Holidays

Part of the Life Well Spent Report 2026

Are we going on holiday as much and where we want? And where would we go if money was no object?

4 in 5 go on at least one holiday a year

It’s no surprise that we love a good holiday, with almost 4 in 5 (79%) people over 50 taking at least one holiday abroad or in the UK every year. Although this is 3% less than last year, it is in line with the national average (83%).

Like most UK adults, over 50s go on one international break a year on average. However, under 50s are more likely to have two staycations in the UK, while over 50s only have one.

Almost 9 in 10 of the happiest people over 50 go on holiday every year, with 74% having a staycation compared to 66% going abroad. In comparison, only 64% of those with the lowest happiness scores go on holiday at least once a year, with 36% saying they don’t go on holiday at all.  Only 11% of the happiest people don’t go on holiday at all, which is a drop of 1% since 2025.

And while 17% of all adults don’t go on holiday at all, this rises to 21% of people over 50 (+3% of over 50s since 2025, and +5% since 2022).

On average, people go on one international break a year.

People over 50 go on one staycation per year, but under 50s are likely to go on two.

4 in 10 of the happiest people have increased their holiday spend

36% of the happiest over 50s have increased their spending on holidays this year, compared to just 13% of the unhappiest over 50s.

Holidays abroad

When it comes to holidays abroad, over 50s spend broadly in line with the national average at £2,796 – up from £2,646 in 2025 and £224 more than in 2022. Under 50s, however, spend £2,927 on holidays abroad.

For the first time since our research began, the happiest over 50s are spending less on holidays abroad – £2,411 on average. Those aged 30-39 spend the most with an average of £3,235, compared to the lowest spending group, 40 to 49-year-olds, who spend £2,608.

There is some regional variation in the amount over 50s spent on holidays abroad, with those in the West Midlands spending the most, at £2,644. Those in the North East spend the least at an average of £1,664 in this region.

Average cost of holidays abroad	All over 50s	The happiest over 50s
2026	£2,796	£2,411
2025	£2,646	£2,918
2024	£2,573	£2,943
2023	£2,411	£2,809

Holidays in the UK

Over 50s are spending less on holidays in the UK in 2026, down from £826 in 2025 to £797. Although this rises to £879 for the happiest over 50s, it is a fair bit lower than the average UK adult spends on a holiday in the UK - £1,063.

Regionally, over 50s in the North East spend the most on staycations – £1,030– and those in Wales spend the least at £632.

Average cost of holidays in the UK	All over 50s	The happiest over 50s
2026	£797	£879
2025	£826	£917
2024	£808	£812
2023	£732	£806

7 in 10 prioritise rest and relaxation when holidaying abroad

Rest and relaxation are what over 50s are looking for most in a holiday abroad, with 67% of over 50s and 57% of all UK adults naming it as their top priority. This is followed closely by sunshine at 61% (versus 51% for all UK adults). Value for money comes in third at 58%.

For those under 50, the top priority is value for money (51%), then rest and relaxation (49%), and sunshine third (44%). While only 7% of over 50s look for exciting activities, 24% of under 50s look for this in a holiday.

Women are slightly more likely to be looking for sun, with 62% naming it as their top consideration, compared to 51% of men. Whereas men are more likely to look to experience a different culture (40% vs 38%) or other sports such as cycling or golf (7% to 3%).

There are some notable regional differences in what people look for most in a holiday abroad. 69% of people in the South West list rest and relaxation as their top priorities, compared to 47% of Londoners.

What we look for in a holiday abroad

	Over 50s	Under 50s
Rest and relaxation	67%	49%
Sunshine	61%	44%
Value for money	58%	51%
Beaches and pools	51%	43%
Authentic food and drinks	47%	33%
Experience of a different culture	44%	34%
Historic or cultural and art attractions	41%	21%
Mountains and lakes	21%	16%
Luxury	20%	21%
Walking and hiking	20%	16%
Shopping	18%	27%
Music, entertainment and nightlife	18%	25%
Wildlife	17%	15%
Exciting activities	7%	24%
Other sports (e.g. cycling, golf)	3%	7%
Skiing and snowboarding	2%	5%

The USA is still our dream holiday destination

The top three dream holiday destinations have changed for over 50s since last year, but the USA still takes the top spot. Australia is in second place, and last year’s fourth destination – England – has dropped to seventh, with New Zealand coming in as dream location number three.

Dream holiday destinations

Here are the 10 places over 50s would most like to escape to:

Most aren't sure they'll ever be able to afford their dream holiday

People over 50 expect their dream holiday to cost £6,094 on average. In contrast, under 50s estimate their dream holiday would cost them an average of £7,300!

While 31% of over 50s plan to take their bucket list trip one day, 23% are hopeful but not confident they'll be able to afford it. Sadly, 33% say they don't think they'll ever be able to afford to go. And 13% think it wouldn’t be worth the money.

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The average estimated cost of a dream holiday for people is £6,094. But 33% of over 50s don’t know if they’ll ever be able to afford it.

A quarter of over 50s choose not to travel due to a health condition

3 in 4 over 50s (73%) always take out trave insurance when they go on holiday abroad. 6% of over 50s take it out often, and another 5% of over 50s occasionally take it out. 19% of over 50s have been put off taking out travel insurance because of the cost.

It seems health is a concern for many people when they’re thinking about travelling. In fact, 22% of over 50s and 29% of under 50s have chosen not to travel due to a health condition. It’s surprising to see so many under 50s choose not to travel because of this reason.

Meanwhile, 16% of over 50s aren’t confident about making a claim on their travel insurance, compared to 22% of under 50s.

Health reasons for not travelling

	Over 50s	Under 50s
Couldn't get travel insurance that would cover condition	4%	7%
Worried about getting medical attention if needed	8%	14%
Condition made it difficult to travel	10%	9%
Never chosen not to travel due to a health condition	78%	71%

Do people feel confident making a travel insurance claim?