The Real Value of Multigenerational Travel: Connecting Across Generations

A 2026 AARP survey finds that adults 50-plus see lasting memories and stronger family bonds as the leading benefits, even as participation and planning roles vary by age.

Traveling with three or more generations gives families a way to spend time together beyond everyday routines. The 2026 AARP Multigenerational Travel Survey shows broad recognition of that value among adults age 50 and older, although multigenerational trips are not yet a regular part of travel for many. Twenty-two percent took such a leisure trip in the past two years, while 39% say they are very or somewhat likely to take one in the next two years.

• Creating lasting memories across generations is the most commonly cited benefit (66%), followed by strengthening family bonds (62%).
• Among adults with multigenerational travel experience, 71% typically travel with adult children, 61% with a spouse or partner, and 45% with grandchildren.
• Adults ages 50 to 59 show the strongest near-term interest: 44% are likely to take a multigenerational trip in the next two years, compared with 40% of adults 60 to 69 and 33% of adults 70-plus.

The findings point to an enduring appeal, but also to room for growth. Thirty-seven percent say they have never taken a multigenerational trip, and 55% expect to take none in the next two years. At the same time, among those who have experience with this type of travel, 35% say it is more important to their overall travel plans than it was five years ago, compared with 22% who say it is less important.

Connection is the clearest theme.

In addition to memories and family bonds, 41% say these trips provide a way to celebrate milestones together. Nearly one-third (31%) value the opportunity to learn from different perspectives and experiences, and 29% point to shared expenses as a benefit. Eighteen percent cite shared caregiving responsibilities. Overall, 82% identify at least one benefit.

Family composition shifts across the age groups.

Among adults with multigenerational travel experience, adults 50 to 59 are especially likely to travel with parents (53%), compared with 25% of those 60 to 69 and 8% of those 70-plus. The pattern reverses for grandchildren: 24% of travelers 50 to 59 typically travel with grandchildren, rising to 48% among those 60 to 69 and 60% among those 70-plus. Adult children are also increasingly common companions with age, from 65% among travelers 50 to 59 to 76% among those 70-plus.

Most multigenerational trips stay closer to home.

Among adults who have experience with multigenerational travel, 65% say these trips are more likely than their other vacations to be domestic trips within the United States. Six percent say they are more likely to be international, while 17% say they are equally likely to be domestic or international. This domestic orientation is generally consistent across the three age groups.

Planning roles also evolve across generations.

Adults 50 to 59 are the most likely to say they are much more involved in planning than they were five years ago (32%), compared with 21% of adults 60 to 69 and 17% of those 70-plus. By contrast, 30% of travelers 70-plus say younger family members are taking a larger role in planning, compared with 17% of those 60 to 69 and 4% of those 50 to 59. These findings illustrate how coordination may shift as families move through different life stages.

Near-term interest is strongest among the youngest segment of the 50-plus population.

Forty-four percent of adults 50 to 59 say they are likely to take a multigenerational trip in the next two years, an 11-point difference from adults 70-plus (33%). Adults 50 to 59 who have experience with these trips are also more likely to say multigenerational travel has become more important to their plans than five years ago (41%), compared with 37% of travelers 60 to 69 and 29% of travelers 70-plus.

Methodology

Interviews were conducted from July 16 to 20, August 20 to 24, and September 17 to 21, 2026, among 3,125 U.S. adults 50 and older in the Foresight 50+ Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, Foresight 50+ by AARP and NORC is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population 50 or older.  Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region, and AARP membership to be nationally representative of U.S. adults 50-plus. For this survey, multigenerational travel is defined as a leisure trip (nonbusiness) that includes three or more generations of a family traveling together. Questions about travel companions, trip type, planning roles, and changing importance were asked of respondents with multigenerational travel experience (n=1,971).

For more information, please contact Lona Choi-Allum at lallum@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.