Travelling the globe is a terrific way to spend time with a friend, family member or significant other. But some data suggests it’s also an upward-trending opportunity for some alone time.
According to the 2015 Visa Global Travel Intentions Study, some 24 percent of people went solo on their most recent overseas luxury trip, up from just 15 percent two years prior.¹
An older tourist traveling alone can be a favourite target of thieves. A senior is also more likely to suffer from a health complication while traveling than a younger person. But by heeding just a few tips, seniors can trot the globe solo, safely and successfully.
Consider the following five tips before your next solo adventure.
Before you leave, know what your health care options will be if something happens while you travel.
If you’re American, health care received outside the U.S. is not covered by Original Medicare in most situations. But many Medicare Advantage plans may offer some coverage for emergency care received in a foreign country.
Check the coverage, terms and conditions of your insurance plan before you go. Remember that if you’re traveling alone, there won’t be anyone to talk to your insurance company on your behalf, so it can help to know your insurance plan details before you leave on your trip.
Establish a secure connection at home by providing a friend or family member with a copy of your travel itinerary, complete with hotel contact information. You can also consider a low-cost, prepaid cell phone designed for overseas travellers that allow you to avoid the international fees that may accompany a standard phone
Arrange for some regular check-in times with your contact person back at home. This can be a great relief to your friends and family, and it can help give you a sense of security and connection while you’re away.
You may not always follow your doctor’s advice about your diet, but you may want to consider following a healthy diet more closely when traveling alone. Like it or not, older adults can have more sensitive stomachs, and going all in on spicy exotic foods and heavy foreign cuisine can leave you sick in your room with nobody to care for you.
The less you can look like a senior solo traveler, the better. Don’t wear shirts or hats sporting prominently displayed American brand logos or language, and don’t casually display your passport.
You may also want to keep your camera and any travel books or brochures hidden away in a backpack when not in use. The key to being a safe solo traveler is to not announce to the world that you’re a traveller at all.
The travel industry is adapting to the increasing number of solo travellers.
Look for lodging at places that do not charge “single supplements” (charging solo guests more in order to make up revenue for the empty space). Some hotels and lodges are even beginning to offer packages designed specifically for solo travellers.
By following just a few easy pieces of advice, seniors can surround themselves with safety and good health even while traveling solo.
1 Visa. Visa Global Travel Intentions Study 2015. Retrieved from https://www.visamiddleeast.com/ae/en-ae/aboutvisa/research/travelintentions.shtml.
*This is a sponsored guest post for Medicare Advantage.
This post is part of the Lovin’ Life Linky with a Lovin’ Life Team of the “ageing positively” kind who are as keen as I am to promote the Lovin’ Life mindset.
The Lovin’ Life Team includes:
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Lydia C. Lee
August 23, 2018Great tips! And def don’t stop travelling!
Kathy
August 23, 2018Yes indeed! I’m always very cautious when I travel solo. #TeamLovinLife
Joanne Tracey
August 23, 2018Some great tips. And the best tip of all is to still get out there. Re the sensitive stomach thing – very definitely an issue as you get older. I still take risks, but not as many -and they’re more measured. This is mainly because recovery time seems longer and cuts into my precious exploration time.
Kathy
August 23, 2018I’m always extremely careful of what I eat when I travel, particularly to South East Asian countries. I’ve suffered from Gastro many times! I also think we need to be very careful with money, credit cards and possessions whilst travelling as older people are sometimes a target for thieves.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
August 23, 2018Wise tips, Kathy and there are probably a number of single women Over 50 travelling these days. There is a big world out there to be discovered by anyone. It is just a matter of being sensible and taking precautions. We always get a letter from the doctor with a list of medications etc to carry with us.
Kathy
August 23, 2018I think there are heaps of single women over 50. I personally know several single women that travel solo. I think we all need to be aware of some of the risks of travel and take the necessary steps to protect ourselves. #TeamLovinLife
Min@WriteoftheMiddle
August 23, 2018Fantastic tips Kathy! Wish I could take off travelling right now! #TeamLovinLife
Kathy
August 23, 2018You and me both Min! I do think we need to consider our safety and health carefully whilst travelling as we age.
Jan Wild
August 23, 2018Good tips Kathy, anything to ensure we can keep on travelling right? And as women tend to live longer than their partners there is sure to be more and more single women travelling in their later years.
Kathy
August 23, 2018Yes I have a couple of friends that are single (one divorced and two are widows), that both do quiet a lot of solo travel. However they generally do organised tours with small groups. I think we do need to think of our personal security and health as we age and the impact it has on our travel plans. #TeamLovinLife
Vanessa
August 23, 2018I love that last photo!!
Kathy
August 23, 2018Ha ha! Yes me too. #TeamLovinLife
Deborah
August 24, 2018The second last one will probably be a biggie for me as I’ve already raved on about travelling (alone). Of course I will have people around me at the writing retreat and I’m not stopping long in any one place, so I’m thinking it should be okay.
I’ve also lived alone since 1991 so accustomed to my own company (or the absence of others) but will probably not want to dine alone out each night so have booked apartments in a couple of locations where I can self-cater!
Kathy
August 25, 2018You have a long way to go Deb before you’re classified as a senior! I’m sure you’ll be fine. My husband is extremely cautious and he’s great to travel with. I feel completely safe with him.
Natalie @ Be Kind 2 You
August 24, 2018fantastic and logical tips but often the more logical the more we forget about them. My mum travels with her husband all the time and most of these apply to her too.
Kathy
August 25, 2018I think the problem with “more mature aged” travellers is that they sometimes can be a bit forgetful and naive. You do really have to have your wits about you at all times. #TeamLovinLife
Sue
August 24, 2018Kathy, great tips. When I travelled solo a few years ago, and blogged each day of my trip, my husband said “do you realise you’ve given every man and his dog the directions to find your apartment?” I was so excited that I hadn’t gotten lost getting from the airport to my apartment via bus and train, that I’d put every detail of the journey in my blog, including the colour of the door! Oops!! I quickly amended the blog, but it’s a good tip not to advertise solo travel to the world, lol xx
Kathy
August 25, 2018Yes I totally agree. My husband always warns me about advertising too much on Facebook that we’re departing on a holiday because once again it may attract burglars. #TeamLovinLife
Candi Randolph
August 24, 2018Very smart tips! I don’t travel outside the US, but you never know…I have pinned your article for future reference and will share it with others. I think you’ve covered the critical points!
Kathy
August 25, 2018Yes they are indeed critical points. I don’t do much solo travel but I would certainly be very wary of some of the pitfalls. #TeamLovinLife