A holiday starts much earlier than when we first step foot on the plane. The excitement slowly builds from the moment we start planning what to wear, imagining relaxing dinners by the sea or packing sandals and suncream for a day at the beach. Even switching off the work computer and leaving the office for the last time feels like the first step into “holiday mode”.
A holiday starts much earlier than when we first step foot on the plane. The excitement slowly builds from the moment we start planning what to wear, imagining relaxing dinners by the sea or packing sandals and suncream for a day at the beach. Even switching off the work computer and leaving the office for the last time feels like the first step into “holiday mode”.
With this in mind, we wanted to learn more about how people in the UK think and feel about their trips away. To find out, we asked 1,032 UK adults about their holiday habits, from the way they prepare before leaving to how they feel when it is time to come home.
Key findings:
- Almost two in five (37.1%) Brits say the “holiday mode” sets in at least a week before they travel.
- Over a third of Brits (34%) confess to being chronic overpackers, with women more likely to overpack than men (67.8% of women versus 32.2% of men).
- A staggering 42.3% say teabags are a must when travelling abroad.
- The one thing Brits miss the most when away from home is their own bed (53.9%).
- 36.6% of Brits admit to missing their pets more than their friends, family (23.7%) or partner (13.2%) when away on holiday.
- Almost three in five (57.3%) would prefer to spend Christmas on a sunny beach than at home with friends and family.
- Out of those who said they have experienced better performance at work following a holiday, 75.3% are currently in full-time employment.
How the holiday feeling hits before take-off
We asked respondents how long it usually takes for “holiday mode” to kick in. By “holiday mode,” we mean that blissful moment when you mentally switch off from work and everyday life and start to feel like you’re on holiday.
Almost one in ten (9.4%) Brits admit the holiday mindset begins the moment they book their trip
For almost two in five people (37.1%), that feeling arrives as early as a week before departure, showing that the excitement often builds long before the first plane takes off. For a further 22.4%, once the bags are packed and passports are ready the night before, the holiday truly begins.
Interestingly, a small number of respondents (3.1%) said it takes them a little longer to get into the holiday spirit, only getting that feeling a few days into their trip.
For 9.4% of excited Brits, the holiday mood begins the instant their trip is booked, even if it’s months before take-off. Women are slightly more likely to feel this pre-trip buzz than men, with 10.4% experiencing it earlier versus 8.3%.
Over a third (34%) of Brits confess to being chronic overpackers
The viral TikTok trend #airportdad has taken off across the platform, with the hashtag featuring in over 8,000 videos to date. An “Airport Dad” is a highly organised traveller who insists on arriving at the airport hours earlier than necessary and has everything under control.
We asked Brits which travel personality they relate to most, and surprisingly, airport dad didn’t top the list. Instead, over a third (34%) admitted they are proud overpackers. Over two-thirds (67.8%) of overpackers were women compared to just one in three (32.2%) men.
Recent changes to UK hand luggage rules are a dream come true for Britain’s chronic overpackers. Ryanair has increased its free carry-on allowance, giving passengers more space to fit outfits, shoes, and all those “just-in-case” extras. [1] Meanwhile, Birmingham and Edinburgh airports have scrapped the 100ml liquid restriction, so travellers can now carry more toiletries onboard. [2] For the 34% of Brits who admit to overpacking, these updates mean less stress at security and more freedom to indulge their packing habits.
One in three (33.9%) Brits are proud “Airport Dads”
Just slightly less, 33.9% of Brits say they relate most to the airport dad personality type – the ultimate travel organiser who insists on arriving hours early and having everything under control.
Contrastingly almost one in five, 19.8%, admit to being last-minute panickers, often packing on the morning of travel and unaware of important travel information.
Meanwhile, 18.5% identify as duty-free indulgers, who can’t wait to splash out at the perfume counter or unwind in the airport pub before take-off. One in six, 15%, see themselves as zen travellers, unfazed by queues or security checks, gliding through with just hand luggage and a coffee in hand.
At the other end of the spectrum, just 7.7% say they are serial scrollers, glued to TikTok, airport “Get Ready With Me” videos, or endless phone scrolling while their travel companion holds onto the boarding passes. Millennials dominate this category, with 64.6% of those who admitted to being a serial scroller aged between 29-44. In comparison, 21.5% were Gen Z (aged 18-28) and 12.7% were Gen X (aged 45-60).
42.3% say teabags are a must when travelling abroad
It turns out that when Brits go on holiday, overpacking isn’t just about clothes. Our research shows many like to bring a taste of home with them. More than two-fifths (42.3%) confess to packing teabags in their suitcases. Nothing beats a proper brew, even abroad! This was especially common among Millennials, with 40.3% of those who admitted to taking teabags on holiday aged 29-44. Likewise, among those who pack teabags, 38.2% were Gen X (aged 45-60), admitting they couldn’t leave home without them.
And what goes best with a freshly brewed cuppa? Biscuits, of course.
A third of Brits (33.7%) have packed classic biscuit favourites like Digestives, Custard Creams and Hobnobs. Snacks are also popular as 28.4% have taken crisps on holiday, and 10.9% have even gone so far as to pack ketchup or brown sauce to make sure they feel right at home while on holiday.
| What home comforts do Brits pack for a holiday? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Home comfort* | Percentage |
| 1 | Teabags | 42.3% |
| 2 | British biscuits (Digestives, Custard Creams, Hobnobs etc.) | 33.7% |
| 3 | Crisps (e.g. Walkers) | 28.4% |
| 4 | Hairdryer | 27% |
| 5 | Own pillow or blanket | 19.9% |
| 6 | Washing detergent | 14.3% |
| 7 | Your own mug | 13.3% |
| 8 | Hot water bottle | 11.8% |
| 9 | Ketchup / brown sauce | 10.9% |
| 10 | Marmite | 6.6% |
| 11 | Hot sauce | 6.4% |
| 12 | Gravy granules | 4.6% |
*Respondents could select more than one option
Over two-fifths (41.6%) say their favourite part of the journey starts at the airport
We asked respondents what their favourite part of travelling to a holiday destination is. Over two-fifths (41.6%) said it is the moment they arrive at the airport and feel that holiday excitement kick in. While packing and planning can be stressful, prebooking airport parking is a simple way to ease the pressure and step straight into holiday mode the second you step foot into the departures lounge.
For 33.4%, the excitement comes a little later when the plane finally takes off and the journey begins. Meanwhile, 27.3% admit their favourite part is indulging in duty-free shopping, picking up treats and souvenirs before even setting off.
| What’s the best part of travelling to the holiday destination? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Part of travelling* | Percentage |
| 1 | Arriving at the airport and feeling the holiday excitement kick in | 41.6% |
| 2 | Take-off and the start of the journey | 33.4% |
| 3 | Browsing duty-free shops | 27.3% |
| 4 | Relaxing in an airport lounge | 23.1% |
| 5 | The buzz of boarding the plane | 22.6% |
| 6 | Enjoying food before the flight | 22.4% |
| 7 | Staying in a hotel the night before an early flight | 20% |
| 8 | People-watching at the terminal | 18% |
| 9 | The ‘Airport pint’ (or equivalent drink) | 16.6% |
| 10 | The convenience of fast-track/security priority lanes | 7.8% |
| 11 | Exploring new airports along the way (for connecting flights) | 6.3% |
| 12 | Collecting air miles or rewards points | 6.2% |
*Respondents could select more than one option
Brits admit to missing their pets more than their friends or family when away on holiday
We also asked respondents what they miss the most when they’re away from home. For over half (53.9%), it’s the comfort of their own bed that they crave above all else. Pets come next, with 36.6% saying they can’t stop thinking about their furry friends while away from home.
In comparison, just 23.7% miss their friends and family the most. Alongside this, it seems distance doesn’t make the heart grow fonder as just 13.2% say they miss their partner when apart.
Interestingly, respondents admitted they are more likely to long for their favourite TV shows (19.3%) or a home-cooked meal (21.4%) than their partner, proving that the small comforts of home can sometimes matter more than you’d expect.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, respondents were least likely to miss their job (6.3%).
| What do Brits miss the most when on holiday? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Thing they miss the most* | Percentage |
| 1 | My own bed | 53.9% |
| 2 | My pets | 36.6% |
| 3 | Friends or family I didn’t travel with | 23.7% |
| 4 | My favourite meals / home-cooked food | 21.4% |
| 5 | My routine / daily comforts | 21.3% |
| 6 | Favourite TV shows / streaming | 19.3% |
| 7 | My partner (if not travelling together) | 13.2% |
| 8 | My job | 6.3% |
Brits are dreaming of a sunny beach escape this Christmas
We asked respondents whether they would ever consider skipping Christmas at home and spend it on a sunny beach instead. Almost three in five (57.3%) said they would happily swap sludgy snow and dreary British weather for heat and sunshine. On the other hand, 42.7% said Christmas is best spent at home with family. Women were more likely to prefer a traditional festive gathering at home, with 46.9% choosing family time over a tropical escape, compared to 38.2% of men.
64.3% would choose to work from a sunny destination this winter
As British winters can be harsh, we asked respondents if given the chance, they would pack up and take their work on the road in order to enjoy some sunny weather this winter. 64.3% said they would, compared to just 35.7% who said they work better from home.
Interestingly, this desire for flexibility aligns with a growing trend across the UK. Approximately 165,000 Britons identify as digital nomads, working remotely from abroad. [3] This lifestyle offers the freedom to combine work with travel, often in locations with better weather.
How the holiday feeling hits on the journey back
We asked respondents how long it takes them to fully settle back into everyday life after a holiday, from unpacking and catching up on work to feeling back into their usual routine. For almost two in five (39.3%), it takes as little as a few days to readjust as they ease themselves back into normal life. On the other hand, over a quarter (26.4%) bounce back almost immediately, feeling like they are back in the swing of things the day after their holiday ends.
For a speedy 13.2%, the return to reality happens the moment they step through their front door, unpacking straight away and slipping effortlessly back into their usual routine. At the other extreme, 1.4% say it takes more than a month to fully readjust, struggling with some serious post-holiday blues before they feel back to normal.
How do Brits feel after a holiday?
A whopping 58.7% of those surveyed said they experience an improved mood when returning home from a holiday.
Alongside this, 26.4% said holidays have even increased their confidence levels and 23.2% said holidays have resulted in a better performance at work. In fact, out of everyone who said they have experienced better performance at work following a holiday, 75.3% are currently in full-time employment.
| What positive impact do holidays have? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Positive impact* | Percentage |
| 1 | Improved mood | 58.7% |
| 2 | Increased confidence | 26.4% |
| 3 | Better performance at work | 23.2% |
| 4 | Increased creativity | 18.1% |
| 5 | Improvements to romantic relationships | 17.9% |
| 6 | Improved problem solving ability | 17.3% |
| 7 | Improvements to friendly relationships | 12.2% |
*Respondents could select more than one option.
In comparison, one in five (20.2%) said they don’t notice any positive changes when returning from a holiday. This could be due to returning to a particularly stressful work environment, feeling overwhelmed by unpacking and chores, or simply struggling to transition back from the relaxed holiday mindset to everyday life.
Methodology
The survey conducted on behalf of APH asked a total of 1,032 UK adults about their holiday habits when travelling abroad. Respondents came from a range of ages, genders, and backgrounds.
The questions explored different aspects of the holiday mindset, focusing on attitudes towards preparing for travel, the journey to a holiday destination, and the return home.
TikTok data accessed 12/09/2025.
Sources
[1] Which? ‘New Ryanair cabin bag size: the exact date bigger bags will be allowed for free’ https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/ryanair-hand-luggage-size-set-to-increase-a1CGn5z4rcvN August 2025
[2] Independent, ‘100ml liquids limit scrapped at Birmingham and Edinburgh airport security’ https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/100-ml-liquids-limit-birmingham-edinburgh-airport-b2784460.html July 2025
[3] Public First, ‘Digital Nomads: How many, why, and does it matter?’ https://www.publicfirst.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/05-03-25-_-DIGITAL-NOMADISM-FINAL-REPORT.pdf March 2025