Planning To Travel In Summer 2026? Experts Share What To Expect And How To Prepare

Traveling in 2026 comes with a few additional things to consider. Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East mean that gas and jet fuel prices are high, making vacations more expensive. The geopolitical situation around the world is extremely volatile and subject to change, meaning that flights are at risk of rerouting or even cancellation. And many low-cost carriers in the U.S. are struggling, decreasing flight routes, leaving travelers with fewer choices, and making it more difficult to get to traditional vacation destinations.

If you are planning a summer vacation this year, it is extremely important to think ahead and prepare accordingly. Luckily, travel experts have plenty of advice and guidance on what to expect when arranging trips, how to ensure that you don't end up stranded or out of pocket, and even how to save money on overseas flights. Above all else, travel experts are advising tourists to book early and keep their plans flexible to avoid disappointment.

The first thing to expect for 2026 is that your summer vacation will likely be more expensive. Jet fuel prices are now around twice as high as they were before the start of the Iran-U.S. war, and this extra cost is being passed on to customers. Tim Jeans, a former commercial director of British low-cost carrier Ryanair, told the BBC, "It's a triple whammy for airlines at the moment. The issues in the Middle East have caused a massive spike in the cost of fuel, and that in turn is pushing up ticket prices." According to Julie Harb, a travel agent in Michigan, "Airline tickets will be going up 13% to 15% this summer."

Flight cancellations are something that travelers need to price into their plans. With key Middle Eastern hubs now under threat, schedules and routes are changing, often with very little notice. Flights that normally go via hubs like Doha or Dubai are now stopping elsewhere, and flight routes are having to go the long way around to avoid prohibited airspace, meaning journeys may take longer. Travel advisor Joanna Leskow of August May Group says, "There have been a lot of changes, with flights to the Middle East being cancelled. Some airlines have been extremely flexible, but that's the exception, not the rule."

According to travel experts, the key to planning a summer vacation in 2026 is going to be flexibility. Whether it's booking fully refundable hotels or choosing to pay a little extra for flexible flight tickets, it is important that you leave yourself room for plans to change. Brooke Moralejo of Belle Travel Co. in Bali says, "It will always cost a little more to book a flexible ticket. But you will never regret it when something happens and you need to make a change."

Experts are also suggesting that it is worth making plans and booking flights and hotels early, rather than waiting to try to benefit from last-minute deals. Flights are only going to get more expensive, so as long as you choose the free cancellation option, booking sooner rather than later is the sensible move. "The number one thing that travelers can do right now, if [they] plan on going somewhere this summer, buy that travel insurance", NBC Chicago reported.

It might also be worth reconsidering international destinations and thinking about a vacation closer to home. Exploring breathtaking national parks on a thrilling road trip is a fabulous experience, and even though gas prices are also going up, a domestic trip tends to be far cheaper than going overseas, and it is much less likely to be disrupted by international events.