Travel among mature adults is booming! According to AARP, travelers over 50 account for more than half of all U.S. leisure trips, proving that wanderlust doesn't fade as we age. In fact, retirement may provide the freedom to travel like never before.
Whether you travel by air, rail, sea, or even RV, here are some essential travel tips for seniors.
Making savvy travel arrangements can save you stress and money. Here's what to focus on.
Read the reviews
What you see online isn’t always what you get. Consider reviews from real travelers like you to understand the pros and cons of the carriers, lodging and tours you’re considering.
Look for patterns in the critiques and pay close attention to longer reviews that outline both benefits and drawbacks.
Beyond traditional review sites, consider searching YouTube: many travelers and travel bloggers post videos from their destinations — even cruise ships — to give you an authentic look at what you can expect.
Book lodging directly
Travel clearinghouse sites like Expedia and Booking.com can offer tempting hotel deals, but policies can vary, so it may require additional research when booking with third parties.
When possible, book directly through a hotel’s website to ensure you know you’ll get your desired room type and view, and to simplify the process of making changes to your plans if something unexpected arises.
Seek out accessible ways to get around
From smooth sidewalks and walkable streets to hotels with elevators, ensure your destination can comfortably support your mobility needs. If you use a wheelchair or other mobility aid, check ahead to see whether sightseeing options, transit systems, and guided tours are set up to accommodate you.
Before you go, check how easy it is to get around your destination — whether that means proximity to public transit, the availability of taxis or rideshares, or organized tours. Depending on where you’re headed, you may also find unique ways to get around like London’s Tube and Japanese bullet trains, streetcars in Lisbon, or tuk tuks in Thailand.
Ensure access to healthcare
Know what medical facilities and pharmacies are available at your destination, especially if you’re traveling internationally or to a more remote location.
Whether it’s something minor (adhesive bandages after a long day of sight-seeing or antacids after a lavish meal, for example) or something more serious that requires medical attention, you’ll be glad you’ve done your research!
Bonus tip: If you’re traveling internationally, check your Medicare plan to see if care is covered. Many plans cover emergency care and urgent care differently, for example, so read the fine print.
Consider travel insurance
Travel insurance can make emergencies abroad less costly, so consider policies that cover medical evacuation and pre-existing conditions.
Some policies even let you cancel your trip for any reason and will refund a portion of what you’ve paid for your trip.
Caution: Many travel insurance companies make policyholders jump through time-consuming hoops to recoup their money. Check online reviews!
…Or skip DIY planning altogether!
Many seniors find working with professional planners reduces their stress and helps them enjoy their travels more.
“Find a good travel agent who understands you and follows through — let them do the work for you!” said Mary Fields, a Vi at The Glen resident who has traveled extensively.
Or go a step further and consider group travel! It’s no secret that social connectivity is key to well-being as you age.
Group travel through companies like Orbridge, Road Scholars, Trafalgar and ElderTreks can provide structure and great opportunities to get to know like-minded travelers with a variety of interests.
You don’t always have to plan group travel through a large company: At TidePointe, a Vi Community, resident Carolyn Schoonover launched a travel club within the community that's taken travel-loving residents on multiday trips to coastal Georgia, with the help of Vi staff.
"The staff has supported the group by arranging transportation," she said, making it easier for residents to focus on the fun parts of travel planning.
Ensure you’re equipped to navigate non-English speaking countries.
Tech tip: While a paper phrasebook is always a good idea, consider some handy smartphone apps to help improve your communication tout de suite.
- Before you go: Explore language-learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel
- During your travels: Install Google Translate or another translation app on your phone for menus, signage and more
Regional flavor
Many destinations have culinary specialties you won’t want to miss out on.
If you have allergies, dietary restrictions or strong preferences around food, however, do your research in advance. Not all restaurants will have great websites with detailed menus, but it’s good to have some spots in your back pocket that will reliably fit the bill for your needs.
Be sure you know how to communicate questions about your dietary needs in the local tongue if you have a gluten allergy or prefer to eat vegetarian. And if you’re concerned about your blood sugar or having depleted energy while out and about, it’s never a bad idea to pack some nonperishable snacks to stave off any side effects while you hunt for a spot to eat.
Immunizations and prescriptions
Some countries require travelers to be vaccinated before entering, and you may be asked to provide proof that you got the necessary shots. Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s website to verify whether your destination requires any.
Traveling internationally? Consider packing extra doses of your prescriptions, as Medicare will not cover filling it outside of the U.S.
And if any of your daily or as-needed prescriptions are controlled substances, ask your doctor for a signed note explaining what you take and why so your important medications aren’t confiscated at a checkpoint.
Smartphone access
If you’re headed to another country, talk with your phone plan’s provider for information on their international plans. Some will even automatically connect you to another country’s network and allow you limited data usage.
Tech tip: You can also look into secondary SIM cards or eSIM apps. This technology will allow you to connect to local data networks so you can stay connected to loved ones for safety.
"Pack light, but pack smart," advises Lois Golub, who has streamlined her packing over years of travel. "You don't want to be hauling heavy bags around when you're trying to enjoy yourself."
With that in mind, here are some must-haves for your luggage.
Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are essential — even if you don’t have extensive hiking planned.
Coordinate and layer up
Bring versatile pieces you can mix, match and layer for different activities and climates, including rainy days and cooler nights.
Plan your outfits in advance, ensuring you can mix and match pieces and you can streamline bulky items like shoes and accessories. Packing cubes can be an ideal way to keep your clothing neat and organized, especially when traveling to multiple cities or destinations.
Don't forget your other essentials
Where these items are concerned, you’re “better safe than sorry”:
- Complete medication list and emergency contact information
- Copies of important documents (including your passport) stored separately from originals
- Portable phone chargers or power banks
- International power adapters
- Collapsible walking aids, if you use them
- Hand sanitizer and basic first aid supplies
Nothing ruins a great vacation more than coming home to chaos, so plan ahead:
- Put U.S. mail and packages on hold
- Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check on your home
- Put lights on timers and consider other security measures like a smart video camera to monitor for suspicious activity
- Plan for home maintenance visits like lawn mowing services
Considering a senior living community? One of the perks of life there: you can "lock your doors and leave." Simply let staff know you’ll be traveling, then head off on your adventure without worrying about security, home maintenance or mail piling up.
"We don't worry about a thing," said Andy Anderson from Vi at The Glen. "When we were living in a house, if there was a big storm while we were away, I was always nervous about what we'd come home to."
Smart planning can make travel accessible and enjoyable at any age. The key to senior travel is adapting your approach to align with how you live now.
Once you’ve packed, planned, and prepared, all that’s left is the fun part: counting down the days until your next big adventure begins.
If your wanderlust is still alive and well, we'd love to hear about your plans — and share how Vi could make globetrotting even easier for you.
Glad to be connected!
There’s a lot to consider when embarking on the next phase of retirement—and contacting us is a big step. (Well done!)
We’ll be in touch soon to share expert insights and resident perspectives that we hope are helpful, and one of our team members will also be reaching out to answer any questions you may have.