Americans' 2026 trending travel hot spots
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Eastern Europe is emerging as a hot destination for Americans traveling abroad next year, per new Kayak data shared with Axios.
Why it matters: The post-COVID travel boom shows no signs of cooling, even as affordability is top-of-mind for many Americans.
Driving the news: There's been a nearly 180% bump in U.S. search interest for flights to the Czech Republic for 2026 compared to 2025, Kayak says.
- Searches for Bulgaria are up nearly 140%, those for Hungary are up nearly 90%, and those for Albania rose just over 65%.
- There's also notable interest in parts of the Middle East, with searches for Jordan and Egypt both up nearly 50%.
Zoom in: Christchurch, New Zealand, tops the list of trending cities, with search interest up nearly 200% for 2026 travel versus 2025.
- It's followed by Prague, Czech Republic (+180%); Sofia, Bulgaria (+136%); and Kraków, Poland (+106%).
How it works: That's based on Kayak searches made from April through September 2025 for international flights from the U.S. in 2026.
- "Trending" destinations are those with the biggest bumps in search interest from one year to the next — not those with the most search interest overall.
Caveat: Kayak's data reflects search interest, not actual bookings.
What they're saying: Kate Williams, Kayak travel trends expert and chief communications officer, says interest in Eastern Europe is being driven by two factors: access and affordability.
- Airlines are opening up more nonstop routes to destinations in the area, while new boutique hotels are emerging there as well, Williams says.
"The other piece of it," Williams adds: People want alternatives to traditional post-COVID hot spots, like London, Rome and Paris.
- "People are looking for ... that next place that may offer some more affordability, fewer crowds, and a quintessential European experience. And that's what these destinations all have in common."
Friction point: Residents of some hot European destinations have been rallying against over-tourism, Axios' April Rubin reports.
The latest: Kayak recently launched a ChatGPT-powered "AI Mode" meant to help users plan their trips using natural language — an early look at how travel might change in the generative AI era.
The big picture: "Up-and-coming" destinations, novel accommodations now bookable with points (think tiny cabins, Airstream trailers, etc.) and impact-conscious traveling will be big trends in 2026, per a look-ahead from travel site The Points Guy.
- "Expect new flight routes, one-of-a-kind stays, and continued innovation in loyalty programs," TPG says.
What's next: See you in Budapest, Kraków or Sofia.
