includes walking over hailing a taxi, dining on local street food rather than at packed touristy restaurants and cafes, and preparing for potential unexpected expenses, such as applying for a free Global Health Insurance Card.
Staycations and Shorter Distances
Data from Airbnb has shown that 25% of travelers in countries including France, Germany, Sweden, Portugal, and the Netherlands will be embracing staycations in 2026. Those who are going abroad are traveling shorter distances.
In Sweden, for example, the median booking distance has dropped 26% since 2023 and is now under 500 kilometers. Another trend on the rise is splitting the cost of travel across a larger group, with bookings of four people or more up across Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.
Best Time to Book
In its Smarter Summer Report, Skyscanner revealed the best times to book. According to the flight comparison website’s data, the key dates for your calendar are 29 June to 5 July for the cheapest week of summer travel in 2026.
“If you’ve ever muttered ‘maybe I’ll just wait and see,’ this is your cue to stop waiting and start scrolling,” Skyscanner said. “Your ideal travel window might be closer (and cheaper) than you think.”
While the Post Office earmarked Tuesday as one of the cheaper days to travel, Skyscanner believes it’s a Friday, highlighting that “there’s timing a holiday – and then there’s perfectly timing a holiday.”
Skyscanner’s report also looks out for travelers on a budget. “June and September are summer’s quieter overachievers,” the site said. “You still get the sunshine, but with lower prices, shorter queues, and a much easier shot at that dinner reservation. It’s the best of summer, with a bit more breathing room.”
If you’re after cheap flights in June from the UK, the site recommends Poprad in Slovakia, where the average ticket will be around £55 (€63.50). Other budget-friendly options in Europe include Szczecin and Lublin in Poland, with the flights expected to cost £59 (€68.12) and £62 (€71.59) respectively.
Europe’s Cheapest City Breaks
Eastern Europe continues to dominate Europe’s best-value city breaks for 2026, according to the latest City Costs Barometer by the UK’s Post Office Travel Money. In its biggest comparison yet, the report analyzed the cost of 12 everyday tourist items for two people across 50 European cities, including meals, drinks, attractions, airport transfers, and two nights in three-star accommodation.
For the first time, Sarajevo topped the rankings as Europe’s cheapest city break, praised for its low-cost accommodation, affordable transport, and good-value cultural attractions. Bucharest, Tirana, and Belgrade also ranked highly.
Top 10 Best Value European City Breaks
– Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: £248/€287
– Bucharest, Romania: £258/€299
– Tirana, Albania: £263/€304.50
– Belgrade, Serbia: £265/€307
– Trenčín, Slovakia: £272/€315
– Riga, Latvia: £278//€322
– Lille, France: £289/€334
– Vilnius, Lithuania: £289/€334
– Strasbourg, France: £319/€369
– Podgorica, Montenegro: £332/€384.50
