How does Gen Z travel? Think social media, smart tech, and more sustainable choices.
This generation is all about chasing inspiration from TikTok, using AI to plan trips, and taking feel-good trips that don't cost the earth. But with fewer years in the workforce, savvy spending is a priority. In this report, we unpack key travel stats for Gen Z.
Value comes first
Gen Z isn’t staying put - they’re just getting smart about how far their money can go.
This is a generation that scans flight prices like it's second nature, times bookings like seasoned pros, and knows that travelling more often doesn’t have to mean spending more. They’re not splashing cash, they’re stretching it - swapping big-budget blowouts for smart, smaller adventures that add up to a life well-travelled.
50% of Gen Z travellers worldwide plan to choose budget accommodation for their summer 2025 trips so they can spend more on experiences. That’s compared to 40% of travellers across all age groups. 1
Across the globe, 52% of Gen Z travellers take at least three leisure trips per year. 2
62% of Gen Z use apps and digital platforms to find better deals. 3
Exactly half (50%) of Gen Z in India plan to make smarter choices in 2025, making their budget go further, so they can maximise their holidays.
Almost a quarter of Gen Z Indians (23%) are planning to travel both domestically and internationally for their summer holidays this year. 1
When it comes to funding the trip, 21% of global Gen Z travellers rely on credit card rewards and 46% rely on their parents to help pad their travel budget. 3
Stress and spontaneity
Despite their savvy money-saving and travel-planning skills, Gen Z are not immune to stress when planning trips.
Limited budget, fluctuating prices, and an endless source of social media travel inspiration might make travel planning feel more like a juggling act than a dream within reach. Globally, Gen Z are more spontaneous than older generations, however young Indians can be less spontaneous than their elders and Gen Z in some other countries.
57% of Gen Z find visa requirements stressful when planning travel. 4
93% say overthinking can prevent them from booking travel. 4
91% fear choosing the wrong destination, which can stop them from finalising plans. 4
57% cite budget constraints as their top travel concern - compared to 38% of Millennials and 22% of Gen X. 3
Even so, 74% of Gen Z in India say they’re decisive when planning trips. Although, just 19% describe themselves as spontaneous. That's lower than in some other countries - 39% of young Australians describe themselves as spontaneous travellers. 4
Despite this, 40% of India’s Gen Z still managed to take more holidays than they planned in 2024. 4
Tech savvy travellers
Gen Z didn’t just notice AI, they welcomed it with open apps.
This is a generation that grew up chatting with algorithms and swiping through suggestions, so it’s no surprise Gen Z are using AI for travel planning. AI can help simplify the process, from revealing where to go when, suggesting things to do within a traveller’s budget, and even recommending destinations based on their vibe. Gen Z has taken note.
Globally, over 80% of Gen Z use smartphones to research and book their trips. 6
51% favour online travel agents and direct online channels over traditional travel agents. 3
Only 38% of Gen Z travellers globally use traditional travel agents. 7
In India, a whopping 80% of Gen Z say they feel confident using AI to help plan and book trips. In comparison, just 38% of Gen Z in The UK share that confidence. 8
51% trust AI-generated travel itineraries. 3
20% of Gen Z travellers have already used AI travel tools without realising it. 9
It’s not all about tech, though. Almost three quarters (73%) of Indian Gen Z travellers believe that planetary and lunar activity, like Mercury Retrograde and full moons, impacts their holiday. 8
From TikTok to takeoff
Travel inspiration served by swipes and likes: Gen Z turns to social media.
Whether it’s finding new places to go, planning the details, getting recommendations on where to eat and stay, social media plays a major role. And Gen Z is not just consuming content, they’re creating it too. Finding a spot that’ll spur likes and shares adds an extra layer of motivation on where to go.
Social media is the most popular source of travel inspiration for Gen Z in India (66%), with 52% inspired by film and TV and 31% inspired by podcasts. 8
Some studies have found TikTok is the primary source of travel inspiration for 60% of Gen Z, with 40% booking trips based on TikTok content alone. 3
Most of this generation (88%) follow at least one travel influencer on the platform, and 45% trust influencer recommendations. 7
46% post their travels on social media and 43% of them are prioritising trips that look good on the ‘gram. 3
However, IRL interaction is still important; 60% of Gen Z Indians get into the holiday mood by talking about plans with friends, only 39% get into the holiday mood by sharing social content with friends. 1
Globally, Gen Z women are inspired to travel solo, with 83% of them saying solo female travel content on social media has inspired them to venture out alone. 3
Experience over everything
Whether it’s hiking in national parks or catching flights for music festivals, Gen Z prioritises experiences.
Gen Z prize passport stamps over possessions and are open-minded when it comes to embracing a new culture. When travelling you can find them grooving to the beat of band they’re hearing for the first time, enjoying local cuisine or attending immersive exhibitions. There’s even time for forming new relationships too.
Globally, 65% of Gen Z cite seeing the world as the most important way to spend their money. 3
They’re foodies! A survey conducted by Skyscanner found food to be the most important factor (62%) for Gen Z when picking a holiday destination – that’s higher than the weather (54%) and the shopping (41%). 8
This is a generation that's more likely to seek particular cultural experiences on holiday than other generations too – 26% were planning to go to a gig or concert when travelling in 2025 and 25% intended to go to an immersive art exhibition. Only 20% of Millennials surveyed were planning on either of those activities. 8
Over a third of Gen Z in India (38%) are motivated to travel by a desire to meet new people. 4
Getting their R&R
Wellness over wild nights - Gen Z prioritise feel-good travel.
As a global trend, Gen Z seems to be more focused on health and wellness activities, even going so far as to popularise ‘dry holidays,’ trips where they don’t consume alcohol. Millennials might’ve indulged in party tourism, but Gen Z prefers to get a full night of sleep, focusing on daytime adventures and relaxation.
93% of Gen Z say travel improves their mental wellbeing, with 90% returning from a trip feeling less anxious and more positive than when they left. 3
81% also feel holidays are helpful in building resilience and leave them better able to handle life’s daily stresses. 8
73% plan trips specifically for wellness benefits like relaxation or self-care activities. 3
Half of Gen Z choose hotels based on their wellness offerings, like offering yoga classes or having a gym or spa, on work trips. 7
Gen Z drinks significantly less alcohol than Millennials on holiday, preferring sightseeing to pub crawls. 7
Globally, they are also more likely to keep up with health and wellness routines (39%) than overindulge when on holiday (24%). 8
Travelling to a Blue Zone, where people tend to live longer, inspires 88% of Indian Gen Z holidaymakers. 8
Conscious choices
Reshaping travel with every conscious choice and lower-impact itinerary.
More than half of Gen Z travellers across the world say they’re willing to pay extra to help lessen the environmental impact of their trips. And we’re not just talking about ticking the “eco-friendly” filter and calling it a day. These travellers are actively steering away from overtouristed hotspots, seeking out stays that skip the single-use plastic, and swapping high-emission activities for grounding days spent in nature.
In India, 82% of Gen Z are open to choosing a less well-known destination versus an overly popular one for their summer holiday and 66% have actively planned to visit a quieter, less crowded destination due to concerns about crowding. 1
The majority (56%) of Gen Z prefer to support companies that are environmentally responsible, even if it costs more. 3
This is a generation that's especially drawn to nature when they travel. Compared to other age groups, they’re more likely to plan outdoor activities on holiday - like hiking (32%), wildlife spotting (28%), and water sports such as wild swimming (32%). 8
Out of all generations, Gen Z globally is more likely to actively seek hotels with strong environmental credentials, with 56% preferring to stay in eco-friendly accommodations. 3
Almost a quarter of Gen Z Indians (24%) say they would be likely to spend money on flying a lower emissions route when travelling abroad. 8
Stopping and smelling the flowers is a hit with Gen Z travellers from India, with 86% stating they either like or love visiting gardens while on holiday. 8
How Gen Z travels: smart, soulful, and more sustainably conscious
With a budgeting app in one hand and an AI trip planner in the other, Gen Z are hacking their way to the kind of travel that actually means something.
It’s not about ticking off tourist traps. It’s about soul-filling, story-worthy experiences - the kind you find watching sunrise from a mountain hut or swapping playlists with strangers on an overnight train through Europe.
Wellness matters. So does So does making more sustainable choices. And while their budgets might be tight, their values are non-negotiable. They’ll stretch Rupees to afford eco-conscious stays and lower-impact adventures that align with their ideals.
They favour moments over monuments. Nature over noise. Curated chaos over cruise control. And yes, their itinerary might’ve started on TikTok - but their journey is 100% their own.
Sources:
Skyscanner research conducted using OnePoll in March & April 2025 with 20,000 respondents globally (2,000 Indian respondents). Gen Z responses are from those aged 18 – 24 at the time of being surveyed.
Skyscanner research conducted using OnePoll in November & December 2024 with 20,000 respondents globally (2,000 Indian respondents). Gen Z responses are from those aged 18 – 24 at the time of being surveyed.
Skyscanner research conducted using OnePoll for Travel Trends in July 2024 with 20,000 respondents globally (2,000 Indian respondents). Gen Z responses are from those aged 18 – 24 at the time of being surveyed.
