Two out of five Britons plan to limit foreign travel in 2026, according to a survey by the YouGov platform. The reason? Rising costs and economic uncertainty are reshaping the way consumers approach international travel.
The most sensitive to price increases affecting travel are Gen Z (56%) and Millennials (54%). The rate drops to 45% for Generation X and to 41% for Baby Boomers.
Despite the timeless desire for exploration, financial pressures are pushing British travellers toward more restrained choices. One in three travelled less in 2025, while nearly half (48%) state that the rising cost significantly affected their plans.
Beyond personal factors, higher prices are the main reason for reducing international travel while environmental concerns were mentioned by only 3% of participants.
The largest price increases are found in transport (58%) and accommodation (50%). As a result, one third of Britons now book airline tickets much earlier to secure lower prices, while three in ten choose cheaper destinations.
Although more than four in ten Britons travel abroad every year, YouGov estimates that, if classic destinations such as Italy or France are seen as unaffordable, many may turn to more economical options, such as domestic city breaks.
Regarding accommodation choices, traditional hotels remain dominant (55%). Short-term rentals such as Airbnb and all-inclusive resorts are preferred by three in ten, while 11% choose cruises. However, holiday packages are no longer the majority preference in any of the four income categories.
In the assessment of 10 popular destinations, travellers consider the United States the worst in terms of value for money (43%), due to taxes, distance, and a general sense of high cost. In contrast, Spain emerged as the top destination of interest, followed by Italy, Greece, and Portugal. Also in the top ten are France, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Norway, and Japan.
Sarika Rana, head of consumer insights at YouGov UK, commented: As we approach 2026, more and more travellers are approaching international travel in a more methodical and value-oriented way. The desire for discovery remains, but rising costs and economic uncertainty are prompting many to reassess how, when, and why they travel.
