AARP Hearing Center
Leisure travel remains a top priority for adults age 50 and over, according to the AARP 2026 Travel Trends survey. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents expect to travel in 2026, a decrease of 6 percentage points from 2025, but still a solid majority.
The survey of 2,051 people was conducted online from Nov. 11 to Dec. 15, 2025, on the heels of the U.S. government shutdown that lasted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12. During the shutdown, there were widespread delays and cancellations due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration officers and air traffic controllers, who were required to work without pay.
“The desire to travel is incredibly resilient,” says Lona Choi-Allum, senior consumer insights manager at AARP. “Despite challenges or barriers, older adults are adapting how they travel, not whether they travel.… [It’s] always going to be at the top of their list, and … they’re becoming savvier and more strategic.”
That desire was evident in response to the survey question addressing discretionary income spending. Travel and vacations came in at number one, with 86 percent of respondents naming it a top-three priority. Entertainment, such as dining out and attending concerts, ranked second, with 63 percent.
Those who prioritize travel include the 15 percent of respondents who require accommodations for a disability or health condition. According to the survey, these travelers anticipate taking a few more trips than those who do not need such accommodations.
The study revealed that, as in years past, cost is the most common roadblock to travel. This is especially true for respondents with annual incomes under $100,000, nearly half of whom identified cost as a barrier to travel. “We noticed a significant increase in the [anticipated] annual dollar spend, from over $6,800 last year to a little over $7,200 this year,” Choi-Allum says. “Everything’s getting more expensive.”
