2026 is gearing up to be the year when the journey itself takes centre stage – think meaningful, conscious travel off the beaten track. The real thrill will be embracing the open road and discovering new places. Coach company FlixBus, which operates a fleet of 200 buses across the UK and more than 5,000 globally, serving 8,000 destinations, has analysed a range of data to determine the coach travel trends for 2026.

They have discovered that January has become the “Black Friday” of bus travel. If you love a good bargain, January is prime time for many shoppers. It’s also already the busiest month for bus bookings, with savvy travellers snapping up winter escapes and early-bird deals for the coming year. January is generally considered a lower-demand travel month following the Christmas/New Year’s rush, which can result in lower base prices. However, while flash sales and loyalty rewards are more prevalent in the new year, our data found that June and July were also hot booking months for travel.

The company’s study has uncovered everything from how we book to why we travel, and it seems coach travel is easier and more spontaneous than booking other types of travel like air and  rail.

A Flixbus spokesperson said: “Think your holiday needs months of planning? Think again. Our analysis revealed that nearly 40% of coach trips are booked within two days of departure. These short lead times are also being fuelled by flexible schedules, affordable options and a growing desire to “just go”. Whether it’s a sudden urge to relax at the seaside or attend a festival on a whim, spur-of-the-moment escapes are here to stay.”

The company also says the era of booking your “big holiday” on a laptop is over. They say: “It used to be unthinkable to book a trip on your mobile. Today, mobile bookings account for around 40% of sales, compared to 53% for desktop. And the share is rising fast.”

As travellers grow more comfortable booking through apps and digital wallets, mobile will soon dominate everything from travel ticket sales and route discovery to attraction bookings and customer service.

Bus travel is expected to continue its resurgence in 2026. A FlixBus analysis found that UK bus use increased by 12% in passenger trips and 13% in time spent travelling by bus in 2025. With more people prioritising sustainable transport and value for money, combined with environmental awareness and rising fuel costs nudging travellers away from cars and planes, bus and coach travel is on the rise.

Bus and coach vehicle registrations jumped 70% in 2024 – the biggest increase in 16 years. This means that, in 2026, travellers will experience this new premium-feel impact. Think new vehicles with wi-fi and charging points and cleaner, more comfortable transport. Coach travel will be less about getting from A to B, and more about enjoying the ride.

Searches for “retro staycations” have surged by more than 160% year-on-year. From parents taking their kids to relive their childhood holidays to couples comparing notes from historical solo getaways, the charm of days gone by is thriving.

The growing nostalgia trend is fuelling interest in everything from vintage piers and arcade games to heritage museums and old-school seaside resorts – complete with beach huts, of course.

With the cost of living still squeezing budgets, value-conscious travellers are consistently hunting for discounts and promotions. This is backed up by searches for terms like “last-minute” and “deals” rising steadily.

“We expect to see travellers chase flexibility and instant gratification over long-range bargain hunting, as well as affordable package deals for convenience”, Flixbus said.

There has been a growing curiosity in eco travel, with searches for “flightfree” and “green holidays” terms surging. As climate concerns deepen, more travellers are opting for ground transport to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on adventure. Low-carbon alternatives like coaches will become the transport heroes of 2026.

There are plenty of emerging routes for 2026, including plenty in the UK, including: Leicester to London, Edinburgh to Glasgow and new destinations like Stoke-on-Trent in the Potteries, Kingston-Upon-Hull on the Humber Estuary and Perth in Scotland.

A spokesperson added: “2026 isn’t just shaping up to be the year of the bus, it’s transforming travel into a meaningful journey – from spontaneous weekends to nostalgic staycations and flight-free adventures. The freedom to roam and the flexibility to decide at the last minute are central to the travel landscape in 2026.

“At FlixBus, our green coaches connect cities and coastal hideaways with wallet-friendly fares and a light carbon footprint. Modern fleets with excellent on board amenities and multiple pick-up points combine to create a convenient and comfortable journey, wherever you’re headed.”  Purchase tickets on their website or on the app.