Traveling After 65: Advantages, Precautions, and What Seniors Should Know Before They Go
Without the limitations of a work schedule, many older adults have the freedom to travel during less expensive seasons, take longer trips, visit family and friends, or finally explore destinations they have dreamed about for years.
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Retirement can open the door to a completely different kind of travel.
Without the limitations of a work schedule, many older adults have the freedom to travel during less expensive seasons, take longer trips, visit family and friends, or finally explore destinations they have dreamed about for years.
But traveling after 65 can also require more preparation than it did when you were younger. Medications, mobility, access to medical care, travel insurance, long flights, and unexpected health problems can all become more important considerations.
The good news is that getting older does not mean giving up travel. In many cases, it simply means traveling smarter and planning ahead.
Here are some of the advantages seniors may have when traveling—and the precautions that can help make the experience safer and more enjoyable.
The Advantages of Traveling After 65
1. You May Have More Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of retirement is flexibility.
If you are no longer working, you may not have to limit your trips to traditional vacation periods. Traveling during the shoulder or off-season can sometimes mean fewer crowds, more relaxed sightseeing, and potentially lower prices.
Instead of trying to squeeze a trip into a long weekend, you may be able to stay for two or three weeks.
That flexibility can also make it easier to avoid extreme weather, major holidays, or particularly busy travel periods.
2. You Can Take Your Time
You don't necessarily have to travel the way you did when you were younger.
A younger traveler might try to visit several cities in a few days. After retirement, you may have the luxury of slowing down.
Instead of spending one day in a city and immediately moving on, you can stay several days and experience it at a more comfortable pace.
Slow travel can also reduce physical exhaustion and make the trip more enjoyable.
3. Senior Discounts May Reduce Travel Costs
Some hotels, museums, attractions, transportation systems, restaurants, and tour companies offer discounts to older adults.
The eligibility requirements vary, so don't assume a discount is available—but don't be afraid to ask.
Even a small discount on transportation, accommodations, or attractions can add up during a longer trip.
4. You May Be Able to Travel for Longer Periods
Retirement can make extended travel possible.
Instead of taking a seven-day vacation, you might spend several weeks visiting family, exploring another country, or combining several destinations into one trip.
Longer stays can also make travel less rushed.
For example, spending a month in one region may allow you to rent an apartment, shop at local markets, cook some of your own meals, and experience everyday life rather than simply visiting tourist attractions.
5. Organized Travel Can Make Things Easier
Cruises, escorted tours, and other organized travel options can simplify many aspects of a trip.
Transportation, accommodations, meals, excursions, and itineraries may be coordinated for you.
However, convenience doesn't necessarily mean every tour is appropriate for every traveler.
Before booking, look carefully at the physical demands of the itinerary. A tour advertised as "easy" may still involve considerable walking, stairs, standing, or getting on and off buses and boats.
Precautions Seniors Should Take Before Traveling
The most enjoyable trip is usually the one you prepare for before leaving home.
Older travelers should consider their health, medications, mobility, insurance, and access to medical care before booking a trip.
1. Talk to Your Doctor Before an International Trip
The CDC recommends that older adults planning international travel make an appointment with their healthcare provider or a travel-health specialist at least four to six weeks before departure.
That gives you time to discuss your itinerary, planned activities, medications, vaccinations, and any health concerns. (CDC)
This is particularly important if you plan to visit remote locations, travel to high altitudes, go on a cruise, participate in strenuous activities, or spend an extended period abroad.
Don't simply ask, "Am I healthy enough to travel?"
Give your healthcare provider your actual itinerary. Walking around a European city, taking a cruise, hiking in the mountains, and spending several weeks in a tropical country can present very different challenges.
2. Bring Enough Medication—and Some Extra
Running out of prescription medication while traveling can turn a vacation into an emergency.
The CDC recommends bringing enough medication for the entire trip plus extra in case of travel delays. It also advises travelers to bring their medications from home rather than relying on obtaining them at their destination. (CDC)
Keep medications in your carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage whenever possible.
It's also wise to keep a current list of your medications with you, including the medication name, dosage, and instructions.
If you take several medications, having this information available could be extremely helpful if you need medical attention while traveling.
3. Don't Assume Medicare Will Cover You Overseas
This is one of the most important issues for American retirees traveling internationally.
Original Medicare generally does not cover healthcare outside the United States. There are only limited exceptions. (Medicare)
Some Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, policies may provide coverage for certain foreign travel emergencies. Some Medicare Advantage plans may also offer emergency or urgently needed care abroad as an additional benefit, but this varies by plan. (Medicare)
Therefore, before leaving the country, check your specific plan rather than assuming you are covered.
You should know:
Whether your plan provides emergency coverage outside the U.S.
What the coverage limits are
Whether you must pay upfront and seek reimbursement
Whether there is a deductible or coinsurance
Whether emergency medical evacuation is covered
Whether the destination is subject to any restrictions
Medicare also notes that Medicare Part D generally does not cover prescription drugs purchased outside the United States. (Medicare)
4. Consider Travel Medical Insurance
If your regular health insurance provides little or no international coverage, travel medical insurance may be worth considering.
But don't confuse trip insurance with travel medical insurance.
A policy designed primarily to reimburse you for a canceled or interrupted trip may not provide the medical protection you need.
The CDC recommends that travelers determine whether their existing health insurance covers medical care abroad and consider additional insurance for healthcare and emergency evacuation, particularly when traveling to remote locations. (CDC)
Before purchasing a policy, carefully examine what it actually covers.
For some travelers, emergency medical evacuation can be just as important as coverage for the medical treatment itself.
5. Pay Attention to Long Flights
Long periods of sitting can increase the risk of blood clots.
The CDC notes that airplane travel, particularly flights lasting more than four hours, can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Older age is one of several factors associated with increased risk. (CDC)
During a long trip, consider:
Getting up and walking periodically when it is safe to do so
Moving and stretching your legs while seated
Exercising your calf muscles
Choosing an aisle seat if appropriate
Asking your healthcare provider whether you have additional risk factors
If you have concerns about blood clots, talk to your healthcare provider before traveling. Don't start taking aspirin specifically to prevent travel-related blood clots unless your doctor recommends it; the CDC does not recommend aspirin for this purpose. (CDC)
6. Be Honest About Your Mobility
A beautiful destination isn't necessarily an easy destination.
Before booking, investigate the actual physical demands of your trip.
Ask yourself:
How much walking will I need to do?
Are there stairs?
Are elevators available?
Are streets steep or uneven?
How far is the hotel from transportation?
Will I have to stand in lines?
How much luggage will I need to carry?
Will excursions require climbing into boats or buses?
Don't be embarrassed to request assistance.
Airports, hotels, airlines, cruise ships, and tour operators may offer services designed to help travelers with mobility limitations.
Planning for assistance before departure is much better than struggling after you arrive.
7. Prepare for Heat and Dehydration
Older adults can be more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
If you're traveling to a hot destination, don't assume that because you normally tolerate heat well, you'll have no problems in a different climate.
The CDC recommends staying hydrated, using sun protection, wearing appropriate clothing, taking breaks, and scheduling outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day. (CDC)
Give yourself time to adapt to the climate rather than filling your first day with strenuous activities.
8. Have a Plan for Medical Emergencies
Before leaving, find out how you would obtain medical care at your destination.
This is particularly important for seniors, people with chronic health conditions, and travelers taking longer trips. (CDC)
Consider keeping:
A list of your medications
Your health insurance information
Emergency contact information
A copy of important medical records
Your physician's contact information
Copies of important travel documents
The CDC also recommends knowing how to contact emergency services at your destination and considering enrollment in the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) when traveling internationally. (CDC)
9. Don't Ignore Food, Water, and Hygiene
Travel can expose you to unfamiliar foods, water sources, and infectious diseases.
Simple precautions can make a difference.
Wash your hands regularly, use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available, and be cautious about food and water when appropriate for your destination. (CDC)
If you become sick during a trip, don't automatically assume it will pass.
Older travelers should be particularly attentive to significant or persistent symptoms and seek medical advice when appropriate.
10. Consider Your Travel Style
Not every type of travel is equally suitable for every senior.
A cruise may be wonderfully convenient for one traveler but frustrating for another.
A European walking tour may be perfect for an active 65-year-old but inappropriate for someone with significant mobility limitations.
An all-inclusive resort may provide a relaxing experience for someone who doesn't want to constantly move between hotels.
The goal isn't to find the "best" type of travel for seniors.
The goal is to find the type of travel that matches your health, mobility, interests, and comfort level.
What About Cruises?
Cruises are particularly popular among older adults because they combine transportation, accommodations, meals, entertainment, and excursions in one trip.
But cruises have their own considerations.
The CDC notes that respiratory illnesses and gastrointestinal illnesses can spread on cruise ships, where many people share common spaces. Good hand hygiene is particularly important. (CDC)
Before booking a cruise, consider:
How much walking is required?
How many stairs are involved?
How accessible is the ship?
How strenuous are the excursions?
What medical facilities are available onboard?
What happens if you become seriously ill?
Does your insurance cover medical care and evacuation?
If you are sick before departure, reconsider whether you should travel. If you become sick during the cruise, notify the ship's medical facility.
Create a "Travel Health File"
One simple way to prepare is to create a small travel health file—either physical, digital, or both.
It could contain:
Personal information
Full name
Emergency contact
Physician's contact information
Medical information
Current medications
Dosages
Allergies
Important medical conditions
Relevant medical history
Insurance information
Medicare information
Medicare Advantage or Medigap information, if applicable
Travel insurance policy information
Emergency assistance telephone number
Travel information
Flight details
Hotel information
Tour or cruise information
Emergency contacts at your destination
Keep a copy with you and consider leaving another copy with a trusted family member or friend.
The CDC also recommends carrying a record of your medical history while traveling. (CDC)
Don't Let Age Stop You From Traveling
Growing older can actually make travel more enjoyable in many ways.
You may have more time, greater flexibility, and the financial or personal freedom to finally take the trips you've been postponing.
But retirement travel should be approached differently from a spontaneous weekend getaway.
The key is preparation.
Check your health before leaving. Understand your insurance. Don't assume Medicare will pay for medical treatment abroad. Bring enough medication. Plan for mobility issues. Think about emergency medical care. And choose an itinerary that matches your abilities rather than trying to keep up with someone else's travel style.
Most importantly, don't confuse careful planning with being overly cautious.
Good preparation isn't designed to prevent you from traveling.
It's designed to help you enjoy the journey with fewer unpleasant surprises.
Before You Go: A Simple Senior Travel Reminder
Before your next trip, ask yourself these five questions:
Am I medically prepared for this trip?
Do I have enough medication, including extra for delays?
Do I know exactly what my health insurance will cover at my destination?
Do I have a plan for medical emergencies and evacuation?
Does the physical demands of this trip match my current abilities?
If you can answer all five confidently, you're much better prepared to enjoy your trip.
Useful Official Resources
For additional information, travelers should consult the CDC's resources for
CDC: Older Adults and Healthy Travel
CDC: Getting Health Care During Travel.
For information specifically about Medicare and international travel, see Medicare: Travel Outside the U.S