Post-COVID travel tips for older adults and seniors

While everyone loves a good vacation, seniors especially get to enjoy more time in new, interesting places once they’re retired. However, traveling as an older adult can feel very different from traveling when you were younger. You don’t feel like walking all over town all day, you don’t have the energy to stand in long lines to see one attraction. Luckily, we have compiled traveling tips specifically for seniors so that you can take advantage of your retirement and take the time to see the world. 

Pick Dates Wisely 

The first step of traveling as a senior is to pick the best times to visit. It’s wise to plan for shoulder season (April to May, or September to October). These are times where most places will be less crowded, meaning you won’t have to deal with so many people at all the attractions you want to see. Going in non-peak seasons can also save you money on flights and hotels.

There may be some places that you want to see in peak seasons because of seasonal events, such as cherry blossoms blooming in Washington or summer in California, and in these cases you can still have a great time, as there are other ways to ensure you avoid the crowds, which we’ll discuss later. 

Get Insured, and Equipped

Travel insurance can be much more necessary once you’re a senior. Seniors are more at risk to have an injury, and in a new city it is wise to come prepared, even if it is a bit expensive.

When traveling to a new city, you should also be sure to pack all the medication you need for the full duration of your trip. If you’re worried about losing some of your pills during transit or over the course of your trip, take double the amount of medication you need for the trip, and keep one half in one place (such as your luggage) and another half in another place (such as your purse). If you have important medication, this can be a lifesaver in case you misplace one set or your luggage is lost on the flight.

If traveling alone, you should also keep a list of your medications or allergies on you where you put your ID, in the event of a serious emergency where you need urgent medical assistance. Most likely, nothing dire will happen, but it’s good to be prepared.

Pack Right

For seniors, travel packages can be a lifesaver. Coordinating flights, hotels, car rentals, and more can be exhausting and stressful. With travel packages, you pay one price (usually per person) on a site like Expedia and it includes your flight, hotel, and more if you want it.

This can also make it easier to go anywhere you want at the spur of the moment, since there’s less planning involved. With packages, you can also get an idea of which destinations are more expensive per person, and which ones are more affordable. 

Pack Light

The last thing anyone wants to do is lug a huge suitcase around, but this is especially true for older people. If you want to carry less luggage, check out this video for tips on saving space in your suitcase. They suggest rolling clothes up as opposed to folding them, using pill cases instead of a large wallet, and other helpful tips.

You can also carry less by packing less, so next time you pack, reevaluate what is necessary and what’s not. You should also consider checking your luggage on flights, because putting overhead on the plane can be such a pain, especially when you probably have to ask someone else to do it. 

Seeing the City

When you’re actually at your destination, consider the best times to go out and enjoy the city. If attractions are still open, it may be better to do most sightseeing at night, when it is cooler and possibly less crowded. If you are more of a morning person, take the day by storm and hit attractions as soon as they open. When choosing how to get to where you want to go, find ways to minimize walking and standing time. Plan a bus route, rent a car, take advantage of taxis, choose the shortest route, or find coffee shops where you can stop and rest along the way. Remember that it is probably going to be a long day ahead of you, and the more energy you can conserve, the better. 

We hope you visit every place you’ve ever wanted to visit, and as we emerge from COVID, now is the time to do so. Even though some people may say traveling is for young people who can walk all day, there are clearly many ways for you to enjoy tons of new places no matter what your age. Take chances, plan your next trip, and always be safe! 

—Avery Tamura