2025’s Hottest Travel Trends: Budget-Friendly or Not?
Written by
Peter Burns
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Some people travel to unwind and take time away from a stressful job. Others explore new cultures and experiences for personal growth. Some seek out adventure and high-adrenaline activities they can’t experience back home.
No matter which camp you find yourself in, it’s always good to know what your options are. These are some of the latest travel trends that may inspire you to start planning your next trip, and how much they’ll affect your wallet.
Forest Bathing
Nature lovers will love the new Japanese trend of Shinrin-yoku, which translates to forest bathing. This type of travel involves leaving your screens behind and heading out into a forest. You don’t need to hike, trek or climb. You simply have to be present and enjoy the outdoors. It’s a self-imposed therapy that Japanese doctors recommend for improving mood, focus, stress and sleep.
You can travel all the way to Japan and join a forest bathing tour that will cost you around $300 for a full day, not including your flight and accommodation. Or you can take a trip to a forest near you for the cost of travel.
Set-Jetting
If you’re someone who was glued to your seat for eight seasons watching “Game of Thrones” or has watched “The Godfather” over 20 times, set-jetting might be your reason to get on a flight. Set-jetting involves traveling to the filming locations of your favorite shows and movies. It’s also a great idea to watch the film or series while you’re there exploring.
This trend is great for movie lovers and can be affordable or expensive, depending on what you’re watching. For example, those with time and money can book a flight around the world to Koh Samui, Thailand, and stay at the hotels featured in “The White Lotus” season three. For those who want to spend less or don’t want to travel too far, go to Alberta, Canada, and retrace the journey your favorite characters take in “The Last of Us.”
Townsizing
Many travelers are drawn to big cities like Madrid, Shanghai and Sydney, but this trend pushes the needle in the other direction. Townsizing is downsizing your trip from a metropolis to a small town. Skipping the tourist destinations for a more local spot allows travelers to get a better sense of the local culture and experience of the country they choose.
Escaping the chaos has other benefits than a potentially more relaxing trip. You’ll pay a lot less for accommodation and meals in a less touristy town than you would in a capital city.
Noctourism
Night owls who travel may yearn for more than the flashing neon lights of Seoul’s club scene. Luckily, the new trend, noctourism, can fulfil their desires for fun at night. This trend involves exploring the world after dark. Noctourism can range from night safaris in Africa, midnight treks to see the Northern Lights, stargazing trips to see the Milky Way and night diving in the Philippines. Tour prices can be expensive and differ depending on the location and activity, but they prioritize your safety and well-being.
Live Tourism
Not all trips are about a location. The live tourism trend has travelers crossing the country and globe for events and activities. What counts as live tourism can vary from an all-inclusive resort in Mexico that offers dance lessons, cooking classes and nature treks to traveling to Milan, Italy, for the 2026 winter Olympics. Costs of live tourism can add up, especially if you’re planning to attend major events internationally.
Coolcations
Traditionally, people planning a holiday look for areas where they can lie out in the sun on a nice beach. However, the new trend of coolcations is the opposite. Coolcations are when you seek out a cooler climate to escape the summer heat instead of heading toward the waves. This trend came about in 2025 as heatwaves and wildfires ravaged Europe. These vacations can be great for your bank account, too. Heading to a location that is off the beaten track outside of the peak season can lead to cheaper deals on hotels and airfare.
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