Young people’s travelling habits have shifted from economic caution to a quest for experiences; the restraint of 2023 has been replaced by a more open and adventurous attitude in 2025. In 2023, a duality in travel habits and leisure activities could be observed in Hungary: on the one hand, a turn towards economic caution and shorter, more deliberate planning, and on the other, a strong desire for shared experiences, travel and personal discovery following the lifting of restrictions. In 2025, a bolder, freer attitude to travelling has prevailed. Young people’s travel habits have changed significantly: post-pandemic uncertainty has given way to openness, a search for experiences, and increased flexibility.
Experience-Seeking and Travel Enthusiasm Among Young People in 2025
The year 2025 could be a year of discoveries and experiences for young people. According to the latest research by the Youth Research Institute, the desire for holidays and travelling among 15 to 39-year-olds has increased compared to the data collected two years earlier. Compared to previous years, interest in travelling both domestically and abroad has increased significantly. In 2025, almost 65 per cent of young people plan to go on holiday.
The most significant change can be observed in travel habits: young people are increasingly favouring combined domestic and international trips. By 2025, over half (52 per cent) will seek to mix domestic and international travel. Like European and international trends, young people’s preferences are increasingly shifting towards experience-oriented travel, in which not only relaxation but also adventure, discovery and cultural experiences play an important role.[1]
Particular attention should be paid to the 18–24 age group, who plan to travel the most of all age groups in 2025. Among them, 73 per cent stated that they plan to go on holiday. The growing desire to travel is especially strong in young people with a higher level of education and those living in the capital city, suggesting that these demographics are more likely to be able to afford foreign or longer domestic trips. According to the study, almost 47 per cent of those with a higher level of education are considering a holiday abroad.
A significantly higher number of 15–29-year-olds is expected to attend music events in 2025. In 2024, 29 per cent had already expressed their intention to go to festivals. Attendance is especially popular among 20–24-year-olds, who are drawn to shared experiences and entertainment. As a result, 2025 is shaping up to be a promising year for youth tourism, driven by a desire not just to relax but to gain new experiences and explore the world.
A Period of Economic Caution and Thoughtful Planning in 2023
The year 2023 was, in many ways, a transitional period in terms of young people’s travel habits. While the direct impact of the pandemic has subsided, economic uncertainties, particularly the consequences of inflation and the energy crisis, still have a significant impact on everyday decisions, including leisure planning.
‘The desire for international experiences remains among young people’
According to a study by the Youth Research Institute, nearly half (54 per cent) of 15–39-year-olds cancelled a planned trip or holiday in the first half of 2023 due to cost considerations. This reluctance was particularly pronounced in the 35–39 age group. However, not everyone gave up their holiday completely. A third (32 per cent) of 15–39-year-olds were still planning at least one trip abroad in 2023. This figure suggests that the desire for international experiences remains among young people, although financial circumstances heavily depend on who can actually afford such opportunities. For example, 47 per cent of those with a higher level of education intended to travel abroad, while only 12 per cent of financially struggling young people had similar plans.[2]
In addition to holidays, other forms of leisure activities have also gained new momentum. In 2023, festivals regained importance, with 29 per cent of 15–29-year-olds attending or planning to attend some kind of music event, compared to only 16 per cent in 2020. This significant increase shows that young people want to make up for missed opportunities during the pandemic, not only by travelling, but also through social connection and group activities. The 20–24 age group was particularly active during the festival season, reflecting the experience-oriented mentality of this generation.[3]
Looking at real travel patterns in 2023, young people between 15 and 24 took about 1.2 million multi-day trips within Hungary, spending close to 5 billion forints in total. Their getaways lasted around four days on average, with daily costs of roughly 10,000 forints—less than the country’s average of 12,243 forints per day. This lower spending makes sense given their tighter budgets and the fact that most are students or just starting their careers.
On the flip side, people aged 35–44—usually at their financial peak—went on almost 1.9 million trips, spending about 94 billion forints overall, and 13,180 forints daily. Those between 45 and 54 showed similar habits, taking 2.1 million trips with slightly higher daily costs of 13,743 forints.
What’s notable is that the 55–64 age group had the highest daily expenses, averaging nearly 15,866 forints per day, despite taking fewer trips (1.7 million). The 65+ crowd, however, recorded the most travel time and overall spending—2.3 million trips, over 11 million travel days, and 132 billion forints spent. This reflects both their larger numbers and extra free time, although their daily spending (11,928 forints) remained below that of the 55–64 group.
These figures clearly demonstrate that older and financially established groups have more spending power, while younger travellers keep things budget-friendly, often focusing on shared adventures and good value rather than premium experiences. These findings come from official 2023 tourism data published by Hungary’s Central Statistical Office (KSH) and compiled in the TUTSZ (2024) annual tourism report.
A Record Year for European Tourism and Age-Based Differences — Eurostat Tourism Data
According to the latest data from Eurostat, tourists in the European Union reached a record 2.99 billion overnight stays in 2024, representing a 2 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Of these, 52 per cent were domestic and 48 per cent international overnight stays. Most EU Member States saw a rise in overnight tourism compared to 2023. Overall, 2024 was a year of tourism recovery and increased willingness to travel within the European Union, as reflected in the rise in online bookings and the number of international visitors.
‘Younger tourists tend to travel more frequently and for shorter periods’
The 2022 Eurostat survey showed that 76 per cent of all overnight stays in individual tourism were made by people aged 15 to 64, while those aged 65 and older accounted for 24 per cent. Younger tourists tend to travel more frequently and for shorter periods, and are more likely to choose rented accommodation, such as hotels or flats, while also being keen to explore international destinations. Younger age groups are also more active in terms of participation. While 38 per cent of EU citizens aged 15 and over did not participate in tourism in 2022, the figure was 55 per cent among those aged 65 and older, indicating that younger people are more likely to travel.
The reasons for not taking part in tourism also differ considerably by age group. Among 15–64-year-olds, financial reasons were the most common (44 per cent), while health reasons only played a role in 9 per cent of the cases. In contrast, 41 per cent of those over 65 did not travel for health reasons, and a lack of interest was also a common reason (34 per cent). This underlines the fact that travelling is still an important form of experience for younger people, even if their financial situation is often a limiting factor.
[1] Eurostat (2022, 2024), ‘Tourism trends and ageing’.
[2] Kiss-Kozma Georgina & Székely Levente (2023), Ifjúság+ Öt kérdésben a magyarországi 15–39 évesekről, Mathias Corvinus Collegium – Ifjúságkutató Intézet, pp. 1–60.
[3] Kiss-Kozma Georgina & Székely Levente (2024), Fesztgenből a Fastgenbe: A fesztiválok új nemzedéke, Mathias Corvinus Collegium – Ifjúságkutató Intézet, pp. 1–40.
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Author: Fanni Radnai
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