Skip to content 
A Practical, In-Depth Guide for Planning Ahead
Global travel in 2026 is shaped by three key forces: currency shifts, infrastructure investment, and long-term tourism strategy. Some countries are experiencing favourable exchange rates for Australian travellers. Others are expanding airport capacity, improving rail networks, or investing heavily in regional tourism to ease pressure on major cities. A few remain consistently popular because they offer a reliable mix of safety, accessibility, cultural depth, and strong value.
This list identifies 20 countries that stand out for 2026. Each destination is included for specific reasons — price positioning, tourism development, accessibility from Australia, global event momentum, or sustained demand. For each country, you will find:
Why it stands out in 2026
Major cities and regions to prioritise
Key experiences
A realistic cost positioning (Cheap / Moderate / Expensive)
This is not a “trend” list. It is a planning guide.
🇯🇵 Japan
Cost Rating (for Australians): Moderate
Why Japan in 2026
Japan remains one of the most balanced travel destinations globally. The yen has stayed comparatively weak against the Australian dollar in recent years, meaning daily expenses — food, transport, regional accommodation — are more affordable than many assume. The legacy infrastructure from major global events and the continued expansion of regional tourism campaigns are shifting visitors beyond Tokyo and Kyoto.
In 2026, Japan benefits from:
Ongoing regional tourism promotion following Expo 2025 Osaka.
Expanded high-speed rail access to rural areas.
Continued investment in lesser-known prefectures.
Strong, direct airline connectivity from Australia.
Japan’s appeal remains consistent: efficient transport, exceptional food at all price levels, high safety standards, and cultural density within compact geography.
Main Cities & Regions
Tokyo
Kyoto
Osaka
Hiroshima
Kanazawa
Hokkaido (Sapporo)
Kyushu
Main Things to Do
Explore Tokyo’s neighbourhoods (Shinjuku, Asakusa, Shibuya).
Visit temples and shrines in Kyoto.
Experience Mount Fuji from Kawaguchiko.
Eat regional cuisine in Osaka.
Ski in Niseko (winter) or hike in Hokkaido (summer).
Japan remains popular because it is structured, reliable, and diverse within short travel distances.
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Cost Rating: Cheap
Why Vietnam in 2026
Vietnam continues to be one of the strongest value destinations in Asia. Accommodation remains affordable across all tiers, and domestic flights allow long-distance travel at low cost. In 2026, Vietnam benefits from expanded coastal development, especially in Phu Quoc and Da Nang, alongside sustained digital nomad growth in Ho Chi Minh City.
Key reasons:
Competitive hotel pricing compared to Thailand.
Expanding beach resort infrastructure.
Affordable internal travel.
Rapid food tourism growth.
Vietnam is particularly strong for long stays. YOU can comfortably travel for extended periods without exceeding a moderate budget.
Main Cities & Regions
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Da Nang
Ha Long Bay
Phu Quoc
Main Things to Do
Cruise Ha Long Bay.
Explore lantern-lit streets of Hoi An.
Motorbike the Hai Van Pass.
Relax on Phu Quoc beaches.
Eat street food in Hanoi.
Vietnam remains accessible, cost-effective, and varied.
🇮🇹 Italy
Cost Rating: Moderate to Expensive
Why Italy in 2026
Italy’s long-term appeal is unchanged, but 2026 benefits from infrastructure upgrades completed during the 2025 Jubilee year in Rome. Regional rail improvements and expanded tourism marketing into southern Italy reduce pressure on traditional hotspots.
Italy stands out due to:
Cultural density within manageable geography.
Improved rail efficiency.
Expanding tourism in Puglia, Sicily, and Basilicata.
Strong shoulder-season travel opportunities.
While major cities remain expensive in peak summer, regional Italy remains good value relative to France or Switzerland.
Main Cities & Regions
Rome
Florence
Venice
Amalfi Coast
Dolomites
Sicily
Puglia
Main Things to Do
Visit the Colosseum and Vatican.
Explore Renaissance art in Florence.
Hike in the Dolomites.
Drive coastal roads in Amalfi.
Discover baroque towns in southern Italy.
Italy remains popular because it offers layered history alongside accessible transport.
🇨🇦 Canada
Cost Rating: Moderate to Expensive
Why Canada in 2026
Canada continues to attract Australian travellers due to direct flights and strong national park appeal. Infrastructure upgrades in Banff and Jasper and increasing off-season marketing are spreading demand more evenly.
Key drivers:
Growing adventure tourism.
Investment in park facilities.
Reliable transport networks.
Strong safety and healthcare systems.
Main Cities & Regions
Vancouver
Banff & Jasper
Toronto
Quebec City
Whistler
Main Things to Do
Drive the Icefields Parkway.
Hike in Banff National Park.
Explore Vancouver’s coastal trails.
Visit Niagara Falls.
Ski in Whistler.
Canada remains popular because it delivers scale and predictability.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Cost Rating: Moderate
Why Portugal in 2026
Portugal remains one of Western Europe’s best-value destinations. Accommodation and dining remain cheaper than Spain or Italy in comparable cities.
2026 highlights:
Growth in Madeira and Azores eco-tourism.
Expansion of wine tourism.
Strong remote-work infrastructure.
Main Cities & Regions
Lisbon
Porto
Algarve
Madeira
Azores
Main Things to Do
Ride historic trams in Lisbon.
Visit vineyards in Douro Valley.
Hike Madeira’s levadas.
Relax on Algarve cliffs.
Portugal’s strength lies in coastal diversity and manageable pricing.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Cost Rating: Cheap to Moderate
Why Thailand in 2026
Thailand remains resilient and accessible. Infrastructure upgrades and expanded regional airports reduce pressure on Phuket and Bangkok.
Key advantages:
Consistent affordability.
Mature tourism services.
Diverse geography (mountains to islands).
Main Cities & Regions
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Phuket
Krabi
Koh Samui
Main Things to Do
Visit temples in Chiang Mai.
Island hop in Krabi.
Explore Bangkok’s markets.
Relax on southern beaches.
Thailand remains strong because it combines ease and value.
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Cost Rating: Cheap to Moderate
Why Indonesia in 2026
Indonesia benefits from proximity to Australia. Beyond Bali, regions like Flores and Lombok are expanding tourism infrastructure.
Main Cities & Regions:
Bali
Lombok
Komodo (Flores)
Java
Main Experiences:
Surf in Uluwatu.
Visit Komodo National Park.
Climb Mount Bromo.
Explore cultural Ubud.
Indonesia maintains popularity through accessibility and low flight costs.
🇬🇷 Greece
Cost Rating: Moderate to Expensive
Why Greece in 2026
Greece remains iconic. Expanded ferry networks and promotion of shoulder-season travel aim to ease overcrowding.
Main Cities & Regions:
Athens
Santorini
Crete
Meteora
Naxos
Main Experiences:
Visit the Acropolis.
Explore whitewashed islands.
Hike in Crete.
Photograph Meteora monasteries.
Greece remains popular because it delivers distinctive landscapes and history.
🇲🇽 Mexico
Cost Rating: Moderate
Why 2026:
Tren Maya development improving Yucatán access.
Culinary tourism expansion.
Increasing direct flights globally.
Main Cities & Regions:
Mexico City
Oaxaca
Tulum
Cancun
Guadalajara
Main Experiences:
Explore Mayan ruins.
Swim in cenotes.
Experience Day of the Dead traditions.
Eat regional cuisine.
Mexico balances cultural immersion with manageable pricing.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Cost Rating: Moderate to Expensive
Why 2026:
Continued campervan and regional tourism marketing.
Stable infrastructure and proximity.
Main Cities & Regions:
Queenstown
Milford Sound
Tongariro
Lake Tekapo
Auckland
Main Experiences:
Drive the South Island.
Hike alpine trails.
Stargaze in Tekapo.
Explore fjords.
New Zealand remains popular due to proximity and natural density.
Explore our location specific blog posts for New Zealand here
🇰🇷 South Korea
Cost Rating: Moderate
Why 2026:
K-pop and cultural export tourism growth.
Strong urban infrastructure.
Efficient transport networks.
Main Cities:
Seoul
Busan
Jeju Island
Main Experiences:
Explore palaces in Seoul.
Visit Jeju’s volcanic landscapes.
Experience night markets.
South Korea continues rising in global interest.
🇲🇦 Morocco
Cost Rating: Cheap to Moderate
Why 2026:
Infrastructure investment following global sporting events.
Increasing desert tourism.
Main Regions:
Marrakech
Sahara
Atlas Mountains
Chefchaouen
Main Experiences:
Desert camping.
Market exploration.
Mountain trekking.
Morocco offers cultural immersion at accessible prices.
🇵🇪 Peru
Cost Rating: Moderate
Why 2026:
Stabilised tourism infrastructure.
Continued global interest in Machu Picchu.
Main Cities:
Cusco
Lima
Sacred Valley
Main Experiences:
Hike to Machu Picchu.
Explore Incan history.
Experience Andean culture.
Peru remains bucket-list driven.
🇳🇴 Norway
Cost Rating: Expensive
Why 2026:
Arctic tourism growth.
Strong sustainability focus.
Main Regions:
Oslo
Bergen
Lofoten
Tromsø
Main Experiences:
See northern lights.
Cruise fjords.
Hike Trolltunga.
Norway is costly but geographically distinct.
🇮🇸 Iceland
Cost Rating: Expensive
Why 2026:
Off-season promotions increasing.
Ring Road tourism stability.
Main Regions:
Reykjavik
Golden Circle
South Coast
Main Experiences:
Waterfall exploration.
Glacier hikes.
Hot spring bathing.
Iceland maintains popularity due to uniqueness.
🇧🇷 Brazil
Cost Rating: Moderate
Why 2026:
Ecotourism growth.
Cultural festival tourism.
Main Regions:
Rio de Janeiro
Amazon
Iguazu Falls
Salvador
Main Experiences:
Visit Christ the Redeemer.
Explore Amazon basin.
Experience Carnival culture.
Brazil offers scale and diversity.
🇿🇦 South Africa
Cost Rating: Cheap to Moderate
Why 2026:
Safari tourism growth.
Favourable exchange rate for Australians.
Main Regions:
Cape Town
Kruger National Park
Garden Route
Main Experiences:
Safari in Kruger.
Explore Cape Town coastlines.
Wine tasting in Stellenbosch.
South Africa offers strong value for wildlife travel.
🇪🇸 Spain
Cost Rating: Moderate
Why 2026:
Culinary tourism expansion.
Growth in northern Spain.
Main Regions:
Barcelona
Madrid
Seville
San Sebastián
Mallorca
Main Experiences:
Visit Sagrada Familia.
Experience tapas culture.
Relax on Balearic Islands.
Spain remains consistently attractive.
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Cost Rating: Moderate to Expensive
Why 2026:
Stopover tourism growth.
Major event hosting.
Strong airline connectivity.
Main Cities:
Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Main Experiences:
Desert safari.
Visit Burj Khalifa.
Explore luxury resorts.
The UAE works well as a short, structured trip.
Final Planning Notes for 2026
The strongest destinations for 2026 share:
Currency advantages
Infrastructure improvements
Airline route expansion
Diversified tourism marketing
Stability
Planning early will matter. Shoulder-season travel will provide the best balance of price and crowd control. The key is alignment — choose destinations that match how YOU travel, not simply where attention is highest.
2026 rewards preparation over impulse.