Senior Travel and Vacations
A 2024 Guide to Senior Travel
A 2024 Guide to Senior Travel
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You've worked hard your whole life and dreamed of traveling to several exotic locations. Now that you've retired, it's time to hit the road (or runway). Perhaps you want to travel with your spouse, join a group of older adults, or join family or friends on their vacations. The options are limited only by your pocketbook and your imagination.
In this guide, we'll share travel tips for seniors, ways to save on travel, benefits of senior travel groups, clubs and tours, as well as benefits of senior travel.
You've waited a long time to enjoy this time in your life. Let's look at things you can do in advance to ensure you have the best experience possible on your travels.
Pro Tip: Looking for travel insurance, but don't know where to start? View our helpful guide on Best Travel Insurance for Seniors in 2024.
Although most people dream of traveling during retirement, according to Kiplinger, 20 percent of adults over 50 have no retirement savings. Many are worried about juggling the high cost of housing, health, education and food. Therefore, many Americans will need to be creative to fulfill their wanderlust after retirement.
Fun Fact: When it comes to discretionary spending, 85 percent of senior travelers rank travel amongst their top three priorities, according to AARP.
Knowing that travel is important to seniors, but they don't want to break the bank to explore a new city or continent, we've collected the best ways to help you save on travel and vacation costs (including cruises):
Groups do the legwork for you. You travel with fellow seniors and trips are designed with the physical capabilities of older adults in mind. For example, tour operators ensure you have accessible transportation, that the trips proceed at a reasonable pace, and that your senior-friendly hotels are located in safe areas.
Tours are generally led by expert guides steering you toward the best sites to see while at specific locales. Senior travel groups and tours are usually designed so that everyone eats meals together and can socialize. If you're traveling solo, joining a group is a great way to travel with added security and without feeling alone.
Did You Know? If you have special needs, senior travel and tour companies will likely still welcome you. Touch base with the group you plan to travel with to ensure they can accommodate your needs. The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH) offers travel tips and access information for travel destinations. They also have a great listing of disability travel websites.
Groups might use travel agencies to buy tickets and accommodations in bulk or make the arrangements themselves. So, they can pass the savings on airfares, hotels, and tours on to you, which is cost effective. Tour planners make arrangements with your age, safety factors, entertainment, and cost-effectiveness in mind — making their expertise very valuable!
Travel during retirement is more than an enjoyable activity. It's good for your health! Whether you travel alone, with your spouse, some friends, or a senior group, here are just some of the many health benefits of travel:
Fun Fact: According to a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, scientists were surprised to discover that respondents who travel frequently became more optimistic. They were able to think positively outside their original “closed environment” when facing challenges and improve their long-term mental state.
Kiplinger. (2024). One in Five Americans Have No Retirement Savings. Do You?
AARP. (2023). 2023 TRAVEL TRENDS.
AAFP. (2010). Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults.
National Library of Medicine. (2016). Meditation and vacation effects have an impact on disease-associated molecular phenotypes.
National Library of Medicine. (2022). Understanding the Value of Tourism to Seniors’ Health and Positive Aging.