Senior Travel Planning and Resources for 2026

Are you a woman over 50 who loves to travel? I certainly am. It’s a passion of mine. And, as a single woman, I have been experimenting with solo travel. Just because we are older doesn’t mean we have to stay home. I know of people in their 90s who are still going on trips with friends, spouses, groups, and all by themselves.

Good travel planning will help make travel, as we age, easier and safer. Below are some tips to have the most enjoyable trips possible over 50.

Seniors are voracious travelers, including single older women. If you love to travel, careful trip planning is the best way to have the safest, easiest, and most enjoyable vacation.

If the expense of traveling makes it difficult, you can also enjoy traveling in your hometown. For instance, I have another blog about my hometown of Los Angeles called BoominginLA.com. It is about things to do in L.A. that even your Grandma would love. No matter where you live, you can find exciting places to visit and enjoy without leaving your city.

It’s never too late to travel

Those of us who have reached retirement age and are not ready to be put out to pasture are looking for new adventures. Our kids are gone, and we have more freedom. Senior travel is a huge industry. The trip-planning websites and resources listed below will help make your next vacation more exciting, easier to navigate, and memorable.

Having tea aboard the Queen Elizabeth - travel products and resources for Baby Boomers — In this photo, I’m having high tea on the Cunard Queen Elizabeth when I cruised the Mediterranean from Rome to Southampton.

If you are traveling abroad, make sure your paperwork is in order

You must have all your travel documents in place well before your departure. That means having a Real ID (in the United States), a valid passport, necessary visas, vaccinations, and other items that take weeks or months to arrive.

Check your passport’s expiration date

Your passport must be valid for at least 8 months after your departure. To check the status of your passport in the United States if you are in the process of renewing it, click on the following link.

passportstatus.state.gov

Expedited processing may take 12-18 weeks. Click here to see how to get your passport faster.

You can quickly get passport photos taken at your local drugstore.

Have the proper Visas for the countries you visit by checking with the Department of State.

Traveling to the EU? Be prepared

If you are traveling to the Schengen Zone (in Europe), you will need to be entered into the Entry/Exit System (EES). This will occur when you arrive at your departure airport. Plan to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before boarding, as lines will be long for some time.

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital, automated system for non-EU travelers, scheduled to be operational from late 2025, that replaces manual passport stamping with biometric registration (facial image and four fingerprints) upon arrival at Schengen airports. It applies to short-stays (90/180 days) and aims to speed up border checks during future trips.

The U.K. equivalent to the EU’s incoming Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS travel authorization is the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). While EES is a biometric border check for entering the EU, the UK ETA is a pre-travel, online permit for non-visa nationals visiting the UK, similar to a U.S. ESTA. This must be applied for even if you are transferring from a U.K. airport such as Heathrow.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be active in late 2026, and you will need to apply for it.

The ETIAS application (which will go into effect late 2026) fee is €20 (EUR) per traveler ($21-$23 U.S.), payable via debit or credit card for most visa-exempt nationals visiting 30 European countries. This fee covers processing, identity verification, and security checks. The fee is waived for applicants under 18 or over 70, as well as for family members of EU citizens.

At the same time, ETIAS requires non-EU citizens who do not need a visa to apply for travel authorization in advance of their trip.

Purchase travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential as we age because anything can happen. I have been using and recommend VisitorsCoverage, which aggregates many insurance companies to get you the perfect plan and rate.

Here is a guide on Trip Cancellation Compensation you may find useful.

Travel on the CHEAP so you can enjoy your experiences rather than stress out about the cost

As a senior travel enthusiast on a limited income, there are several ways to cut costs if you practice smart trip planning.

Don’t forget to redeem your senior discounts

I know it’s hard to think of ourselves as seniors, but if you are over 50, you are eligible for terrific senior discounts. Affinity groups, like AAA, Seniors’ Coalition, AARP, Veterans Organizations, Alumni Groups, etc., offer tremendous savings opportunities for seniors. If you’re not part of an affinity group like those mentioned above, join one.

Earn points to get FREE flights and hotel stays

Save money as a senior traveler using points programs from airlines and hotels. Points can get you accommodations and flights for free or discounts when you plan your next vacation.

Free programs to track your points include Traxo.com, AwardWallet.com, and PointHub.com.

As a rule, credit cards offer more benefits overall for points than airlines do, especially if you do not fly frequently. The card you use depends on the location you are flying from. Recommended credit cards include Chase Freedom, Citi Double Cash, Wells Fargo Active Cash, American Express, Chase Sapphire, and Capital One Venture.

Travel and get your accommodations FREE as a pet or house sitter

If you are an animal lover on a budget, you can take care of someone’s pet or home in many places around the world in exchange for accommodations by signing up with Trusted Housesitters. The pet’s needs must come first, but it gives you a chance to live among locals to soak up the culture.

The BEST online travel websites to book hotels and flights

A travel agent comes in handy to help with trip planning. You can also check with the online sites below to get the best price.

Google/travel/hotels – Google has become the fastest and easiest way to find the best prices in real time. For flights.
Skyscanner – This travel search engine uses exclusive technology that can access hundreds of airline, hotel, or car rental sites to give you the lowest prices. They also offer a free and easy-to-use smartphone app.

Sites like Booking.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor, etc., have been falling off the best booking sites lists because of the emergence of AI.

Cruising makes it easy for seniors to travel with ease

Cruise ship lines have implemented strict health protocols since the pandemic.

Senior travelers with mobility issues often enjoy staying on board the ship the entire time, while others can’t wait to get off and explore. Excursions from the ship are designed for active and less active people of all ages.

River cruises are more intimate and land at smaller and less crowded ports. They are my personal favorite. Enjoy a relaxing float past medieval castles and picturesque scenery. Have dinner on the ship, go to bed, and wake up in another charming town. Being on a river gives you less chance of getting seasick than a standard cruise ship.

I took an AmaWaterways river cruise from Budapest to Prague during the holidays. It was magical!

Because the passenger load on a river cruise is much smaller, health protocols are easier to enforce to protect passengers against contagious diseases.

The most popular river cruise lines for seniors include:

Viking
AmaWaterways
Uniworld

If you are adventurous, you may even want to try sailing. I wrote a post about my 3-week sailboat trip to Saint Vincent of the Grenadines and Grenada, here. It was amazing!

Transportation

Uber is available in many countries and is an affordable and easy way to get around. However, not all airports allow Uber to pick up, and taxis can be iffy. We Ubered in Mexico City and Los Cabos, and it was inexpensive.

Welcome Pickups is an airport pick-up service you may want to consider. It is active in 282 major cities abroad, including 21 major cities in the U.S.

The company says, “We selected one of the best, most trustworthy, and convenient 5-star airport taxi companies for your airport transfer based on user reviews across various platforms such as Google, Tripadvisor, and Trustpilot. Welcome Pickups offers a great experience and safety to its travelers.

Local English-speaking drivers
Flat, pre-paid fee
Flight monitoring for delays
24/7 Customer support.”

Tours, sightseeing, and fun activities

I love going on tours whenever I’m in a new city, but you always want to deal with a legitimate tour operator. Some tours are designed for seniors who want a slower and easier travel experience. As a solo traveler, group tours offer opportunities to meet new friends in a safe environment. I particularly love food tours because you get a meal as well.

Get Your Guide is a third-party aggregator that arranges locally guided tours in the U.S. and abroad with local providers. It is Berlin-based and can be accessed via a smartphone app, so you can easily find tours in the area you are visiting. The company has over 23,000 tours available in 150 countries. Its guides speak in 22 languages and accept 40 currencies. The company offers booking protection, great customer support, and will work to give you the best experience possible. You can filter to find senior-friendly experiences depending on your needs.
Viator is a leading TripAdvisor-owned online marketplace that allows travelers to search, compare, and book over 300,000 tours, activities, and attractions worldwide, offering a secure, comprehensive platform for planning travel experiences with free cancellation options.
Big Bus Tour – I LOVED LOVED LOVED the Big Bus Tour we took in London. It’s the best way to get around the city to get your bearings. There are Big Buses throughout the U.S. and the world. Its Hop-on Hop-off buses conduct guided tours (sometimes live) that highlight points of interest and are entertaining and informative. They are also perfect if you want to see most of a city without suffering from foot or knee pain. Read my review here.

Essential Travel Gear for Women Over 50

I prefer to pack carry-on only to avoid waiting for my bags or risk them getting lost. However, that may not be for you. In my Amazon Storefront, I list many of my favorite travel gear items. Click on the link below to view my list.

My Amazon Store Travel Gear List – This list includes everything you need to travel comfortably for long distances.

More travel gear ideas on the blog

Look amazing when you travel with easy-to-pack clothing and just the right travel gear for your needs. I wrote a post about essential carry-on travel gear, and how to travel light and nifty over 50. I also interviewed meteorologist Cheryl Nelson about packing for winter travel.

Learn the language for a better travel experience

You can use smartphone apps to translate languages, including Google Translate and Apple Translate, which are free.

Another solution is to use the Vasco V4 translator, which looks almost like a smartphone. It comes with its own SIM card to avoid roaming charges and is ready to go out of the box. It easily translates speech, text, and photos and offers lessons in many languages. The device works in over 200 countries and translates 112 languages.

Watch my video below on how it works.

Travel Trends for Baby Boomers

If you are a Baby Boomer, find information below on travel trends for our demographic that is valuable when planning your next trip.

In 2025, popular domestic destinations for Baby Boomers included Florida (especially beach towns and Orlando), Hawaii (particularly Honolulu and Kahului), and cities across the American West Coast like Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. The top foreign destinations include Italy, Ireland, and Greece, with many also considering Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Now that Baby Boomers have children who have left the nest and parents who may have passed on, they have more freedom to travel, and some take up to 4 trips per year.

Age hasn’t stopped Baby Boomers from adventure travel. They are hiking, biking, walking, mountain climbing, scuba diving, skiing, motorcycling, camping, glamping, RVing, and even skydiving. There are no limits to what we can do.

It also hasn’t stopped seniors with disabilities from venturing out into the world. They are cruising, riding the rails, sailing, and relaxing at wellness spas.

Slower-Paced Travel

Road Scholar reports: “As Boomers are starting to reach their 80s, offering more slower-paced programs has become a priority for us. We’re doubling down on creating versions of our most popular programs at lower activity levels, but also trying to think outside the box and asking ourselves, ‘Are there new angles and program formats we might be missing?'” ~ Road Scholar AVP of Program Management & Strategy, Meghan Flynn.

Experiential travel

One aspect of travel trending with the Baby Boomer generation is interacting with locals and immersing in the local culture.

Senior travelers, as a general rule, prefer to stay in hotels or cruise ships rather than rented homes and hostels, mostly for comfort and service. However, that doesn’t mean they only book rooms at large and familiar hotel chains. Some opt for locally run boutique hotels, which are unique, smaller, and provide a more authentic experience. They also take eclectic small-group or private tours to soak up the local flavor rather than crowded tourist excursions.

Purposeful travel has also gained popularity with Boomers who have time on their hands. Some take nature or wildlife expeditions to learn about conservation, or cultural explorations that includes volunteering as part of their trip package. Discover Corps is dedicated to just that and was founded by a former Peace Corps volunteer.

Senior travel spending

Mature travelers spend more money than younger people. One reason is that they desire comfort. Unless they are in great shape, they don’t want to climb into the upper bunk of a sleeper car, squeeze into a tiny Tokyo cubicle, or hang out in a hostel when they could get their Z’s sleeping on a luxury hotel bed.

Seniors who love nature and camping but prefer not to rough it go glamping, and rent houseboats or RVs to make camping easier and more comfortable.

If you are over 65 and love the outdoors, purchase a National Park Senior Pass because the National Parks are magnificent.

Where there’s a will, there is a way

Retirees often travel on extended trips without worrying about returning to a job. Others, who never saved up a large nest egg, are finding creative ways to travel for little or no cost. Some seniors have left lifelong careers or businesses to become travel writers, private tour operators, or seminar speakers on cruise ships.

Connecting with family far away

Not every senior dreams of seeing the entire world and would rather travel to visit family members who live elsewhere. They may also choose to give their children who are parents a break and take the grandchildren or other relatives on trips.

Multi-generational travel is another way seniors can spend quality time with their families. They may rent a lodge to enjoy a ski vacation, an inclusive resort, a cruise, or gather at an ancestral location for a family reunion.

Health and travel

Health is always a concern for seniors who love to travel. Sufficient travel insurance is a must. Not every insurance company offers emergency services for people 65+, and Medicare doesn’t cover all expenses overseas. If you are on Medicare, make sure to research what coverage is available in your destination.

Wellness travel is also a trend with seniors. Retreats are often chosen to restore physical or mental health. Some older travelers venture to wellness resorts in foreign destinations to seek alternative medical treatments. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed a weekend at Miraval Resort and Wellness Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

Solo or friend travel

Senior women, who may have lost a spouse or never married, enjoy solo travel or travel with a friend. The advantage of solo travel for women over 50 is setting your own agenda, touring at your own pace, and seeking unique experiences. Traveling with a girlfriend is practical because you can look out for each other in case of an emergency.

Vacation selfies are not just for Millennials

Twenty-somethings aren’t the only ones posting vacation photos on Instagram. Seniors are also memorializing their travel and posting photos on their IG accounts using their smartphones or lightweight cameras.

Just a caution, as I found out on a trip to Mexico: don’t try to take a video while walking backward on cobblestones. I almost fell flat on my face, but caught myself and will never do that again.

Places I’ve been in the world

I’ve been lucky to enjoy several dream trips in my lifetime and have written about them in this blog. A few of these posts were written by guest writers who have had amazing experiences.

Here I am in Old Town Krakow, Poland, surrounded by colorful street musicians. If you ever get a chance to go to Poland, make sure to visit Krakow’s incredible medieval Market Square.

Enjoy your next trip!

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