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Trends come and go, but travel is forever. Still, every year has its hotspots – and 2026 is full of diversity. Expedia has just unveiled the top ten trending overseas destinations Australians are searching for this year, spanning everywhere from Vietnam and Palau to Greece, Hungary and beyond.
Now in its tenth year, Expedia’s Air Hacks Report draws on millions of data points and consumer research to reveal how Aussies are taking to the skies.
Sure, Australia’s most popular destinations are easy to guess, including the likes of Bali, Tokyo, Bangkok, Auckland and Singapore. But it’s the rising stars – the destinations climbing fastest in popularity – that we’re most interested in.
Topping the list in 2026 is the coastal resort city of Nha Trang in southern Vietnam. This sun-soaked beachy escape is famed for its long, palm-fringed main beach overlooking a stunning bay scattered with 19 islands and islets – a dream for snorkellers and scuba divers. It’s no surprise Australians are taking notice: Nha Trang recorded a mega 140 per cent year-on-year increase in searches, firmly cementing its status as the year’s top trending destination.
Coming in second is Malaysia’s vibrant capital city, Kuala Lumpur, which saw a 95 per cent year-on-year increase in searches. Aussies are no longer seeing it as just a convenient stopover en route to Europe, South Asia or the Middle East, but as a destination in its own right that's both affordable and easy to reach. In as little as six hours from Perth (or 8.5 from Sydney), you could be feasting on street food beneath Kuala Lumpur’s sparkling skyline.
Island life is also high on Aussie wish lists in 2026. Tropical gems like Palau and Vietnam's Phu Quoc claimed third and fourth spots, while Kos in Greece, Mallorca in Spain and Nadi in Fiji also ranked among the top ten. You can see the top trending destinations for Aussie travellers below.
The top 10 trending destinations for Australians in 2026, according to Expedia
- Nha Trang, Vietnam
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Palau
- Phu Quoc, Vietnam
- Hyogo, Japan
- Kos, Greece
- Mallorca Island, Spain
- Budapest, Hungary
- Nadi, Fiji
- Portland, USA