Gen Z travel trends 2025

John Hillman

John Hillman

From AI inspo to eco-conscious tourism decisions, and short, but frequent adventures, Gen Z is reshaping how to travel. To find out just how different this generation of travellers really is, we've compiled the very latest facts and data surrounding Gen Z's holiday habits in 2025.

Couple exploring a new city
Couple exploring a new city © Monkey Business - Fotolia.com

Top picks: Gen Z travel trends at a glance

  • 3 to 5+ trips per year - most Gen Z travellers take multiple holidays annually, often mixing short domestic breaks with longer international trips
  • £9,000+ annual spend - Gen Z is spending more on travel than any other generation
  • 84 to 90% use social media to plan - TikTok & Instagram are driving destination discovery & trip inspiration
  • 68% favour adventure-based travel - hiking, scuba diving & cultural immersion are top choices over traditional beach holidays
  • 56% choose eco-friendly options - sustainability matters, with many paying extra for responsible travel
  • Over 40% travel solo - Gen Z is the most independent traveller generation on record
  • 67% prefer small towns to cities - "townsizing" is in: Gen Z is swapping big urban breaks for quaint, scenic getaways.

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Average trip spend & frequency

So, how much is Gen Z spending on travel in 2025, and how often are they going away? Recent data suggests Gen Z (born roughly between 1997 and 2012) are among the most frequent travellers. In 2025:

  • 52 to 68% of Gen Zers take at least three trips a year, according to TravelPerk
  • Many budget-savvy Gen Zers take 3 to 5+ leisure trips annually, mixing short breaks & longer holidays
  • Annual travel spend averages £9,000 to £11,000 globally, often across multiple trips
  • In the UK, the average per-trip spend varies; domestic trips might cost £300 to £700, while longer international holidays can run well into four figures.

This generation tends to prioritise travel over other forms of discretionary spending, often funding their trips through side hustles, savings or by cutting back in other areas (e.g. fashion and nights out).

Despite difficult economic headwinds, Gen Z continues to invest in experiences over possessions; an ethos reflected in their travel habits.

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Preferred destinations & experiences

Gen Z is less interested in traditional package holidays and more drawn to immersive, purpose-driven travel.

  • 68% prefer adventure-style getaways, such as hiking, outdoor sports or cultural experiences (Peek Pro)
  • 67% favour "townsizing" - visiting quaint small towns instead of big cities, driven by aesthetic and nostalgic appeal (The Points Guy)
  • Over 80% say they want authentic, local experiences, avoiding tourist traps and seeking out new destinations (Condor Ferries)
  • Gen Z travellers are more likely than any other age group to attend events like music festivals, e-sports tournaments or sports matches when abroad.

Whether it's solo hiking in the Highlands, a creative retreat in Portugal, or road-tripping through rural France, Gen Z's travel focus is on story and substance.

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Sustainability, values & responsible travel

For Gen Z, sustainability plays a bigger part in the decision-making process than any other generation.

  • 56% seek eco-friendly destinations & 63% favour green transport in their chosen destination
  • Over half are willing to pay more to book with responsible travel providers (Condor Ferries)
  • A Cornell University-backed academic study on sustainable tourism found that Gen Z travellers exhibit consistently strong pro-environmental behaviours, from reducing single-use plastic while abroad to prioritising destinations with responsible tourism practices.

Sustainable travel options such as rail passes, eco-lodges and low-carbon itineraries are gaining traction, especially when paired with transparency and ethical business practices.

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Solo, micro and group travel

Gen Z is diverse in its travel formats, sometimes going solo, often travelling in small groups, and increasingly blending leisure with work.

  • 40% have taken a solo leisure trip, showing a high comfort level with independent travel (Future Partners)
  • "Micro-cations" (three-to-four day getaways) are hugely popular due to affordability & schedule flexibility
  • Many also plan longer 10+ day trips, particularly combining travel with remote work (AKA: bleisure)
  • There's also a rise in "friendmoons", group trips with friends instead of romantic getaways; Gen Zers values connection and shared experiences, but on their own terms.

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How Gen Z books holidays: AI, apps & TikTok

Gen Z travellers are digital-first, relying heavily on apps, influencers and AI to plan their getaways.

  • 84 to 90% use social media for travel inspiration, especially TikTok, Instagram and YouTube (Peek Pro)
  • 42% used TikTok as a trip-planning tool in 2024/2025 (TravelPerk)
  • 28.7% have used AI to create travel itineraries & 51% trust AI-generated trip plans (Future Partners)
  • Gen Z books later than other generations; on average, just 8.9 weeks before departure.

Influencer travel content has real sway, but it's not just about aesthetics. Gen Z wants transparency on cost, logistics and experiences. They favour seamless booking platforms, mobile apps and flexible cancellation policies.

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Adventure & immersive experiences

Gen Zers aren't interested in cookie-cutter holidays. They want immersive, authentic and adventurous experiences that feel personally meaningful.

  • According to a report by Peek Pro, 68% of Gen Z travellers prefer adventure-based vacations, with activities like hiking, scuba diving, hot-air ballooning & cultural immersion topping their bucket lists. For many, the thrill of the experience matters more than luxury.
  • This sense of adventure extends to souvenirs, too. The 2025 American Express Global Travel Trends Report found that 82% of Gen Z travellers are seeking out unique, experience-driven souvenirs, such as handmade crafts, local art, or personalised keepsakes tied to a memory, rather than the traditional fridge magnets & t-shirts.
  • Meanwhile, Condor Ferries reports that over 80% of Gen Z travellers seek authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations, showing a growing rejection of tourist hotspots in favour of lesser-known but culturally rich alternatives.

In short, Gen Z travellers aren't sightseeing - they're soul-searching. Whether it's through adrenaline-pumping activities or deep cultural encounters, they want to feel connected to the places they visit.

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Budget-conscious & frequent

Despite headlines about rising costs and stagnant wages, Gen Z is proving to be one of the most travel-hungry and financially savvy generations on record.

  • According to TravelPerk, 52% to 68% of Gen Z travellers take at least three trips per year, often mixing weekend breaks with longer holidays. Many fit travel around studies, early careers, or freelance work & they're not waiting until later in life to see the world.
  • Financial awareness is high; 63% of Gen Z travellers made a travel-related purchase in the past 12 months & 65% planned to spend more on leisure travel in 2024 than in 2023, reflecting the high priority they place on holidays, even when budgets are tight.
  • According to Peek Pro, 79% of Gen Z save aggressively to fund their travel, often using strategies like "micro-cations" (short three-to-four day trips), "bleisure" travel (mixing work and holidays) & budget accommodation. They're more likely than older generations to embrace hostels, couchsurfing or house swaps.
  • Total annual spending on travel is surprisingly high: Gen Z is averaging more per year on trips than any other generation, including Millennials & Boomers, according to TravelPerk.

This is a generation that knows travel doesn't always require a luxury budget, just smart planning, flexible schedules and a passion for exploring new places.

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Summary: how Gen Z travels in 2025

The data paints a clear picture: Gen Z is changing the travel game. They travel often, but smart. They spend generously on experiences, but demand value and authenticity. They book trips on their phones, find destinations on TikTok and factor climate impact into their decisions.

Key Trait Gen Z Travel Habit
Frequency 3 to 5+ leisure trips per year
Spend ~£300 to £700 per UK trip; £2,000+ for long-haul holidays
Trip Style Adventure, cultural immersion, "townsizing", solo travel
Digital Influence 84% use social media; 28% use AI for trip planning
Sustainability 56% eco-focused; 23% pay carbon offset fees
Flexibility Micro-cations, late bookings, bleisure travel

This is a generation that travels to express identity, explore meaning and connect with the world around them. Despite financial pressures, Gen Z continues to make travel a central part of life in 2025.

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Data sources

John Hillman

John Hillman



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