Many of us stop traveling when we reach a certain age without realizing there are good travel tips for senior citizens. We worry about our ailing health and have the fear of falling or incurring some other injury owing to mobility issues. Or, we simply stop traveling because we do not believe we can still do so. While it’s true that traveling at a senior age has its risks, it is not necessarily a very complicated thing to do. With a few simple yet doable air travel tips for seniors, elderly travelers will be flying again in no time! If you happen to be an elderly traveler, keep reading to know what these travel tips for senior citizens are and make the most of them whenever you plan on traveling next.
Senior travel tips:
Too many of us have wondered, is it safe for elderly to fly? The truth is, with effective planning you can travel pretty smoothly in your golden years as well. In fact, travel is the latest lifestyle statement and plenty of senior travelers are well into their 80’s and 90’s! Whether you’re flying with elderly parent or it’s the case of an unaccompanied elderly flying, it is certainly doable. You just need to weigh elderly flying+risks carefully. Scroll through our pervasive list of the best travel tips for senior citizens to know how you can travel at an advanced age as well.
Plan when to go
Excellent planning is key to pretty much anything you want to do in life and the same goes for traveling. Deciding the perfect time to travel is the first step toward a hassle-free trip. If you’re retired, then you have the good fortune to be able to travel whenever you want. Choose to travel during the offseason to avoid crowds and inflated travel costs. Also, try to travel during a favorable season so you can avoid extreme weather conditions. For an impromptu trip, pick a good season and book some cheap last minute flights.
Try to book nonstop flights
One of the best travel tips for senior citizens is to book nonstop flights for a trip. Not only will this cut travel time, it will also eliminate the risk of missing a connecting flight. So invest in nonstop flights, preferably business class flights for a more comfortable journey, even if it costs you a bit more. Also, avoid regional jets at airports which do not have a jet-bridge and can hence, prove to be not-so-friendly when it comes to air travel assistance for elderly. At airports like these, seniors will have to climb a flight of stairs which will exhaust them even before the flight.
Pay for travel insurance
While senior travelers may need to shell out more when it comes to travelers, they are also most likely to need it. The last thing you want on a trip is to unexpectedly fall sick or even miss your flight. Getting travel insurance is especially a necessity for senior travelers with a chronic illness. God forbid but should you fall ill on a trip, travel insurance will cover you. It will also reimburse you for a canceled flight in case you fall sick and are unable to make it to the airport. Getting travel insurance is one of the most sensible travel tips for senior citizens.
Pack light and smart
The need to pack light becomes all the more important when you’re traveling with elderly parents who wish to lug around their own baggage. Fortunately, even when going on a fairly long trip, there are several ways to lighten the load. Pack few clothes and do laundry more frequently. If you need a second bag, make sure it’s small and can fit snugly on top of the main one. Don’t forget to pack essentials such as reading glasses, sun shades, and a notebook to jot down details like phone numbers and hotel address.
Keep medications in carry-on baggage
This is a good tip for all travelers and not just among the best travel tips for senior citizens. Keeping medications in checked baggage is never a good idea. What if you need them on the flight? Always keep your necessary medications in your carry-on baggage and take it on board the flight. This way, it’s easier to reach them in case of a medical emergency. You can also keep a list of prescribed medication and dosages in the event that you require a doctor’s visit during the trip.
Be decisive about disability options
This is among the most important travel tips for senior citizens and one you cannot overlook at any cost. Be precise and make no mistakes when choosing any disability option you need. Certain airlines such as Southwest will allow you to select these options at the time of booking flights itself. Others, like Delta, for instance, require you to contact the airline via phone and request for disability options separately. So make sure you’re booking with an airline whose disability options you’re comfortable with.
Choose the right accommodation
Choosing the right accommodation is among the most vital travel tips for senior citizens. Request your hotel for a room on the ground floor if there isn’t an elevator and climbing stairs is a difficult task for you. Also, check if you’re making the right hotel choice. For instance, if you stay somewhere nearby a train station, the constant sound of passing trains could be bothersome. Pick a hotel preferably in the center of town so you have easy access to tourist attractions as well as hospitals in case of emergencies. Remember, booking a good hotel is as important as getting your hands on some cheap flights for the trip.
