The fall travel season is taking on a fresh identity in 2025, and one generation is driving the shift: Gen Z. Known for their digital-first mindset and value-driven lifestyle, Gen Zers (ages 13 to 28 this year) are redefining what it means to travel luxuriously without overspending. According to Airbnb’s latest seasonal report, Paris has emerged as the top trending fall destination for Gen Z travellers seeking “affordable luxury” and extended cultural escapes.
Unlike past generations who associated luxury exclusively with five-star hotels and fine dining, Gen Z embraces a more balanced approach: budget-conscious choices blended with memorable experiences. For them, affordable luxury means staying in stylish Airbnbs, sampling world-class cuisine without extravagant prices, and accessing cultural events that enrich rather than overwhelm their budgets.
Why Paris is the Ultimate Gen Z Destination This Fall
Paris, the French capital, has always drawn global attention. From romance on the Seine to fashion houses lining the Champs-Élysées, it is a city that effortlessly embodies culture, beauty, and history. But what makes it particularly attractive to Gen Z travellers this fall?
Affordable Airbnb Experiences Under $100
One of the driving forces is Airbnb’s curated experiences in Paris priced under $100 per person. These activities aren’t generic sightseeing tours—they blend lifestyle, culture, and creativity in ways that resonate with Gen Z.
- Vintage shopping at Saint-Ouen Market: The famous flea market offers an authentic slice of Parisian style, allowing travellers to uncover fashion treasures at accessible prices.
- Crazy Horse Paris dance class: Immersive cultural experiences like this provide unique entry points into iconic Parisian entertainment.
- Hidden chocolate factory tasting tour: Combining food, discovery, and storytelling, this activity checks every Gen Zer’s box for a share-worthy memory.
These affordable luxuries prove that even in a historically expensive city, the right platform can make Paris accessible without diluting its charm.
Fall 2025: A Season of Culture and Celebration in Paris
Paris is always a year-round destination, but fall 2025 is particularly compelling thanks to several landmark events.
- The reopening of the Notre-Dame towers: After years of restoration, one of the world’s most iconic cathedrals reopens its towers to the public, offering breathtaking views of the city.
- Virgil Abloh’s first large-scale European exhibition: The late visionary designer’s showcase will coincide with Paris Fashion Week, turning the city into a global hub of fashion, art, and culture.
- Paris Fashion Week: A magnet for creatives worldwide, the event reinforces Paris as a trendsetting capital and aligns perfectly with Gen Z’s love for aesthetics and cultural expression.
These highlights make the season more than just a time to visit; it’s a rare convergence of history, innovation, and creativity.
Gen Z Travel Habits: The Rise of Affordable Luxury
Airbnb’s report goes beyond naming destinations—it reveals how Gen Z is transforming travel.
A Shift Toward Shoulder Season Travel
According to Airbnb, Gen Z travel searches for fall 2025 have risen 26% compared to Millennials. One key reason is their embrace of the shoulder season—the period after summer’s tourist rush and before the year-end holidays. With lower crowds and better prices, shoulder seasons give young travellers more freedom to enjoy luxury experiences without overspending.
Longer International Stays
Unlike the quick weekend trips favored by Millennials, Gen Z leans toward longer international escapes. Affordable accommodation options through platforms like Airbnb enable them to stay longer while immersing themselves in local culture, gastronomy, and community.
Luxury for this generation is not defined by designer handbags or first-class flights but by experiences that feel authentic, memorable, and shareable online. A curated Paris chocolate tour or a rooftop Airbnb apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower represents the kind of affordable indulgence Gen Z seeks.
Beyond Paris: Other Trending Gen Z Hotspots
While Paris takes the crown for fall 2025, Airbnb’s report highlights a broader global pattern. Gen Z travelers are spreading their wings across continents in search of affordable yet luxurious experiences.
Here are the other trending destinations shaping the season:
- Osaka, Japan – A city blending ancient temples with futuristic street culture.
- Dubai, UAE – Luxury shopping, desert adventures, and futuristic attractions at competitive seasonal prices.
- Miami, USA – Beaches, nightlife, and Latin-inspired cultural fusion.
- Porto, Portugal – Affordable wine tastings, riverside strolls, and historic architecture.
- Cartagena, Colombia – Vibrant colors, Caribbean charm, and affordable coastal stays.
- London, UK – Fall festivals, iconic landmarks, and a cultural mix Gen Z finds irresistible.
- Munich, Germany – The allure of Oktoberfest paired with affordable cultural tours.
- Mexico City, Mexico – Art, food, and bustling neighborhoods that offer endless discovery.
- Santiago, Chile – Access to the Andes, vineyards, and city culture at a fraction of Western Europe’s cost.
This wide-ranging list demonstrates that Gen Z’s idea of “affordable luxury” isn’t confined to Europe—it is a global movement.
Affordable Luxury: More Than a Buzzword
The term “affordable luxury” is gaining traction, but what does it really mean in the context of Gen Z travel?
- Smart Spending on Experiences – Choosing unique, curated activities rather than generic tours.
- Stylish but Accessible Stays – Opting for chic Airbnbs or boutique hotels instead of splurging on traditional five-star accommodations.
- Cultural Enrichment Without Excess – Exploring museums, local gastronomy, and seasonal events at reduced prices thanks to city passes and Airbnb partnerships.
- Digital Value – For Gen Z, part of luxury is capturing and sharing the experience. Affordable luxury destinations that provide Instagram-worthy moments without breaking the bank are particularly appealing.
The Bigger Picture: Airbnb and Gen Z’s Travel Future
Airbnb’s positioning as a Gen Z-friendly brand is no accident. By offering experiences under $100 and showcasing destinations aligned with cultural events, the platform appeals to a generation that prioritizes value, authenticity, and convenience.
The data also underscores a larger industry trend: Gen Z is influencing not just what destinations are trending, but how destinations market themselves. Paris, for example, is no longer framed simply as the “City of Love” but as a playground for affordable yet elevated experiences tailored to young, globally-minded travelers.
Paris Sets the Tone for Gen Z Travel in 2025
Paris’s rise as Airbnb’s top trending fall destination for Gen Z is more than just a seasonal headline. It signals the emergence of a new travel philosophy, where affordable luxury, cultural immersion, and extended stays shape the future of global tourism.
From vintage shopping in Saint-Ouen to celebrating the reopening of Notre-Dame and honoring Virgil Abloh’s creative legacy, Paris offers a unique blend of heritage and innovation this fall. And while the city leads the pack, the inclusion of destinations from Osaka to Santiago shows that Gen Z’s appetite for meaningful yet affordable luxury travel is global.
As Airbnb and other platforms continue to adapt to this generation’s expectations, one thing is clear: the future of travel is not just about where people go, but how deeply and authentically they connect with each destination—without overspending.
