Imagine spending months planning the perfect holiday only to realise you’ve spent much of it looking down at your phone.
For many travellers, that scenario is becoming increasingly common. Smartphones now accompany us everywhere, from airport lounges to mountain trails, quietly shaping how we experience the places we travel to escape everyday life.
New research commissioned by Flash Pack conducted in February 2026 by One Poll, into digital detox travel suggests that while people want to disconnect, actually putting the phone down is harder than expected. A study of 2,000 British holidaymakers found that 88% of travellers would like to use their phones less on holiday, yet only 8% say they fully switch off while travelling.
The result? Many of the moments designed to help us relax, reconnect and explore are still competing with the pull of notifications and social media.
The Hidden Screen Time on Holiday
Holidays are meant to offer a break from daily routines. Yet smartphones often continue to dominate our attention.
According to the research, 27% of travellers spend more than two hours per day on their phones while away. Based on an average of 75 minutes of daily screen time, this adds up to around 1.1 days of a two-week holiday lost to phone use.
Instead of being fully immersed in new surroundings, many travellers find themselves checking emails, scrolling through social media or replying to messages.
This happens even though 77% of travellers say they go on holiday specifically to switch off and restore their energy.
Why Disconnecting Still Feels “Extreme”
Despite the clear desire to unplug, many people still see digital disconnection as a drastic step.
The study found that 46% of travellers believe unplugging from their phones feels “extreme”, rising to 58% among people in their late 30s and early 40s.
Smartphones have become so embedded in daily life that even temporary disconnection can feel uncomfortable. For many travellers, the idea of switching off completely feels unrealistic.
Instead, people are increasingly looking for ways to reduce phone use while still enjoying meaningful travel experiences.
A Shift Away from Traditional Wellness Retreats
The research also reveals changing attitudes toward wellbeing during travel.
Traditional spa retreats and quiet wellness breaks are becoming less appealing to some travellers. In fact:
- 37% of travellers say they are not interested in spa or wilderness-style retreats
- 26% describe spa-focused breaks as repetitive or uninspiring
Even the language of wellness appears to be losing its impact. Around 65% of respondents said terms such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga or “wellness” feel disengaging.
This suggests travellers may be looking for different ways to recharge.
Adventure Is the New Way to Reset
Rather than quiet reflection alone, many travellers now associate wellbeing with adventure and new experiences.
The research found that:
- 56% of travellers prefer experiences that push them outside their comfort zone
- 49% actively seek new experiences when travelling
- 28% say adventurous activities improve their mood
Activities such as hiking, kayaking, safaris or exploring unfamiliar cultures naturally encourage travellers to focus on the moment rather than their screens.
These experiences create memories that rarely involve a phone.
The Importance of Social Connection
Another key finding is the growing importance of human connection during travel.
Many travellers report feeling more refreshed when they share experiences with others.
- 51% say their most rejuvenating holidays were those where they felt part of a group
- 42% say forming new connections with others helps them feel mentally restored
When people are engaged in conversation, shared adventure or cultural discovery, the temptation to check a phone often disappears naturally.
In these moments, travel returns to its original purpose: experiencing the world and connecting with the people around us.
Why Being Present Matters
Smartphones have changed how we experience the world. They allow us to capture memories instantly, navigate unfamiliar places and stay connected with people at home.
But they can also pull our attention away from the experiences happening right in front of us.
Creating phone-free moments while travelling allows people to:
- Notice details they might otherwise miss
- Engage more deeply with new environments
- Enjoy conversations without interruption
- Create stronger, more vivid memories
Being present doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning technology entirely. Often, it simply means choosing moments where the phone stays in your pocket.
The Growing Appeal of Digital Detox Travel
As awareness of digital overload increases, more travellers are seeking trips that encourage intentional breaks from technology.
Rather than enforcing strict phone bans, many experiences now focus on creating environments where devices naturally fade into the background — through outdoor adventure, cultural immersion and shared activities.
These moments help travellers reconnect with something that can easily be lost in everyday life: the ability to focus fully on the present.
Travel Is Still One of the Best Ways to Disconnect
The research highlights an interesting contradiction. People know that constant phone use reduces the quality of their holidays, yet disconnecting still feels difficult.
But the moments travellers remember most rarely involve a screen.
They happen while watching a sunrise, exploring unfamiliar landscapes, sharing stories with new friends or stepping into an experience that feels completely different from everyday life.
In those moments, the phone becomes irrelevant and travel becomes what it was always meant to be: an opportunity to be fully present in the world around us.
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