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Even if many French people are aware of the challenges of the climate emergency, when going on vacation, few of them leave the car in the garage. Considered an environmentally unfriendly mode of transport, it still appeals for its practicality, comfort and the opportunity it offers to go everywhere!
There is the game of spotting license plates ending in an even number. There is the one where you have to be the first to see a red vehicle. How many vacation memories started in the car? An essential element for taking off in summer, and symbol of this period of unstoppable decompression in the mythical history of the Nationale 7, known as the vacation route, the car remains a preferred mode of transport for the French. , despite the climate emergency that we are experiencing.
According to the latest analysis by the Kayak.fr* comparator, no less than 59% of French people choose it for their vacation. Nothing really new under the hood, since the latest study from the MadeInVote institute for Flower Campings** indicated last April that one in two holidaymakers plans to take their petrol or diesel car to go away this summer. And this is not to serve the trend of local tourism, since 58% plan to go more than 400 km from home. For its part, the OpinionWay study for Point S*** estimated the proportion of holidaymakers choosing the car at 71%. Although the figures differ, the car remains a travel solution for a majority of holidaymakers.
Why it always works for the holidays
The car is first and foremost practical. This is the opinion of 75% of French people, according to the Opinionway/Point S study. Practicality is even a key element, before economic reasons (43%). And we are talking about using your personal car because carpooling only concerns 3% of vacationers while car rental is anecdotal (1%), if we are to believe the car maintenance brand.
Furthermore, in terms of individual cars, thermal still stands out as the preferred mode of transport (84%), ahead of hybrid (12%) and electric (3%), even if the number of users of these last two modes of operation is increasing. There is also the comfort of reaching your holiday destination in a personalized cabin. 24% of French people highlighted this aspect to Kayak.fr.
In the context of climate change, we confront the desire on the one hand to use soft mobility such as cycling (21%) or public transport (12%) once arrived on site, but also the ambition to live new vacation modes, such as road trips. It is clear that this type of route cannot de facto be done without a car (or van). The only way not to deny your pleasure is to choose electric…
Abroad, this type of trip often requires car rental. A good plan according to Kayak.fr which highlights the 21% drop in rates compared to last year for loans validated in France during trips to Europe. In this chessboard, the Canaries are the good idea, particularly in Gran Canaria, where the cost of a car rental starts at 24 euros per day.
*An online survey was conducted by PureSpectrum among 1,000 respondents in France who plan to travel domestically or internationally this year. Data was collected between April 26 and 29, 2024.
**This survey was carried out by Madeinvote via Facebook and Instagram from February 9 to February 26, 2024 on a sample of 1,000 French people interviewed, aged 18 to 65, representative of the French population in terms of Gender, Age, CSP & Region.
***Survey conducted by Opinionway among a sample of 1,033 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over, on May 29 and 30, 2024
Slideshow: 10 tips to keep your children busy in the car, on the train or on the plane