As Canadians look to book their 2026 vacations, Skyscanner has revealed the destinations catching the attention of travellers. They’ve also compiled the trips seeing the biggest drops in prices.

In fact, Skyscanner found, through a global survey of 22,000 travellers, conducted in June and July, that 62 per cent of Canadians see the cost of flights as the highest determining factor when choosing a vacation destination. However, spending on car rentals and accommodations is expected to increase by 17 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively, next year.

“Travellers are planning with greater purpose, shaping trips that reflect who they are and what matters most, at a price that feels right for them,” a statement from Skyscanner CEO, Bryan Batista, reads.

For 2026 travel, Canadians are looking for “cultural discovery, coastal charm, and vibrant city life,” according to Skyscanner, which includes both international destinations and locations closer to home.

Victoria B.C. Canada Aug 27, 2016: People at one of the waterfront Bastion Square in the City of Victoria. The city's charm and new world experiences. As an island destination, Victoria offers visitors an escape from the hurried world and beams with the ambiance (Getty Images)

Victoria B.C. Canada Aug 27, 2016: People at one of the waterfront Bastion Square in the City of Victoria. The city’s charm and new world experiences. As an island destination, Victoria offers visitors an escape from the hurried world and beams with the ambiance (Getty Images)

The top 10 destinations for Canadian travellers, based on year-over-year search interest on Skyscanner, are:

  1. Terceira Lajes, Portugal: +209 per cent increase

  2. Basseterre, Saint Kitts: +170 per cent increase

  3. Castries, Saint Lucia: +160 per cent increase

  4. Guadalajara, Mexico: +146 per cent increase

  5. Comox, Canada: +145 per cent increase

  6. Kaohsiung, Taiwan: +122 per cent increase

  7. Victoria, Canada: +115 per cent increase

  8. Gander, Canada: +105 per cent increase

  9. Lyon, France: +99 per cent increase

  10. Ponta Delgada, Portugal: +98 per cent increase

City of Lyon, France (Getty Images)

City of Lyon, France (Getty Images)

Aside from wanting to visit the hottest, bucket-list travel destinations around the world, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the locations that will give a traveller the most bang for their buck.

According to Skyscanner, these are the top 10 best value travel destinations for Canadians, based on year-over-year price drops for economy flights:

  1. Lyon, France: –35 per cent price drop

  2. Dublin, Ireland: –29 per cent price drop

  3. Seoul, South Korea: –22 per cent price drop

  4. Bucharest, Romania: –21 per cent price drop

  5. Zurich, Switzerland: –21 per cent price drop

  6. Venice, Italy: –20 per cent price drop

  7. Ponta Delgada, Portugal: –20 per cent price drop

  8. Mexico City, Mexico: –16 per cent price drop

  9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: –16 per cent price drop

  10. Marrakech, Morocco: –16 per cent price drop

But looking at overall 2026 travel trends, Skyscanner found that mountain escapes will be particularly popular next year, with 74 per cent of Canadian travellers indicating that they are either planning or “considering” mountain travel in the summer or autumn 2026 seasons.

Additionally, hotels are having a more significant impact on where Canadians are choosing to travel. Skyscanner found that 44 per cent of travellers have decided on a vacation destination because they wanted to stay at a particular accommodation.

“Travellers are redefining what it means to explore, whether embracing self-care through [beauty-inspired] trips, seeking serenity in the mountains, or letting literature inspire their journeys,” a statement from Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner Travel Expert, reads. “2026 is the year that travel gets personal, and it’s about more than the destinations themselves.”

“Canadians are pioneering a travel landscape that is all about crafting unique itineraries that resonate on an individual level, making each trip a deeply personal adventure.”

Search for your next vacation on Skyscanner

Skyscanner’s Saved Feature: Save those deals to look at later

Skyscanner has a number of features to make sure you save as much as possible on your vacation.

Take advantage of the “Saved” feature. Start by browsing all the travel deals and when you see something you like, you can save it for later.

  • Step 1: Find your flights and hotel.

  • Step 2: Select the heart icon next to your top picks to save them for later. Make sure you’re logged into your Skyscanner account.

Tips for finding the cheapest flights

If flight costs are getting you down, there are a few things Canadian travellers can do to ensure they’re getting the best deal possible for their next vacation, both on the Skyscanner platform specifically and when looking for flights more generally.

  • Beat the crowds: For flights that are filling up fast, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking at the monthly view on travel search sites like Skyscanner to see the best possible option available for flight dates.

  • Set up alerts: Prices are always changing, so if you’re hoping to travel to a specific destination, or on specific dates, set up a price alert so you can be quick if a deal comes up. Skyscanner specifically has a price alert system for any cost changes.

  • Consider “Everywhere”: If you’re hoping for a new adventure, or a little rest and relaxation, but you don’t have a specific destination in mind, the “Everywhere” search on Skyscanner may be your new best friend to discover the most affordable vacation destination possible.

  • Flexible dates: There may be certain times when you need to travel for specific dates, but the best deals are really revealed when you open yourself up to some flexibility. Even changing your travel dates by a day, or a week, can result in significant savings.



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