How Gen Z, Millennials, and Boomers are traveling in 2026

Overview: Travel demand stays strong across ages, but reasons, companions, and payment methods vary with age. From adventure-seeking Gen Z to partner-focused retirees, generational differences influence the summer travel experience.

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Summer travel means different things to different generations. For some, it's an opportunity to squeeze in one more adventure, explore a new destination, or travel with friends. For others, it's a chance to relax, spend time with family, or revisit familiar places. While overall travel demand remains strong, consumers' decisions about where to go, who to travel with, how to book, and how to pay are often shaped by their stage of life.

This article builds on findings from Paysafe's Experience Economy report on summer travel, which explores how consumers are planning, booking, and paying for travel this summer. Here, we take a closer look at one area not explored in the full report: how travel behaviors differ across generations.

The generational divide becomes clear when looking at where people plan to travel. More than half (54%) of travelers aged 18-24 are planning a trip elsewhere within their continent this summer, while nearly three-quarters (72%) of travelers aged 65 and over expect to travel domestically only. From destination choices and booking habits to spending priorities and payment preferences, age is helping shape today's travel experience

Travel priorities shift from adventure to relaxation

The experiences people seek when traveling are often shaped by where they are in life. While younger travelers are more likely to seek adventure, events, and new experiences, older generations tend to prioritize relaxation, comfort, and quality time with loved ones.

Among travelers aged 18-24, adventure is a priority for 44%, while 28% are planning trips centered around events and festivals. Younger travelers are also more likely to combine travel with visiting friends and family (28%), reflecting a desire for experiences that are both social and memorable.

As consumers move into their 30s and 40s, travel priorities begin to shift. Among travelers aged 35-44, relaxation is the top priority (69%), while experiences and activities remain important to 46%. This group is also much more likely to travel with children, which influences both destination choices and the types of experiences they seek.

For older travelers, travel becomes less about adventure and more about connection. While only 17% of travelers aged 65 and over prioritize adventure experiences, 38% say visiting friends or family is a key focus of their summer travel plans, the highest share of any age group.

These findings suggest that while the desire to travel remains strong across generations, the definition of a great trip evolves over time. What begins as a search for adventure and new experiences often shifts toward a greater appreciation for comfort, connection, and the joy of traveling at a different pace.

The family factor reshapes how people travel

While age influences travel behavior, life stage may be an even more important factor. As people transition from friend-group getaways to family-focused trips, their priorities, destinations, and travel planning habits naturally evolve.

The contrast is particularly clear when looking at who people are traveling with. Among travelers aged 18-24, 42% plan to travel with friends this summer, making them the most social age group in the study. Family travel is far less common among younger consumers, with only 11% saying they will travel with children and the same percentage saying they’d travel with their pets.

That picture changes dramatically among travelers in their mid-30s and beyond. Half of travelers aged 35-44 (50%) and nearly as many aged 45-54 (47%) expect to travel with children, the highest rates across any age group. As family responsibilities increase, travel often becomes less about spontaneity and more about shared experiences that work for everyone.

Among older travelers, partner-based travel is the dominant format. Six in ten travelers aged 65 and over (60%) plan to travel with a spouse or partner, compared with 32% of those aged 18-24.

For travel brands, these differences highlight the importance of understanding who travelers are traveling with, not just where they are going.

Payment friction hits younger travelers hardest

Generational differences don't stop at destinations and travel priorities. They also influence how travelers navigate the payment experience, and younger consumers appear far more likely to encounter problems along the way.

Nearly two-thirds of travelers aged 25-34 (63%) and 18-24 (61%) say they have walked away from a travel purchase because paying was inconvenient or difficult. Among travelers aged 65 and over, that figure falls to just 24%. The gap suggests that younger travelers are either encountering more payment friction or are simply less willing to tolerate it.

A similar pattern emerges when examining payment-related issues while traveling. More than six in ten travelers aged 25-34 (62%) and 18-24 (61%) report experiencing payment problems while away from home. That figure drops to just 22% among those aged 65 and over.

These findings are particularly significant because younger travelers are also the most likely to travel internationally and adopt newer payment technologies. As travel becomes increasingly digital-first, expectations for speed, convenience, and reliability continue to rise.

Digital payment habits vary by generation

How travelers pay is changing alongside the broader shift toward digital commerce, but adoption remains far from uniform across generations. Younger travelers are leading the way in adopting alternative payment methods, while older consumers continue to rely more heavily on traditional options.

Digital wallet usage is highest among travelers aged 25-34 (41%) and 35-44 (31%). By comparison, only 20% of travelers aged 55-64 and 11% of those aged 65 and over expect to use a digital wallet while traveling this summer. Confidence in mobile payments follows a similar pattern. More than seven in ten travelers aged 25-34 (71%) say they are confident they can pay with their phone while traveling, compared with 40% of those aged 65 and over.

At the same time, traditional payment methods remain important across all demographics. Travelers 65 and older are more likely to use credit cards (63%), while debit cards remain widely used across all age groups.

The findings suggest that no single travel payment experience appeals to everyone. While younger generations increasingly expect mobile-first payment options, many travelers still prefer the familiarity and reliability of cards, underscoring the importance of offering payment choice wherever consumers book, shop, and spend.

What travel brands can learn from a changing traveler landscape

The research highlights a simple reality: travelers are not a single audience. Younger consumers are more likely to adopt digital payments, travel internationally, and abandon purchases when payment experiences fall short. Older travelers often have different priorities, preferences, and payment habits.

Meeting these varied expectations requires more than offering great destinations. It also means providing choice, convenience, and flexibility throughout the payment journey.

For travel merchants, this is where Paysafe can help. From card payments and digital wallets to alternative payment methods, Paysafe enables businesses to offer the payment options travelers prefer, helping create smoother booking experiences and reducing friction at checkout, regardless of who is making the trip.

FAQs

How do travel habits change across generations?

Younger travelers are more likely to take international trips, travel with friends, and prioritize adventure, whereas older generations tend to favor domestic travel, trips with a partner, and experiences centered on relaxation and connection.

Are younger travelers more likely to encounter payment friction while traveling?

Yes. Younger generations are significantly more likely to report payment-related issues and abandon purchases when payment is inconvenient, underscoring the growing importance of seamless payment experiences in travel.