🤶 Travel tip #140: Changes coming to travel in 2026 + Lower flight prices

Hi Reader,

I hope you are doing well wherever you are.

2026 is starting off with a lot of concern for many when it comes to global politics and stability. It is also bringing a lot of changes to travel, some great, some good and some so-so. And a reminder that, when things are unstable, prices dip, so it may be a good time to snatch a flight offer.

This week, I will be discussing all of the above.

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Changes to travel in 2026

• Real IDs will be mandatory for travel in the US for American citizens from February 1st. An additional fee and process will apply if you don't have one, go get it!
• Vietnam has extended visa-free access to citizens of 12 countries for up to 45 days. This measure was approved in 2025 and has been extended till 2028. More here.
• Japan is looking to increase its tourist visa price to almost $100 for 2026. More here.
• The new travel authorisation system (ETIAS) for the European Union will come into effect in the last quarter of this year (finally!). Although this has been delayed several times now, the new digital border entry system is already live and that was the first step towards the full launch of ETIAS so maybe this time is the final deadline. More about ETIAS here.
• The UK follows through with ETA, a similar system to that of the European Union, the US, Australia and New Zealand from February this year. All travelers who previously didn't need a visa to enter will now need to get pre-approval before their trips via the ETA website here.
• Bulgaria is now part of the EURO-zone and Cyprus is veering towards admission into the Schengen Zone at the end of the year. That means that those with visa needs for the Schengen Zone will now be able to visit Cyprus.
• China has extended its visa-free travel options into the end of 2026, easier travel for many nationalities. More here.
• Pakistan seems to have suspended its "visa prior to arrival" system since the beginning of the year. Details here.
• More and more airport shave increased their liquid allowances in carry on luggage from 100ml to 200ml per item, yay! Current list here.
• Ryanair cuts thousands of flights across Europe in protest against the high and rising airport costs. Full list here.
• More airlines are banning inflight use or charge of portable chargers. Here the current list including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and more are expected to join.

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Flight prices are lower than usual

With global political uncertainty, flight bookings are lower than usual pushing prices down across the world.

I suspected this may be the case, so I went to check on Google flights and saw prices for all the routes I searched between 20-30% cheaper than usual.

If you are planning to travel in 2026, this is the time to book your flights!

PS Maybe this is the chance to join us on tour! See tour availability below 👇

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New single spots added We know some of you need your own space, so have added more single rooms to some of our trips where they were sold out: Georgia Armenia Tuscany Scotland Christmas markets Barcelona & Beyond Croatia & Montenegro ​ 2026 / 2027 Full calendar of tours This is our full list of tours: ✅ = Trip is confirmed 💃 = I or Meg will co-host these trips 🏔️ Kilimanjaro climb on Intl Women's Day: ✅ 1 to 10 Mar or 1 to 15 Mar with safari extension >> Book here. 🚗 Cuba: ✅ 14 to 22 Mar || 12 to 20 Dec || New Year's Eve >> Book here​ 🌮 Oaxaca: 11 to 17 Oct || 8 – 14 Nov || 29 Dec 2026 to 4 Jan 2027 >> Book here​ ⛩️ Japan: 💃 ✅ 28 Mar to 7 Apr (Sakura season) [Photographer onboard] || 13 to 23 Jun || 13 to 23 Oct (Fall colors) >> Book here​ 🍝 Tuscany: ✅ 13 to 20 Jun || ✅ 5 to 12 Sep >> Book here​ 🧘‍♀️ Bali: 20 to 28 Jun || 29 Aug to 6 Sep [Photographer onboard] || 3 to 11 Oct >> Book here​ 🎄 Xmas markets: ✅ 21 to 29 Nov || 5 to 13 Dec >> Book here​ 🍷 Georgia: ✅ 5 to 13 Sep >> Book here​ 🇦🇲 Armenia: 💃 ✅ 13 to 19 Sep >> Book here (200 EUR off if you book Georgia + Armenia) 🦪 Croatia & Montenegro: ✅ 31 May to 6 Jun >> Book here​ 🏰 Scotland: 10 to 18 Oct >> Book here​ 🐑 Iceland: ✅ 11 to 18 Oct >> Book here​ 🦘 Australia: 💃 ✅ 11 to 22 Oct >> Book here [Meg will host this trip] 🥘 Barcelona & Beyond: ✅ 20 to 28 Jun >> Book here​ ⛵ Greek islands sailing trip: 💃 ✅ 29 May to 5 Jun >> Book here [Meg will host this trip, Photographer onboard]​ 🌴 Caribbean island hopping: 💃 💃 ✅ 13 to 20 Feb, 2027 [Photographers onboard, both Meg and I will host this trip] >> Book here​ 🐪 Morocco: 2 to 12 Oct [Photographer onboard] || ✅ 6 to 16 Nov [1 SPOT LEFT] >> Book here​ 🇦🇶 Antarctica: 💃 ✅ 13 to 27 Dec [5 SPOTS LEFT] >> Book here 🦁 Tanzania Value safari + Zanzibar: 28 Aug to 7 Sep (Great Migration) || ✅ 11 to 21 Sep (Great Migration) [1 SPOT LEFT] || 23 Dec to 2 Jan, 2027 (Xmas + NYE) >> Book here​ 🇹🇿 Tanzania Luxe safari + Zanzibar: ✅ 25 Sep to 5 Oct, 2026 (Great Migration) || 1 to 10 Nov, 2026 >> Book here​ ✅ 🦭 Galapagos sailing: 5 to 12 Dec >> Book here [Photographer onboard, 1 SPOT LEFT] 🇪🇬 Egypt: ✅ 3 to 12 Apr [SOLD OUT] || ✅ 30 Oct to 8 Nov [1 SPOT LEFT] || 4 to 13 Dec >> Book here​ ❄️ Swedish Arctic: ✅ 28 Mar to 3 Apr [SOLD OUT] >> Book here​ 🐬 Ecuador & The Galapagos: 💃 ✅ 5 to 17 May [SOLD OUT] >> Join the waitlist​

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How are you feeling about travel in 2026?

Hit reply and let me know!

Solo Female Travelers Co-Founders