
Gen Z's summer bucket list includes five festivals and four trips abroad - but on a budget
A recent survey has revealed that Gen Z's ideal summer would comprise attending five festivals and taking four trips abroad, all on a budget of less than £1,000.
Their dream schedule also includes seven beach days and four staycations during the sunniest three months of the year. For a brave quarter of the demographic, a trip to a theme park is an essential part of their summer plans.
However, financial limitations are a worry for 79 per cent, casting uncertainty over their ability to fulfil every item on their bucket list. Consequently, many are looking at budget-friendly travel strategies to make their money go further.
Quality transportation between events is considered vital by three quarters of those surveyed. This is because they value comfort during lengthy journeys and believe it sets the mood for a successful trip.
This useful tool from National Express demonstrates how you can maximise your festival experiences, on a budget. Simply enter your postcode and your favourite party companion's, and it will display all the summer festivities you could be attending.
According to John Boughton, the commercial director for National Express who led the study, young individuals face significant financial constraints. He said: "While the appetite for adventure is sky-high, the reality of rising costs means many young people are having to balance their dreams with what's actually doable."
With hundreds of UK festivals and events at their disposal, the biggest deterrent is often the costs associated with these entertainment-filled weekends, which can easily amount to hundreds of pounds.
Boughton observed, "That's why we're seeing Gen Z getting smart with their spending-being selective, savvy and seeking out ways to make the most of their money, with the travel there and back being key."
Further research findings indicate that Gen Z plan to attend an average of six barbecues and six seaside fish-and-chip outings this summer. Additionally, 29 per cent wish they could allocate more funds for dining out or ordering takeaways, if only to avoid cooking.
However, the survey highlights that 72 per cent view enjoying the summer as a luxury. Despite this, 43 per cent still believe it's more important to have fun in the sun.
John added: "Ultimately, Gen Z aren't prepared to sit the summer out. They're finding clever ways to stay in the moment, prioritise what matters most, and still have an unforgettable time and it is encouraging that they are looking for affordable, reliable and comfortable travel to get the most out of their summer.
"This is a generation that thrives on fun, freedom and flexibility-and they're making it work, one plan at a time."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Unassuming hobby loved by pensioners now a trend for Gen Z after TikTok boom
Birdwatching has become a massive trend on social media among younger Brits - meanwhile an increasing number of us are jetting off for wildlife holidays instead of boozy getaways If you thought birdwatching was a sport for retirees, you're mistaken – the newest enthusiasts of the trend are Gen Z. What's more, they're willing to travel to do it. While birdwatching might have a bad rep for being boring, Gen Z are proving that it is anything but. You might be surprised to find that #birdwatching on TikTok has over 374K posts on the app – mainly featuring young TikTokkers exploring the outdoors, showing off their best cottagecore outfits, as well as sharing their most impressive bird sightings. But instead of being seen as nerdy, it has viewers inspired. In fact, the growing popularity of the activity has even melded into Gen Z's growing interest in 'wildlife holidays'. Based on data gathered by the Travel Republic, searches for 'wildlife holiday' have increased by 336% over the past year. By comparison, searches for 'party holiday' decreased by 34%. Travel Republic revealed: 'We are seeing more and more young people looking to take part in activities traditionally associated with older generations, especially when it comes to activities centred around wildlife." They added: 'One major reason for this is that many Gen Zers are looking to spend their summer holidays in areas that are peaceful and centred around nature. Wildlife holidays are a great way to do this while also making unforgettable memories.' Some of the most popular destinations they've found Gen Z travelling to on wildlife holidays include Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the US and Australia. However, not everyone is travelling to far-off countries to explore this hobby. It's also taking off as a trend in the UK. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you! A British outdoor influencer, @emmy_explores, went viral after revealing her new favourite hobby: birdwatching. 'No words, just my RSPB guide and binoculars!!!' she said in her caption. The video garnered over 270K views and millions of comments. Commenters were quick to share their own growing love for birdwatching. 'I've started at 23 and by far the best part is all the older birders who are so excited to see a young person birdwatching,' one user said. Others added that they had started birdwatching as a teenager. 'It's the best relaxing hobby anyone can join. Sitting down in nature watching nature!' one commenter explained the appeal. Many other comments also added their appreciation for 'dad hobbies'. In Emmy's videos, she explores some of the UK's most famous beauty spots, like the Lake District. Sam Bentley is another popular UK-based ecologist who regularly posts videos of him performing 'bird surveys' which rack up thousands of views. In the UK especially, this is becoming more important than ever. According to government data , bird species across the UK have declined by 2% between 2018 and 2023. However, when you look at just England, this figure rises to 7%. One of the biggest causes of this are modern farmland practices according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Bird's (RSPB) State of Nature report 2023. This is largely due to the use of fertilisers and pesticides, which impact bird's food supply. As bird numbers fall hopefully Gen Z's reviving interest in these tiny dinosaurs will also lead to heightened awareness over their safety.


North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Gen Z's ideal summer includes five festivals and four trips abroad
Input your postcode and your favourite partying partner's, and it will show all the summer shindigs you could be going to. From comedy to music fests of all genres – the tool has it all. It comes after research of 2,000 adults found Gen Z's ideal summer would consist of five festivals and four trips abroad - but they have less than £1,000 to spend. They would like to have a day at the beach seven times and go on four staycations during the three hottest months of the year. And visiting a theme park is a summer must for 23 per cent. But 79 per cent aren't sure they'll be able to afford everything they'd like to do – so, nearly four in 10 are planning to find cost-effective ways to travel to make the most of their budget. Despite this, 23 per cent insist on tickets to at least one music festival this summer and a holiday abroad with pals is a 'non-negotiable'. But 24 per cent won't compromise on comfortable and reliable travel to any events they go to. As three quarters believe quality transport between events is important, because they want to be comfortable on long journeys (46 per cent) and want to get their trip off to the best start (44 per cent). John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, which commissioned the research, said: 'While the appetite for adventure is sky-high, the reality of rising costs means many young people are having to balance their dreams with what's actually doable. 'As our tool shows, we are lucky enough to have hundreds of festivals and events around the UK at our fingertips, but a big blocker is the cost of an entertainment-filled weekend in a field – the prices can be well into the hundreds. 'That's why we're seeing Gen Z getting smart with their spending—being selective, savvy and seeking out ways to make the most of their money, with the travel there and back being key.' The research also found Gen Z would like to attend six BBQs this summer and have fish and chips by the beach six times, while 29 per cent would love to spend more cash on dining out or takeaways, to save the strain of cooking. And one in five have made plans to splash out on one or two key things this summer, but 17 per cent admit they've barely thought about it. However, 72 per cent now feel as though having fun in the summer is a 'luxury', according to the figures. Although 43 per cent still say it's more important to have fun in the sun – compared to the 15 per cent who reckon being sensible is a better option. John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, added: 'Ultimately, Gen Z aren't prepared to sit the summer out. 'They're finding clever ways to stay in the moment, prioritise what matters most, and still have an unforgettable time and it is encouraging that they are looking for affordable, reliable and comfortable travel to get the most out of their summer. 'This is a generation that thrives on fun, freedom and flexibility—and they're making it work, one plan at a time.'

Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Gen Z's ideal summer includes five festivals and four trips abroad
Input your postcode and your favourite partying partner's, and it will show all the summer shindigs you could be going to. From comedy to music fests of all genres – the tool has it all. It comes after research of 2,000 adults found Gen Z's ideal summer would consist of five festivals and four trips abroad - but they have less than £1,000 to spend. They would like to have a day at the beach seven times and go on four staycations during the three hottest months of the year. And visiting a theme park is a summer must for 23 per cent. But 79 per cent aren't sure they'll be able to afford everything they'd like to do – so, nearly four in 10 are planning to find cost-effective ways to travel to make the most of their budget. Despite this, 23 per cent insist on tickets to at least one music festival this summer and a holiday abroad with pals is a 'non-negotiable'. But 24 per cent won't compromise on comfortable and reliable travel to any events they go to. As three quarters believe quality transport between events is important, because they want to be comfortable on long journeys (46 per cent) and want to get their trip off to the best start (44 per cent). John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, which commissioned the research, said: 'While the appetite for adventure is sky-high, the reality of rising costs means many young people are having to balance their dreams with what's actually doable. 'As our tool shows, we are lucky enough to have hundreds of festivals and events around the UK at our fingertips, but a big blocker is the cost of an entertainment-filled weekend in a field – the prices can be well into the hundreds. 'That's why we're seeing Gen Z getting smart with their spending—being selective, savvy and seeking out ways to make the most of their money, with the travel there and back being key.' The research also found Gen Z would like to attend six BBQs this summer and have fish and chips by the beach six times, while 29 per cent would love to spend more cash on dining out or takeaways, to save the strain of cooking. And one in five have made plans to splash out on one or two key things this summer, but 17 per cent admit they've barely thought about it. However, 72 per cent now feel as though having fun in the summer is a 'luxury', according to the figures. Although 43 per cent still say it's more important to have fun in the sun – compared to the 15 per cent who reckon being sensible is a better option. John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, added: 'Ultimately, Gen Z aren't prepared to sit the summer out. 'They're finding clever ways to stay in the moment, prioritise what matters most, and still have an unforgettable time and it is encouraging that they are looking for affordable, reliable and comfortable travel to get the most out of their summer. 'This is a generation that thrives on fun, freedom and flexibility—and they're making it work, one plan at a time.'