A new international survey by Travel Guard has revealed that travel regret is almost universal among Hungarians, with 95% saying they regret at least one holiday they have taken.
The research, based on responses from more than 4,600 travellers across 19 countries, explored why trips fail to meet expectations, how much money people feel they wasted, and how disappointing experiences shape future travel habits.
Hungarians most likely to regret trips taken in their 20s
According to the findings, Hungarians most commonly regret trips taken during their twenties. Around 60% said this was the decade in which they experienced the holiday they regret most, suggesting that limited budgets and less travel experience often contribute to poor decisions or disappointing experiences.
The study found that travel regret is widespread globally, with 94% of respondents worldwide saying they regret at least one trip. Nearly one-third said they regret two or more holidays, while 17% admitted they still regret a past trip to this day.
Family holidays and travel mishaps among biggest regrets
Family holidays emerged as the most commonly regretted type of trip internationally, cited by 27% of respondents. Researchers noted that coordinating multiple personalities, expectations and travel styles may increase the likelihood of tension and disappointment.
Adventure holidays ranked second among the most regretted trips, followed by city breaks, romantic getaways and solo travel.
Globally, the most common reasons for regretting a holiday included:
- Travel disruptions such as delays, illness or cancellations (17%)
- Poor planning (14%)
- Stress or feeling overwhelmed during the trip (13%)
- Choosing the wrong travel companions (11%)
- Financial difficulties during the holiday (11%)
Accommodation problems were identified as the single most common issue travellers encountered, while arguments with companions, bad weather and overcrowded destinations also featured prominently.
Social media often hides disappointing experiences
The study also highlighted a striking disconnect between reality and online appearances.
Despite regretting their holidays, nearly one in three travellers worldwide said they still posted positively about the experience on social media. Among Hungarians, 25% admitted sharing upbeat content online about a trip they actually regretted.
Researchers suggested this reflects the growing pressure to present idealised travel experiences online even when holidays fail to meet expectations.
Hungarians say hundreds of thousands of forints were wasted
Financial losses linked to disappointing holidays were also significant.
More than a quarter of Hungarian respondents estimated they wasted between HUF 155,000 and HUF 310,000 on trips that did not live up to expectations.
Globally, travellers estimated that an average of approximately USD 1,054 of their holiday spending had ultimately not been worthwhile.
Bad experiences are changing travel habits
Negative experiences appear to be reshaping how people organise holidays today.
According to the survey, 74% of travellers said previous disappointments have changed how they plan trips. Travellers are now more likely to prioritise detailed planning, thorough destination research and greater comfort when booking holidays.
Other increasingly important considerations include budgeting more carefully, selecting travel companions more cautiously, avoiding peak tourist seasons and opting for more flexible schedules.
How regrets can be avoided
Rhonda Sloan, chief marketing officer at Travel Guard, said the findings show that many travel regrets can be avoided through careful preparation.
“Taking a break should be a chance to recharge and create lasting memories, so making a few proactive choices in advance can help ensure your experience lives up to expectations,” she said.
She added that researching destinations thoroughly, choosing suitable accommodation and purchasing travel insurance can help travellers better handle unexpected disruptions and avoid letting problems overshadow their holidays.
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