Survey: Family summer travel still booming, but costs are having a big impact – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Many households across the United States entered the final weeks of June with summer getaways still on the calendar, even after months of elevated prices for flights, lodging and activities. A recent survey of parents with children under 18 shows that most have refused to abandon those plans outright. Instead, families have shifted destinations, leaned on rewards and involved children in decisions to keep trips feasible. The result is a season defined less by cancellation and more by careful adaptation.
Travel Demand Holds Steady
The YouGov survey commissioned by The Points Guy found that 63 percent of parents already had a family trip booked for summer 2026. Only 6 percent canceled a planned vacation completely, while another 5 percent changed destinations. Just 27 percent reported no summer travel at all. These figures arrived even as airfares in May ran 27 percent above the prior year, according to federal data.
Earlier polling had shown that 71 percent of all travelers expected to take the same number of trips or more than in the previous summer. The new results confirm that family travel remains a priority rather than a luxury easily dropped. Parents continue to view these outings as essential, even when budgets require adjustments.
Cost Pressures Drive Practical Changes
Higher prices have prompted clear shifts in how families travel. One-quarter of parents with plans said they selected a closer or less expensive destination, the most common adjustment reported. Nearly as many changed their mode of travel, such as driving instead of flying or choosing economy seating. Another 23 percent reduced lodging costs by booking fewer rooms or staying with relatives.
Additional steps included shortening trips, traveling on off-peak dates and trimming activities once at the destination. Nearly two-thirds of respondents ranked overall cost among their top three destination considerations. At the same time, 21 percent planned to use points and miles to offset expenses, though only 5 percent said award availability was the primary factor in choosing where to go.
Spending patterns reflect these constraints. Half of families with summer plans expected to spend between $1,001 and $5,000, while 13 percent budgeted $5,001 to $10,000. Just 4 percent anticipated outlays above $10,000. The emphasis remains on value rather than luxury experiences.
Planning Becomes a Family Effort
Vacation decisions now involve more collaboration than in past years. Only 32 percent of parents said they make choices alone. Nearly the same share, 31 percent, described planning as a family-wide process. Another 28 percent said involvement depends on the specific trip, and 9 percent noted significant input from children.
When asked what children requested most, parents pointed to beach destinations at 45 percent. Water parks followed at 36 percent, with camping and outdoor spots at 26 percent. Theme parks drew 23 percent interest overall, while Disney properties and national parks each received 22 percent. International travel remained low on the list at 11 percent, underscoring a continued focus on domestic options.
Everyday Realities Shape the Experience
Parents reported measured concerns about traveling with children. Twenty-eight percent said they had no major fears. Safety at the destination topped the list of worries at 19 percent, followed by the risk of separation at 18 percent. Illness during travel concerned 14 percent, while delays or cancellations worried 12 percent. Public meltdowns ranked low at 5 percent.
Frustrations centered more on logistics than on children themselves. Overpriced food at airports and attractions drew complaints from 41 percent. Rude fellow travelers ranked second at 33 percent, with long security or check-in lines and unmanaged children from other families each cited by 30 percent. Snacks remained the leading travel tool at 61 percent, followed closely by tablets with downloaded content at 60 percent.
More than half of parents said they remain open to children’s destination suggestions. When vetoes occur, cost is the dominant reason at 25 percent, far ahead of distance or crowding concerns. The pattern shows budgets, not preferences, often set the final boundary.
These adjustments illustrate how families continue to prioritize shared experiences while managing tighter finances. Flexibility in timing, location and payment methods has allowed many households to preserve summer travel without exceeding their limits. The season ahead will likely reward those who continue to plan with similar care.
