The 26 things every traveller needs to know about travel in 2026
SOURCE:Sydney Morning Herald|BY:Michael Gebicki
Trust us, this year there’s a lot to know – and all of it is right here in this essential guide.
January 9, 2026 — 5:00am
Welcome to travel in 2026. This year is going to feel different. Some changes are big, with major shifts in technology, climate and artificial intelligence having a noticeable impact, plus there are also plenty of subtle shifts.
Many countries are finally transitioning from stamps in passports to digitised recording systems as a way of tracking travellers.
These systems are designed to match a facial scan or a fingerprint with the biometric information embedded in a passport.
Where do we go from here? This year heralds a plethora of changes and challenges for Australian travellers.Getty Images
An increasing number of countries are also requiring travellers to notify them in advance of their arrival by completing a pre-arrival website document. While it adds another complication to foreign travel, it will make border crossings smoother and faster.
Air travel prices are stable, and that encourages us to travel more. As a consequence, the hotspots of Europe are becoming more crowded every year.
Some cities and countries are even imposing measures to limit the number of visitors, either with a daily admission fee or by restricting the number of cruise vessels that can dock at one time.
Off-season travel and “coolcations” are becoming a thing as travellers seek times and destinations to foil the crowds.
Travellers are warming to “coolcations” and even “coldcations” such as those at spectacular Lofoten, Norway. iStock
Also in the 2026 mix, climate change is making travel less predictable, flying taxis are expected to take to the air in Dubai, eSIMs are getting easier to use, cash is making way for cards and contactless payments. And be on your guard because travel scams are becoming more sophisticated.
Here are 26 ways travel will feel a lot different in 2026, and why every traveller should not only be aware of them but, most importantly, be prepared for them.
AIRLINES
Becoming pointless
At the end of 2025, American Express devalued the number of airline points Australians earn when they exchange their membership rewards points. It’s part of a trend that has seen Australia’s banks devaluing their airline reward schemes, or even cancelling their reward partner programs, since mid-2025. For example, points acquired under the CommBank Awards program can now only be used for Virgin Velocity points. With many frequent flyers sitting on huge points balances, some airlines are now requiring more points to pay for a reward seat, squeezing the number of reward seats and requiring passengers looking to upgrade with points to join a wait list, waiting until the last minute to see if that seat is taken by a fare-paying passenger.
Soon we’ll be able to fly non-stop between Australia and Europe with Turkey’s national carrier. Getty Images
Turkish Airlines is planning to begin non-stop flights between Sydney and Istanbul some time in 2026. If it happens, this will be the first airline to offer a non-stop service between east coast Australia and mainland Europe. The Turkish carrier has been attracting favourable attention from Australian flyers for its service and food, offering Istanbul as a stopover destination with five-star cultural credentials as an alternative to the Gulf State carriers. Seeturkishairlines.com
Economy sleepers launched
Air New Zealand’s unique Skynest bunk-style beds are set to shake up economy-class flying.
Early in 2026, economy passengers flying long-haul aboard Air New Zealand will be able to grab some quality sleep in the aircraft’s Skynest, the world’s first lie-flat economy class sleep pods. Air NZ’s Boeing 787s will feature six stacked sleep pods, which can be booked in four-hour slots. Skynest will make its debut on Air New Zealand’s New York to Auckland route. Seeairnewzealand.com.au
Upgrade to long-haul fleet
Singapore Airlines is splashing out on cabin upgrades for more than three dozen of its Airbus A350-900 planes.iStock
Singapore Airlines is spending SGD1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) to update cabins aboard 41 of its Airbus A350-900s. These are the aircraft used for its long-haul flights, including the seven A350-900ULRs used on its Singapore-New York flights. All cabins will be spruced up with the first retrofitted aircraft to enter service in the second quarter of 2026. For those with deep pockets, the airline is promising ultra-lavish first and business class cabins aboard the refurbished aircraft. Seesingaporeair.com
Emirates’ wi-fly
Emirates is following in the footsteps of Qatar Airways, offering free, ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity to all passengers aboard select Boeing 777 flights. The airline plans to expand the service across its entire fleet by mid-2027, and installations on its Airbus A380s will start in early 2026. Qatar Airways Wi-Fi is delivered at streaming speed and is available from gate to gate with no blank spots thanks to Starlink’s worldwide coverage. That has been a game changer because in-flight Wi-Fi does not usually become available before the aircraft crosses the 10,000-feet threshold. Seeemirates.com;qatarairways.com
BORDERS
Speedier security
Cumbersome airport security is being streamlined by revolutionary CT-scanner technology.Getty Images
An ever-increasing number of airports around the world are using CT scanners that do not require travellers to remove laptops, liquids, lithium batteries and phones from their carry-ons when they pass through airport security. This makes for a smoother, quicker passage, with far fewer passengers being asked to open their bags for a physical inspection.
Tricky US travel
In a move sure to dampen enthusiasm for travel to the US, the Trump administration is proposing to implement stricter vetting for incoming visitors. The new measures would require applicants for visas and for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to divulge social media history and phone numbers over the past five years and email addresses for the past 10 years. Other data such as “family history” might also be required. The ESTA application is by far the most common route for Australians looking to enter the US as tourists. The proposal is still subject to congressional approval. However, it could become law in 2026, so watch this space. Seeesta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta
New entry/exit system
In the first few months of 2026, Australian passport holders visiting Europe will encounter the new entry/exit system (EES). The EES is a digital border control system that automatically registers non-EU visitors entering the Schengen zone, and it applies in 25 of the 27 EU-member states, plus Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. You don’t need to apply or register for the EES before entering Europe. The first time you enter a Schengen zone country, you might be asked to provide biometric data including a photo and fingerprints at a kiosk. This data enables you to use self-service scanners to enter and exit Schengen zone countries on subsequent trips. The EES will be rolled out gradually, before full implementation on April 10, 2026. Seetravel-europe.europa.eu/ees
Face up to facial recognition
SmartGates at Brisbane Airport use facial recognition technology.
Facial recognition is one of the technologies that fall under the umbrella of biometrics, the measurement of physical characteristics. Using a computer algorithm, facial recognition technology compares a live image with the biometric information embedded in a passport, a driver’s licence or an app with a certified digitised image. The SmartGate technology Australian Border Force has been using to process passengers is one example. Facial recognition technology has potential applications in many areas of travel besides border control, including check-in for flights and hotels. The ultimate aim is seamless travel – contactless, fast – and almost foolproof.
Visa-free China boost
The great news for Australians is that more of us can easily visit attractions in China like the Great Wall. iStock
Late in 2025, China announced an extension of its visa-exemption arrangements, which allow Australian passport holders to enter the country for up to 30 days without a visa. The visa-free entry provision for Australians was scheduled to end on December 31, 2025, but Australians now have another year of the provision for business travel, tourism, family and friend reunions and student exchanges. Seegov.cn;cnto.org.au
Visa waiver for South Korea
From this year, Australians will require a visa waiver to visit South Korea.iStock
The previous exemption allowing free entry for Australian passport holders to South Korea ended on December 31, 2025. From that date, a Korea electronic travel authorisation (K-ETA) is required. The K-ETA is a visa waiver, which costs 10,000 won ($10.50), and enables stays of up to 90 days. The K-ETA is usually issued within 72 hours of the completed application. Seeenglish.visitkorea.or.kr
… and Europe
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to come into effect in the last quarter of 2026. ETIAS is a visa-waiver system, similar to ESTA in the US and Britain’s ETA, and it will become an entry requirement for non-EU passport holders travelling to any of the 30 European countries covered by the system. Australians will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation. The application process is simple, although the questions have become more searching than originally envisaged. The cost is expected to be €20 ($36). Once issued, the travel authorisation will be valid for three years. Seetravel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias
ISSUES AND TRENDS
Climate crisis
Climate change is bringing change and disruption for travellers, and disaster for destinations.iStock
Hotter, drier, wetter and windier – climate change is playing havoc with the seasons and making travel weather less predictable. The increased frequency of extreme weather events including storms, floods and hurricanes is causing damage to hotels and resorts. Coastal regions are especially vulnerable to sea-level rises that erode beaches and threaten coastal infrastructure. Extremely high temperatures are also causing havoc with air travel, melting runways in some regions and requiring longer take-off rolls.
Sophisticated scams
Displaying a whole new level of inventiveness, scammers are using AI tools to impersonate travel agents, hotel managers or customer service representatives to build trust and legitimacy and, ultimately, convince you to hand over financial details that will allow them to hoover your bank accounts. Fake confirmation emails, invoices and booking links written using AI are becoming more professional sounding and credible. Booking.com has reported a huge increase in scam cases linked to generative AI recently, and predictions are that the incidence will increase in 2026. Seesmartraveller.gov.au
Cash crash
Digital wallets are super-convenient, and many travellers are finding their cash requirements are shrinking when they’re out and about in the world. That applies especially to younger travellers, who find digital payments more seamless and efficient when overseas. Many travellers prefer non-cash payments because they feel more secure, with less risk of theft or loss. While cash-light is a great way to travel, some situations demand cash, such as taxi rides in many countries, an espresso at a bar in Italy, food from street markets and tips for porters.
Off season peaks
Travellers are turning on to off-season holidays such as rail journeys in scenic Switzerland.iStock
The concept of peak season is well and truly over. While you could once count on smaller crowds and lower prices in Europe’s off-peak season, the traditional hotspots around the Mediterranean are now crowded in April and September, while the warmer months in between are jam-packed. Record-breaking summer heat and wildfires are pushing more tourists towards the milder temperatures of spring and autumn. Many travellers are now looking for a so-called “coolcation” in less-crowded destinations in the Nordic countries. The off-peak season also brings lower prices, fuelling the demand for travel in those months.
Over-it fees
Many heavily touristed places, such as Seville, Spain, are imposing fees for the privilege of visiting them.iStock
Venice, Italy, was the first to introduce a gate fee for day-trip visitors during busy periods. The Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos now charge a €20 ($36) levy for every cruise ship passenger visiting during peak season, while Seville plans to charge a fee to visit its Plaza de Espana. Other cities are making it more expensive to stay by other means, increasing tourist taxes charged by hotels per overnight stay. Amsterdam has raised its tourist tax to 12.5 per cent of the cost of a stay, one of the highest such rates in Europe. Budapest, Berlin, Prague and Lisbon have all gone down the same path.
Regeneration nations
Destinations like New Zealand are calling on visitors to acts as guardians of natural assets such as the South Island’s Milford Sound.iStock
There’s growing demand for regenerative tourism, which means not just reducing environmental impact but positively contributing to local communities and ecosystems. Examples include New Zealand’s Tiaki Promise, which roughly translates into “acting as a guardian and protecting and preserving the home”. It also includes shopping for sustainable souvenirs and locally made, design-led or edible items that have lower environmental impact than mass-produced trinkets. Seetiakinewzealand.com
Medical makeover
In December 2025, my wife got a prescription for her eye medication over the internet using an online doctor while in Morocco. It’s just one example of telemedicine, telecommunications technology that provides healthcare services remotely, enabling doctors to diagnose and treat patients via video conferencing, phone calls or digital communication. It’s been a revolution for travellers who fall ill with relatively minor health conditions when they’re far from home and might not speak the local language. Doctorsa.com is one example, an association of English-speaking, qualified medical professionals who will diagnose your condition online and prescribe a remedy.
Growing appetite
Rather than just restaurants, travellers are exploring local grocers, supermarkets and the amazing convenience stores of Japan, taking a deep dive into daily-life food culture, a phenomenon known as grocery tourism or shelf discovery. Fuelled by social media, the trend provides an authentic, affordable glimpse into local culture and daily habits beyond what a typical tourist might see.
TRANSPORT
Flying taxis to take off
An electric urban-air mobility aircraft – better known as an air taxi – is pictured in-flight in Dubai. iStock
Joby Aviation will usher in a new era in aviation when it begins operating air taxis in Dubai in 2026. The five-rotor vertical take-off and landing (eVOTL) air taxis, which look like giant drones, will carry up to four passengers from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, slashing the 45-minute car journey to a 10-minute ride. Noise from the electrically powered aircraft will be minimal as they zoom across the city at up to 300km/h. Seejobyaviation.com
Electric hire-cars rev up
Electric vehicles are becoming the main feature of European car rental fleets.iStock
They’re not quite the default, but electric cars are starting to dominate the car hire industry in some countries. Major rental companies in Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands are aiming for 50 to 70 per cent of their fleets to be electric by 2026. And some northern European cities are looking to eventually ban petrol rentals in city centres. Advantages include lower running costs, sophisticated electronics and quiet, smooth driving, which makes them ideal for scenic routes. However, downsides such as patchy charging stations in some popular rural areas and extended waiting times for access to chargers in peak periods blunt their appeal.
Cars scanned
Some hire-car operators are using advanced digital scanning technologies powered by artificial intelligence to check for damage when a car is returned. These scanners probe the exterior, including the undercarriage, to detect dents, scratches, glass damage and tyre wear. Before and after scans should put an end to arguments over damage claims, but even the smallest scratch will now be recorded.
TECH
AI becomes a travel agent (but beware)
AI can be extremely useful for planning travel, but you need to understand its strengths and weaknesses. The value of all such generative AI tools depends largely on the question that is being asked. You might start off with something general such as “What’s a walking-focused, 10-day itinerary in Umbria?” and drill down further with food, market and festival recommendations to refine your holiday experience. Think of it as smart and fast research.
User-friendly eSIMs
eSIMS have become more user-friendly.Getty Images
Recent experience with eSIMs from Airalo and Nomad suggests they are becoming much less fiddly to install and activate. There were times in the past when eSIMs failed even when all the steps were followed using the app, requiring calls to customer service. Some travellers even gave up in frustration. Buying and activating a Nomad eSIM through the Nomad app has been a breeze, with a data connection available even before leaving the aircraft in a foreign country. Seegetnomad.app
Aviation tools up with AI
Artificial intelligence is now woven into the fabric of modern air travel, finding new ways to strip minutes from flight times and nudging aircraft onto more efficient flight paths. Airlines have been leaning on this technology for years, but the next wave is already rolling in. The aviation industry is perpetually fine-tuning, and AI is a vital tool, helping to make the business of getting from A to B safer and more seamless.
MEANWHILE, CLOSER TO HOME…
Air passengers get more rights
The federal government’s long-awaited Aviation Customer Rights Charter could become law in 2026. However, it would appear to fall short of customer expectations, specifically the clear right to compensation for delayed and cancelled flights. Seeinfrastructure.gov.au
Airport to take off
Western Sydney International Airport is on schedule to begin operations in 2026 with an initial capacity for up to 10 million passengers a year. The airport has no operating curfew, and has the potential to reshape Sydney’s domestic and international travel, especially for residents in the city’s west. Seewsiairport.com.au
Koala Airlines takes to the skies
Koala Airlines, a low-cost domestic carrier, plans to begin operating services in 2026. Although details are sketchy, the airline says its focus will be on service and a quality customer experience. Seekoalaair.com.au
Sydney Airport overhaul
Sydney Airport is investing in an overhaul of its T2 terminal, targeting a “kerb to gate” experience in just 15 minutes by the end of 2026. Improvements include next-generation security scanners and automated bag drops for a smoother, faster airport experience. Seesydneyairport.com.au
Buses win safety boost
Safety regulations are being introduced that require all new buses and coaches, including long-distance travel versions, to be fitted with seatbelts. There will also be audio/video alerts to encourage passengers to buckle up. Seeinfrastructure.gov.au
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Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based travel writer, best known for his Tripologist column published for more than 15 years in Traveller. With four decades of experience, his specialty is practical advice, destination insights and problem-solving for travellers. He also designs and leads slow, immersive tours to some of his favourite places. Connect via Instagram @michael_gebickiConnect via email.
