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Swiss travel behavior in 2025: Women travel more, Covid trends shape it!
Find out what the travel behavior of the Swiss and Germans will look like in 2025 and which trends will be relevant after Covid.
Swiss travel behavior in 2025: Women travel more, Covid trends shape it!
The travel habits of the Swiss population have undergone dynamic changes in recent years. According to current information from Swiss Broadcasting, Swiss residents take an average of almost three trips with overnight stays per year, with one of these trips taking place in Switzerland. Women are the more active travelers with an average of 3.1 trips, while men take an average of 2.7 trips per year. This development is particularly notable because travel behavior has changed over the years: in 2016, men traveled more often than women, but the numbers have leveled out since 2019.
The 25 to 44 age group is the group that likes to travel the most, with 3.6 trips per year. Single and divorced people show above-average travel behavior, while widowed people are at the bottom with an average of only 1.7 trips per year. It is also interesting that children aged 6 to 14 travel more often than people over 65.
Regional differences and travel destinations
Travel habits also vary regionally. People from Zurich and Central Switzerland lead the ranking, with an average of 3.3 trips per year. In contrast, Ticino residents travel the least, with only 1.9 trips. The Swiss' preferred travel destinations are reflected in the numbers: urban destinations account for 3.1 trips, places near cities attract 2.8 trips, while destinations outside urban centers generate 2.2 trips.
Internationally, Germany and Italy remain the most common travel destinations, both accounting for 12% of trips each. 36% of trips with overnight stays stay within Switzerland, with 7% taking place outside Europe. The changes in travel behavior after Covid are clearly noticeable: long-term trips are better planned, while short trips become less attractive. There is also an increase in interest in group travel and traveling with like-minded people.
Changes in German travel behavior
In 2024, 69% of those surveyed want to travel abroad, while trips within Germany have fallen to 31%. However, Germany remains a popular travel destination and needs an efficient infrastructure to meet the increased demand. The ability to book their main vacation four months in advance is important to 44% of respondents, up from 39% in 2022.
Preferences and challenges
The studies also show that the use of airplanes as a means of transport has increased to 37%, while the car remains the most common mode of transport. The increase in package holidays to 32% and individual trips, which are slightly above the pre-crisis level of 2019, are also notable. 50% of respondents expect similar financial flexibility in 2025, while 32% say they may have to forego travel.
A key theme running through the surveys is increasing traveler awareness of issues such as overtourism. 72% of respondents see this as a problem and 61% avoid affected vacation spots. When planning their trips, Germans place less value on sustainability or political stability, but 74% would like their arrival and departure to be uncomplicated. Despite the premise that 62% are aware of the possible housing shortage caused by holiday apartments, the majority reject the idea of not traveling.
Detailing these trends shows that both the Swiss and Germans exhibit a clear dynamic in travel behavior that is influenced by both cultural and social changes. These developments represent both a challenge and an opportunity for the future tourism industry.