by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Wed October 21, 2026
It's called "trip snacking," and according to Hotels.com's 2027 Unpack travel trends report, these bite-sized breaks are becoming an increasingly popular way to travel.
Rather than saving up vacation days for one or two major trips each year, travellers are squeezing in overnight escapes between longer holidays, sometimes spending just 24 hours in a destination before heading home.
The trend was recently highlighted by The Times in the UK, which explored the appeal of whirlwind city breaks that combine sightseeing, dining and an overnight hotel stay into a single weekend.
The Numbers Behind Trip Snacking
According to Hotels.com, 79% of surveyed travellers plan to book a one-night stay in the coming year, rising to 83% among Gen Z and millennials.
Searches for one-night stays on Hotels.com have increased nearly 10% year over year, while online and social media mentions of 24-hour getaways have climbed 12%.
The research also offers insight into why travellers are embracing shorter escapes.
Among respondents, 34% cited celebrating a life milestone as a reason for trip snacking, while 32% pointed to attending a concert, show or sporting event. Another 28% said they wanted a quick break between longer vacations.
Cost is another consideration, with 45% saying finding a good deal is the most important factor when planning these trips.
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And 71% agreed that a short getaway helps satisfy their desire to travel until their next longer holiday.
The findings are based on Hotels.com booking search data and research conducted by OnePoll among 26,000 adults across 16 countries between August 4 and September 1, 2026.
Where Are Travellers Going?
According to Hotels.com, some of the leading destinations for trip snacking include Las Vegas, London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Seoul.
Canada also makes the list, with Montréal identified among the top destinations for one-night getaways.
In its article, The Times highlighted the appeal of European destinations that can be explored over a weekend, including Antwerp, Edinburgh, Bologna, Calais and Zurich.
The publication described how early departures, centrally located hotels and carefully planned itineraries can allow travellers to experience a surprising amount of a city in a relatively short period.
For Canadians, the concept could translate into a quick weekend in Montréal, Québec City, Toronto or another destination within easy reach by car, rail or air.
The appeal isn't necessarily about seeing everything a destination has to offer. Instead, it might mean booking a memorable dinner, visiting a museum, attending a concert or simply spending a night somewhere different.
Part of a Bigger Shift Toward Shorter Trips
Trip snacking also follows the growing interest in so-called "extreme day trips," where travellers visit another destination and return home the same day.
In April 2026, Expedia reported that one in four millennial and Gen Z travellers planned to take a one-day international trip during the year.
The research found that travellers were increasingly interested in fitting international experiences into limited windows of time, often travelling with carry-on luggage and prioritizing destinations with convenient flight connections.
Unlike extreme day trips, however, trip snacking typically includes an overnight hotel stay, giving travellers more time to explore without necessarily taking additional vacation days.
Other research points to a similar shift.
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A 2026 YouGov survey commissioned by European accommodation provider a&o, involving more than 14,000 adults across 12 European countries, found growing interest in city breaks and shorter trips, particularly among younger travellers.
At the end of the day (pun intended), trip snacking may be less about replacing the traditional vacation and more about finding additional opportunities to travel throughout the year.
For travellers who don't want to wait months for their next getaway, even one night away might be enough to satisfy the travel bug — at least temporarily.
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