Travel Tips for Seniors

Exploring our dear old planet without having to go back to work is a major boon while entering those golden ‘gray-hair’ years. Whereas seniors are ready to travel and they love catching up with friends and families, get involved in a good laugh but they are often concerned about their health and change of places. Some of you reading this have already planned a world tour upon retirement and for some, traveling might be dreadful due to their disabilities. But worry not, whether you are looking forward to traveling to a far-off land, wish to explore a new destination, or planning to spend a few months on a secluded island with your family and friends, traveling now is much easier for seniors than before and they can quench their wanderlust at any age. Despite the simplicity and travel safety, our elderly travelers need to prepare for their travel by following a few travel tips for senior citizens.

Travel Tips for Senior Citizens

For seniors anticipating travel soon, it's never too early or late to get organized. Yes, traveling can be challenging and tiring but there are several ways to make things uncomplicated and smooth. Wherever you wish to travel and whatever might be your dream destination, just stick to a few points to ensure a refreshing and safe journey.

Decide when and where to go - 'I'm going to Orlando; no, I'm going to Paris, well...err...to Canada I suppose. Well, well, well...this is where all the stress comes from. Being focused where you wish to go builds up an objective to work towards that trip. Many discuss vague travel ideas. Don't just say 'I need to go somewhere. Picking up a destination solves a heap of issues. Focus, be destination-oriented as it is a whole lot less stressful.

Packing personal items – Being seniors it is very important how you pack your bags. Not just like teenagers or like college grads, but as mature and systematic people, yes. You can carry small containers or zip-bags that will fit in one backpack or a small handbag. Pack liquids in your checked baggage. Carry your deodorants, razors, clothes, toiletries, etc – all in one small bag.

Air Travel Tips for Seniors

Seniors like comfortable flights with fewer hassles. So, try and book a direct flight to your destination and avoid transfer flights and smaller airlines. We always recommend booking a non-stop airline over connecting flights to lessen worry and fatigue and reduce travel time and the fear of missing a flight. Regardless of pricey airfares and a long road to the airport, book a non-stop flight as it is trouble-free and takes you with surety.

Also, it's better to travel during the right time of the day as it will be less stressful for seniors. Some seniors might not have the vitality they once had. For such people, traveling mid-morning or noon seem to be the right time.

Buy travel insurance: This should be the #1 travel tip for the elderly, for all the good reasons. Travel insurance keeps you financially secure and physically fit. For any injury or illness while traveling or holidaying, travel medical insurance ensures that you get proper medical attention without facing problems and stress. Travel insurance for seniors can cost less than a trip but it's worth keeping. We pray and hope you never need them but knowing that you are covered, gives hope and relaxation to the mind.

How Age Affects Travel - Visit Your Doctor

Along with travel plans persistent in your mind, think of visiting a doctor before traveling. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to ensure you are perfectly fit for vacationing and further, you'll be advised about the 'do's & don'ts' during your trip. In simple words, your doctor would give you a green signal that you are fit as a fiddle to traveling if you have one of those ailments - coronary heart disease, hypertension, or chronic conditions. Make sure you carry your medications and they don't run out.

Watch what you eat: Take these four words as golden words - watch what you eat. Seniors tend to have a sensitive stomach or restricted food intake. The hotel food would be tempting no doubt. You must avoid spicy, greasy, heavy and cheesy food.

Senior Travel Tips - Carry minimum valuables

At this age, you can afford things you could not at your younger age. Take heed, avoid carrying valuables like gold items, jewelry, fancy cameras that can make you an easy target for stealers. Seniors are less aware of their surroundings and can fall for easy prey, especially in scams, and lose all they have. The same safe travel tip for older adults applies to avoid carrying a huge sum of cash as well. So, careful planning is needed. Carry less cash, wear that ordinary watch and take care of your electronic items and switch to no-fee ATM cards.

Best Travel Tips for Seniors - Get to the airport early

Reach the airport with enough spare time and take time to find out things, do not rush or stress yourself before your flight. Try avoiding long walks and landing up at the wrong terminal. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to the airport guys dressed in a particular uniform. You can always ask for a guide or a wheelchair if needed. The airline will help you arrange for all these requirements.

Travel Safety Tips for Seniors

During air travel, the crew members are there for your help all the time and you should not hesitate to ask for help for anything you need. Hey, you are the seniors in the plane and even the passengers around will lend you a helping hand. How about getting up and stretching?

Most seniors suffer from DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis and it can cause a deep effect simply because a senior person did not move and kept sitting for a longer time in the same position. It's understandable that during your flight it is difficult to stand, stretch or wriggle especially if you are sitting in the middle seat but try and book an aisle seat. If you are in the middle, do move when you can with just an 'excuse me'.

Travel Guidelines for Senior Citizens - useful tips

So, have we piqued your interest to pack and travel? At Fond Travels, with travel tips for senior citizens, our goal is not only to offer affordable flights and vacation packages but also create and support an aging experience while you travel. If travel is an important aspect that you are looking forward to at this age, we want to support this passion and offer the best discounts on flights, hotels, and tour packages. Is nature calling to enjoy the best surroundings the world has to offer? We offer seasonal discounts giving you a little tip to enjoy your vacation away from home. For further queries on anything you wish to know, give us a call at +1-571-389-6426 and enjoy the freedom to travel.

Also, read our blog 5 Trips to Take With Your Kids.