Survey: Dutch travelers shift back toward air travel as car and train use decline

Fifty-five percent of Dutch residents say they will travel by airplane this year, according to a new survey by the Dutch travel industry association ANVR. That is up from 51 percent last year. On average, Dutch travelers expect to spend 2,376 euros on their summer vacation this year. That is 100 euros more than last year.

Schiphol remains the dominant airport, used by 63 percent of Dutch air travelers. Eindhoven Airport follows with 13 percent. Foreign airports in Belgium and Germany, located near the border, now account for 15 percent of Dutch travelers. That share is still growing.

At the same time, other forms of transport are losing popularity. About 34 percent of Dutch holidaymakers plan to travel by car this year, down from 38 percent in 2024. Train travel has also dropped, falling from 5 to 3 percent.

The ANVR said the earlier shift toward more sustainable or alternative travel options is no more. “The positive trend for both private transport and train travel is not continuing,” the organization said.

Six in 10 respondents said high inflation has no impact on their vacation decisions this year.

However, ANVR noted a difference among families with school-age children. “The only difference we can discover is that people with school-age children more often choose to do fewer activities on site, book less luxurious accommodations, or opt for a shorter vacation or a vacation closer to home,” ANVR said.

The findings are based on a survey conducted by GfK/NIQ market researchers. More than 1,000 Dutch residents aged 18 and older were surveyed. ANVR said the sample is representative of the Dutch population in that age group.