Traveling isn’t just for the young. A survey by AARP found that 65% of Americans over 50 are traveling in 2024. Many are taking advantage of their newfound freedom to fulfill their lifelong travel dreams.

The same study done by AARP found that out of that 65%, about 11% had a mobility impairment. Airlines are making travel easier than ever by providing new accommodations to help you travel in comfort. Many airlines allow early boarding for passengers who need assistance storing their luggage or need extra time to get settled. Airlines will also help travelers get around the airport and offer assistance for wheelchair users at no additional cost. They may also give discounts to older travelers. Perks like these give older travelers more reasons to take to the skies.

While age shouldn’t keep you from traveling, it might affect how you travel. It's important to be mindful of your needs and take care of your body while traveling. This could mean discovering new ways to go on trips, making additional accommodations, or making different preparations. What this could look like is joining tour groups or finding senior-friendly cruises that travel to different parts of the world. We have compiled tips and strategies to help you prepare confidently to embark on new adventures. Remember, age is just a number, and the world is yours to explore at any stage of life!

• Check out those discounts! If you are an AARP cardholder, you can receive up to a 15% discount on all your accommodation needs at most airlines, cruises, hotels, and car rentals. Even if you aren’t an AARP member, you can join senior travel groups for discounts, or if you are over the age of 50, you can enter in your age while you are booking. To check what companies will offer discounts and how to redeem your discount, check out this list of travel discounts for seniors.
• Make sure to get to the airport at least 3 hours early to give you time to navigate the airport and give you ample time to get to your airport.
• Drive to the airport and park nearby to give you time to get your bags together. Then, take the shuttle to the airport with the driver's help; they can help you with your bags and offer more security than a rideshare.
• Opt for TSA Precheck to cut the need to unpack or remove personal belongings, reducing security times and the inconvenience of repacking.
• Communicate your needs to airline employees. If you need extra help getting to your gate at the airport, call your airline and ask for help to get to and from your flight. Often times they will send a cart to pick you up from security and drive you to your gate. This will help you easily collect your bags and avoid crowds.
• Communicate regularly with your loved ones. Update your family at every stage of your trip to inform them about your experiences and assure them of your safety.
• Consider getting travel insurance. If your health insurance does not cover medical expenses while you are traveling abroad, it's a good idea to find other insurance options to make sure you are ready for any unexpected situations. These insurances can also cover any adjustment costs to your travel plans.
• Check your credit card. Some cards offer travel insurance for purchases made with them.
• Recommendations:
• Allianz You can choose from ten different insurance options and bundle travel security and medical emergency coverage.
• Travel Guard offers various insurance options depending on the kind of trip and type of traveler for the best coverage
• InsureMyTrip provides individual and group plans from over 20 different insurance providers to ensure you get the right coverage at the best value.
• Join senior travel clubs and groups to get advice and hear experiences from other travelers. They can help you organize trips, let you know how accessible a location is, get better vacation deals, and find cheaper flights.
• Carry a list of your medical information in case of emergencies. Remember to have your blood type, any medical conditions, any medications you take, and emergency contact information on a piece of paper or on a lanyard. This will help medical professionals assist you more quickly if needed.
• Keep copies of your travel information. Make copies of your passport, medical information, and visas when you’re traveling. Hide the copies in your luggage in case you lose the originals. Share the copies and your travel plans with family or friends so they can help you if needed in case anything gets lost.
• Sit in the aisle seats, this will help with moving about the plane more effectively and help you get off the plane faster.
• Make sure to stretch and stay hydrated. It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement, but make sure to listen to your body and carry a water bottle. Stretching before you go out for the day will help lower risk of pulling a muscle.
• Be careful of free Wi-Fi or free gifts from street vendors. If you do use free Wi-Fi don’t look at private information or bank information because hackers can use free Wi-Fi to steal your information. If you’re unsure which Wi-Fi network is for your hotel or restaurant, ask a staff member for assistance.
• Research your location to make sure it’s accessible to your needs. Before you decide on a place to go, make sure it fits your needs by checking how easy it is to get around. Some beautiful countries might be hard to get around if they have hills or lots of stairs. By looking into this information early, you can avoid problems, prep effectively, and have a smoother trip.

Life is short—experience it to the fullest! Embarking on journeys as a senior offers many health advantages, such as keeping your mind and body in good shape by staying active and exploring different environments. Preparing as much as possible before a trip can drastically improve your experience and lower stress. While the airport can be frustrating, don’t let airport frustrations dampen your trip, and try to keep a positive attitude. Happy travels!