New Skyscanner research finds 77 per cent of Australians have cut back on at least one everyday expense to afford travel, with travellers becoming more tactical about timing, destination and trip length rather than giving up holidays altogether.
Travellers make calculated trade-offs to protect travel spend
The research, conducted by OnePoll in July 2026 among 2,000 Australian respondents, found 70 per cent agree travel is worth the financial sacrifice, and 50 per cent say they don’t feel guilty about spending money on a trip. To manage costs, 45 per cent said they would shorten trip length, 39 per cent would be flexible on travel dates, and 35 per cent on flight convenience. Separately, 28 per cent said they had reduced spending while away, and 27 per cent had swapped an overseas holiday for domestic travel.
The research found 94 per cent of respondents said they are flexible when booking to secure a better price, including booking in advance, travelling off-peak or waiting for deals, while 57 per cent said getting the best value for money is one of the most important factors when booking.
Gen Z shows strongest trade-off behaviour
The trend was most pronounced among younger respondents, with 82 per cent of Gen Z travellers saying travel is important to them right now, and 53 per cent citing a need to break from routine. Among Gen Z respondents, 90 per cent said they had changed travel habits to manage costs, and 72 per cent said the trade-off was worth it.
Jarrod Kris, Skyscanner travel expert, said the findings point to more strategic booking behaviour overall. “They’re comparing prices, travelling during more affordable periods and staying flexible on dates and destinations,” Kris said.
For agents advising budget-conscious clients, the research signals continued demand for travel product but with growing price sensitivity, suggesting value-led messaging, flexible dates and shoulder-season options may resonate more than headline destination marketing alone. Skyscanner’s own data shows Sydney and Melbourne return fares currently sitting 43 per cent and 58 per cent below average seat price respectively for departures between September and November 2026, with Bangkok showing the largest year-on-year price drop at 63 per cent.
