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Travel Payment Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

The global travel payment market is worth USD 25.9 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 56.0 bn by 2036, growing at a 8.0% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Credit and debit cards is the largest by payment method segment.

USD 25.9 bnMarket size 2026
USD 56.0 bnForecast 2036
8.0%CAGR 2026-2036
United StatesLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

Market overview

The global travel payment market is worth USD 25.9 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 56.0 bn by 2036, growing at a 8.0% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Credit and debit cards is the largest by payment method segment.

ScopePayment processing, virtual cards and merchant services fees earned on card and digital payments for airline, hotel, car rental, cruise and online travel bookings.
IndustryTravel and Tourism
Value 2025USD 24.0 bn
Value 2026USD 25.9 bn
Value 2036USD 56.0 bn
CAGR 2026-20368.0%
Volume 20268,640 million transactions
Volume 203618,653 million transactions
Average price 2026USD 3.00 per transaction
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Travel Payment market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global travel payment market is forecast to grow from USD 25.9 bn in 2026 to USD 56.0 bn by 2036, more than doublingGlobal market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 8.0%
Travel Payment market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 24.0 bn; 2026: USD 25.9 bn; 2027: USD 28.0 bn; 2028: USD 30.2 bn; 2029: USD 32.7 bn; 2030: USD 35.3 bn; 2031: USD 38.1 bn; 2032: USD 41.1 bn; 2033: USD 44.4 bn; 2034: USD 48.0 bn; 2035: USD 51.8 bn; 2036: USD 56.0 bn. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 8.0%.202525.9 bn202638.1 bn203156.0 bn20368.0% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 25.9 bn
2027USD 28.0 bn
2028USD 30.2 bn
2029USD 32.7 bn
2030USD 35.3 bn
2031USD 38.1 bn
2032USD 41.1 bn
2033USD 44.4 bn
2034USD 48.0 bn
2035USD 51.8 bn
2036USD 56.0 bn

Travel Payment market segmentation

By payment method

Exhibit 2Credit and debit cards is the largest segment by payment method, with 58.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by payment method
Travel Payment market share by payment method, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by payment method. Credit and debit cards: 58.0%; Digital wallets: 22.0%; Virtual and corporate cards: 12.0%; Bank transfers and other: 8.0%.Credit and debit cards58.0%Digital wallets22.0%Virtual and corporate cards12.0%Bank transfers and other8.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Credit and debit cards58.0%47.4%USD 15.0 bn5.8%
Digital wallets22.0%31.2%USD 5.7 bn11.8%
Virtual and corporate cards12.0%13.6%USD 3.1 bn9.3%
Bank transfers and other8.0%7.9%USD 2.1 bn7.8%

By channel

Exhibit 3Online travel agencies and direct websites adds the most revenue by channel, growing from USD 13.5 bn in 2026 to USD 28.9 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by channel, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Travel Payment market by channel, 2026 and 2036Revenue by channel in 2026 and 2036. Online travel agencies and direct websites: USD 13.5 bn in 2026, USD 28.9 bn in 2036, change +115%; Point of sale and in destination: USD 7.8 bn in 2026, USD 13.9 bn in 2036, change +78%; Mobile apps: USD 4.7 bn in 2026, USD 13.2 bn in 2036, change +182%.20262036 forecastChangeOnline travel agencies and direct websites+115%13.5 bn28.9 bnPoint of sale and in destination+78%7.8 bn13.9 bnMobile apps+182%4.7 bn13.2 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Online travel agencies and direct websites52.0%51.7%USD 13.5 bn7.9%
Point of sale and in destination30.0%24.8%USD 7.8 bn6.0%
Mobile apps18.0%23.5%USD 4.7 bn10.9%

By travel segment

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Air38.0%36.4%USD 9.8 bn7.5%
Hotels and lodging30.0%30.1%USD 7.8 bn8.0%
Car rental and ground12.0%12.6%USD 3.1 bn8.5%
Cruise and packages20.0%21.0%USD 5.2 bn8.5%

By fee type

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Merchant discount fees44.0%40.0%USD 11.4 bn7.0%
Cross-border and currency fees24.0%24.0%USD 6.2 bn8.0%
Gateway and processing fees16.0%18.0%USD 4.1 bn9.3%
Fraud and compliance services8.0%9.0%USD 2.1 bn9.3%
Virtual card interchange8.0%9.0%USD 2.1 bn9.3%

By merchant size

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Large merchants54.0%52.0%USD 14.0 bn7.6%
Mid-size merchants28.0%28.0%USD 7.3 bn8.0%
Small merchants18.0%20.0%USD 4.7 bn9.1%

Top 25 countries for travel payment by revenue

Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 79.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.3%.

Exhibit 4United States is the largest country market at USD 7.8 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 51.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Travel Payment market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. United States: USD 7.8 bn, 30.0%; China: USD 3.6 bn, 14.0%; United Kingdom: USD 1.8 bn, 7.0%; Germany: USD 1.6 bn, 6.0%; Japan: USD 1.3 bn, 5.0%; France: USD 1.0 bn, 4.0%; India: USD 1.0 bn, 4.0%; Spain: USD 907 mn, 3.5%; Australia: USD 778 mn, 3.0%; Brazil: USD 778 mn, 3.0%.United States7.8 bn 30.0%China3.6 bn 14.0%United Kingdom1.8 bn 7.0%Germany1.6 bn 6.0%Japan1.3 bn 5.0%France1.0 bn 4.0%India1.0 bn 4.0%Spain907 mn 3.5%Australia778 mn 3.0%Brazil778 mn 3.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1United StatesUSD 7.8 bn30.0%USD 14.9 bn6.7%
2ChinaUSD 3.6 bn14.0%USD 9.2 bn9.7%
3United KingdomUSD 1.8 bn7.0%USD 3.6 bn7.2%
4GermanyUSD 1.6 bn6.0%USD 3.1 bn7.3%
5JapanUSD 1.3 bn5.0%USD 2.4 bn6.1%
6FranceUSD 1.0 bn4.0%USD 2.1 bn7.2%
7IndiaUSD 1.0 bn4.0%USD 3.6 bn13.2%
8SpainUSD 907 mn3.5%USD 1.9 bn7.7%
9AustraliaUSD 778 mn3.0%USD 1.6 bn7.6%
10BrazilUSD 778 mn3.0%USD 1.9 bn9.4%
11ItalyUSD 661 mn2.5%USD 1.4 bn7.5%
12CanadaUSD 555 mn2.1%USD 1.2 bn8.3%
13NetherlandsUSD 467 mn1.8%USD 962 mn7.5%
14South KoreaUSD 391 mn1.5%USD 867 mn8.3%
15United Arab EmiratesUSD 329 mn1.3%USD 778 mn9.0%
16MexicoUSD 277 mn1.1%USD 655 mn9.0%
17SingaporeUSD 233 mn0.9%USD 515 mn8.2%
18SwitzerlandUSD 194 mn0.8%USD 403 mn7.6%
19TurkeyUSD 163 mn0.6%USD 386 mn9.0%
20SwedenUSD 137 mn0.5%USD 285 mn7.6%
21Saudi ArabiaUSD 117 mn0.5%USD 274 mn8.9%
22ThailandUSD 96 mn0.4%USD 229 mn9.1%
23IndonesiaUSD 80 mn0.3%USD 196 mn9.3%
24PolandUSD 67 mn0.3%USD 151 mn8.4%
25IrelandUSD 57 mn0.2%USD 129 mn8.5%
Rest of worldUSD 1.5 bn5.7%USD 3.3 bn8.2%
Exhibit 5United States and China account for 42% of the USD 30.0 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Travel Payment market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 25.9 bn. United States: +USD 7.1 bn; China: +USD 5.5 bn; India: +USD 2.5 bn; United Kingdom: +USD 1.8 bn; Germany: +USD 1.6 bn; 20 other countries: +USD 9.6 bn; Rest of world: +USD 1.8 bn. Market value 2036: USD 56.0 bn.Market value 202625.9 bnUnited States+7.1 bnChina+5.5 bnIndia+2.5 bnUnited Kingdom+1.8 bnGermany+1.6 bn20 other countries+9.6 bnRest of world+1.8 bnMarket value 203656.0 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

Competitive landscape

Group 1: Global leaders

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Adyen
  • PayPal
  • Stripe
  • UnionPay International

Group 2: Regional and specialist players

  • WEX
  • Worldline
  • Nuvei
  • Global Payments
  • Checkout.com
  • Corpay
  • Ant Group
  • Worldpay

Group 3: Emerging and niche players

  • Flywire
  • Nium
  • Airwallex
  • Rapyd

Research methodology

Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the travel payment market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.

The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 8.0% is calculated from the resulting values.

The market is divided by payment method, by channel, by travel segment, by fee type, by merchant size. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.

Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.

Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.

Read the full research methodology

Frequently asked questions

How big is the travel payment market?

The global travel payment market is estimated at USD 24.0 bn in 2025 and USD 25.9 bn in 2026.

How fast will the travel payment market grow?

It is forecast to reach USD 56.0 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 8.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 30.0 bn.

Which country is the largest market for travel payment?

United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 7.8 bn in 2026, 30.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 51.0%.

Which country is growing fastest?

Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 13.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.

Which travel payment segment is largest?

In the by payment method split, Credit and debit cards is the largest segment with 58.0% of 2026 revenue.

Who are the leading travel payment companies?

Global leaders include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Adyen.

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