You Won't Believe Americans' Top Vacation Activity

If you were to guess the top vacation activity, you might go with trying new restaurants, hitting the beach, or going shopping. Those are all fun things to do on vacation, but they're not the most popular.

In Skyscanner's 2024 Travel Trends Report, Americans were surveyed on their main activities for their next vacation. The No. 1 activity is a shocker -- and it's something people do every night.

Sleeping tops the list of vacation activities

It turns out that travelers want a literal dream vacation. One-third (33%) of American travelers chose sleeping as one of the main activities for their next vacation. That put it ahead of shopping (30%), wildlife spotting (20%), and nightlife (19%).

Some travelers are even building trips around quality sleeping opportunities. Sleep tourism is growing in popularity, and a growing number of people are searching for information about sleep retreats online. These sleep retreats, by the way, aren't cheap. Many of them cost $2,000 to $3,000, and retreats at luxurious locations can cost over $10,000.

Sleep tourism definitely isn't something I had on my 2024 bingo card. At least among the people I know, sleep was never considered a main vacation activity. It was all about having fun and exploring a new place, and spending too much time sleeping was actually something to avoid.

But travelers have gotten much more mindful about their sleep health, and realized that their sleeping habits back at home may be lacking. Three-quarters (75%) of U.S. travelers say they're not getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night at home. So it's understandable why they'd want to rest up on vacation.

How to sleep better while on vacation

Even if you're not interested in paying for a full-blown sleep retreat, there are plenty of more affordable ways to sleep well while you travel. Some travelers struggle with this, especially when crossing time zones and dealing with jet lag.

You're much more likely to sleep well on vacation if you prioritize this in your travel planning. Here are a few budget-friendly tips that can help:

• Consider the noise level when booking a hotel/vacation rental. Read reviews to see what previous guests are saying about the noise. If you're renting a home, try to find out if it's in a quiet area. One way to do this is by looking it up on Google Maps and seeing what's nearby. Trust me, if there's a bar next door, it's going to be hard to sleep.
• Use your destination's time zone right away. Do your best to eat meals, go to bed, and wake up based on that time zone. It can be tough at first, but it helps your body adjust.
• Get plenty of fresh air and physical activity. These can make it easier to get to sleep and improve the quality of your sleep. Among U.S. travelers, 19% said the fresh air and physical activity were reasons they sleep better on vacation.

It helps if you can book a quality hotel or home rental. And if you have a long flight, a business-class seat certainly makes it easier to rest on the way. While these can be expensive, keep in mind that you don't need to pay for all your travel costs in cash. Many people save by using travel credit cards. These cards earn points that you can put toward your major travel expenses.

Improving your sleep quality at home

Sleep is an important part of your life, and getting quality sleep shouldn't just be something you do on vacation. If you're one of the people who uses vacations to catch up on sleep, it's a good idea to focus on sleeping better at home, too.

If your bed isn't the best, consider investing in a better one. I usually wouldn't refer to a consumer product as an investment, but in this case, it is. Spending money on a quality bed is an investment in yourself and your health. You'll be better rested, so you'll feel better during the day.

Getting enough sleep also reduces your risk of many diseases. Considering how expensive health care costs can be, prioritizing sleep is a smart move for your health and your finances.

Bed and bedding can be a big expense, but there are also plenty of free ways to get better sleep:

• Stick to a consistent schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Your body will get used to this, which makes falling asleep and waking up easier.
• Sleep for seven to eight hours per night. Most people need about this much sleep. Any less, and you'll likely be sleep deprived.
• Do a relaxing activity before you sleep. Reading is a good option. There are also meditation apps, such as Calm, that have sleep meditations available.

It's normal to get great sleep while you're on vacation. You're probably more relaxed, and you might also be getting more physical activity than usual exploring a new city. Just make sure you also do what you can to sleep well when you're back at home.