Survey: Family summer travel still booming, but costs are having a big impact – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
United States families continue to book summer getaways at a steady pace even as airfares, lodging and activities carry higher price tags than a year ago. A recent survey of parents shows that most are unwilling to forgo trips altogether and instead are making targeted changes to keep plans intact. The findings underscore how travel remains a core priority for households with children under 18.
Strong Demand Persists Amid Price Increases
The YouGov survey, commissioned by The Points Guy and fielded in mid-June 2026, found that 63 percent of parents already had a family trip scheduled for the summer. Only 6 percent had canceled a vacation outright, while another 5 percent had switched destinations. Just 27 percent reported no summer travel at all. These figures arrived even though federal data showed airfares running 27 percent higher in May than the prior year. Parents are responding to the higher costs by stretching budgets rather than abandoning plans. Nearly two-thirds ranked overall cost among their top three considerations when selecting a destination. The practical result is a pattern of modest adjustments that preserve the core experience without requiring major sacrifices.
Common Adjustments Focus on Value and Flexibility
Among families with summer plans, the most frequent cost-saving step was choosing a closer or less expensive destination, reported by 25 percent of respondents. Another 24 percent altered their mode of travel, such as driving instead of flying or selecting economy seating. Roughly 23 percent reduced lodging expenses by booking fewer rooms or staying with relatives. Additional changes included shortening the length of the trip (20 percent), shifting travel dates to off-peak periods (20 percent) and trimming activities once on site (19 percent). One in five families planned to use points and miles to offset expenses. These steps reflect a broader willingness to adapt rather than cancel.
Children Influence Choices but Budgets Decide
Planning has grown more collaborative. About 31 percent of parents described vacation decisions as a family effort, while 28 percent said the approach varies by trip. Only 32 percent reported making choices independently, and 9 percent noted significant input from children. When asked what destinations children requested most, parents pointed to beaches at 45 percent, followed by water parks at 36 percent and camping or outdoor spots at 26 percent. Theme parks drew 23 percent interest, with Disney properties specifically mentioned by 22 percent and national parks tying at the same level. International travel remained low on the list at 11 percent. Parents proved open to children’s suggestions in more than half of cases, yet cost remained the dominant reason for turning down an idea. One-quarter of parents had rejected a destination solely because it was too expensive.
Practical Concerns Outweigh Stereotypical Worries
Travel with children carries familiar stresses, yet 28 percent of parents said they had no major fears. Safety at the destination topped the list of concerns at 19 percent, followed by the risk of separation at 18 percent. Illness during the trip worried 14 percent, while flight disruptions concerned 12 percent. Public meltdowns ranked low at 5 percent. Everyday frustrations centered more on external factors. Overpriced food at airports and attractions drew complaints from 41 percent of respondents. Rude fellow travelers ranked second at 33 percent, with long security or check-in lines and other parents struggling to manage their children each cited by 30 percent.
Looking Ahead for Families
The survey data illustrate how households are absorbing higher prices through incremental changes rather than wholesale cancellations. Points and miles, destination swaps and timing shifts are emerging as reliable tools for preserving summer traditions. As the peak season unfolds, the emphasis on flexibility and shared decision-making appears likely to shape how families continue to travel without exceeding their means.
