The team at YouTrip surveyed over 1,200 Australians to better understand how people are planning, spending and travelling in 2026. Here’s what we found:
From rising living costs to disruptions from global events, Australians have had plenty of reasons to reconsider their travel plans this year.
But according to YouTrip’s 2026 Traveller Sentiment Report, most travellers aren’t giving up on travel just yet. The findings paint a clear picture: while travellers are becoming more intentional about where and how they travel, the desire to explore remains as strong as ever. 🌍
9 in 10 Australians still plan to travel in 2026
Australians aren’t giving up their holidays anytime soon.
Our survey found that a whooping 93% of Australians still intend to travel in 2026, despite rising costs and shifting travel sentiment.
What’s particularly interesting is that many Australians aren’t cancelling trips, they’re simply becoming more flexible with where they go and how they travel.
Australians are becoming more strategic about where they travel
As travellers look for destinations that offer better value, accessibility and greater peace of mind, Asia tops the chart as the preferred region for Aussie travellers this year.
Destinations such as Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Bali are crowd favourites and were mentioned by many survey respondents, possibly driven by strong exchange rates, rich cultural experiences, and safe travel routes.
At the same time, Europe remains remarkably resilient despite higher costs and uncertainty across parts of the region. While some travellers are becoming more selective about destinations and trip durations, the appeal of a Euro summer clearly remains strong as the days get colder. ☀️
Rather than slowing travel plans entirely, current conditions appear to be encouraging Australians to travel more thoughtfully — choosing destinations that better align with their budgets, priorities, and comfort level.
Travel has become a “non-negotiable”
One of the strongest findings from the survey was just how emotionally important travel has become for Australians.
More than half of respondents (52%) described travel as a non-negotiable part of their lifestyle, while 43% see it as a luxury they’ll enjoy if they can afford it.
When it comes to saving for holidays, 1 in 2 respondents said they would delay major milestones like buying a home or car in order to keep travelling, while many others are also making smaller yet meaningful financial trade-offs in their daily lives.
For many Australians, travel is no longer viewed as an occasional luxury. Instead, it’s increasingly seen as a meaningful part of life — whether that means reconnecting with loved ones overseas, taking a much-needed break to recharge, or simply experiencing something new.
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Australians are chasing food, connection and slower travel
The survey also revealed a shift in what Australians value most when travelling in 2026.
Rather than trying to fit in as many destinations as possible in a single trip, travellers are increasingly prioritising experiences that feel more personal and fulfilling, such as travelling to enjoy diverse local cuisine and visiting mates living abroad.
There seems to be a growing shift away from rushed, checklist-style travel towards longer stays, deeper experiences and more intentional itineraries. This includes choosing to explore smaller cities over crowded tourist hotspots, and travelling with more purpose than ever before.
We can’t deny that this we’re loving this shift in mindset.
Australians are becoming more mindful about spending overseas
With travellers paying closer attention to budgets and exchange rates, overseas spending habits are evolving as well, especially in the past couple of years.
When asked what payment methods they typically use while travelling:
As living costs continue to rise and awareness around overseas fees grow, Australians are actively seeking for new ways to stretch their travel budget further.
Among YouTrip users specifically, the biggest reasons for choosing multi-currency cards like YouTrip include:
It’s clear: Australians aren’t travelling less — they’re travelling differently
If YouTrip’s 2026 Traveller Sentiment Survey findings reveal anything, it’s that Australians still place enormous value on travel, even amid an unpredictable global landscape.
The way people approach travel is evolving. Travellers are becoming more flexible with destinations, more thoughtful with spending, and more intentional about the experiences they want from their trips. They’re seeking better value, meaningful connections and holidays that feel genuinely worthwhile.
And despite everything happening around the world, the desire to explore remains incredibly strong.
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Survey conducted by YouTrip between April and May 2026 with over 1,200 Australian respondents aged 18 and above.
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