The new year is well and truly underway and for many of us, that means we’re starting to plot out our travel plans. But with a new year comes a new international landscape, new travel trends and new priorities for travellers. This year, as the cost of living continues to rise and demand for some of the world’s most popular travel destinations reaches fever pitch, overcrowding and overpricing are serious issues to take into consideration when planning your trip. 

With that in mind, the focus for travellers in 2026 should be how to create meaningful experiences without drowning in crowds, paying over the odds or adding to the overpopulation of certain tourist hotspots. 

To help you on your way, we’ve compiled a list of our top travel tips for 2026. 

Go Local

No, we don’t mean you should just cancel your international travel plans and stay home instead. When we say ‘go local’, we mean you should consider straying a little bit off the well-worn tourist track and instead try immersing yourself in the local culture of a lesser-known area. 

For example, if you’re craving a dose of French culture, Paris is the obvious choice. But why not try Paris’s edgy sister Nantes instead? It’s just two hours from Paris by train and it’s steeped in classic French culture, but accommodation, attractions and food are all much cheaper than in the nation’s capital and you’ll find nowhere near the same number of tourists.

And if you’re embracing the idea of going local, take it further by making choices that will immerse you even more deeply in the local culture. Try simple things like staying at an AirBnb instead of a hotel, eating at low-key local eateries rather than tourist hotspots, shopping the local markets and simply strolling the streets to get a feel for the place. Not only will this give you a more authentic travel experience, it’s also much cheaper than hitting up the tourist traps and it’s also better for the environment and the travel ecosystem – spreading out your tourism dollars and footsteps supports local economies and eases the burden on overcrowded areas, making it a much more sustainable way to travel.

Choose Sustainable

And speaking of sustainability, making more eco-friendly choices when travelling is another one of our key tips for this year. Many of us who appreciate the wonders of the world are all too aware of the heavy toll tourism has taken on the beautiful places we love to visit. 

But that doesn’t mean we have to give up our favourite ways of travelling – it simply means we should make some mindful swaps where we can. Some ideas to make your trip more sustainable include:

• Try glamping – not only is it more sustainable, it’s also a great way to experience the natural environment of the place you’re visiting and connect more deeply with the location.
• Bring your own reusable travel essentials – things like a reusable insulated water bottle, refillable containers containing your basic toiletries, a metal cutlery and napkin kit (checked luggage only!), an eye mask and earplugs. Not only is this better for the environment, packing your own essentials means you’ll be using higher quality items selected exactly for your preferences.
• Travel by rail – if you’re travelling from place to place overseas, consider whether you could make the journey by rail instead of air. It’s much better for the environment and trains can be much more than just a way to get from A to B – rail journeys are currently having a moment as a great way to explore a destination and if your budget allows, a luxury rail journey is an experience you’ll never forget. 

Book Ahead

Unfortunately, the increasing demand for travel means that transport, accommodation and tickets to experiences can sell out far in advance. What’s more, with dynamic pricing models now firmly in place with many booking engines, you’ll often be charged much more if you leave your booking until the last minute. 

To get the best prices, set up fare alerts well in advance of your trip so you can keep an eye on price fluctuations and consider paying a little more for a flexible fare if it means you can lock down your trip well in advance. Book things like flights and airport parking as soon as you know your travel dates to get the best prices.

Don’t Spend Big on the Little Things

We all want our travel dollars to go as far as possible, so make sure you’re not paying over the odds for anything on your trip. Simple things like buying snacks at a local supermarket instead of at the airport or skipping unnecessary upgrades on your flight can end up saving you a lot of money. 

One of the smartest ways to save on your trip is to use a reputable off-site airport parking service rather than paying the high fees to park on-site. 

Using Off-Site Airport Parking

Park on King is located just a four-minute drive from Sydney Airport. You can book in advance online and secure a great price so you know exactly how much you’ll be saving on your travel budget. On the day, all you need to do is drive up, park your own vehicle, lock it up and take your keys with you. Walk up to reception and our friendly staff will check you in, and you will then be transferred to one of our free on-demand shuttle buses which will drive you directly to your terminal. Get a quote today.