A survey of more than 1,000 Australians found that two in five (40%) have argued with their spouse or partner while travelling together.
This includes one in five (21%) who say they’ve had at least one spat during a trip and 14% who admitted to bickering multiple times while on holiday.
For a small portion, things got dramatic: 4% said the arguments nearly ruined the getaway, while 1% revealed the fights led to a breakup. Meanwhile, 24% of Australians said they just don’t travel with a partner.
Shaun McGowan, CEO of TravelInsurance.com.au who carried out the survey, says it’s no surprise that travel can test even the strongest relationships.
“Travel can throw couples into unfamiliar situations, including delayed flights, lost bags, or your accommodation not meeting expectations, so it’s natural that tensions can rise. What matters is how you handle those moments,” he said.
“Fortunately, the survey also found that 36% of Aussies say they actually get along best with their partner while travelling, so being away from everyday stress may help bring them closer.”
Holiday harmony?
The survey found that Millennials are the most likely to report arguments while travelling, with more than half (52%) admitting to having a travel tiff with their partner.
Gen Z and Gen X followed closely, tied at 41% each. Boomers were the least likely to report conflict, with only 30% saying they’ve argued while away with their spouse or partner.
Boomers were the most likely to say they get along best with their partner while travelling (42%), followed by Gen X at 39%. In contrast, just 29% of Millennials and 27% of Gen Z said the same.
Top reasons Aussie couples clash on holiday:
# Getting lost or bad directions (22%)
# Spending too much money (17%)
# Too much time together / not enough space (16%)
# Running late or missing flights/tours (13%)
# Choosing where to eat (9%)
# One person doing all the planning (9%)
# Packing drama (e.g. overpacking, forgetting something, etc.) (5%)
# Accommodation issues (e.g. bad hotel, sharing a room) (3%)
# Social media use (e.g. too many photos, not being present) (2%).
