Too broke for a break: 1 in 7 Aussies are booking holidays they can’t afford
Aussies are sacrificing financial stability for the sake of a getaway, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,014 respondents revealed 1 in 7 (14%) have booked a holiday they couldn't afford over the past year.
That's 2.9 million Australians who planned a trip over the past year even though they didn't have the money to pay for it.
The research found 5% went into debt to afford the holiday, while 4% had to borrow the funds from family or friends to take the trip.
A further while 5% had to cancel their plans due to insufficient funds.
Young Australians were the most likely to book a vacation they couldn't afford, with 26% of gen Z admitting they had, compared to just 2% of baby boomers.
Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, said Australians are blowing their budgets in the name of a getaway.
"For many, the lure of a holiday is so strong they're willing to risk their financial stability just to get away.
"A trip might only last a week, but the debt can linger for months or even years – that's often not factored in.
"Going into the red for a break may give you a few days of relaxation, but it can also undo months of hard work saving and budgeting."
Kidman said the stress of paying off a holiday you couldn't afford can completely erase the benefits of taking it in the first place.
"There's nothing wrong with treating yourself, but if the price tag sends you into debt, it can put a lot of financial pressure on the household.
"If you plan smarter and save first, you can still enjoy the trip – minus the financial hangover when you get home."
Kidman urged holidaymakers to stash savings in a high interest savings account.
"Putting aside $200 a month adds up to $2,400 a year which is a great holiday fund."
Have you booked a holiday you couldn't afford in the last 12 months?
| Yes, I had to borrow the money from family/friends | 4% |
| Yes, I went into debt | 5% |
| Yes, I had to cancel/didn't go | 5% |
| No | 86% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,014 respondents, July 2025 |  |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,014 respondents from July 2025.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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