Four in ten may skip foreign holidays in 2026 as costs soar

Experts reveal how to cut travel bills to make holidays cheaper

Budget-conscious travellers should be aware of how they could save big on their 2026 travels by following top savings hacks. Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk are urging holidaymakers to be aware of how they can save money on their 2026 holidays, whether heading abroad or planning a staycation.

This follows a survey by the travel specialists which found that nearly half, 42%, of Britons are not planning on going on a foreign holiday in 2026. From £37 baggage charges to tourist taxes of over €11 a night, holiday costs add up fast. With cost being a deciding factor for many, it’s important to understand how to avoid being stung by additional fees and unexpected costs.

Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “The cost of travel is putting real pressure on household budgets, with many concerned about not being able to go on holiday in 2026.

“Too many people end up paying more than they expected because of hidden airline fees, unexpected local taxes or by falling victim to common, sophisticated scams targeted at travellers.

“The good news is simple planning ahead can save a lot of headaches and nasty financial surprises. We are urging all households to think ahead with their 2026 travel, as early preparation could save on funds.

“Comparing travel packages carefully and understanding exactly what’s included in the flight cost is essential and an easy way to save. Many of the UK’s airlines will charge for optional extras such as additional leg room and seat selection – taking the time to compare these extras across different airlines could help reduce costs quite significantly.

“Budgeting for tourist fees and taxes ahead of the trip is also essential and may help travellers to decide on the ideal holiday destination for 2026. Many European hotspots raised their tourist tax this year in response to over-tourism concerns, with more destinations expected to follow suit in 2026, it’s important to understand just how much this tax is likely to be per person, per night. 

“Holidaymakers also need to be aware of common travel scams and be sure to follow precautions both when booking the trip and while they are away. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but there are measures to help keep valuables protected.”

 Quotezone.co.uk’s top travel savings from 2025:

Beware hidden fees

This year, Quotezone’s team of experts sifted through the extra costs across 18 European budget airlines to reveal which carriers hit passengers hardest with add-on charges. They analysed fees for extra leg room, standard seat selection, cabin bags, luggage costs and late airport check-in fees to determine the true cost of flying with each airline, producing the hidden airline fees index. Before booking trips, travellers should carefully read any additional fees they may be signing up for to ensure they’re getting the best deal and not paying for optional extras they have no intention of actually using.

Plan ahead for additional costs

In 2025, holiday hotspots like Greece, France and the Netherlands increased their tourist tax charges in preparation for record visitor numbers. More destinations also introduced their own tax in response to over-tourism. This is why it’s important for travellers to plan ahead when budgeting for their 2026 trip, to avoid any costly surprises when they reach the destination. The tax amount varies across the world, but based on 2025 prices travellers could be paying up to €11.38 per night in France or €8.00 per night in Greece.

Watchout for travel scams

According to research, nearly one in five travellers have experienced a travel scam while booking their trip. This could include things like clicking on fraudulent links, paying for holidays through fake sites or booking a holiday based on false, photoshopped images. Now, holiday scams are becoming more common and sophisticated with phishing attacks and cloned voice scams mostly driven by AI. When buying a holiday with flights attached, always look for The Travel Association or Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing logos on the webpage. It’s also a good idea to use credit cards when making online holiday bookings and keep an RFID card amongst bank cards in a wallet or purse to prevent digital pickpocketing.