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The great grandparent exodus: is a rise in summer childcare duties driving a new peak travel period?

Family travel
Jennifer Morris
24 September 2025

It has long been the case that the over-50s have generally favoured travelling to Europe once the peak summer travel period has ended due to lower prices and milder temperatures.

Grandparents play with their grand-daughter on the beach while parents walk behind
(Credit: iStock / DMP)

More grandparents are looking to get away straight after busy summers looking after grandchildren (Credit: iStock / DMP)

But agents are telling TTG more and more clients are booking their late summer getaways early and with more regularity, with many specifically reporting the need for a break after a summer spent providing childcare for their grandchildren.

It's no surprise Abta’s 2024/25 Holiday Habits report, which is based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults, found that for the past calendar year, the highest proportion of people aged 45 and above and without children at home were planning to travel in September (31%) or October (16%).