How to Keep Traveling as You Age: Tips for Adventures in Your 50s, 60s, and Beyond

People tend to associate traveling with youth, but the reality looks different. Travel often makes more sense when you’re older than when you’re in your twenties. People in their fifties and sixties tend to have more free time, more money, and—this is contentious but probably true—more of an appreciation of what traveling offers.

That’s not to say traveling when you’re older comes without complications. Traveling at any age presents challenges. For younger people, those challenges are usually money-related. For older adults, it’s mobility issues and other age-related concerns like finding destinations that don’t overly cater to youth.

But as we all know, there are solutions for all problems. In this post, we’ll run through tried-and-tested tips that should make your vacations as an older individual offer nothing but positive experiences. Let’s get into it.

Stay Longer

The reason most people limit their vacations to a week isn’t that they can’t bear to be away from home longer. They have to return for work.

If you’re retired, you don’t have that problem. You have the gift of time, and that can make any trip better, regardless of how old you are. Staying longer in a destination helps remove one of the issues of traveling with age—the amount of energy it takes to cram everything into a few days. You’ll also gain a deeper appreciation of your chosen destination, since you’ll have the time to truly enjoy it.

Extended stays can be cost-effective too. You can usually get a good per-night deal when staying for a month at a time. Many vacation rentals offer weekly or monthly discounts, and some cities have long-term stay apartments designed for exactly this type of traveler.

Longer trips also let you live like a local. You can shop at neighborhood markets, find your favorite coffee spot, and develop routines that make you feel at home wherever you are.

Choose Accommodations With Elevators and Accessibility

When you’re booking accommodations, pay close attention to accessibility features. That charming fourth-floor walk-up in Paris might sound romantic until you’re hauling luggage up narrow stairs after a long flight.

Look for hotels with elevators, ground-floor rooms, or properties with ramps and accessible bathrooms. Many modern hotels cater specifically to older travelers with features like grab bars, walk-in showers, and adjustable beds.

Reading recent reviews from other travelers in your age group can reveal details that official descriptions might gloss over. People often mention if stairs are steep, if the property is far from public transit, or if the neighborhood feels safe for evening walks.

Find Your Tribe

Meeting people of all ages when you’re traveling can be fun. Still, it’s more enjoyable if you’re not continually feeling like a fish out of water. Choosing destinations that are popular with people in your age bracket—or which cater to those ages—can be a great way to meet people with whom you have an increased chance of developing a genuine connection.

RV parks can be especially good for this. Not only are RV vacations particularly popular with older people, but there are also RV parks that only admit guests who are 55 and older. That can give you peace of mind that you’ll get all the benefits of a great RV site without having to contend with the noise and chaos that younger vacationers can bring.

River cruises, educational tours, and certain resort destinations also tend to attract older demographics, creating built-in communities of like-minded travelers.

Don’t Overlook Tours

Most older people choose to go on vacations to relaxing destinations. With that said, that doesn’t mean more intense vacations should be off limits. There are people who have climbed Everest in their eighties, so age doesn’t need to hold you back from adventurous getaways. Wherever you want to go, take a look to see if there’s a guided tour aimed at older people available. In all likelihood, there will be.

Tours designed for older travelers typically move at a more comfortable pace, include more rest stops, and handle logistics like transportation and luggage. You get the adventure without the stress of planning every detail yourself.

Travel During Shoulder Season

If you’re retired, you’re not bound by school schedules or limited vacation days. Take advantage of this freedom by traveling during shoulder season—the period between peak and off-peak times.

You’ll encounter smaller crowds, lower prices, and more pleasant weather than you might expect. Spring and fall often offer the best combination of good weather and fewer tourists. Hotels and airlines typically offer better rates, and popular attractions become actually enjoyable without the summer masses.

Local residents also tend to be more relaxed and welcoming during shoulder season since they’re not overwhelmed by peak tourist crowds.

Pack Lighter Than You Think You Need

This advice applies to travelers of all ages, but it becomes especially important as you get older. Heavy luggage is harder on your body, and you don’t want to start your trip with a sore back or strained shoulder.

Invest in lightweight luggage with good wheels. Pack versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched. Most destinations have laundry facilities, so you can wash clothes midway through your trip rather than packing a different outfit for every day.

Consider shipping some items ahead to your destination if you’re staying somewhere for an extended period. This works particularly well for things like books, extra shoes, or specialty items you’ll need but don’t want to carry through airports.

Prioritize Comfort Over Saving a Few Dollars

When you were younger, you might have been willing to take the red-eye flight, stay in hostels, or walk miles to save money on transportation. Now that you’re older and presumably have more financial flexibility, prioritize comfort.

Book direct flights when possible to avoid the exhaustion of connections. Choose aisle seats for easier access to the bathroom and more leg room. Stay in hotels with good beds and quiet rooms so you actually rest well during your trip.

Splurge on taxis or car services instead of navigating complicated public transit with luggage. Your energy and comfort are worth more than the money you’ll save by suffering through inconvenient options.

Schedule Rest Days

Don’t pack your itinerary so full that you exhaust yourself. Build in rest days where you can sleep late, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and maybe just wander your neighborhood without any specific agenda.

These buffer days help you recover from jet lag, catch up on sleep, and process all the experiences you’ve had. They also give you flexibility if you discover something interesting that deserves more time or if you simply need a slower day.

Choose Destinations With Good Healthcare

Research the healthcare system in your destination before you go. Some countries have excellent medical facilities that welcome international patients, while others have limited options outside major cities.

Travel insurance with medical coverage becomes more important as you age. Make sure your policy covers pre-existing conditions and emergency evacuation if needed. Keep a list of your medications, allergies, and important medical information in both digital and physical form.

Identify English-speaking doctors or medical facilities at your destination before you need them. Many hotels can provide recommendations, and expat communities often share resources online.

Embrace Slow Travel

Slow travel means spending more time in fewer places. Instead of racing through six countries in two weeks, spend two weeks really getting to know one or two destinations.

This approach reduces travel fatigue, gives you time to form connections with locals, and lets you experience places more authentically. You can take cooking classes, attend local events, or simply find your favorite bench in the park and watch daily life unfold.

Slow travel also makes it easier to manage any health conditions since you’re not constantly adapting to new environments, time zones, and routines.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

Travel apps can make your trips significantly easier. Translation apps help you communicate in countries where you don’t speak the language. Maps apps prevent you from getting lost. Ride-sharing apps eliminate the stress of finding taxis in unfamiliar cities.

Download important information like hotel confirmations, tickets, and maps to your phone so you can access them without wifi. Keep backup copies in email or cloud storage.

Video calls let you stay connected with family back home, which can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.

Connect With Other Travelers Your Age

Online communities for older travelers can provide valuable advice, destination recommendations, and even potential travel companions. Forums and Facebook groups dedicated to senior travel are full of people sharing tips about everything from the best cruise lines to accessible hiking trails.

Some travelers find companions through these groups and end up traveling together, splitting costs and enjoying the camaraderie of shared adventures.

Don’t Let Age Define Your Limits

Finally, remember that age is just a number. Some 70-year-olds are more adventurous than some 30-year-olds. Don’t automatically rule out destinations or activities because you think they’re “for young people.”

Listen to your body, be realistic about your abilities, but don’t let arbitrary age-related assumptions hold you back from experiences you’re genuinely interested in and capable of enjoying.

The world remains full of possibilities regardless of how many birthdays you’ve celebrated. With smart planning, the right attitude, and these practical tips, your later years can be some of your best travel years yet.

Featured image by Daria Trofimova on Unsplash