2026 Travel

The changing face of travel in 2026.

Some travel experts have been using the buzzword “coolcations” to describe a vacation location chosen for cooler weather. 

The dream European vacation is under siege this summer. But it’s not all bad.

The times when over tourism was your biggest worry during a European summer feel like a distant memory now. As 2026’s peak season gets into full swing, you likely have more pressing concerns: Will you get there? Will you make it back? And can you stay healthy while you’re there?

As with a lot of other travel blogs, most of the information given should now be intuitive to the frequent traveller, however, this blog should serve to bring the salient information back to the top of mind for all travellers in 2026.

Unfriendly skies

There’s a new specter hovering over European bookings this summer: fuel shortages. In May, 13,000 flights were removed from rosters worldwide.

Although the global oil situation is dicey — supplies are limited despite the Strait of Hormuz being partially opened and closed, and now this problem has the potential of moving to the choke points of the Red Sea as well.

The chances of a significant supply crunch have decreased (at time of writing). However, you never say never. What if both sides flips over the table and leave negotiations and we are back to square one?

In general, flying to a year-round, major hub rather than a seasonal destination is the best way to avoid fuel-related disruption, and then, travelling onward via trains or ferries rather than using connecting flights.

Avoiding illness

Hantavirus, Norovirus and gastroenteritis outbreaks have proven themselves to have a greater potential of occurrence, in 2016. 

• In 2026, travellers should be thinking beyond passports and visas. Health risks, extreme weather, cleanliness, and transport disruption are becoming just as important when planning a trip:-

  
  

  1. Health: Heat is now a major travel risk

  
  

  Europe has experienced increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, particularly in southern countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and parts of France.

  
  

  Travellers should:

• Avoid sightseeing during the hottest part of the day (typically 11 a.m.–4 p.m.).

• Drink plenty of water and carry it with you.

• Wear lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and a hat.

• Choose accommodation with air conditioning if travelling in summer.

• Be especially cautious if you are older, travelling with young children, or have heart or respiratory conditions.

• Avoid sightseeing during the hottest part of the day (typically 11 a.m.–4 p.m.).

• Drink plenty of water and carry it with you.

• Wear lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and a hat.

• Choose accommodation with air conditioning if travelling in summer.

- 2. Extreme weather can disrupt travel

Climate-related disruptions are becoming more common and can affect:

1. Flights delayed or cancelled due to storms or heat.

2. Rail services slowed because tracks can buckle in extreme temperatures.

3. Road closures caused by flooding or wildfires.

4. Temporary closure of tourist attractions during heat alerts or fire risk.

- 3. Flight cancellations and delays

Weather is playing a larger role in aviation disruption than in previous years. Thunderstorms, high temperatures, and air traffic restrictions have led to widespread delays across Europe. To reduce the impact:

1. Book direct flights where possible.

2. Allow extra time between connecting flights.

3. Download your airline's app for real-time updates.

4. Know your rights under passenger compensation rules, although weather-related delays are often exempt from compensation.

-4. Cleanliness and hygiene

Travellers are paying more attention to hygiene standards than before. It's sensible to:

1. Carry hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.

2. Wash hands regularly, particularly before eating.

3. Drink bottled or safe tap water where recommended.

4. Check recent reviews for hotels and restaurants if cleanliness is a concern. While most European destinations maintain high hygiene standards, occasional local issues—such as beach water quality advisories or temporary sanitation problems after flooding—can occur.

- 5. Air quality

Wildfires and extreme heat can temporarily reduce air quality, particularly around the Mediterranean. If you have asthma or another respiratory condition:

1. Monitor local air quality forecasts.

2. Carry any prescribed medication.

3. Consider indoor activities on days with poor air quality

- 6. Food and water safety

Food standards across most of Europe remain very high, but in hot weather:

1. Eat food from busy, reputable establishments.

2. Avoid food that has been left unrefrigerated.

3. Stay hydrated.

4. Be cautious with seafood during periods of very high temperatures.

- 7. Mosquitoes and insect-borne diseases

Warmer conditions have extended the range of mosquitoes in parts of southern Europe. While the overall risk for tourists remains low:

1. Use insect repellent, especially in the evening.

2. Wear long sleeves in mosquito-prone areas.

3. Keep windows screened or closed where possible.

- 8. Travel insurance is more valuable than ever

A comprehensive travel insurance policy should ideally cover:

1. Medical treatment and hospital care.

2. Flight delays and cancellations.

3. Lost baggage.

4. Natural disasters or evacuation.

5. Trip interruption due to severe weather.

- Practical advice for all travellers in 2026

Before you leave:

1. Check the weather forecast for your destination and be prepared for heat or storms.

2. Monitor airline notifications for schedule changes.

3. Pack medications, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, a hat, and hand sanitiser.

4. Build flexibility into your itinerary in case weather disrupts transport.

5. Stay informed through local authorities if travelling during wildfire or heatwave season.

The biggest change in 2026 is that climate and weather have become central travel considerations. Successful trips increasingly depend not just on documents and bookings, but also on planning for heat, transport disruption, and changing environmental conditions.

For Irish passport holders, many of the headline travel changes in 2026 either don't apply or have limited impact.

• United States: an ESTA is required for eligible visa-waiver travellers.

• Canada: an eTA is required for most visa-exempt air travellers.

• United Kingdom: no ETA is required for Irish citizens.

1. Practical tips for 2026

   • Renew your passport well before it expires if you have multiple trips planned.

   • Check destination-specific entry requirements, even for visa-free travel.

   • Allow extra time at airports, particularly if travelling to or through countries introducing new digital border systems.

   • Keep digital and paper copies of key travel documents, including your passport, insurance details, and booking confirmations.

   • Consider registering for airline apps or airport notifications to receive updates on delays and gate changes.

For Irish travellers, 2026 is generally straightforward. The most significant new European border measures—EES and ETIAS—are aimed at non-EU visitors, so they do not affect Irish citizens. The main considerations are allowing extra time at busy transport hubs and checking the specific entry requirements for destinations outside the EU.

If you're travelling internationally in 2026, several border and entry requirements have changed or are due to change. The biggest developments affect travel to Europe and the UK, but there are also broader trends worth planning for.

Here are the key changes to be aware of:

1. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now operating

The EU has introduced the Entry/Exit System (EES)for most non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area.

Instead of having your passport stamped, border authorities now:

• Record your entry and exit electronically.

• Collect biometric information (typically fingerprints and a facial image) on your first entry.

• Automatically monitor how long you remain in the Schengen Area (the 90-days-in-180 rule).

This means:

• Your first entry may take longer than before.

• Airports, ferry ports and land borders can experience longer queues during busy periods.

• Overstaying is much easier for authorities to detect.

2. ETIAS is coming later in 2026

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has not yet started, but it is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026.

Once it launches:

• Travellers from visa-exempt countries (including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many others) will need to apply online before travelling to most Schengen countries.

• It is not a visa—it's a pre-travel authorisation similar to the US ESTA.

• You cannot apply yet, and any website offering ETIAS applications now should be treated with caution.

3. Many visitors now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The UK's ETA is now in place for many visitors who previously didn't need a visa for short stays.

Key points:

• Required before boarding transport to the UK ( unless exempt i.e. Irish ).

• Costs £20.

• Usually valid for multiple visits over two years (or until the passport expires).

• British and Irish citizens do not need one.

4. Passport validity matters more than ever

Many countries, particularly in Europe, are enforcing passport validity rules more strictly.

For travel to the Schengen Area, many travellers need a passport that:

• Was issued within the previous 10 years.

• Has at least three months' validity beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen Area.

Always check the requirements for your nationality before booking.

5. Allow more time at airports and borders

With biometric registration and digital border systems:

• First-time entries into the Schengen Area can take longer.

• Busy holiday periods may involve longer immigration queues.

• Ferry ports and the Euro tunnel can also experience delays.

6. More countries are moving to digital travel authorisations

The trend is toward requiring online approval before travel rather than issuing visas on arrival.

Examples include:

• The UK ETA.

• The upcoming EU ETIAS.

• Existing systems such as the US ESTA and Canada's eTA.

It's becoming increasingly important to check entry requirements well before departure.

7. Travel insurance is becoming more important

Because border rules are changing and flights can be disrupted by new procedures, comprehensive travel insurance that covers:

• cancellations,

• medical expenses,

• missed connections, and

• travel delays

is worth considering for most international trips.

Before every international trip in 2026

A good checklist is:

• Confirm passport validity.

• Check whether you need a visa, ETA, ETIAS or similar authorisation.

• Allow extra time at airports.

• Verify any health or customs requirements.

• Check official government travel advice shortly before departure, as entry requirements can change with little notice.