Kiwi.com: Romanians travel more and explore new destinations this summer

Bookings to Malta increased by 263%, while Thessaloniki saw a spectacular 328% rise;
The number of flights to Moldova doubled, with Chișinău climbing 113% in popularity;
More families and groups are planning longer vacations;
Ticket prices have slightly decreased, with long-haul flights being 11% cheaper than last year.

Bucharest, May 30, 2025. Although summer has not officially begun, Romanians are already in vacation mode. According to Kiwi.com, a global travel-tech leader, this season’s travel trends are clear: more passengers, longer holidays, and a growing appetite for discovering new destinations.

The number of travelers choosing to fly increased by 30%, and bookings rose by 17%, indicating that Romanians are planning their holidays earlier. The average booking window has reached 84 days, compared to 77 last year. At the same time, ticket prices have slightly decreased—by 3% on average—with long-haul flights becoming more affordable, thanks to the introduction of new routes and increased flight frequencies.

Italy, Greece, and Spain remain top preferences, but Romanians are starting to break the mold and explore less-known destinations. Malta, for example, jumped from 22nd place straight into the top 10, with a 263% surge in bookings. In Greece, the cities of Thessaloniki and Chania have become increasingly popular among Romanian tourists, with growth rates of 328% and 342%, respectively.

Long-haul destinations are also gaining ground: Japan and Thailand recorded increases of 148% and 115%, signaling a return to exotic vacations. Other countries, such as Ireland, Sweden, and Morocco, also attracted three times more Romanian tourists compared to last year—likely due to better ticket deals, new flight routes, and a desire to explore different cultures and places.

Bucharest remains the main departure hub for Romanians, with the most popular routes being Bucharest–Rome, Thessaloniki, and Milan. Mediterranean cities continue to dominate the top charts, but new destinations such as Málaga and Corfu are becoming increasingly present in vacation plans. Chișinău is also among the top choices, with a 113% increase in bookings—likely driven by family visits or attractive low-cost offers.

Romanians are not only flying more this summer, but also spending more time on vacation. The average trip duration has slightly increased, and the share of 7–10 day trips rose from 15% to 19%. Meanwhile, short getaways of up to 3 days have declined, suggesting a preference for longer, more relaxing holidays.

While individual trips remain the most common on the Kiwi.com platform—making up 42% of summer bookings—these are slightly down from last year. In contrast, family holidays and trips with friends are on the rise. Families now account for 22% of bookings (up from 17% in 2024), and group travel is also increasing, showing that Romanians value quality time with loved ones more than ever. This shift is also supported by growing trust in Kiwi.com services, such as the Kiwi.com Guarantee, which covers delays, missed connections, or cancellations—ensuring peace of mind when planning a vacation with family or friends.