Travel Tips for Seniors
Quick Summary: Traveling in your 70s depends less on avoiding risk than on planning around it. This guide from Jewish Community Housing Corporation (JCHC) includes some of the best travel tips for seniors, including tips on planning in advance, the value of booking early, and getting short-term medical insurance for international travel.
Throughout our lives, we dream about visiting far-off destinations and exploring the world “someday.” But when does the “someday” actually come?
For many retirees, that day is today. Despite rising prices and fuel costs, a majority of older adults plan to travel in 2026, ranking vacations above dining out and live entertainment in their top spending priorities.
At Jewish Community Housing Corporation (JCHC), we believe that getting older doesn’t have to come with limitations, and we encourage residents in our communities to fill their days with opportunity and joy. Even if you have concerns about mobility, safety, or navigating crowds, you can plan a dream trip that works for you. Getting older might change how you get there and what you need to do to prepare, but it doesn’t mean you can’t go.
We’ve compiled the top travel tips for seniors in this helpful guide, including advice on planning smart, staying safe and healthy, and steering clear of scams.
Before you pack your bags, read this senior travel advice to make the most of your next vacation.
Know Before You Go
As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Traveling is always more peaceful when you have thought through possible concerns before leaving home. While you may still encounter bad weather or delays, controlling the controllable will help make your trip more relaxing and help you stay in the moment.
Here’s a quick checklist of things to consider before you book your next trip:
- Talk to your provider before TripAdvisor: If thinking about getting sick or hurt overseas is keeping you from finally seeing the Eiffel Tower, you’re not alone. Travelers of all ages list illness or injury abroad as a top travel concern. However, a quick check-in at your doctor’s office can quickly alleviate these fears. Ask your provider if any of your medications should be adjusted and discuss your plans. Depending on where you’re headed, you may need a travel vaccine—check the CDC’s destination planning tool to be sure.
- Go at your own pace: With all of the travel influencers, videos, and blogs out there, it’s never been easier to find hidden gems and must-see sites. As you’re fleshing out your itinerary, remember that vacations are supposed to be relaxing, so don’t pack your schedule too tightly. Try to plan a rest day every three to four days. For help, check out companies that specialize in travel for seniors, such as Trafalgar, Road Scholar, or Overseas Adventure Travel.
- Book now, thank yourself later: Booking flights well in advance is smart for several reasons. If something does happen before your departure date, most airlines will now allow you to change your travel dates and only pay the difference in fares. This applies to domestic flights originating from the U.S.—check with the airline for flights originating abroad. Booking earlier may save money as well. While there are varying opinions on the exact sweet spot for booking, most experts recommend booking 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights and 2-8 months in advance for international flights.
Outsmart Scammers
With the rise of AI, travel scammers are changing up their tactics and creating content that looks more and more credible. In June, the FTC issued a consumer alert about an increase in vacation scams, including fake travel websites, bogus toll texts, and fraudulent charter flights.
These travel tips for seniors can help you stay safe and spot scams before they happen:
- Type in the website address yourself: Do not book through a link in an email, text, or social media ad, even for brands you know. Visit the company’s website directly.
- Pay by credit card only: Do not send companies wire transfers, payments through apps like Zelle or Venmo, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
- Confirm with a human: After booking, call the hotel, airline, etc. directly using the number on their official website to verify they got your reservation. Do not call the number in your confirmation email without verifying it first.
- Don’t give in to scare tactics: Pressure tactics such as “this price expires in ten minutes” are more than likely scams, not deals.
Leave Sickness at Home
En bonne santé. Saludable. Gesund. Sano.
However you say it, “healthy” sounds good in every language. Traveling allows you to leave your worries behind, but it doesn’t mean you can let your guard down when it comes to your health.
Review these travel tips for seniors to enjoy every step of your journey:
- Make sure your insurance spans the globe: Medicare does not typically cover international travel. Medigap plans can be purchased to cover healthcare abroad, but experts say getting Medicare to pay for foreign medical services can be cumbersome. Short-term medical insurance for international travel can help protect you from overseas medical costs and is fairly affordable. Travelers going abroad should consider at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage and $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage.
- Make flying friendlier: Airplane cabins are very dry and can dehydrate you. Dehydration can compound other travel-related illnesses such as dizziness, confusion, or constipation. Remember to drink plenty of water. Enjoy your complimentary beverages, but don’t overdo it on caffeine or alcohol while flying.
- Prescriptions may not translate: Before leaving, ask your doctor or pharmacist for an early refill because you’ll be traveling. Pack extra medication in case of delays or cancellations. Also note: some routine medications in the U.S. may not be available elsewhere. Visit the embassy website for the country you’re visiting for information before you fly.
- Don’t bring home unwanted souvenirs: Going to new places means that you’ll be encountering unfamiliar germs and viruses. You’ll also be around large groups of people in airports or cities. Wash your hands frequently and consider carrying hand sanitizer. You might also want to wear a mask in airport terminals.
Avoiding Airport Stress
Last year’s government shutdown led to increased concerns about airport disruptions among older adults. Nearly half of older adults (46%) are worried about airport disruptions when traveling, according to an AARP study.
To help make airports a breeze, you can request assistance from TSA Cares, a free service for passengers 75 and over and people with disabilities or medical conditions. This program offers Passenger Support Specialists who can meet you at the security checkpoint.
Here are a few other helpful things to note for seniors who may need assistance at security:
- Insulin pumps and ostomy equipment can stay on. You will not be required to remove medical devices attached to your body.
- You may request a pat-down instead of a scanner. A TSA officer of the same gender will conduct pat-downs.
- At any time during the private screening process, you can be accompanied by a companion of your choice.
Please note: You must request these items before screening begins.
The Best Travel Tip for Seniors? Maintenance-Free Senior Living at JCHC
If you have big travel plans but you’re worried about leaving your home, pets, and yard behind, there’s a simple solution that covers all of this for you—maintenance-free senior living at JCHC.
At our Lester Senior Living residence in Whippany, NJ, and Village Apartments residence in South Orange, NJ, we offer maintenance-free senior living and housekeeping services (available on a sliding scale). For older adults who want to travel more often, that means having more time for cruises, exploring new places, and visiting friends and family. And you won’t have to worry about finding someone to check the mail and mow the lawn.
When you return home from time away, you can just relax, unpack, and look through your photos instead of worrying about home chores. Lester Senior Living also offers a Kosher kitchen and a restaurant-style dining room, so you won’t even have to worry about running out for groceries after a long flight home.
In between trips, Village Apartments residents can enjoy the cultural hub of South Orange, NJ, just minutes away. It’s the perfect place for a “staycation,” offering the 415-seat South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), a farmer’s market, lectures at nearby Seton Hall University, restaurants, and shopping. What’s more, the South Orange station connects you to New York City’s Penn Station on the Morris & Essex Line in roughly 35-45 minutes. You can enjoy a Broadway matinee or browse museums and get home easily without paying for an expensive hotel room.
With amenities, activities, lifelong learning, local culture, and a warm, welcoming community, JCHC is a great home base for a more active, enjoyable lifestyle. Contact us today to schedule a tour at one of our four outstanding residences in New Jersey.
