Travelling in 2026 is set to become harder, pricier and more bureaucratic, from biometric borders in Europe to new fees on both sides of the Atlantic. Here is a plain-language guide to what is changing and how to plan around it.
As 2026 opens, the pace of change in travel policy and regulation shows no sign of slowing. Here is a clear explainer of what the year holds, with the EU's Entry/Exit System and ETIAS at the centre of the picture.
ETIAS will be required no matter how you travel to Europe, including overland. Here is how authorisation checks will work for bus, train and car journeys, with examples for each.
At the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 8 December 2025, EU ministers settled positions on speeding up returns, agreed a 2026 solidarity pool and approved a roadmap to connect the bloc's border IT systems. Here are the main outcomes.
Europe is changing how it welcomes visitors in 2026, with new biometric border checks, rising tourist taxes and a firmer line on bad behaviour. Here is a complete guide to the rules travellers need to know before they go.
The US State Department has set out clear guidance for Americans travelling to Europe, covering the EU's new Entry/Exit System, the upcoming ETIAS, the UK ETA and core Schengen entry rules. Here is what it says.
EU member states have backed a negotiating position on a law that would introduce an optional digital travel application, letting travellers submit document data before they reach an external border. Here is what the proposal covers.
Cruise holidaymakers have been left confused by the EU's new Entry/Exit System. The good news: sailings that begin and end at a port outside the Schengen area, such as a UK harbour, are generally exempt from EES checks, including day trips ashore.
Japan is preparing to raise its international departure tax and long-frozen visa fees in 2026, while cities such as Kyoto introduce higher accommodation taxes. Here is what travellers should budget for a trip to Japan in 2026.
When school is out, fares surge. With a little flexibility on destination and timing, you can still find a sunny half-term escape for a reasonable price, while keeping the new EU border checks in mind.