Last Friday, the Riksbank announced and Statistics Sweden (SCB) that package tours contributed to dampening inflation in January. Now, a new survey from hotel and travel search site momondo shows that the economy continues to be crucial for Swedes' travel plans in 2026.
A full 8 out of 10 Swedes say that cost is the factor that most influences how many trips they take during the year. In addition, 23 percent say that how the trip can be paid for – for example, via installments or credit – is one of the factors that has the greatest impact on the decision.
– We see that the desire to travel continues, but that Swedish travelers are planning more strategically. More people are comparing options, being flexible with dates and thinking about how this year's trips fit into the overall economy, says Peter Larsen, spokesperson at momondo.
The desire to travel remains but is planned carefully
Despite the focus on costs, ambitions are high. Almost half of Swedes plan a combination of longer and shorter trips during the year. 24 percent say they plan to book 4- or 5-star accommodation and 15 percent are considering premium or business class flights.
Cost awareness does not necessarily mean that Swedes travel less, but rather that they plan more carefully.
Peter continues: ”To get the most out of your trip, it pays to be strategic. There are many factors that affect prices, but an easy way to keep track of prices and book when you need them is to create a price alert for your destination. This will alert you when the price changes for a specific flight, hotel stay or rental car.”
momondo tips: How to keep your travel budget in check in 2026
- Set a total travel budget for the entire year. Remember to include both longer and shorter trips.
- Compare prices before booking to get a better overview of the costs.
- Be flexible with dates and departure airport to find more affordable options.
- Don't forget to include all on-site costs, such as transportation, activities and restaurant visits.
- Avoid unnecessary extras when booking and only pay for what you actually need.
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About the survey: The travel trends for 2026 have been identified based on a survey conducted by WALR of 14,153 Gen Z (ages 18-28) and Millennials (ages 29-44) from the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden, who traveled for leisure purposes in the past two years. The survey was conducted online. A total of 1,517 Swedish respondents participated in the survey, and all other markets had at least 1,500 participating respondents. The survey was conducted between October 1-10, 2025.
