Why UK adults still holiday with their parents?

Family holidays aren’t just childhood memories – millions of UK adults are still travelling with mum and dad well into adulthood.

Our new research, based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults, found that over two-fifths (42%) still go on holiday with their parents. For many, it’s about spending quality time together, but for others, it’s simply the only way they can afford a break.

Adults aged 25-34 – a mix of late Gen Z and early Millennials – are the most likely to holiday with their parents, with 3 in 4 (75%) still doing so. And when parents do foot the bill, they’re often spending thousands to make these trips possible.

So why are so many adults st ill holidaying with their parents? Our findings reveal a mix of sentimental traditions and the financial realities of travel costs.

Why are adults still holidaying with their parents?

The motivations for family travel are varied, but the most common reason is simple: people enjoy it. More than half (54%) of adults who still holiday with their parents say they do so because they genuinely value the time together.

For others, it’s about tradition. A quarter (25%) describe family holidays as something they’ve always done. Interestingly, this tradition seems to be fading among younger generations, with just 20% of 18-24-year-olds citing it as a reason, compared with nearly a third (32%) of 25-34-year-olds. Parents also see holidays as a chance to connect across generations, with 24% saying they travel with their adult children so they can spend more time with the grandchildren.

For some, the motivation is more practical. Almost a quarter (23%) admit the main reason they go away with mum and dad is because their parents pay for it. Financial reliance is particularly strong among younger adults. Nearly one in five (18%) Gen Zs say they simply couldn’t afford to go on holiday without parental support – a reminder that cost-of-living pressures continue to shape how the next generation experiences travel.

Top reasons for holidaying with parents:

Reason	% of UK adults
I enjoy spending time with them	54%
It’s a family tradition	25%
They get to spend time with me and their grandchildren	24%
They pay for the holiday	23%
It’s easier logistically	20%
I couldn’t afford to go otherwise	10%

Regional and generational differences

The trend of holidaying with parents isn’t spread evenly across the UK, with some clear regional and age-related differences.

In Belfast, 60% of adults still go away with their parents and almost half (43%) admit they wouldn’t be able to afford a holiday otherwise. London also sees high levels of family travel, with just over half (53%) of adults continuing to book trips with mum and dad. At the other end of the scale, Edinburgh records the lowest figure, with just 24% of adults still going away with their parents.

Generational differences are clear too. Adults aged 25–34 – spanning late Gen Z and early Millennials – are the most likely to holiday with their parents, with 75% still doing so. Younger Gen Zs (18–24) are more likely to say they couldn’t travel at all without parental support, with 18% admitting they rely on mum and dad to make holidays possible. Even older groups join family trips, with nearly a quarter (24%) of 45–54-year-olds saying their parents continue to pay towards their holidays.

Should adult children be contributing

One of the most striking findings is how parents and non-parents differ in their views on financial contributions.

When it comes to expectations; parents are often more lenient than those without children. While 85% of non-parents believe grown-up children should contribute something towards holidays, only 79% of parents agree.

Interestingly, parents show a mix of expectations. While 11% believe adult children should cover the full cost of the holiday – slightly higher than the 6% of non-parents – parents are also far more likely to waive contributions altogether, with 15% saying they don’t expect anything (compared to just 4% of non-parents).

Regional differences also play a role. In Belfast, one in five parents (20%) don’t expect any contribution from their children, the highest figure of any UK city.

Of course, sentiment isn’t the only factor – money matters. So how much are parents really spending to keep these holidays alive?

The cost of a family holiday

For parents footing the bill, family holidays can quickly become a major expense. To show the true cost, we analysed the ten most popular destinations for Brits in 2024 and built a five-night Holiday Cost Index covering flights, accommodation, meals, drinks and local transport.

Holiday Cost Index (Top 10 Countries)

Country	Total (5 nights)
Spain	£952
France	£1,051
Greece	£1,067
Turkey	£901
Italy	£1,174
Portugal	£1,182
United States	£2,292
Netherlands	£1,424
Cyprus	£1,179
Germany	£1,188

Turkey emerges as the most affordable option at £901, thanks to low food and transport costs, while Spain (£952) and Greece (£1,067) also offer strong value – making the Mediterranean a clear winner for families seeking sunshine without breaking the bank.

France sits in a sweet spot: at £1,051, it’s not the cheapest, but it’s far from the most expensive – especially compared to Italy (£1,174) or Portugal (£1,182). This balance of cost and quality explains why France remains one of the UK’s favourite destinations.

At the other end of the scale, the United States is in a league of its own at £2,292, driven largely by flight and accommodation costs rather than daily spending.

The Netherlands (£1,424) and Germany (£1,188) show that short-haul doesn’t always mean cheap – higher meal and transport costs push totals up, while Cyprus (£1,179) sits close to Italy and Portugal despite its reputation as a value destination.

What average everyday costs look like

Country	Pint of Beer	Bottle of Wine	Meal for One	1 Hour Taxi	Local One-Way Ticket
Spain	£2.62	£4.37	£21.85	£20.11	£1.31
France	£5.24	£6.11	£26.20	£26.19	£1.66
Greece	£4.37	£6.98	£21.83	£13.10	£1.05
Turkey	£2.51	£8.05	£13.42	£6.26	£0.48
Italy	£4.37	£5.24	£30.57	£26.20	£1.43
Portugal	£2.18	£4.36	£19.65	£13.10	£1.75
United States	£4.44	£11.11	£28.14	£22.21	£1.85
Netherlands	£5.24	£5.23	£34.94	£26.20	£2.97
Cyprus	£3.49	£6.11	£26.20	£26.20	£1.75
Germany	£3.93	£4.37	£29.70	£28.82	£2.79

These figures explain the bigger picture. Turkey’s low meal cost (£13.42) and bargain taxi fares (£6.26) make it exceptional value once you arrive. Spain also keeps daily spend in check, reinforcing its reputation as a go-to for affordable family breaks.

By contrast, the Netherlands and Germany climb the rankings thanks to pricey meals and transport, while Italy’s higher food costs (£30.57) push it above France despite similar flight times.

Jane Bolton, ski expert at Erna Low says: “What this data really shows is the huge variation in holiday costs even among short-haul favourites. Turkey and Spain deliver incredible value, while destinations like the Netherlands and Germany can surprise you with higher on-the-ground costs.

“France sits comfortably in the middle, offering strong value without compromising on quality. That’s why it’s such a popular choice for ski holidays – it combines affordability with world-class resorts. From Chamonix for big-mountain adventure to Val Thorens for snow-sure slopes and the vast Tignes–Val d’Isère area for variety, France delivers quality and price in one package.

“And for beginners, it’s unbeatable – our research into the best beginner-friendly ski resorts found the top five were all in France, with Les Menuires taking the number one spot.”

Ski Holidays

Looking ahead to the winter months, the survey also revealed how younger generations feel about ski travel.

Motivations to go on a ski holiday

Reason	% of UK adults
If it was more affordable	28%
If I felt confident skiing	27%
If it was part of a bigger family trip	20%
If it was in a resort with other activities	18%
If there were beginner-friendly options	15%

Over a quarter (28%) of adults said they would be more likely to ski if holidays were more affordable, while 27% said they would take the plunge if they felt more confident on the slopes.

For many, family support again plays a role. One in five (20%) would be persuaded if skiing was part of a larger family holiday and a further one in four (25%) 18–24-year-olds said they’d be more likely to book a ski trip if their parents were paying the bill.

Amenities and variety also matter, particularly for women, with 21% of female respondents saying they would be drawn to resorts that offered spa, food and hiking facilities alongside skiing, compared with 15% of men and a further 15% wanted to see beginner-friendly options.

Looking for a family ski break that fits your budget? Erna Low offers packages at a range of price points, so you can find the perfect option whether it’s a cost-conscious getaway or a luxury escape. Explore France ski holidays or browse our latest deals.

Our Summary

The Mum and Dad Travel Agency remains an important part of travel for many families, from summer beach breaks to winter ski trips. Whether it’s about making holidays affordable, maintaining family traditions or simply enjoying time together, parents continue to play a central role in how UK adults plan their time away.

While most parents do expect their children to contribute something, the reality is that many still pay for a large proportion of the costs. With five-night holidays averaging over £1,200 per person, and some destinations costing nearly £2,300, it’s clear why grown-up children are keen to keep mum and dad on board.

Far from a fading tradition, multigenerational travel remains a major part of how families in the UK holiday today.

Data Sources

Survey conducted with 2,000 UK adult respondents, split by Age, Gender and City, in Sep 2025
UK resident travel data - ONS
Flight price data – Skyscanner
Accommodation price data – Booking.com
Country-specific cost-of-living data - Numbeo

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