Tips for retirement traveling
Retirement opens you up to a whole new world of, well, traveling the world.
The pace, focus, and priorities of retirement travel can be a welcome departure from the hurried, time-constrained vacations of working life.
Here are six tips to help ensure your travels are fulfilling and cost efficient.
Take advantage of your flexible schedule
One of the greatest benefits of retirement is freedom from the rigid work schedule. You can avoid the peak seasons and travel when popular destinations are less crowded and more affordable. This flexibility means more than just avoiding high prices; it allows you to fully experience the charm of a place without being rushed or overcrowded.
Traveling in the "shoulder seasons" - the months just before and after peak tourism times - can yield big savings on flights, hotels, and attractions. For example, Europe in late spring or early autumn offers milder weather and fewer tourists. National parks - at home and abroad - are less crowded in early fall after schools resume.
The ability to travel on your own terms makes it easier to take advantage of special deals or packages, letting you extend your travels further without breaking the bank.
Get smart when planning trips
Smart planning can make retirement travel both exciting and affordable. For airfare, aim to book during the "sweet spot": 1-3 months before domestic trips and 2-8 months for international flights. Use tools like Google Flights and Going to monitor fare drops and jump on deals when they appear.
Also think about redeeming travel rewards you may have accumulated over the years—many credit card points go further when transferred to airline or hotel partners, especially during bonus promotions.
And of course, choosing destinations where the U.S. dollar is strong can be a really great way to get the most bang for your buck. Countries in Southeast Asia, Central America, and Eastern Europe offer excellent value on accommodations, meals, and activities. Check currency exchange rates before planning to stretch your budget even more.
With these strategies, you can explore more places while keeping travel costs in check!
Prioritize comfort and health
As we get older, comfort and health become bigger priorities while traveling. During retirement, you have more control over how you plan your trips to ensure a relaxed and comfortable experience. Choosing accommodations that provide good accessibility features and booking flights with convenient connections are small adjustments that make a big difference in enjoyment.
Consider the healthcare facilities available in potential travel destinations, particularly if you have any ongoing health needs. Some retirees prefer destinations with top-tier medical infrastructure or opt for cruises with on-board healthcare options. By planning around your comfort and health needs, you can focus on fully enjoying each experience rather than stressing over logistics. One way to reduce that stress is to have the confidence that can come with comprehensive travel insurance.
Prepare for the unexpected with travel insurance
While travel insurance may not have been a high priority in younger years, it’s an essential safety net in retirement. Unexpected events like flight delays, lost baggage, or health issues can become more stressful as we get older, making comprehensive insurance a wise choice. Look for plans that offer medical coverage, particularly if you’re traveling internationally, as Medicare does not typically cover healthcare services outside the U.S.
Many insurers provide policies designed for older travelers, covering both emergency healthcare and specific needs such as trip cancellations due to illness. Although it’s an additional expense, travel insurance can save you from significant financial strain should an issue arise, giving you peace of mind to fully enjoy each trip.
Stretch your budget creatively
Retirement often means managing a fixed income, so stretching each dollar for travel becomes essential. We’ve already touched on how traveling outside of peak season and being strategic with planning can mean big savings, but there are many other creative ways to travel affordably without sacrificing the quality of your experience.
Renting your home while you’re traveling, for example, can offset some of the costs, especially if you’re taking an extended trip. You can also consider staying in one place for longer, which can often be more affordable than jumping from city to city. Many retirees find that “slow travel”—spending several weeks or even months in a single destination—can lead to big savings on accommodation, transportation, and dining.
House-sitting or staying in rental homes rather than hotels can cut costs significantly. Alternatively, many retirees explore lower-cost travel destinations like Portugal, Thailand, or Mexico, where the cost of living is often lower than in the U.S., allowing you to enjoy extended stays and experience local culture on a deeper level.
Unlike the whirlwind vacations of working years, retirement offers the opportunity to travel more intentionally, focusing on the experiences that bring you joy, relaxation, and fulfillment.
Let your passions lead you
Retirement travel is an ideal time to explore your interests and hobbies, which can help shape the kinds of trips you take. If you’ve always wanted to learn about wine, for example, you might design a trip around the wine regions of France or Italy. If you’re an art lover, consider following in the footsteps of famous painters, or take a cooking class in a region known for its cuisine.
Travel packages with built-in excursions can be an excellent way to explore your passions, while saving money and simplifying planning. A win, win, win situation!
Many tour operators offer all-inclusive packages that cover lodging, meals, transportation, and daily excursions—often at a lower total cost than booking each component separately. These packages also allow you to explore top destinations with knowledgeable guides, which can make travel easier and more enriching. Look for group tours, cruises, or senior-focused packages with included sightseeing, guided tours, or cultural activities. This approach not only saves money but also helps you make the most of every destination without extra planning.
Retirement is your time to travel—you've earned it
Traveling during retirement is about embracing a new way of exploring the world, where each trip can be taken at your own pace, aligned with your passions, and designed to fit your lifestyle. Unlike the whirlwind vacations of working years, retirement offers the opportunity to travel more intentionally, focusing on the experiences that bring you joy, relaxation, and fulfillment.
By planning around flexibility, comfort, budget, and personal interests, you can make the most out of every trip and turn each journey into a rich, meaningful part of your retirement adventure. Whether it’s exploring national parks, volunteering abroad, or simply savoring the local flavors of a new town, retirement travel lets you discover the world—and yourself—in a whole new way.
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This material is for informational or educational purposes only and is not fiduciary investment advice, or a securities, investment strategy, or insurance product recommendation. This material does not consider an individual’s own objectives or circumstances which should be the basis of any investment decision.
Investment products may be subject to market and other risk factors. See the applicable product literature or visit TIAA.org for details.
Retirement check refers to the annuity income received in retirement. Guarantees of fixed monthly payments are only associated with TIAA's fixed annuities.
Investment decisions should be made based on the investor's own objectives and circumstances. Advice is obtained using an advice methodology from an independent third-party.
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