Summer vacation 2025: The joy of traveling despite the need to save money and rising costs!

Summer vacation 2025: The joy of traveling despite the need to save money and rising costs!

Current surveys show that 96 percent of Austrians want to travel at least once this year. What is particularly notable is that 70 percent are planning a trip abroad, while around 50 percent want to spend their vacation within Austria. This data comes from a survey conducted in April 2023 among 1,000 people and illustrates how strong the desire to travel is despite rising costs. At the time of the survey, 40 percent of those surveyed had already booked their summer vacation. Only 4 percent are undecided or are not planning a vacation.

In comparison, actual travel activity in summer 2024 was already very high, as 89 percent of respondents actually traveled, although 95 percent had vacation plans. The main reasons against traveling are financial aspects, time restrictions and health reasons. Statistics show that 60 percent of vacationers will have to pay attention to their vacation budget this year, with 20 percent even having to make significant savings.

Savings opportunities and holiday spending

The savings are primarily focused on local expenses, the number and duration of trips. A majority of travelers who need to save money consider cheaper accommodations and pay attention to the costs involved when dining out. The average holiday budget for each person is 1233 euros, which is 171 euros more than last year due to inflation, but is worth less in real terms.

• 56% der Reisenden haben ein Budget von 1000 Euro oder weniger.
• Über 60-Jährige und Alleinreisende neigen dazu, höher budgetierte Ferien zu planen.
• Familien mit Kindern haben hingegen im Schnitt rund 120 Euro weniger zur Verfügung.

In terms of preferred travel destinations, a majority of 58 percent want to go to the sea, with Italy, Croatia, Greece, Germany and Spain being the most popular countries. In addition, 51 percent of those surveyed plan to spend their vacation in their beautiful home country of Austria, with Carinthia, Styria and Lower Austria being the most popular destinations.

Travel behavior and means of transport

When choosing a means of transport, it turns out that 71 percent of travelers want to drive their own car. 37 percent only use the car, while 21 percent consider a combination of car and plane and 13 percent prefer the train. Especially among families, 75 percent travel by private car, while solo travelers increasingly use public transport such as buses (27 percent) and trains (31 percent).

Another interesting aspect is that almost 60 percent of those surveyed would like to spend their summer vacation by the sea. Families and younger travelers under 30 show a particular preference for this type of vacation. Around 25 percent plan to enjoy their summer vacation by the lake or in the mountains, while 31 percent are considering city trips. The main motives for vacation are relaxation, recharge your batteries, enjoy the sun and spend time with family and friends. Less than 10 percent value aspects such as digital detox or getting to know other cultures.

Although the desire to travel remains high, many Austrians have to be thrifty this summer. The search for cheaper travel options and conscious planning are therefore essential for many people in order to satisfy their longing for vacation and relaxation. Small newspaper reports and that ÖAMTC travel monitoring provides valuable insights into the travel plans and priorities of Austrians.