Anywayr Group Travel Report: What 208 Trip Planners Chose in May 2026
Austin, TX, USA has emerged as the unequivocal leader in group travel planning, topping the list with 32 trips, representing 7.6% of all group excursions planned on Anywayr over the last 90 days. This finding from our analysis of 419 trips orchestrated by 208 unique users offers a fresh perspective on where and how groups are choosing to explore the world as of May 2026. This first-party dataset provides a unique window into the actual preferences and behaviors of group trip planners, revealing a vibrant landscape dominated by friends, adventurous pursuits, and a clear preference for spring and early summer travel.
Where group trip planners are heading
The geographic distribution of planned trips highlights a mix of vibrant urban centers and broader regional exploration, with a notable lean towards domestic U.S. destinations. While Austin, TX, USA captivated the largest share at 7.6% (32 trips), the top five destinations showcase diverse appeals:
- Austin, TX, USA (32 trips, 7.6%)
- Sydney NSW, Australia (22 trips, 5.3%)
- New York, NY, USA (14 trips, 3.3%)
- USA (13 trips, 3.1%)
- Tokyo (8 trips, 1.9%)
Austin's prominence underscores a growing demand for lively, culture-rich cities with outdoor appeal, a trend we've observed in more granular data, where 96.9% of Austin group trips were planned by friends, as detailed in our analysis: Austin, TX, USA Travel Data: What 32 Trips Reveal. Following closely, Sydney NSW, Australia, with 22 trips (5.3%), demonstrates a strong interest in international, long-haul adventures, especially among friends, with 96.3% of Sydney trips planned by this group type according to What 10 Sydney NSW, Australia Planners Actually Chose.
New York, NY, USA, securing 3.3% of trips (14 trips), continues to be a perennial favorite, offering unparalleled experiences for diverse groups. Further insights into Big Apple travel can be found in our deep dive: New York, NY, USA Travel Data: What 21 Anywayr Users Planned. The generic 'USA' entry, accounting for 3.1% (13 trips), suggests an inclination towards exploring various regions within the United States without a fixed city in mind, indicating flexible itinerary planning or multi-city tours.
Beyond the top five, other significant destinations include Tokyo (8 trips, 1.9%), Lisbon, Portugal (7 trips, 1.7%), Miami, FL, USA (7 trips, 1.7%), and Los Angeles, CA, USA (7 trips, 1.7%). Washington D.C., DC, USA (6 trips, 1.4%), and Paris (6 trips, 1.4%), along with Paris, France (5 trips, 1.2%) and Tokyo, Japan (5 trips, 1.2%), round out the top twelve, demonstrating a balanced interest in both iconic global capitals and popular domestic hubs. The split entries for Tokyo and Paris (e.g., 'Tokyo' vs. 'Tokyo, Japan') illustrate the varied ways users input their desired destinations, but collectively they reinforce the global appeal of these major cities.
Who's traveling together
Analyzing the dynamics of group composition reveals a clear picture of modern group travel. The group_type_breakdown indicates that friends are the dominant force, accounting for 48.2% of all planned trips. This is followed by couples at 24.1%, families at 15.3%, and solo travelers at 12.2%. Business travel, at a mere 0.2%, remains a niche segment within Anywayr's leisure-focused platform.
When cross-referenced with the group_size_breakdown, these trends gain further clarity:
- Small group (3-5 people): 59.2%
- Couple (2 people): 26.0%
- Solo (1 person): 10.3%
- Large group (6+ people): 4.5%
The data unequivocally shows that small groups, specifically those composed of 3 to 5 individuals, represent the largest segment of group travel, making up nearly three-fifths of all trips. This preference for smaller, more intimate gatherings aligns perfectly with the high percentage of 'friends' trips. Couples, representing 24.1% of group types and 26.0% of group sizes, form another substantial category, often seeking romantic getaways or shared adventures. The presence of 'solo' travelers (12.2% of group types, 10.3% of group sizes) on a platform designed for group planning suggests that individuals are either planning trips for themselves with a flexible itinerary or acting as the sole organizer for a group they will eventually join. Large groups (6+ people) constitute a smaller but significant 4.5%, indicating that while less frequent, larger gatherings like family reunions or special celebrations are still a part of the group travel landscape.
When they're going
The seasonality of group travel on Anywayr shows a pronounced peak in the spring and early summer months, reflecting a strategic choice by planners to leverage favorable weather and perhaps school holiday schedules:
- May: 33.9%
- June: 16.7%
- April: 16.5%
- August: 7.6%
- March: 6.4%
- July: 6.2%
May stands out as the most popular month for travel, accounting for over a third of all planned trips. When combined with June and April, these three months comprise a staggering 67.1% of all planned group travel within the analyzed window. This strong preference for spring and early summer travel is likely driven by several factors: pleasant weather conditions in many popular destinations, the conclusion of academic years, and the desire to travel before the peak summer crowds and prices of late July and August. The dip in July and August, compared to the earlier months, suggests that many groups prefer to travel just before the height of summer, possibly to avoid extreme heat or capitalize on slightly lower shoulder-season costs. March and August also show notable activity, indicating that groups are willing to travel during other periods, though less frequently than in the peak spring window.
What they care about
The interests selected by group planners reveal a strong inclination towards active, engaging, and culturally immersive experiences. The top ten interests highlight a diverse range of preferences, but a clear pattern emerges around exploration and enjoyment:
- Adventure & Outdoor Activities: 61.1%
- Food & Dining: 51.1%
- Beach & Water Sports: 45.8%
- Cultural Experiences: 41.8%
- Nightlife & Entertainment: 27.4%
- Shopping: 26.7%
- Photography: 23.2%
- History & Museums: 22.9%
- Local Markets: 22.0%
- Architecture: 21.7%
Adventure and Outdoor Activities dominate the landscape, selected by over 61% of planners, underscoring a desire for dynamic and physically engaging trips. This is complemented by Beach & Water Sports (45.8%), indicating that many groups seek destinations offering both land-based exploration and aquatic recreation. Food & Dining is a universal appeal, chosen by over half of all planners (51.1%), reflecting the central role culinary experiences play in group bonding and exploration. This interest is further supported by the popularity of Local Markets (22.0%), which often combine food with cultural discovery.
Cultural Experiences (41.8%) and its related categories like History & Museums (22.9%) and Architecture (21.7%) demonstrate a significant appetite for learning and immersion in local traditions and heritage. Meanwhile, Nightlife & Entertainment (27.4%) and Shopping (26.7%) indicate that groups also value opportunities for leisure, social interaction, and acquiring souvenirs or local goods. Photography, selected by 23.2% of planners, suggests that capturing memories and sharing experiences visually is an important aspect of modern group travel.
How long their trips are
Group trip lengths exhibit a fascinating duality, reflecting both short getaways and more extended vacations. The data shows an average trip length of 7.2 nights, yet the median trip length stands at 4 nights. This significant difference between the average and median suggests that while many groups opt for shorter, perhaps long-weekend or week-long trips (represented by the median), a substantial number of longer journeys (e.g., two weeks or more) are planned, pulling the overall average upwards.
This pattern indicates a versatile approach to group travel planning. Many groups prioritize efficiency and accessibility for shorter durations, making it easier for all members to coordinate schedules and budgets. However, the higher average signals that when groups embark on more ambitious trips, particularly to international or far-flung destinations, they tend to extend their stays to maximize the experience and justify travel time and costs. Planners, therefore, are thinking about both quick, impactful excursions and more immersive, extended adventures, often depending on the destination and the group's collective availability.
Methodology
This report is based on an analysis of 419 trips planned by 208 real Anywayr users over the last 90 days, generated 2026-05-18. Admin/test trips were excluded to ensure the integrity of the user-driven data. This report is refreshed monthly to provide the most current insights into group travel trends.
What this means for your trip planning
The insights from Anywayr's first-party data offer valuable guidance for anyone planning a group trip. With Austin, TX, USA leading the charge and a strong preference for spring travel, consider popular yet vibrant domestic destinations that offer a blend of outdoor activities, culinary delights, and cultural immersion. The dominance of 'friends' and 'small groups' suggests that focusing on shared interests and flexible itineraries tailored to 3-5 people will likely yield the most successful planning outcomes.
Whether your group prioritizes adventure in the great outdoors, indulging in diverse food scenes, or immersing yourselves in new cultures, the data confirms these are universal desires. Even if your group prefers a shorter 4-night getaway, ensure those days are packed with experiences that cater to everyone's top interests. For longer trips, leverage the extended time to delve deeper into a destination or explore multiple regions. Understanding these trends allows you to anticipate group preferences and create a more appealing itinerary. And remember, Anywayr's AI can build a comprehensive group trip itinerary in minutes, simplifying coordination and enhancing the travel experience for everyone involved.
