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Ever wondered where Dutch travelers go for their summer holidays? Thanks to GPS data collected from thousands of Dutch cars, we now have a clear picture of their favorite destinations and travel habits. This data paints a captivating map of summer journeys, highlighting the most popular routes and regions.
This visualization, created using anonymized GPS data, shows the movement of Dutch holidaymakers across Europe. It expose not just where they go but also how they travel and how long they stay. The high density of routes leading out of the Netherlands, especially towards Germany, Belgium, and France, clearly showcases the preferred travel corridors.
Germany: The Top Holiday Destination
In 2023, Germany was the most-visited destination for Dutch travelers, with approximately 3.6 million holiday trips. France followed closely with 2.9 million trips, while Spain attracted around 2.1 million. Germany’s charm lies in its proximity and diverse offerings—from the scenic Rhine Valley to lively cities like Berlin.
Couples without children made up the largest group heading to Germany, with around 1 million holidays. Families with kids accounted for 875,000 trips, though they tended to stay a day less than child-free travelers. On average, Dutch holidaymakers spent 10.8 days abroad—nearly double the 5.5 days spent on domestic vacations.
Last-Minute Getaways
Spontaneous travel is a big part of Dutch holiday culture. In 2023, about 3.6 million Dutch travelers set off on vacations without booking accommodations in advance. These unplanned trips lasted an average of nine days, with 256,000 of them heading to Germany.
How They Get There
Cars remain the preferred mode of transport, used in 63% of holiday trips. Air travel accounts for 20%, while 9% of travelers opt for trains. During summer, road trips are especially popular, whereas in winter, more people choose to fly or take the train. The GPS data map highlights this preference, with dense clusters of travel routes forming complicated networks leading south and east from the Netherlands.
