Survey Examines How Much Americans Are Spending on Spring Break Vacation

Image: A group of friends on Spring Break at the beach. (photo via Rawpixel/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Image: A group of friends on Spring Break at the beach. (photo via Rawpixel/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
TravelPulse Staff
by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Wed February 20, 2019

Spring break is slowly approaching, and while some travelers are trying to figure out where to go, others are more concerned with how they're going to pay for the trip.

Nerdwallet recently conducted a survey that examined how Americans are planning their spring break vacation, and it looks like at least 2 in 5 Americans plans to take one.

Of those planning a spring break getaway, 64 percent will be paying for their vacation with money they've saved. As for the others, one in three Americans will pay for the trip with a credit card and they plan to charge, on average, $1,308.30.

Others are looking to use their tax refund to pay for their trip, 19 percent, in fact. Thirty percent of millennials and 20 percent of Gen Xers will be using their tax refunds to fund their vacation compared to only five percent of Boomers.

In total, Americans plan to spend $1,817.70 on average on their spring break vacation, with families plan to spend a little bit more (but not too much) with an average answer of $1,996.90.

Shockingly, some millennials, about 10 percent, are planning to spend $5,000 or more on a spring break extravaganza.

Two-thirds of Americans don't plan to pay off their credit card immediately. About 29 percent believes it will take them 2.7 months to pay off that spring break balance, which means travelers will be spending more than they planned for on their spring break vacation with interest added to the mix.

For those who don't prefer to pay for a spring break trip with their credit card or don't have a refund to rely on, save money by setting up your vacation with a travel agent or employ some travel hacks with loyalty programs.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Sell More Great Lakes Cruises with Victory Cruise LinesWednesday, September 9, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Cris Desouza, VP of Sales, and Barbara Davis, Director of Sales, for an inside look at what’s new...
Upcoming Webinar
Beyond the Ship: Maximizing Pre and Post Cruise ExperiencesThursday, September 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover how to enhance the cruise experience with strategic pre and post cruise planning. Learn how...
Upcoming Webinar
Future Leaders in Travel: Meet Our Supplier PartnersFriday, September 11, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
The Future Leaders in Travel conference brings together an exciting group of emerging travel...
Upcoming Webinar
Sell More Great Lakes Cruises with Victory Cruise LinesWednesday, September 9, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Cris Desouza, VP of Sales, and Barbara Davis, Director of Sales, for an inside look at what’s new...
Upcoming Webinar
Beyond the Ship: Maximizing Pre and Post Cruise ExperiencesThursday, September 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover how to enhance the cruise experience with strategic pre and post cruise planning. Learn how...
Upcoming Webinar
Future Leaders in Travel: Meet Our Supplier PartnersFriday, September 11, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
The Future Leaders in Travel conference brings together an exciting group of emerging travel...