Travel challenges for women over 50 can get in the way of maximizing a travel adventure.
Women travelers over 50 represent the fastest growing segment of the travel market. And with good reason!
By this point in life, many of us have spent decades focusing on priorities other than travel. We’ve raised children, built careers, cared for aging parents, and checked off countless responsibilities.
Finally, there is now time to ask the question: “Where should I go next?”
Yes, there certainly is something wonderfully liberating about traveling after 50.
Travel at this stage isn’t about packing as much as possible into a trip. Remember the movie “If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium”? It’s more about meaningful experiences, self-reflection and creating cool travel stories you’ll tell for years.
That doesn’t mean every trip goes off without a hitch.
Women over 50 often face travel challenges that younger travelers tend not to think about. Our priorities change. Safety becomes a bigger consideration. Health requires a little extra planning.
Technology can sometimes be a colossal pain in the neck, especially now when everything is computerized. Comfort matters more.
The good news is that you can overcome all these obstacles so that they don’t keep you from seeing the world. With a little preparation—and, yeah, some flexibility, you can get out there and enjoy some of the most rewarding adventures of your life.
Managing Health Without Letting It Manage You
Travel can be physically demanding for anyone at any age. But it is more likely to take a greater toll on men and women over 50.
Changing time zones, long flights, unfamiliar foods, uneven streets, and hours of walking can challenge anyone, even the most experienced travelers.
But the answer isn’t to avoid travel—it’s to prepare for it.
Here is my pre-travel ritual: I create a simple cheat sheet.
Bring copies of prescriptions. Also photograph them and keep them on your phone.
Make sure to pack enough prescription medication for your entire trip, plus several extra days just in case.
Don’t put medications in your checked luggage. Put them in your carryon hand luggage and keep them with you
Purchase travel insurance that includes medical coverage. Don’t ask yourself, “do I really need travel insurance”. You do. Here is a site that lets you choose the most appropriate travel insurance for you depending on your specific needs and characteristics.
Stay hydrated, especially during flights. Airplane cabins have very low humidity, often under 20%. Haven’t you ever wondered why your skin feels dryer and your hair goes flat on planes? This low humidity strips moisture from your body through breathing and evaporation.
Hydrating helps to prevent headaches, fatigue and more serious issues like deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I understand that the older you get, the less you feel thirst so, take note.
Schedule time to rest between busy sightseeing days. Wake up later, linger over a meal, stretch or meditate in your room or the accommodation’s exercise room. You’ll find you will be more relaxed to take on the day.
It’s also perfectly acceptable to skip an activity if you’re tired.
The Reality of Solo Travel for Women Over 50
Solo travel for women frequently begins after 50.
Sometimes it’s by choice. Sometimes it’s because partners don’t enjoy travel, family obligations make coordinating trips difficult, friends have different schedules.
Traveling alone can sometimes feel intimidating at first; the first solo transportation in an unfamiliar location, the first solo dinner, the first hotel check-in.
Everything feels just a little outside your comfort zone. But do it just once and you discover it’s no biggie. You’re capable of a lot more than you thought.
Traveling solo often leads to situations you never would have encountered otherwise. Locals are more likely to chat. Fellow travelers strike up conversations. You become more observant because you’re fully engaged with your surroundings.
Of course, solo travel also requires extra awareness.
How Women Over 50 Stay Safe Without Becoming Fearful
Having said all this, you don’t want to be so paranoid that you don’t enjoy your trip.
Keep in mind that every destination has its own safety considerations, just like at home.
Learn which neighborhoods are best explored during the day. Besides your research, the hotel concierge or Airbnb host can help with this.
Avoid sharing your room number aloud at hotel reception. Hotel receptionists know not to say your room number out loud when handing you your hotel key. Don’t YOU say it out loud either. You don’t know who could be listening.
Understand common tourist scams. Some big European cities like Madrid, London or Paris have pickpockets. Some Asian cities like Beijing overcharge for events like tea ceremonies or performances.
Know how local transportation works. Uber is now available in many cities worldwide and your account in your home country is valid abroad too. Check to see if Uber is available in your desired destination.
Study the metro/subway/underground map. It can be the cheapest and most convenient way to get around.
Carry only what you’ll need for the day. Keep valuables secure without constantly worrying about them. Leave unnecessary credit cards and important documents safely stored. Needless to say, leave any expensive jewelry home.
Keep digital copies of your passport, insurance information, and emergency contacts in case something is lost.
Look like you know where you’re going. Looking confident—even when you’re consulting a map—often makes you less attractive to opportunistic thieves.
Stay aware of your surroundings. If a situation feels uncomfortable, leave.
Choose accommodations in safe neighborhoods. How do you know if a neighborhood is safe? Research the area, ask people that have stayed there, throw the words “is XYZ neighborhood safe” into your computer browser and see what you get.
Read recent reviews.
Book a small group tour with other women. Let others worry about the logistics while you choose to either keep to yourself or hang out with someone on the tour and possibly meet a new travel buddy.
Trust your instincts
Trusting your instincts is key. You don’t have to be nice to everyone. It’s OK to be rude if circumstances warrant it.
For those of us who grew up in a world where women couldn’t get a credit card without a husband’s signature or were fired due to pregnancy or marriage or were excluded from applying for certain jobs, we were taught to be “nice” girls who smile politely and don’t make trouble. That may not be your best strategy while traveling.
You don’t have to accept the taxi driver’s BS when he says his taxi line is the only one working on Sundays. Verify it or walk away.
You don’t have to accept the wrong change at a restaurant because the waiter tells you they have a separate 20% charge for solo diners. Demand to speak with the manager. Threaten to report this practice all over social media.
You don’t have to accept an extra exorbitant charge for an event/tour or performance that you were not aware of beforehand, over and above the listed price.
Go ahead and complain. Raise your voice. Ask questions without embarrassment. Make just enough of a scene to make them uncomfortable. You’ll never see these people again anyway so don’t let them take advantage of you just because you’re a tourist.
Remember, good little girls go to heaven, but bad little girls go everywhere.
Every successful trip you make, every experience you have, every little step you take builds confidence and makes the next step easier. Confidence grows with experience.
Comfortable shoes deserve their own paragraph
Comfortable shoes are so important that I made a separate paragraph just to illustrate the point.
I know, I know…fashionable sandals look awesome in vacation photos, but after walking eight miles across cobblestone streets, or who knows where, supportive “old lady walking shoes” suddenly become very attractive. Many women travelers over 50 have learned this lesson the hard way.
Seriously, wear the most comfortable shoes you own and break them in for several days before your departure. Also, make sure the soles are made of a material that grips, like rubber. You want to be able to anchor yourself steadily on the ground. Don’t go with soles that are smooth and slippery. Your feet will thank you.
Technology Doesn’t Have to Be Intimidating
It now seems you need an app for just about everything as travel has become increasingly digital.
You book your flight online. Boarding passes are on your phone. Hotels send electronic check-in instructions. You communicate via translation apps. You get around with digital maps.
Even the menus in restaurants are now QR codes!
This feels overwhelming at first, but remember, no one learned these tools overnight. But you do have to do a little work… just a little. Learn about the best travel planning tools and apps. It’ll be worth it as technology is designed to reduce stress, not create it.
Spend a little time practicing before your trip. Download offline maps like Google Maps or Maps.me and play with them a little. Learn how your airline’s app works.
Save hotel and other confirmations where they’re easy to find–maybe create a file on your computer to put them in for easy access. There’s nothing wrong with putting all your trip info in a physical file if that’s what works for you.
Practice using a translation app at home just for fun.
Not sure how something works? Don’t hesitate to ask. Nobody was born knowing something. Airport staff, hotel employees, and even fellow travelers are usually happy to assist.
There are also Facebook travel sites like, Over 50 omen Travelers Community, that address women over 50 traveling challenges where you can ask travel-related questions and get timely, actionable answers.
Packing Smart and Lite
There are many benefits to packing lite preferably with only a carryon. Traveling with just a carryon makes every part of the trip easier.
You’ll move more comfortably through airports. You’ll navigate train stations without struggling. You’ll avoid having to lift oversized bags into overhead compartments.
One of the best tips to avoid overpacking is to choose clothing that mixes and matches easily. Go with neutral-colored tops that can be paired with other outfits. A pair of black pants are your best bet for lite packing as they can dress up or down and match many tops.
Pack layers instead of bulky items. If you must bring a bulky item, wear it on the plane, if reasonable. Bring comfortable shoes that can do double duty as casual walking shoes as well as shoes for a nice restaurant.
Skip the dress shoes…and I’m not even going to address high heels.
Leave room for souvenirs rather than filling every inch before you leave home.
Key travel items to consider include, but are not limited to: a lightweight scarf that you can use to dress up, a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and comfortable, and a compact rain jacket. These travel accessories will prove more useful than multiple pairs of dress shoes.
Finding the Right Travel Companions
Just because someone is your friend doesn’t mean she’ll be the ideal travel companion.
One friend loves museums and is up at the crack of dawn. Another friend prefers beaches and lingering over coffee in the morning.
There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy travel. Everyone has their own preferences. The trick is finding companions whose travel style and expectations match yours.
Enter the small-group tour. Unless you already have your travel buddy identified and vetted, a small group tour composed of like-minded people similar to you, for example, women travelers over 50, might be your ideal solution.
Women-only (and some men) travel groups also continue to grow in popularity. There’s a reason for that. They combine companionship with enough independence to explore at your own pace.
You may also be able to avoid the single supplement by sharing a room with another traveler.
But if no ideal companion is available, whatever you do, don’t postpone your dream trip. Many women discover that traveling alone becomes one of the most empowering experiences of their lives.
Budgeting for Meaningful Experiences
One of the most delightful travel experiences after 50, or for that matter at any age, is the pleasure found in investing in experiences.
Take a cooking class in Sicily or a sunset cruise in Miami. Book a city walking or biking tour in Barcelona. Listen to a concert in a historic building in Havana…and of course, see a show on Broadway in New York City.
These memories tend to last much longer than refrigerator magnets, (I really like refrigerator magnets).
Budget wisely, but don’t automatically choose the cheapest option if that’s an option.
Sometimes paying slightly more for a centrally located hotel saves money on transportation and reduces walking distances.
I once booked a hotel in Buenos Aires because it was budget-priced and a member of my preferred hotel group. It turns out the hotel was far from the center of town where I wanted to be. I wasted a lot of time going back and forth from the hotel to town.
Convenience has value. Comfort has value. Peace of mind has value.
Embrace Flexibility and Chill
How does that saying go…“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” No matter how well you’ve planned your trip something may (or may not) go wrong.
Your flights got delayed, your luggage took a detour (get airtags for your luggage, BTW), the weather changed, the museum picked that particular week to close for renovations.
You just have to roll with it and not let it ruin your day. Remind yourself that unexpected moments often become the best stories.
On a trip to Madrid, a restaurant I really wanted to go to was closed for a private event. Yes, yes, I know I should have called beforehand.
Instead, I ended up in a tapas bar where I tasted the most incredible tapas ever. All I did was order a glass of wine while I plotted my next step, and they just kept bringing out the delicious tapas Spain is famous for.
Had everything gone according to plan, I would have walked right past it. It turned out to be one of the best Spanish food experiences of the trip.
In traveling, Plan B sometimes becomes the highlight.
Building Confidence One Trip at a Time
Here is one of my travel truths. Travel teaches you skills, or helps build on already existing skills, that translate well into your daily life back home.
Communicating with people in a different culture and frequently in a different language can help improve your communication skills at home.
When you travel you need to plan, be flexible enough to change plans, negotiate in different currencies, figure out how to get from point A to point B in a new environment with unfamiliar transportation, try new foods, meet new people, figure out travel insurance and more.
All these activities improve your resilience and problem-solving skills in general. Each challenge solved becomes proof that you can handle the next one at home or abroad. Travel is the best life coach and each trip expands your comfort zone.
Final Thoughts
Women over 50 travel challenges are easily overcome and totally worth it to do so. The goal is to travel in a way that suits the person you’ve become.
Celebrate every journey, whether it’s across the ocean or just a few hours from home.
And if there’s one lesson worth remembering, it’s this: adventure doesn’t have an expiration date. Some of life’s richest travel experiences begin after 50, when you explore the world on your own terms.
Want to know more about women over 50 travel challenges and how to overcome them? Check out these reference books.
Join our Facebook group to learn more about Women over 50 travel challenges.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
- Research and book your flight with Skyscanner. I have found them to be the best because they list all airlines including the budget ones. You are always sure of having researched all options.
- For car rental around the world, Discover Cars has flexible pickup and drop-off options, I recommend Discover Cars.
- Book your accommodation with Booking.com. I find they have a wide selection and a nice, user-friendly, transparent website.
- Protect your trip and, more importantly, protect yourself with travel insurance. I use Travelinsurance.com and have been very happy with them.
- For more general tours to any destination or attraction, book with Viator. Check them out.
- Need a visa? Get your visa for all countries with Passport Visa Express.
- Looking for a cool walking tour to explore a city? My favorite walking tours are offered by Take Walks.
- Food and drink tours are the best way to enjoy a city. And Devour Tours are my favorite.
- Looking for a good VPN to protect your security, privacy and freedom online while traveling? Nordvpn is your best option.
- The best and most economical way to stay connected while traveling is with an Airalo eSIM.
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
