For Australians planning a 2026 getaway, the reality of a European summer is becoming more complicated and expensive.
A quick Northern Hemisphere refresher: Europe’s summer coincides with Australia’s winter, making it a popular escape for sun-loving travellers, with popular destinations including Paris, Rome, London, Greece, Croatia and Spain (if you can’t tell by your social media feed every European summer).
Ongoing tensions in the Middle East, rising airfares and shifting travel trends are forcing holidaymakers to rethink how, and whether, they make the trip.
According to Australian Travel Industry Association CEO Dean Long, Europe remains a top destination, but travellers are approaching it differently.
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“Europe is still on the list and Paris, Rome and London definitely haven’t lost their appeal,” he said.
“What’s changed is the calculation around getting there. Fares on alternative routes are significantly higher, some Middle East transit points now carry do-not-travel advisories which voids insurance cover even in transit, and the routing picture is genuinely more complex than it was two years ago.
“Some travellers are pushing their Europe plans back. Others are going anyway but budgeting very differently.”
Tourists sunbathing on idyllic beach of Cala d’Hort, Ibiza island, Spain. Credit: PAWEL KAZMIERCZAK/pkazmierczak – stock.adobe.comA croissant in Paris. A very popular travel destination for Australian travellers. Credit: Adobe Stock/JuliaLavleis – stock.adobe.comAthens, Greece. Credit: Supplied
Costs rising, plans shifting
For many Australians, the biggest shock is the cost of getting to Europe. You might pay roughly the same price as someone did in 2025, but with more stopovers, or potentially more time spent in the sky.
“Fuel costs are up sharply and that’s flowing through to ticket prices, particularly on long-haul routes,” Mr Long said.
“Travellers who haven’t looked at fares recently are getting a shock.”
While demand for Europe remains strong, he said travellers are being forced to adapt, whether by booking earlier, changing travel periods or rethinking budgets.
“The smart ones are booking early, going outside peak European summer where there’s still value in the market, and talking to an ATIA-accredited travel agent or tour operator who knows where the opportunities are – and there are still opportunities.
“The demand for Europe is real and the question now is whether people’s budgets can absorb what the market is currently charging to get there.”
It also comes as Australians continue to feel the pinch of cost-of-living pressures at home, with inflation still sitting around 3-4 per cent over the past year and household budgets stretched by higher interest rates, rent and everyday expenses, which is forcing many to rethink big-ticket spending like overseas travel.
For Australians planning a 2026 Euro summer, getting there is no longer straightforward, or cheap. Credit: Adobe Stock/PintoArt – stock.adobe.comFamous Orthodox church with blue domes in village Oia (Ia) on Santorini island. Credit: mbbirdy/Getty Images
Travellers turning elsewhere
At the same time, there is clear evidence Australians are increasingly looking beyond Europe altogether.
“What we are seeing clearly in the data is that Asia-Pacific is booming. Japan up 14.4 per cent, Vietnam up 17 per cent, China up 16.5 per cent,” Mr Long said.
“These are not marginal shifts, they reflect a genuine reorientation of where Australians want to go.
An intrepid cycling tour in Vietnam. Credit: Intrepid/Supplied
“Some of that is travellers who would otherwise have gone to Europe. Some of it is travellers discovering that what was going to be a Singapore or Tokyo stopover is actually now the whole trip. There are still plenty of great options out there.”
Travel company Expedia says that shift is playing out across both domestic and international travel trends.
“Aussies are resilient travellers, and while some may be adjusting travel plans in response to recent news and advisories, overall demand for travel remains strong,” the company told The Nightly.
“What we are seeing is a trend towards staying closer to home, with many Australians opting to recreate the Euro summer experience in warmer local destinations this winter, with interest in the likes of Sunshine Coast and the Whitsundays.
“Short haul international destinations are also having a real moment, particularly in Asia, with the likes of Japan and Phu Quoc, Vietnam trending and offering strong value.”
Neon lights and billboard advertisements on buildings in Tokyo, Japan. Credit: Nataliya Hora/Nataliya Hora – stock.adobe.comKyoto, Japan. Toji Pagoda during the fall season. The pagoda is the tallest in the country. Credit: SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images
Rethinking the Euro summer
For those still set on Europe, the journey itself is becoming part of the equation.
“For travellers still heading to Europe, opting to go via Asia is proving to be popular, with airline routes via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong in demand and offering peace of mind when travelling,” Expedia said.
While Europe’s most iconic cities continue to draw crowds, the idea of a carefree, affordable Euro summer is increasingly out of reach for many Australians.
For Australians planning a 2026 Euro summer, getting there is no longer straightforward, or cheap. Here’s what’s changing. Credit: Shutter2U – stock.adobe.com
Smartraveller advice
Australians planning a European getaway are being urged to closely check official travel advice, with conditions varying significantly across the region.
The Australian Government’s Smartraveller website currently lists much of Western and Southern Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Italy and Germany, as safe to visit with normal safety precautions.
However, other popular destinations come with higher warnings. The United Kingdom and France are among countries where travellers are advised to exercise a high degree of caution, largely due to ongoing security risks.
Further east, parts of Europe carry stricter advice. Turkey and some Balkan nations also fall under the “exercise a high degree of caution” category, while areas bordering conflict zones, including Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, are listed as “do not travel”.
The Government warns that travel advice can change quickly and may impact everything from insurance validity to flight routes and safety on the ground.
Australians planning a European getaway are being urged to closely check official travel advice, with conditions varying significantly across the region. Credit: Smartraveller
Australians are urged to monitor updates before and during their trip, ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance, and reconsider itineraries that involve transiting through higher-risk regions.
“Travellers should remain alert to local conditions, follow the advice of local authorities and stay informed of any changes that could affect their journey,” Smartraveller advises.
