Top 10 Travel Tips for People Over 60

Follow these 10 things for a safe and enjoyable trip...

As we get older, travelling can become more difficult and safety concerns become more important. We finally have the time and resources to travel, but safe, enjoyable travel requires good planning and thinking ahead.

Here are our top ten travel tips keep you travelling for as long as you want to!

Plan ahead. Whether you’re travelling around the world or across the state, research your destination and any potential issues before you leave. Think about your needs and what will make the trip enjoyable for you and plan those things in. It's also a good idea to create an itinerary that includes your trip arrangements and hotels, and to leave a copy with a trusted friend or family member.

Find out for yourself if it’s ‘safe’ or not: We can be bombarded with information about a place from our friends, family, social media, tour companies, travel agencies and the news. Figuring out if a place is safe for you to visit or not requires you to find out just a few things. Our Travel Wise e-learning course gives you the tools to help you make the decision about whether a destination is safe for you.

Get secure accommodation: No one is at their best if they’re not rested or sleeping well. This is why your accommodation is paramount. Before you book or agree to a hotel, read the reviews, make sure that they have things like fire alarms, elevators and 24-hour reception.

Think about your transportation: Will you be flying or driving to your destination? Maybe taking a cruise, bus or train? Different types of transportation can present different safety and security risks. Make sure that you have thought about what you need to do to use transport safely.

Do a health check: Everyone’s body and health is different. You may have a number of things which need to be accommodated or you may simply have preferences related to your energy, rest and food. Before you travel, make sure you have enough prescription medication and have had the necessary immunisation. During your trip, your best health resource is our body’s own ability to fight disease so make sure you get enough rest, eat healthy and drink plenty of water. We provide a lot more travel health guidance in our Travel Wise e-learning course.

Keep your valuables safe: While we normally think of valuables as things like passports, money and credit cards, they could also be things that have sentimental value. If you travel with anything valuable keep it in a safe place, out of sight – like in a hotel safe or stowed in your luggage. Keep a close eye on your valuables and avoid leaving them alone, especially anywhere public.

Watch out for travel scams: There are so many different travel scams that target travellers. Older people can be perceived as easy targets so make sure you know what those scams might be. Try our e-learning module on travel scams to be informed of the latest ones in circulation. And, always be wary of people who approach you and offer you unwanted assistance or deals that seem too good to be true.

Keep in contact: Our ability to communicate has become critical to our safety and security so make sure you know where your devices – like your phone and computer are – and that they are safe from scammers and hackers. Our module on online security is stuffed with tips and information on how to easily do this. While you’re travelling make sure to stay in touch with friends and family as keeping connected also enhances our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Prepare for an emergency: No one wants to think about things going wrong but the people who do the best in an emergency (and survive) are often those who have simply thought through their response. Get travel insurance, carry a list of emergency contacts with you and know how you will seek medical care if needed in your destination. Check out our e-learning on ‘When something goes wrong’ for all sorts of advice on dealing with emergencies from theft and robbery to missing a cruise departure.

Speak up: While you’re travelling if you feel unsafe, unwell or something doesn’t feel right to you – speak up. Ask for help. If a taxi driver is going too fast, ask them to slow down. If you don’t want to go somewhere or do something, say so. If you don’t want to eat something, don’t. If you need to stop for a rest, stop. Only you know what is right for you and it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or wants. You need to keep yourself safe and well so listen to your body and be kind to yourself. You’ll have a better trip if you are able to feel safe and stay active.

Remember, travelling can be one of the best ways to enjoy life as we get older and to remain independent and active. Making sure that we travel wisely is simple if we just follow a few simple guidelines. So, keep these safety tips in mind. Be safe and enjoy your travels!