Group Traveling Financial Stressors
Friends, Fun and Finances by Experian discusses the biggest financial stressors and challenges of group traveling. Experian surveyed over 700 adults about the challenges of group travel and shared and analyzed the results.
Taking a vacation with friends is a great way to make memories. But mismatched spending styles can cause financial stress while traveling, a June 2025 Experian survey found. To help travelers make the most of trips with their BFFs this summer, Experian surveyed more than 700 adults nationwide who have traveled overnight with friends in the past five years.
Memorable experiences and activities are the No. 1 priority for friends traveling together, Experian found. However, differing spending styles can cause tension. Among members of Generation Z and millennials who travel with friends, over half report having a money-related disagreement with friends while traveling, and 1 in 5 have ended a friendship over a money issue.
Across all generations, unexpected costs during trips and splitting costs fairly when friends have different spending priorities are the two biggest financial stress points when planning group travel. This is followed by feeling pressure to spend more than they are comfortable with.
Having different budget ranges is the biggest financial challenge when traveling with friends, especially for millennials: 35% of this age group cite it as their top difficulty. Discussing money openly without awkwardness is another common issue, particularly among millennials.
Most travelers spend more than planned when traveling with friends, with Gen Z and millennials most likely to go 50% or more over budget.
Try these tactics to save money when you travel with friends:
Set a budget. Only 1 in 4 travelers surveyed by Experian say their friend group sets a budget upfront, but doing so can help you get the most from your money.
Book early. Many people try to find last-minute deals, but you'll usually get the best rates by booking flights, rental cars and accommodations well in advance.
Be flexible. Being open to different dates, destinations and flight times can mean big savings. Use websites like Google Flights and Skyscanner to track airfare prices and check out lower-cost options.
Consider a package tour or all-inclusive resort. Built-in expenses mean less stress about splitting costs. Plus, you may be able to set up a payment plan that spreads expenses over time.
Track your spending. Gen Z and millennial travelers are most likely to use apps and websites for tracking and splitting expenses; Gen X and baby boomers are more apt to keep a mental note of spending. Simplify your trip by using apps like Paypal, Venmo, Splittr, Splitwise, SettleUp or Tricount to track expenses, split costs and pay each other back. (Axelton, 2025)
I believe that traveling should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience where people can temporarily escape from the stressors in their day-to-day lives. Traveling with friends, specifically, should allow groups of friends to take breaks from their busy lives, make memories, and enjoy leisure time together. While people vacation to relax and have fun, financial stressors can hinder this.
This article highlights that differing spending styles among friends traveling together can lead to disagreements. Some of the leading money-related issues people experience when traveling with friends include unexpected costs that arise during the trip, splitting costs fairly when individuals have different spending habits, and feeling pressure to spend more than they are comfortable with.
I find it ironic that vacationing – something meant to be relaxing and enjoyable – can be exceedingly stressful. I believe that the system of dealing with money when traveling with others can and should be simplified to make traveling what it is meant to be – relaxing, fun, and stress-free. How can the process of dealing with money when planning and going on trips with others be made less stressful, despite people’s differing spending styles?
References.
Axelton, K. (2025, July 11). Friends, Fun and Finances: Experian Survey Explores How Travelers Handle Group Vacation Costs. Experian. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/survey-financial-stress-of-traveling-with-friends/
A.I. was not used for this.
