Summer 2026 vacation survey: over 50% of french people say the fuel crisis impacted their travel planning
26 June 2026
Every summer, millions of vacationers take to the highways in search of escape and lasting memories. As the summer holiday season approaches, Fulli conducted a survey among its customer base between June 1 and June 14, 2026, to better understand their vacation habits. The goal was to gain deeper insights into traveler profiles, travel behaviors, and destination choices in order to better support their mobility.
Traveler profile
Respondents are predominantly male (71%) with a strong representation of people aged 45 and over, who account for 80% of the sample. The car remains the preferred mode of transport for 92% of respondents. Internal combustion vehicles represent a large share (77%), despite a 2-point increase in electric vehicles compared to 2025. Most respondents will take long trips, with 68% traveling over 600 km to reach their holiday destination.
Departure periods: an increase in July departures
The survey confirms that summer is the peak departure season, with 41% leaving in July and 31% in August. Nearly three-quarters of respondents plan to travel during these two months. Compared to 2025, there is a significant 5-point decrease in travelers choosing September and October.
This trend is observed across all age groups:
Young adults aged 18–34 remain focused on summer, with nearly 80% departing in July and August.
Those aged 35–54 favor July, with half choosing this month. This group shows the largest shift from September/October to July compared to 2025.
Among those aged 55 and over, July is also preferred, although they are the group most likely to travel in the off-season, with 28% of those aged 65+ leaving in September/October.
French travelers also tend to take longer holidays, with 69% staying for two weeks or more.
Vacation destinations
The most popular destination is the southeast of France (35%), up 4 points compared to 2025, followed by Europe (26%). This highlights the diversity of traveler preferences, from seaside to mountains and cultural exploration. Interest in southwest France declined by 7 points compared to last year.
Northern regions (northeast and northwest) remain less popular during July and August but become more attractive in September/October, particularly among those aged 65+. Meanwhile, 18–34-year-olds favor international travel, with nearly 50% traveling within Europe or beyond.
Travel organization
The survey shows that most trips are taken with family (45%) or as a couple (40%). This reflects a desire for comfort, simplicity, and shared experiences. Among 18–24-year-olds, the pattern is more balanced: 34% travel with family, 27% as a couple, and 27% with friends.
Younger travelers are more likely to travel in groups of more than three people, while older travelers prefer trips for two in over two-thirds of cases.
Three types of accommodation stand out: vacation rentals (e.g., Airbnb, Booking) lead at 25%, followed by camping (19%) and staying with relatives (18%).
Travel distance is also notable, with 68% of French people traveling more than 600 km, up 7 points compared to 2025. Longer-distance trips (over 300 km) are more common in July, while shorter trips are more frequent in August.
Preferred modes of transport
Summer 2026 is marked by a strong dominance of the car, used by 92% of respondents. While internal combustion vehicles remain dominant (77%) due to accessibility and versatility, electric vehicle use is increasing (+2 points vs. 2025), representing 7% of car trips. This trend is especially notable among 25–34 and 45–54 age groups.
Electric vehicles are also increasingly used for trips over 300 km, reflecting improved accessibility driven by the expansion of charging infrastructure in France.
Impact of rising fuel prices
Among the 77% of respondents using combustion-engine vehicles, 58.2% say that rising fuel prices have affected their vacation planning. The impact is visible across all age groups but is more pronounced among younger people, with more than two-thirds of those aged 18–44 reporting changes to their plans.
Fuel price increases have influenced activities (37%), destinations (25%), and even travel decisions, with 7% saying they will not go on vacation because of the cost.
Other travel periods
While summer remains the most popular season, 24% of respondents travel outside school holidays and 15% travel during May public holidays. People aged 65+ are the most likely to travel outside school holidays (36%), followed by those aged 55–64 (26%).
Compared to 2025, more French people are choosing not to travel at other times of the year, with an overall increase of 9 points. This trend affects all age groups, particularly 18–34-year-olds, with increases of 14 to 16 points.
Key figures for Summer 2026
- 58.2% say rising fuel prices impacted their vacation planning
- 7% will not travel due to fuel price increases
- +9 points of people not traveling at other times compared to 2025
- 41% of departures take place in July (+8 points vs. 2025)
- Departures in September/October decreased by 5 points
- 35% of stays will be in southeast France, 26% in Europe
- 92% will travel by car
- +4 points increase in long-distance electric vehicle use vs. 2025
- 18% will stay with relatives
- 15% of 25–34-year-olds will not travel this summer