Travel in Retirement

Retired and Travelling

When you're retired, you have time. And when you have time, you can travel. In fact, retired backpackers or senior travellers are increasingly common. A study on the subject conducted some time ago indicated that over-60s were 75% likely to go on holiday every year—but not necessarily all to the far corners of the world.

As for how old you can be and still travel, remember that Alexandra David-Neel had her passport renewed at 100 and only started travelling after... her forties!

Discounts of All Kinds

Like young people, seniors have access to numerous discounts both at home and often abroad. The key is proving you're over 60—or occasionally 55—even if you sometimes also need to hold a specific (and sometimes paid-for) card.

Meanwhile, trains—particularly with SNCF or the InterRail pass—offer great opportunities, as do planes, ferries, or buses with senior fares. Generally, museums, shows, sites and monuments, and even some accommodation or vehicle rental chains offer discounts. In countries like Morocco or Tunisia, some clubs even offer good all-inclusive packages to retirees willing to stay for several weeks off-season.

So, wherever you are, always ask when making a purchase or booking if there’s a discount for you.

What Destinations and Types of Travel?

Destinations and Types of Travel

Overall, seniors travel to the same types of destinations as others. They mainly go to France and, in roughly the same proportion, abroad—particularly Spain, Italy, Morocco, North America, the French overseas territories, or Thailand.

While they choose holiday periods (especially in France with their grandchildren), many also enjoy travelling off-season abroad to benefit from fewer crowds and lower prices. And while they don’t hesitate to use professionals to organise trips, they also travel independently and make up a large majority of campervan owners or cruise enthusiasts.

As for activities and travel purposes, younger retirees are primarily motivated by active, discovery-based, and social holidays rather than pure relaxation (beaches, etc.).

In short, retired travellers aren’t so different from others when it comes to holidays and often travel in much the same way as when they were working. The only difference is that their extra free time allows them to leave when they want and for as long as they want, within their means. The main limit is health, which can curb their plans.

Specialised Agencies and Tailored Services

While professionals are clearly interested in this category of travellers, there aren’t really any agencies exclusively for them. To avoid a potentially restrictive image, tour operators now prefer to include their senior-friendly products in a broader range, often labelled "family."

Since more and more trips are custom-built to match individual expectations, it’s usually enough to contact major tourism players if you want specific services.

Spending Retirement Abroad

For you to develop: Whether for a few months each year or much longer, more and more seniors are choosing to spend their retirement under different skies.

Practical Questions

No matter your age, nothing stops you from travelling as long as you’re in reasonable shape and don’t have major health issues. Otherwise—whether you’re young or less young—certain precautions are necessary.

Equipment

There’s little that’s specific to seniors when it comes to equipment. Like everyone else, travel light. At most, if you’re a backpacker, a built-in wheeled system can occasionally be useful. And of course, if you feel tired carrying things, don’t hesitate to ask for help (including on treks) and opt for taxis when transporting your belongings in cities.

Health Matters

This is the key point. First, get good insurance, and if you’re travelling for a long time or to challenging places, a visit to the doctor before leaving (and even after returning) can be useful.

If you’re on medication, plan accordingly for the quantity to bring. To avoid running out, you might take your prescriptions with you—ideally translated into English or at least explaining what the medication is for, in case you can’t find the same brand locally.

For hygiene and health precautions, be strict and avoid as much as possible anything that could cause problems—like unbottled water, raw vegetables, or ice cream. Also, watch out for air conditioning and its effects, as well as heatstroke.

If you have health issues while away, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor, clinic, or hospital if it seems serious. Most French (or other) consulates abroad have lists of recommended practitioners—or at least those who speak French. And of course, don’t forget your travel insurance assistance services.

Good Pace and Precautions

The advantage of being retired is that you generally have time and can leave more or less when you want. So take advantage of it and opt for low or mid-season to save money and avoid crowds, which can be tiring. Similarly, depending on where you’re going, this freedom lets you avoid "bad seasons" climatically—like extreme heat (remember to drink plenty), which often causes extra fatigue.

Once there, take your time. No need to rush—ease into your new environment, time zone changes, or local climate. Plan your schedule based on how you feel and prioritise good accommodation, transport, or visiting conditions if needed. In short, if your finances allow, travel in the best conditions and pace yourself to avoid anything that could become a source of stress, hassle, or health risks in the long run.

For physical activities—or even just long walks—it all depends on your usual habits and current fitness (this applies to everyone). But in any case, be realistic, avoid overly difficult terrain or tasks, don’t aim for performance (including just in terms of driving duration), and above all, go at your own pace and follow your desires. With that approach, there’s a very good chance everything will go smoothly...

Safety

Beyond common-sense practices and issues any traveller might face, remember that older people are easier targets for thieves. So don’t flaunt your wealth, money, or jewellery, and always keep an eye on your belongings.