If it feels like everyone around you is talking about holidays but very few people have actually booked one, the data backs that up.

New research from Skyscanner shows that while 64 percent of Brits are planning to travel abroad in 2026, only 38 percent have actually booked flights. That gap between intention and action is not just interesting. It says a lot about how travel planning is changing in a cost-conscious, choice-overloaded world. Skyscanner Cheapest Destination Planner

The same hesitation also appears throughout the rest of the trip. Just 37 percent have booked accommodation, and only 8 percent have arranged car hire, which traditionally tends to be the last piece of the puzzle. In short, British travellers want to go, but many are stuck in planning limbo.

Skyscanner believes indecision and price anxiety are the biggest blockers, and it is betting that better data presentation can help unlock bookings.

Introducing the Cheapest Destination Planner

To address this planning paralysis, Skyscanner has launched a new feature called the Cheapest Destination Planner. The idea is simple but powerful.

Instead of starting with a destination, travellers start with when they want to travel. You select a month, and the tool reveals the top 10 cheapest destinations on average for that period.

For each destination, the planner shows:

• Average return flight price
• The cheapest days to fly
• Key reasons to visit

This flips the traditional planning process on its head. Rather than forcing travellers to compare dozens of destinations manually, the tool uses aggregated pricing data to surface the best-value options instantly.

For travellers overwhelmed by choice, that shift matters.

Why Brits are stuck in planning mode

Skyscanner’s research highlights two clear psychological barriers to booking.

First is destination indecision. 54 percent of respondents say they are still deciding where to go, suggesting that the abundance of options is slowing decisions rather than encouraging them.

Second is cost anxiety. 26 percent say they are still searching for the best deals, and 62 percent believe their flights will cost more than £150 return in 2026.

That perception of high prices is crucial, because Skyscanner’s data shows it is not always accurate.

The reality check on flight prices

Contrary to popular belief, Skyscanner found multiple destinations with average return fares under £150, and some well below that threshold.

Based on current pricing data, these destinations emerged as the cheapest options for 2026.

Top 10 cheapest destinations for 2026

• Lyon, France
• Milan, Italy
• Madrid, Spain
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Prague, Czechia
• Berlin, Germany
• Bucharest, Romania
• Agadir, Morocco
• Venice, Italy
• Tromsø, Norway

What stands out here is the mix. These are not obscure secondary cities with limited appeal. They include major cultural hubs, classic city-break favorites, and even long-haul destinations like Tromsø, which often feels premium due to its Arctic location.

The takeaway is clear. Affordable travel in 2026 is less about compromising and more about knowing where and when to look.

The cheapest day to fly might surprise you

One of the more interesting findings in Skyscanner’s analysis relates to timing.

According to its 2026 data, Friday is the cheapest day to fly. That runs directly counter to popular belief.

Only 2 percent of Brits surveyed thought Friday would be the cheapest option. Instead, 21 percent guessed Tuesday and 16 percent Wednesday, reflecting long-held assumptions about midweek travel being cheaper.

This mismatch between perception and reality highlights why data-led tools are gaining traction. Travellers are often acting on outdated rules of thumb rather than current market dynamics.

January planning pressure is real

Skyscanner says January remains one of the most emotionally loaded months for travel planning. The post-festive slump, darker days, and the desire for something to look forward to combine to push people into browsing mode.

But browsing does not always turn into booking.

Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends and Destinations expert, points out that the emotional weight of planning is growing.

She notes that 51 percent of Brits feel overwhelmed by the prospect of booking a trip, while 62 percent cite cost as their primary concern. In that context, tools that reduce complexity rather than add more options are increasingly valuable.

Skyscanner’s goal, she says, is to use its data to surface real, achievable savings and show travellers that great trips are still within reach.

This is not happening in isolation

Skyscanner is not alone in pushing inspiration-led planning tools, but its approach reflects a broader shift in the travel tech landscape.

Google Flights has leaned heavily into flexible date and destination exploration. Kayak has expanded its price forecasting and “best time to travel” features. Expedia and Booking.com are investing more in AI-driven recommendations that blend price, availability, and personal preferences.

What differentiates Skyscanner’s Cheapest Destination Planner is its month-first logic and its focus on average pricing rather than flash deals. That makes it particularly useful for travellers who are flexible on destination but fixed on timing, a growing segment post-pandemic.

Reliable industry sources like Phocuswright and Skift have consistently highlighted this trend. Travellers are planning earlier, researching more, and demanding clearer justification before committing. Tools that reduce cognitive load are winning attention.

Conclusion The future of travel planning is price-led, not place-led

The launch of Skyscanner’s Cheapest Destination Planner is less about a single feature and more about what it signals.

Travel planning is shifting away from dream-first, budget-later thinking toward a value-first mindset. People still want great experiences, but they want reassurance that they are not overpaying, missing a better option, or choosing the wrong time to book. Skyscanner Cheapest Destination Planner

In that environment, tools that combine inspiration, pricing intelligence, and clarity will increasingly shape where people go, not just how they book.

Skyscanner’s data suggests that many Brits are closer to booking than they think. The gap is not desire. It is confidence.

If platforms can continue to replace guesswork with transparent, easy-to-understand data, 2026 may not just be a year of postponed plans finally realised. It could be the year travel planning becomes simpler, smarter, and far less stressful.