Australians to Opt for Shorter Summer Holiday Trips
Rising travel costs are prompting Australians to book shorter getaways and rely more heavily on loyalty programme rewards.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Budget Travel
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Are you planning to change your upcoming holiday travel plans due to rising costs?
As high fuel and hotel costs impact budgets for summer 2026, many Australians are shortening their holidays to between five and seven days. This trend reflects broader efforts to manage expenses amid high interest rates and reduced consumer confidence.
Why it matters
Rising travel prices are forcing households to adjust their holiday plans to accommodate limited budgets. Travellers are increasingly seeking value through loyalty points and inclusive travel options as cost pressures persist.
Sydney hotel bookings for 24 December to 3 January are 7% lower than last year, while Melbourne occupancy is down 10%. Conversely, Brisbane bookings have seen a 1% increase, and short-term overseas travel grew by 2% in August.
The players
Expedia
Expedia is an online travel agency that tracks consumer search behaviour and booking trends across the global tourism market.
The details
Data shows travellers are waiting longer to secure bookings and are significantly increasing their use of all-inclusive search filters by 10%. Bali remains a major draw, capturing 18% of all Australians traveling abroad.
Timeline
Short-term overseas trips by Australians grew by 2% in August.
Sydney hotel forward bookings are 7% behind for 24 December to 3 January.
Travel Outlook
The transition to shorter holiday durations marks a significant departure from the historical average booking duration of two weeks. This shift reflects a broader adjustment to rising costs that is currently reshaping seasonal tourism patterns across Australia.
Travellers should consider leveraging loyalty points early to offset rising hotel and airfare rates. Prioritising all-inclusive packages may also help families maintain more control over their total holiday expenditure.
The takeaway
Travellers should prioritise flexibility and early programme engagement to navigate the current high-cost environment. Careful use of loyalty points can help maintain holiday plans despite broader economic pressures on household budgets.
Further reading
For more information on managing expenses, visit our Budget Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Stockhead.
Live Poll
Are you planning to change your upcoming holiday travel plans due to rising costs?
