What is the Best Way to Travel As a Senior? Any Way You Want

April 6, 2021

“Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it” Journey


The great thing about travel is that you can go any way you want, to anywhere you want. Well, with a mask, social distancing, a visa, permission from the government, etc. You get the drill. Just because you’re a senior, doesn’t mean life is over. It’s time to travel! 

What Are the Best Vacations for Seniors?


Hey, anytime you can get away on a vacation is good, right? Right. The best vacation for a senior is the one you take. And, we GenXers know it’s hard to accept the fact that 50-year-olds are “seniors,” but hey, if we get the AARP discount, does it matter? Okay. We hear ya. “Older Americans.” 


Retirement from your job is good. But then it gets to be too much to sit in your home day after day. What day is it anyway? (The pandemic isn’t helping with that). To break up the monotony, you may volunteer, work part-time for vacation money, or garden. If you’re tired of that or are just sick of the neighborhood gossip, why not change your environment for a week?


“Anytime we change our environment, we have the potential to change our perspective. And when you change your perspective, you may find pleasure in things that maybe you didn’t know you’d enjoy.”  Gregory Jantz, Ph.D


There is a trip for every budget, interest, and activity level. Make an appointment with your local travel agent. They’ll give you the best advice and they’ll have up-to-date information on the tour operators who guarantee trips. Since travel agents work on commission from vendors, their services come at no cost to you. (If they charge you a fee, find another one. That’s no bueno.) 

Do I Have to Go on a Cruise?


It’s such a cliche that seniors only go on cruises. You probably watched too much Love Boat like we did growing up. No, older Americans don’t have to travel by cruise ship. There are plenty of group tours (like this one in Greece) and even smaller boutique vessels that cater to the 50+ crowd. And who doesn’t love a good River Cruise? It’s not about the party; it’s about culture. 


“On our ship-based adventures, we use expedition ships - not cruise ships. Smaller vessels allow for more personal interaction and reduce our impact at the sites we visit.” ElderTreks


If you do go on a trip that includes a cruise attached, plan to arrive a few days early. This time-honored advice comes from travelers and travel agents alike. You’ll want to get used to any new time zone, ensure you don’t miss connections, rest, and see the place. A great example is if you plan to see the penguins in Patagonia, you’ll likely fly into Buenos Aires. Do that a few days ahead of time and enjoy a great meal in the city. 


“The good news is there’s a simple, and often money-saving solution to this problem: adding at least one stopover in each direction decreases the schedule shock for your body.” AirTreks


So, Where Will You Go?


The travel industry knows that between Boomers (71.6 million Americans) and GenXers (65.2 million Americans), we’re too big to ignore. Combined, we’re between the ages of 41 and 75 years old. We’re “older Americans, “seniors,” and “soon-to-be seniors.” Tour operators and travel agents will continue to prepare the way for us to travel, regardless of ability. Yes, if you need a wheelchair, there’s a solution.  


The world is your proverbial oyster. What’s on your bucket list?


Back to Magazine
Healthy Access Banner