Forget the traditional fortnight in the sun. A new wave of British travellers is embracing the power of the micro-holiday, with spontaneous short breaks overtaking lengthy summer trips in popularity.
The Rise of the Mini Escape
According to the 2026 What The Future (WTF) Report from travel search engine KAYAK, nearly 66 per cent of UK holidaymakers intend to take several mini trips this year. The trend is driven by a desire for a quick refresh without the extensive planning of a major holiday.
Supporting data shows a clear shift in behaviour. Searches for flights covering one to four-day holidays have jumped by eight per cent in the last year. Meanwhile, the use of the hashtag #weekendgetaway has exploded, seeing a 60 per cent increase on TikTok as users seek and share inspiration for quick escapes.
Top Budget Destinations for British Travellers
To help travellers capitalise on this trend, KAYAK has identified the best-value short-haul destinations from the UK for 2026, based on average return flight prices.
Topping the list is Dublin, with average return flights costing just £93. In second place is Madrid, where flights average £101. Milan and Basel in Switzerland share joint third place, with average return fares of £107. Brussels completes the top five, with flights averaging £108.
Interestingly, Basel was also highlighted as the best-value smaller destination outside the UK. The report notes that many Gen Z and Millennial travellers now express a preference for visiting smaller towns over major metropolitan hubs.
AI: The New Travel Agent
The comprehensive report, which combined survey data from 14,000 Brits (including 2,029 'next gen travellers') with social research and expert commentary, also shed light on the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
31 per cent of UK respondents stated they now trust an AI travel recommendation more than advice from friends or social media. Furthermore, 32 per cent admitted they trust AI's suggestions because it aggregates advice from millions of sources.
Matthias Keller, Chief Product Officer at KAYAK, commented: 'In 2026, AI will become an even more powerful, invisible engine behind travel, anticipating what travellers need before they ask and removing friction at every step. The future of travel isn’t just smarter; it’s more human and personalised, with technology enhancing the experience along the way.'
David Hoctor, Vertical Director of Travel at TikTok, added: 'TikTok is reshaping how people explore the world... We’re thrilled to see these trends take shape in the year ahead as travellers plan their next trips.'
The findings paint a clear picture of the future: travel is becoming more fragmented, spontaneous, and technologically assisted, with Brits increasingly seeking frequent, affordable micro-escapes closer to home.
