Urlaub: Deutschland bleibt das beliebteste Reiseziel der Deutschen

In 2023, Germans embarked on the most domestic trips in history, with the number of multi-day trips increasing by 3.9% to a record 169 million. This marked a 5% rise compared to 2019, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Meanwhile, international travel fell significantly, down 8.3% to 105 million trips, still above the pre-Coronavirus level of 2019 by 5.4%. Overall, the number of multi-day trips decreased by 1.1% to 274 million in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The rise in domestic trips was largely driven by an increase in business travel, which climbed 10.5% to 41 million compared to 2024. Business trips were nearly back to pre-Coronavirus levels. Private travel, on the other hand, fell by 2.9% to around 233 million trips. Italy remained the most popular international destination, accounting for 12.4% of all multi-day international trips. The top three destinations were Austria (11.1%), Spain (10.9%), France (8.3%), and the Netherlands (7.7%).

Automobiles continued to be the most commonly used mode of transport for multi-day trips, used in 60.2% of all journeys. Trains accounted for 19.2%, while airplanes made up 15.2%. Travel by bus was less common, representing 2.7% of trips. Overall, the pandemic caused a 1.1% drop in the total number of multi-day trips to 274 million in 2023.

The increase in domestic trips was primarily attributed to more business travel, which grew by 10.5% to 41 million. This brought business travel close to pre-Coronavirus levels. Private travel declined by 2.9% to about 233 million trips. Italy was the most popular overseas destination for Germans, with 12.4% of all multi-day international trips.

Austria and Spain followed in second and third place with 11.1% and 10.9% respectively. France and the Netherlands rounded out the top five, accounting for 8.3% and 7.7% of international trips respectively. The German Statistical Office noted that these five countries have been the top overseas destinations for German travelers for the past decade.

Public transport was the least frequently used mode of travel, with travel buses representing a minor 2.7% of trips. Looking ahead, cruise trips are expected to be more popular than ever in 2026.