AARP Survey Finds Older Adults Prioritize Holiday Travel

Higher costs are the primary concern for travelers aged 50 and older this upcoming holiday season.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Spending

AARP Survey Finds Older Adults Prioritize Holiday Travel

Live Poll

Are you planning to change your holiday travel plans this year due to higher costs?

A new AARP survey of 1,023 U.S. adults aged 50 and older reveals that family connection is the primary motivator for holiday travel. Despite this priority, many older adults are adjusting their budgets due to rising costs.

Why it matters

Older travelers are increasingly prioritizing family time over leisure while managing financial pressures. Many are finding that travel expenses are now exceeding what they allocate for holiday gifts.

A survey of 1,023 adults found that 43% expect to spend at least $2,000 on holiday travel, with 18% anticipating expenses over $5,000. Additionally, 38% of travelers plan to spend more on trips than on holiday gifts.

The players

AARP

AARP is a United States-based non-profit organization that focuses on issues affecting people over the age of 50.

The details

The data shows that 67% of respondents travel for family connection, while 27% seek to escape daily life and 25% aim to relax. Meanwhile, 34% of older adults prefer to host family and friends in their own homes for the holidays.

September 17-21, 2026: Survey interviews were conducted.
October 25, 2026: Survey results were published.

Market Dynamics

This data aligns with the AARP 2026 holiday travel behavior survey, which highlights how shifting consumer priorities impact the broader travel and hospitality market. It reflects a trend where older demographics increasingly favor legacy connections over leisure-based spending during holiday cycles.

For readers managing their personal holiday budgets, this data suggests a need to account for higher travel costs compared to previous years. It highlights that 52% of older adults view cost as their main obstacle, which may necessitate prioritizing travel expenses over gift purchases.

The takeaway

Travelers should budget early to manage rising holiday expenses if they intend to visit family this year. Prioritizing essential travel costs early can help mitigate financial stress during the holiday season.