2026 Nomad Travel Trends

Ask A Nomad

This is not scientific. Instead, I’m sharing what I’m seeing on the ground, living as a nomad, chatting with my nomad friends, and hanging out in nomad circles (like festivals).

First, nomads tend to be risk-takers and explorers, so these trends may not apply to all travelers (which is okay!).

10 Nomad Travel Trends for 2026

Here’s the inside scoop on this year’s travel trends among the nomad community:

1. Top Destinations

• 2026 Trend: Dangerous Places

I have several nomad friends visiting “political hot spots,” like Libya, Yemen, and Iraq. I’m even thinking about a trip to Pakistan, which I previously would have considered a bit of a risk.

What’s changed for me? I now have an invite from a lovely Pakistani woman to stay with her and her family. As always, local connections are everything. I also have 1-2 nomad friends who may want to join me on the trip.

• Honorable Mention: Invite Only

Invite only countries, such as Turkmenistan, North Korea, and Eritrea, that require letters of invitation from their government. These spots fall under the auspices of “hard to get to,” which for me means that if I get an invitation, I usually go

2. Sustainability & Ethical Travel

• 2026 Trend: Upcycling

Nomads, in general, are accustomed to upcycling our gear. For instance, in Nepal, I donated my gear to my porters after hiking the Himalayas. Or if we’re leaving a co-living space, it’s customary for nomads to leave items such as spices and olive oil in the kitchen for others to use.

Donating and swapping clothes is becoming even more common. In fact, while riding the Nomad Train, I even hosted my own bazaar to pass along gently used items to my sister travelers. A scarf, skirt, bathing suit, and capris found new homes. Even the conductors got my travel chess set.

• Honorable Mention: Animal Welfare

Travelers interested in sustainability are taking the extra step to research the conditions of animals in conservation parks and treks before signing up. For instance, some nomads originally looking at horse treks in Kyrgyzstan are now opting for hikes as it becomes clear that local outfitters (as a whole) are not treating the animals well.

3. Travel Finances

• 2026 Trend: Real Estate Investments

Many nomads support their traveling lifestyle by renting out the apartments they own back in their home countries. But recently, I’ve seen several friends purchase real estate together as an investment. Two areas growing in popularity (and I have close friends investing in both) include rental arbitrage and real estate investment funds.

• Honorable Mention: Airbnb Alternatives

Due to high fees and prices, I’m seeing some friends look for alternatives to Airbnb. Some are renting from landlords directly. And some are turning to hotels, many of which now come with a small refrigerator and a kettle. Daily cleaning services, fresh towels, and complementary bath supplies are also a draw.

The hotel option is attractive if the visit is under 2 weeks, as well as for those who don’t cook. I like to cook at home, but a big part of travel is exploring the neighborhood and food culture, so sometimes I book a hotel to “force” myself to engage more in the community I’m visiting.

4. Accommodations & Experiences

• 2026 Trend: Co-living Communities

Quite a few of my nomad friends are choosing to deepen ties to the global nomad community and their friend circles. I’m seeing this with groups of friends buying into one building. Or groups of friends returning to nomad events like cruises, festivals, and Basecamp year after year.

I tend to limit my time within nomad communities to 1-2 times a year, in favor of meeting local people and exploring new-to-me cultures. That said, I do consult with my friends to see where they are in the world and try to plan our travels so there’s some overlap.

• Honorable Mention: Local Meet Ups

There seems to be some resurgence in meetup groups in cities around the world. The Facebook group, Host a Sister, continues to draw a ton of activity. Even the original couchsurfing site has re-fashioned itself into more of an online place to arrange local meetups and events.

5. Transportation Preferences

• 2026 Trend: Overland & Ocean Travel

Transatlantic cruises are now a regular feature of nomad travel. I know I always check ‘em out before booking a flight between continents. Trains are also gaining traction, not just in places like Europe (the EuroPass has always been popular), but in countries like China, India, and Central Asia. I’m even thinking of taking the train through Southeast Asia in a few months.

• Honorable Mention: Road Trips

I started going on more road trips last year and really enjoy the freedom that having your own transportation affords. Not only does renting a car give more flexibility in terms of timing, but it also enables you to reach more remote locations. Friends are also buying motorcycles for their trips. And it’s now common to see hitchhikers again.

How about you? What are you seeing out there on your travels?

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

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