travelling alone at 50

• Solo Travel

Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel for the Over 50s – (2024 Updated)

• 9 minute read

• April 17, 2024

Are you someone who’s over 50 and eager to set off on a solo adventure? Well, you’re in for a treat! 🌟 Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel for the Over 50s! Here, we’re diving into the wonderful world of traveling alone, but with a special focus on folks like you who are seasoned travelers. 🧳✈️

You’re free as a bird, ready to explore wherever your heart desires, and there’s no one else’s schedule to worry about but your own. That’s the beauty of solo travel! Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing on a tropical beach, wandering through ancient cities, or hiking through rugged landscapes, the possibilities are endless. 🏖️🏙️🏞️

But solo travel isn’t just about seeing new places; it’s also about discovering new things about yourself. 🌈 It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone, try new experiences, and learn more about who you are and what you love. Plus, there’s something incredibly empowering about navigating the world on your terms! 💪

So, if you’re ready to embrace the adventure, pack your bags, and set off on a journey of a lifetime, you’re in the right place. 🎒✨Get ready to explore, discover, and make memories that will last a lifetime! 🌍🌟

Benefits of Solo Travel for Over 50s

Solo travel can be super awesome, especially for folks over 50! 🌟 Here’s why it’s so cool:

First off, going solo means you’re the boss of your trip. No waiting around for others to decide where to go or what to do. You can plan your adventure exactly how you want it. Want to explore a hidden beach? Go for it! Feel like taking a stroll through a charming village? Absolutely! It’s all up to you. 🗺️

But solo travel isn’t just about fun activities. It’s also a chance to learn more about yourself. Being on your own lets you think about what you enjoy and what’s important to you. Maybe you’ll discover a love for hiking in the mountains, or perhaps you’ll realize you’re happiest when you’re trying new foods in bustling markets. Whatever it is, solo travel gives you the space to figure it out. 🤔

Plus, traveling alone means you can be as flexible as you want. No need to stick to someone else’s schedule. If you wake up one morning and decide you want to spend the day at a museum instead of sightseeing, go for it! Solo travel lets you change your plans on a whim, so you can make the most of every moment. 🕰️

So, whether you’re dreaming of a solo adventure to a far-off land or just considering a weekend getaway on your own, don’t hesitate! Solo travel is an amazing way to have fun, learn about yourself, and create unforgettable memories. Go ahead and take that first step – the world is waiting for you to explore it! 🌍✈️

The Pros of Travelling Solo in Your Fifties

Traveling solo in your fifties has some amazing perks! 🌟 Here’s why it’s such a fantastic idea:

• Freedom to Explore: When you travel solo, you’re the captain of your own ship! 🚢 You can go wherever you want, whenever you want, without having to worry about anyone else’s schedule or preferences. Want to spend the entire day exploring ancient ruins? Go for it! Feel like sleeping in and having a lazy morning? Totally your call!
• Personal Growth: Solo travel is like a journey of self-discovery! 🧭 Being on your own gives you the chance to learn more about yourself – what you love, what challenges you, and what makes you truly happy. It’s a time for reflection and growth, where you can step out of your comfort zone and try new things. You might surprise yourself with how much you’re capable of!
• Meeting New People: Traveling solo opens up opportunities to connect with people from all walks of life. 👫 Whether it’s striking up a conversation with a friendly local at a café or joining a group tour and making friends with fellow travelers, solo travel can lead to some amazing friendships and unforgettable experiences. And hey, who knows? You might even meet your new travel buddy for future adventures!
• Flexibility and Spontaneity: No need to stick to a rigid itinerary when you’re traveling solo! 📅 You can be as spontaneous as you want, changing your plans on a whim and embracing unexpected opportunities along the way. Maybe you’ll stumble upon a hidden gem of a restaurant or discover a breathtaking hiking trail that’s not in any guidebook. The freedom to go with the flow is one of the best things about solo travel!
• Sense of Accomplishment: There’s something incredibly empowering about navigating the world on your own terms. 🌍 Whether it’s mastering public transportation in a foreign city, conquering a challenging hike, or simply finding your way to your hotel without getting lost, every little victory adds to your confidence and sense of achievement.

So, if you’re in your fifties and thinking about traveling solo, go for it! 🎒 It’s an opportunity for adventure, growth, and endless possibilities. Embrace the freedom, soak up the experiences, and make memories that will last a lifetime! ✈️🌏

The Cons of Travelling Solo in Your Fifties

While solo travel in your fifties can be incredibly rewarding, it’s important to consider some of the potential challenges as well. Here are a few cons to keep in mind:

• Loneliness: Traveling solo can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness, especially if you’re used to having companionship on your trips. Dining alone or exploring unfamiliar places by yourself can amplify these feelings, particularly in moments when you wish you had someone to share the experience with.
• Safety Concerns: Safety is always a priority when traveling alone, regardless of age. In your fifties, you may be more vulnerable to certain risks, such as health issues or targeted scams. Navigating unfamiliar environments alone can also pose challenges, especially if you encounter language barriers or find yourself in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
• Health Considerations: As we age, our bodies may not be as resilient as they once were. Long flights, strenuous activities, and changes in climate or altitude can take a toll on your health, particularly if you have pre-existing medical conditions. It’s important to listen to your body and prioritize self-care while traveling solo.
• Logistical Challenges: Planning and organizing a solo trip can be daunting, especially if you’re not accustomed to traveling independently. From booking accommodations and transportation to navigating unfamiliar destinations, there’s a lot to consider and manage on your own. Without a travel companion to share the responsibilities, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed at times.
• Limited Social Interaction: While solo travel offers opportunities for personal growth and introspection, it can also mean fewer social interactions compared to traveling with companions. Meeting new people can be more challenging when you’re on your own, and it’s common to miss the camaraderie and shared experiences that come with traveling in a group.

Despite these potential drawbacks, many people find that the benefits of solo travel outweigh the challenges. By being aware of the cons and taking proactive steps to address them, you can enjoy a fulfilling and enriching solo travel experience in your fifties and beyond.

Planning Your Solo Adventure

Tips for Enjoyable Solo Travel

• Stay Connected with Loved Ones : 📱 Keep in touch with family and friends back home. Share your adventures through messages, photos, or video calls to feel connected even when you’re far away.
• Embrace Spontaneity : 🎉 Be open to surprises and go with the flow! Sometimes the best experiences happen when you least expect them.
• Seek Solo-Friendly Activities : 🌟 Look for activities that are perfect for solo travelers, like self-guided walking tours, cooking classes, or exploring local markets. You might even meet other solo adventurers along the way!
• Maintain Safety Awareness : 🚨 Stay safe by being aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts, stick to well-lit areas at night, and avoid sharing personal information with strangers.
• Prioritize Self-Care : 💖 Take care of yourself while you’re on the road. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and don’t forget to treat yourself to delicious meals and relaxing breaks.
• Stay Open to Cultural Experiences : 🌍 Immerse yourself in the local culture by trying new foods, learning about customs, and exploring historical sites. Engage with locals to learn more about their way of life and make meaningful connections.

By following these simple tips, solo travelers can have a safe, enjoyable, and enriching adventure wherever they go! 🌟✈️

Cultural Considerations

• Respecting Local Customs and Traditions : 🎎 It’s important to show respect for the customs and traditions of the places you visit. Take the time to learn about local etiquette, such as greetings, gestures, and dress codes. By respecting cultural norms, you’ll show appreciation for the local community and avoid unintentional offense.
• Language Barriers and Communication Tips : 🗣️ Language barriers can be challenging, but there are ways to overcome them! Learn a few basic phrases in the local language, such as greetings and polite expressions. Use translation apps or phrasebooks to help you communicate with locals. Don’t be afraid to use gestures or simple drawings to convey your message, and always approach interactions with patience and a friendly attitude.
• Immersing Yourself in the Local Culture : 🌍 One of the best parts of traveling solo is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. Explore traditional markets, attend cultural events or festivals, and participate in local activities. Engage with locals by asking questions, listening to their stories, and trying out new experiences. By embracing the culture of the places you visit, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the world and create lasting memories.

Navigating Transportation

Making connections.

Solo travel for individuals over 50 offers a unique opportunity for adventure, personal growth, and self-discovery. From the freedom to explore new destinations at your own pace to the chance to meet fellow travelers and locals along the way, the benefits of solo travel are numerous.

While there may be challenges to overcome, such as language barriers or safety concerns, the rewards far outweigh the risks. By embracing spontaneity, staying open to new experiences, and prioritizing self-care, solo travelers can create unforgettable memories and enriching experiences that will last a lifetime. So, whether you’re embarking on your first solo adventure or planning your next journey, remember: age is just a number, and the world is waiting to be explored.

Happy travels!

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Solo Travel Over 50: How to Travel at Fifty Plus

Michela Solo Female Travel 0

Over the past 25 years, we have witnessed a cultural change in how women travel . They have become aware of their need to step out of defining roles and make experiences on their own. The excellent news: Never before has solo travel over 50 been so easy.   Female solo travel has become widely accepted in our society, but it is also changing the industry’s parameters. With nearly 35% of women who have already experienced a single trip and around 65% showing interest in trying it, travel alone for fifty-plus has become more appealing and affordable than the travel scenario of 30 years ago.

Table of Contents

Why Travel Solo At 50 Plus?

When I started travelling alone, there were few opportunities for women. It was unusual to see a woman going places alone. And often, solo women travelling alone were regarded as “weird”. Over the years, it has become common for female travellers over 50 and younger to go solo.

Let’s be honest; you don’t need a companion to visit places . Why wait for friends and family to join you when you can go solo? If you wait for someone else to suit you, you may wait forever. Yet, many women have fears of travelling alone and give up in the first place. Why? Because they don’t feel good in their skin or don’t have the confidence to go alone, or simply because of false beliefs that solo travel is dull and they will not enjoy it.

You can change your mindset to Break Free To Travel Solo and Reinvent Your Life At 50+

Types of Solo Female Travel For Over 50

There are many ways to start going alone and choosing travel destinations. It depends on the type of travel you have in mind, the purpose of travel, and how you want to start travelling solo .

Solo Cultural Travel Explorations

Cultural tourism is a classic that works mainly for many women aged 50 plus who are keen to start travelling alone. It works great for first-time travellers because it’s easy, handy, and safe. If you fear feeling alone in your early adventures, travel to safe cities in your country or overseas.

• Build a city trip itinerary in one or more countries for a weekend or one or two weeks holiday.
• Train travel is great for travelling comfortably and safely in Europe, the US, and Australia.
• Choose local travel first . Travel within your state or continent to avoid long flights and ease of connections. This is how I started to travel solo: Germany, Austria, and the UK.

I loved crossing Germany by train and discovering its cultural landmarks. From Hamburg and Berlin to southern Germany, I fell in love with Munich, a fascinating German city that became my ex-pat home for 12 years.

Check out our 👉 Italy Small Group Tours For Solo Travellers 50 Plus

Cruising Solo For Female Travellers 50+

For many female travellers over 50, it is the stepping stone and easiest way of getting started with solo travel. If you think cruising solo 20 years ago was a no-go because of the high prices – unless you were travelling with a travel companion – going on a cruise for the single female traveller was not on the table.

In recent years, an increasing number of cruise companies have started to cater to this new market segment to suit the needs of many single travellers, especially retired and mature travellers, who are keen to go cruising.

If you are over 50 and want to travel solo as a woman , cruising can be a great way to combine cultural and international travel without the hassle of getting each single trip leg organised. Intercontinental and round-the-world cruising is also becoming very popular to cover long distances and see much of the world in one go.

How to solo travel the world long-term

Travel and teach.

If you are semi-retired or want to retire and become a digital nomad, adding extra income streams to fund your solo long-term travels may be a good idea. There are several opportunities to work online, ranging from virtual assistant jobs to translating and teaching English as a second language.

If travelling the world and teaching English appeals to you, there are online courses that offer training to internationally recognised certification for teaching English to non-native people.

Volunteering At 50+

If you are more adventurous and plan to travel solo long-term, volunteering may also be something for you. There are plenty of opportunities in South America, Africa and South-East Asia. And various kinds of volunteering, from children’s education to animal care, construction, land conservation, and many more.

Websites online, such as helpx , offer exciting volunteer opportunities. You can read this article about volunteering if you are interested in volunteering in other parts of the world. Years ago, I joined an Australian volunteer project on my solo trips; I became a wildlife warrior volunteer looking after injured and sick koalas at the Australia Wildlife Hospital in Queensland.

House Sitting For Women Over 50

If you plan to travel extensively and long-term travel is something you want to do, then housesitting is where it comes in handy for your long-term solo trips. I used house sits to save money on accommodation on my travels in Australia and loved it. It offers an excellent opportunity to blend the traveller’s life with the local life in a real community.

Check out my guide on 👉 becoming a house sitter and travelling the world long-term .

Tips on How to Get Started to Travel Solo at Fifty Plus

First, you shall make clear what you want to do with your first solo trip. If fear is holding you back from going solo ,  I suggest starting small, with city travel or anything easy along the way. You can see how you like it and where it takes you. After my European city travel in 1993, I went to New York, Chicago, and Toronto by bus and loved it.

Here are my best tips for over 50 solo travel adventures.

• Diversifying the types of solo experience I encourage you to expand your solo adventures as much as possible. If you want to join a tour, leave some time for yourself. It will help boost your confidence. Give yourself time to grow naturally into the next adventure and set a higher goal.
• Gradually extend your comfort zone. And step into something more adventurous. When I started travelling solo in Australia in 2004, I used safe public transport like buses, trains, and flights and joined tours for trips like the Great Ocean Road and Tasmania. After that, I felt ready to drive alone, and now I nearly go everywhere.
• Consider joining small group tours. For more challenging trip segments or destinations that aren’t safe for solo travellers, joining a tailor-made group can be a great choice. On top of that, it’s a great way of getting to know other solo female travellers in your age group and making friends on the go.

Check out our 👉 Italy Small Group Tours For Single Travellers Over 50

Where to stay on solo trips

If you choose city travel for your first solo escape, you don’t have to worry about getting around. Most cities offer an extensive and safe public transport network. Walking and biking are among the best options for public transport.

Airbnb For Solos

Using Airbnb for solo stays is an economical way to stay. I loved all my stays with Airbnb cause I stayed in beautiful homes and met the locals. I use it when possible to stay in expensive city centres with high hotel prices. I suggest staying with the home or apartment owners instead of renting a whole place for yourself.

Stay in Hostels

If you travel on a budget, staying in hostels is the way. However, it’s not easy to find single rooms in hostels, and sharing dorms is not for everyone, I know. If you book a double or twin room in most hostels, the prices are much lower than in a hotel. The only thing is that you need to book ahead since double and twins are booked out very quickly in good hostels.

Check out our 👉 hostel guide for Australia

While Airbnb is an excellent way of getting close to the locals for short stays, house sitting for the long-term traveller   in Australia is the perfect solution because it allows you to stay for free in exchange for looking after the house and taking care of pets while the owners are away.

Find Hotels With No Single Supplement

While it’s become difficult to find hotels with no single supplement, do your research cause there are quite a few who offer single rooms, and single hotel rooms have lower prices than twin or double rooms. Or google for hotels with single rooms for your destination, and results will pop up.

Join Organised Group Tour

Moreover, the growing demand for single trips and personalised tours has made the solo traveller’s options varied and affordable. I believe combining an organised tour for a day trip or multiple days with one or more solo trip legs is the best way to do it. That way, you don’t have to book accommodation; the group tour company covers all other parts of your solo travel.

Over 50 Solo Travel Tours

Solo trips vs organised guided tours.

What does group travel with solo travel do ? While some women prefer hitting the road and getting lost, some prefer the comfort of joining a tour. Even though solo travel isn’t about joining a group, an organised journey has benefits.

Organising your trip by a private tour operator, who takes the trip planning hassle off and does all the booking activities, can be a great way to ignite your enthusiasm for travelling and have peace of mind.

So I wouldn’t discard the idea of solo travel tours if this can be the first step towards a more independent way of travelling. For solo travel addicts – like myself – organised tours are an excellent way to rekindle the group spirit, which inevitably fades over the years.

My solo travels in Australia were eye-opening. After long-term travel alone, I realised that joining an organised tour was necessary to create a balance, improve my team spirit, and hone my social skills.

Many tour companies and online travel agencies specialise in group travel packages for female travellers fifty-plus.

Rocky Travel Group Tours For Women Over 50

Our Small Group Tours of Italy are for the senior woman 50+ travelling alone who is in her 50s and beyond, loves to be active, and gets out and about with like-minded female travellers. She also likes to explore places by meeting the locals and learning about the local culture responsibly and sustainably. Click the link below to learn more about our group tour offerings.

Best Solo Travel Destinations

Many countries offer a women-friendly environment and are safe for solo female travellers. I’ve been travelling solo for over 30 years, and these places are my picks. No matter whether you are a newbie or an experienced traveller. They are suitable for all kinds of experiences:

✅ Australia Solo Travel ✅ Rotorua New Zealand ✅ Penang George Town Solo Travel (Malaysia) ✅ Bali Offbeat For Solos ✅ Bangkok Solo Travel – Thailand ✅ India Solo Travel Tips ✅ Cape Town Solo Travel Tips – South Africa ✅ Italy For First-Time Travellers ✅ France For Women Travelling Solo

UK, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Portugal and more European countries are safe for women over 50. Check out the eight safe cities for solo travel 50+ .

Final Thoughts on Female Solo Travel Over 50

While your age of 50 plus or the lack of a travel buddy should not refrain you from travelling solo, you must also consider that going places solo is undoubtedly a fun and empowering way to go, but it is also challenging. The more you do it, the more you will like and hate it. If you want to travel solo and are a woman fifty-plus, this is probably the right time to consider it and take the plunge.

Get travel and Medical Insurance For Your Travels

Ensure that your solo travel is safe and covered if any inconvenience occurs while on the go. I never travel without travel and medical insurance when I go overseas. Insurance makes things easier and gives you extra peace of mind for solo travel bliss.

Check out this extensive guide about 👉 Travel & Med Insurance For Over 50

If you’re based in the US, check out the best travel insurance comparison site for those over 50 and seniors. And if you are female and 70 plus and want to travel solo, here is an excellent article about t ravelling with medical conditions and seeking travel insurance .

It’s a good thing to create the way – that best suits you – there is no right or wrong way of doing it. If everything in the equation has the right balance and makes you feel comfortable in your skin, go with it. Go and Travel solo at 50 plus , have fun, learn and repeat. And most importantly, do it your way!

Go Back to Rocky Travel – Solo Travel & Tours For Over 50

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This post was first published in 2015 and last updated in January 2024

Michela Fantinel

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Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

Traveling Solo Over 50: 7 Tips From The Experts

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• Solo Travel
• Solo Travel Tips
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• Types of Travel

I took my first solo trip when I was 51. During five years of solo travel, I have met numerous female solo travelers along the way: There was the woman sitting next to me on the train from New Orleans to Tuscaloosa, buried under blankets most of the day because she had stayed up late playing cards in the observation car, who regaled tales of traveling to Japan and Thailand by herself. Then there was the retired schoolteacher I met waiting for a train in Colorado. She told me she lived on her retirement plan and then worked part-time teaching online courses. The money from the online classes was saved for one long trip each year. To alleviate any fears of traveling to a foreign country solo, she would first join an organized group trip for 10 days, then, once acclimated to the area with the group, stay on solo for a couple more weeks after it ended.

The reasons these women share for solo traveling are numerous: divorce or the children are grown, so they have the freedom to travel, a desire to meet other travelers — which isn’t always easy when traveling with another or in a group — or a way to challenge themselves.

My story is similar. I was single and my children out of the house when I decided to travel the U.S. by train. It was frightening at first as I had never traveled solo before. My mantra, to get me through the fear, became “Take the next step.” I found that my fears were based on what might happen rather than what actually was happening. So along each step of the way, like when I heard just minutes before detraining in Winter Park that there was a blizzard, instead of worrying about What if? I took the next step and got off the train. The empowerment I’ve gained from solo travel is measurable and people frequently comment that I have a newly-acquired inner strength.

A common theme I hear from solo travelers is that they learn and are inspired by the stories of fellow travelers, so I spoke with seven expert solo travelers so I could share their tips.

1. Be Prepared (But Stay Open)

Tami Al-Hazza is a 59-year-old traveler who has traveled both solo and with her daughter. Al-Hazza says the first time she traveled solo, it was a shock. “I was lonely, I felt awkward in restaurants, and I missed having someone to share my experiences with. While eating in restaurants, I learned to take a book or magazine with me, but I don’t bury myself in it, I only use it as a backup. Sometimes I ask to eat at the bar so I can talk to others. I also book local group tours so that I can meet other travelers, and I search for experiences with locals. With time, traveling alone became less awkward, and I began to enjoy getting to know myself in new ways. With every trip, I felt more empowered to depend entirely on myself. Solo travel strengthened me.”

Her tip for solo travel: “I advise women to be prepared but always to be open to spontaneity. I suggest that they research the destination so that they know all the cultural activities that are available at that location and the unique foods and drink that they might like to try. Plan for too many activities each day and then be willing to completely depart from their plans if a new opportunity presents itself. Always be willing to try experiences with locals.”

2. Carry A Paper Map

Lynn Smargis is a travel podcast producer, editorial writer, and avid traveler, traveling 12 weeks of the year for vacation and conferences, who has traveled on long-term trips solo, too.

On a trip from Santa Fe to Chimayo, New Mexico, I decided to take the less-traveled path, depending on GPS for directions. I lost cell service and wound up lost for an hour or so before finally coming upon a postal worker who gave me directions. Because of this experience, I can personally relate to Smargis’s tip:

“The best tip I would give for traveling solo is to always carry a paper map of the area you are traveling. I travel solo for the freedom to create my own adventure, meet interesting local people, and to reinforce my ability to be a female independent do-it-yourself traveler. My favorite solo trip was an 18-day road trip from So Cal to Olympia National Park in Washington state. My love of travel and food has converged into the creation of my podcast, Travel Gluten Free .”

3. Choose Your Accommodations Wisely

Diane Lee is a 50-something Australian writer, editor, and blogger who prefers slow and solo travel. She’s currently based in Hanoi, Vietnam, with her Australian cat.

Lee said, “Choose your accommodation wisely. Even though I want to travel alone because of the freedom it gives me, I am sociable and like to chat with other travelers, so I tend to book smaller boutique hotels that have a swimming pool and restaurant or cafe. The pool takes care of the social aspect, and because I rarely go out to dinner on my own, the hotel restaurant takes care of the dining aspect. I rarely stay in Airbnbs because they generally don’t provide me with the facilities I need.”

Traveling solo means freedom to Lee. “You can go where you want, do what you want — when you want. No having to compromise. You can set your own schedule. I tend to mix things up when I travel. I often book myself into full- or half-day tours and cooking classes, but I’m also completely comfortable wandering around on my own with my camera, visiting museums and main attractions, and checking out local neighborhoods. I love local supermarkets — they are so interesting!”

4. Find A Way To Get Outside Of Your Comfort Zone

Lisa Dorenfest is 57 years old and has been traveling full-time since 2013. “While the predominance of my travel is circumnavigating the world under sail with my partner, there have been numerous times I’ve traveled solo when we’ve been in port. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Sydney, Madagascar, and Colombia come immediately to mind. The tip I would give is ‘Push yourself out of your comfort zone one baby-step at a time.’”

Dorenfest’s favorite solo trip was 30 days she spent in North Vietnam in 2017. “At the beginning of the trip, circumstances found me being transported between hotels on the back of a motorcycle: a frightening yet exhilarating experience for me. I survived the ride, and through a series of follow-on baby steps and many local motorcycle rides later, I found myself touring Lao Cai and Lai Chau, Vietnam on the back of a motorcycle.”

She wrote an article telling about that trip.

5. Print Out All Important Papers

Dr. Cacinda Maloney worked as a chiropractic physician for 22 years prior to starting a travel website in 2012. She says, “Although I am married — 28 years — I think I have now officially traveled more solo than I have married: 47 countries in 2016!”

Her tip for a solo traveler is to have all your data printed out versus just looking it up on your smartphone. “I don’t know how many times I have not been able to find what I needed on my iPhone. I keep a file folder on every trip I take that has flight information, hotel information, and any other pertinent information I might need for that trip.”

6. Work With A Travel Doctor Before Departing

Melody Wren considers her age (over 60) a gift in her travels. She brings wisdom and experience and a major If not now, when? attitude with a heavy helping of humor, which she says is required in any kind of travel.

Wren’s number one tip for solo travelers comes from personal experience. She contracted Schistosoma while wading or swimming in freshwater in an island in the Caribbean. Wren suggests: “When you travel anywhere, get advice from a travel doctor before you go about the specific destination you are going to in order to prevent picking up parasites.”

She suggests taking particular caution in the Caribbean islands, India, Africa, and Thailand and shared that “30 percent of all travelers return with at least one parasite. Strongyloides and Schistosoma can be severe if not treated.” For more tips on how to avoid getting parasites, read Wren’s article in Fodor’s .

7. Be Indulgent

The month before Adrienne Hew , a certified nutritionist, turned 50, she traveled solo to Japan. She’s making plans to return again — solo — in the spring.

Hew’s tip is to be indulgent and do something just for you. She says to pick at least one activity that you would have trouble convincing others to do with you.

Hew’s reason for traveling solo? “I travel solo because I’m usually the one at home holding down the fort while my husband travels frequently for work. I need alone time to process where I am in life, what I want from the last half of my life, and to connect with others outside of my norm.” You can read more about her travels at Nourishing Journeys Japan .

Looking for a perfect place for solo trip number one? A day in Lake Como, Italy , will whet your appetite for elegant adventure.

In 2015, Jill Dutton started traveling the world to explore culture and place through storytelling, writing about the people she meets along the way. Readers of her articles have come to expect an intimate look at authentic travel experiences. Jill's podcast, Global Journeys with Jill Dutton is ranked #22 in FeedSpot’s “Best Travel Podcasts on the Planet.” Listen to a podcast episode, read her syndicated food column -- Global Plates: The People We Meet, The Food They Eat, or follow her travels at https://globaljourneyswithjilldutton.com/.

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It's Not Too Late to Travel Solo After Retirement — but Don't Make These 14 Mistakes

“Sometimes as you’re getting older, you might start feeling less capable. You go out there and you navigate the world by yourself? Yeah, you come back feeling pretty darn strong.”

Embarking on a solo trip as a senior comes with its own set of challenges — and perks. Travel + Leisure turned to senior solo travel expert Janice Waugh of Solo Traveler World for insight into what not to do as a senior traveling solo.

Thinking You’re Younger Than You Are

Don’t overestimate your abilities — or underestimate your age. “It’s pretty common,” Waugh laughs. “When you hit about 40 or 50, you really think you’re about 10, 20 years younger than you actually are. It’s really important that you take an assessment and know your physical abilities so that you don’t get yourself into an awkward situation. Know how far you can walk, how far you can ride, how far you can hike, what stairs are like for you, what it’s like on uneven surfaces — just take account of this, because it can really affect your enjoyment of the trip once you go.”

Choosing the Wrong Destination for Your Situation

Plan trips according to what’s best for you at this stage in life. “You really need to choose the trip, the tour, or the destination that’s right for you — and that, again, is going to be affected by your abilities,” Waugh says. “Maybe you’ve been a great hiker in the past, but it’s just not in the cards, but you also love cooking, so you go to Italy and take a cooking course. Sometimes you have to adapt according to the times within your life.”

Flying Solo When a Group Trip Would Be Better

Based on your desired destination and activities, determine whether a visit is best tackled solo or within the embrace of a group tour. “It’s really important to assess the destination and how challenging it might be and whether it might be best on a tour,” Waugh says. “Or you might be looking at yourself and saying, ‘You know what, I’m now at the stage where I need more backup so that if something goes wrong, I’ve got a tour guide to turn to.’ Making that decision as to the nature of your trip — independent or with a tour or on a river cruise or something of that nature — I think is really an important thing to do.”

Not Buying Travel Insurance

In many circles, travel insurance is up for debate , but Waugh won’t travel without it.

“I have bought travel insurance my entire life — and I’ve won the game on some years,” she says. “You have to have travel insurance. It’s so important. It gets much more expensive as you get older, so that can be a challenge, but more things can go wrong, which is why it gets more expensive.” She recommends simply counting travel insurance as part of the cost of your trip.

How do you choose which travel insurance package or level of coverage is right for you? “Everyone has their own level of risk, even as a senior,” Waugh says. “If you don’t care whether you lose your luggage, then don’t get it covered. Have a look at it in terms of what you actually want to buy.”

Assuming You Won’t Meet Other Seniors Traveling Solo for the First Time

Trying something new is often intimidating because you fear that others are seasoned experts who have been at it for years. But when it comes to travel, you’re not alone; many seniors are also traveling solo for the first time in their lives.

According to Waugh, “Very often, [seniors are] traveling by themselves for the first time, and this might be because they are now a widow or widower . Or divorced — a lot of people divorce in their 50s and early 60s, once the kids are gone. Or it might be that one party does not want to travel; maybe they traveled for work their entire life and they’ve had it with airports, and the other is just really keen on getting out and exploring the world. There are many, many reasons that people will come to solo travel later in life.”

To seniors considering traveling alone for the first time and finding the prospect daunting, Waugh recommends a group setting. “A lot of seniors go on tours or escorted travel, and that takes the worry out of it for you,” she says. “You know you’re going to be sitting with someone to have dinner; you know someone’s going to navigate the whole destination. So that’s a really valid and useful way to travel for seniors.”

She estimates that probably 75 percent of solo-traveling seniors opt for a tour, but there are certainly some who choose to explore completely independently. “I think that as long as you’re fit and healthy and adventurous, then it works well,” Waugh says. “Those who go independently, it’s very interesting to see the response of the world to them. It’s very welcoming.”

Not Starting Small

Another surefire way to get comfortable traveling on your own as a senior is to start small and stay local. “Go to a city not far from you, where it’s really familiar,” Waugh advises.

If you have a lot of travel experience already and it’s not the travel that’s baffling you but the being alone, then choose a place that’s different yet familiar. “If you want to be more adventurous than just going down the road, so to speak, then go to the UK or go across the country or go somewhere where English is spoken and it’s pretty familiar how the world works,” Waugh recommends. “You get your feet wet that way.”

Overlooking the Single Supplement

Traveling solo can become surprisingly pricey when you run into the dreaded single supplement. Because most hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins are built to accommodate two occupants, solo travelers often encounter an extra charge that exists to compensate for the lack of full capacity.

“The single supplement, historically, has been up to 100 percent, and it still is in some places,” Waugh warns. Solo Traveler World advertises tour companies with no single supplement or a low single supplement. “We have a 20 percent threshold, otherwise they can’t advertise on our page,” Waugh says. “I think it’s the only resource online for solo travelers to find trips that are truly designed for solo travelers.”

Not Sorting Out Your Communication Strategy Before You Depart

Don’t leave home without knowing how you’ll contact home in case of emergency.

“What can happen, if you’re under stress and the things you have to do to communicate with home or with your travel agent or whomever is not clear to you — if you’re using the phone and you’ve just bought the phone, that kind of thing — the stress can make it impossible, almost,” Waugh says. “So make sure that you’re leaving really confident about how you’re communicating with home.”

Not Using Technology to Make Travel Easier

Don’t bog yourself down with devices you won’t use, but be open to learning and utilizing the sundry travel tools available in the modern age. Traveling with technology is not necessary, though it can be helpful, Waugh says.

“Stick with what you’re comfortable with. If you’re going to a country that’s not a language you speak, then definitely get comfortable with a translation app.” She also recommends using Google Street View to take a look around the area before booking accommodations.

Overpacking

Overpacking makes travel both cumbersome and expensive. “I recommend one carry-on bag and I really urge people to just go with that because you are so much more mobile that way,” Waugh says. She suggests choosing two base colors for your wardrobe and accessorizing with non-flashy, cheap jewelry and scarves.

“I’ve gone on business trips that have hiking side trips and it’s all in one carry-on; I’ve been out for a month with one carry-on,” Waugh says. “It can always be done.”

Overall, keep your bags light by keeping your packing list simple and versatile.

Scheduling Your Arrival After Nightfall

As a senior, you should plan to arrive at your destination in the daytime — the world does not look as safe and easy to navigate in the dark, Waugh warns.

“I went to Havana one time and arrived after dark,” she said. “I was dropped off at the edge of Old Havana, where there were no cars, and I had to drag my roller bag over cobblestones in what was virtually the dark, ’cause there was not a lot of street lighting, to find my hotel, which had the doors closed. And you can imagine: my bag is making these rackety sounds over the cobblestones; it’s echoing on the buildings and I’m feeling incredibly vulnerable. So that was when I learned: make sure you arrive during daylight. Life will be easier.”

Ignoring Your Instincts and Neglecting to Be Cautious

Part of orienting yourself with your surroundings — beyond reading maps and putting together a geographically sound itinerary — is trusting your gut. “If something feels uncomfortable, get out of there,” Waugh says. “You don’t want to be too polite. If someone’s making you uncomfortable, be noisy about it.”

In that vein, Waugh’s No. 1 rule as a senior traveling solo is to remain in public with the people she meets. “To go into a private space, whether it’s a taxi or you’re invited to someone’s home or something of this nature — don’t do that,” she advises. “It’s difficult to evaluate someone outside of your own culture and when you’re on holidays, you’re all bright-eyed and excited. If you stay in a public space with someone that you find interesting or fun or whatever, it’s going to be safer, so always stay in the public sphere.”

Assuming All of Travel Is How It Used to Be

As a senior, you may have decades of travel experience, but don’t let that cloud your awareness of the many ways travel has progressed — and become more accessible than ever.

For example: because hostels used to be called “youth hostels,” many seniors write them off or overlook the opportunity they present for an affordable stay in an approachable setting. But hostels aren’t just for young people anymore (though being young at heart is probably a plus). “You get families at hostels; you get seniors at hostels — not as many, but there’s usually one other senior at a hostel, and of course they’re such a wonderful way to stay somewhere and be in a social environment,” Waugh says.

Another positive change is the increased ease of communication. “If you were traveling in the '70s — or '80s, even — your only option in terms of communication was basically postcard or an incredibly expensive phone call on a phone that made no sense because every country had its own phone,” Waugh says.

With a smart phone in your pocket — even if you barely use it — you can be connected at a moment’s notice, should you so desire. Gone are the days of picking up your mail at the American Express office.

Underestimating How Rewarding Solo Travel Can Be

The solo travel trend of recent years has led to its benefits being recognized widely — but the gifts that solo travel offers to seniors differ from those of any other demographic. While traveling alone might offer a young person the opportunity to discover him- or herself, for seniors, the experience is gratifying in other ways.

For Waugh, it’s about the people you meet on the road. “Because you’re alone, people step into the space; people step in and they’ll talk to you,” she says. “Whether it’s other travelers or whether it’s locals, it’s really a wonderful experience.”

However, she adds, many seniors extol the main virtue of solo travel as the chance to do what you want, when you want, however you want to do it. When you’re traveling on your own, there’s no attending to other people’s needs or accommodating their schedules. “If they’re a 6:00 riser, if they’re a 10:30 riser — whatever, it’s all up to them,” Waugh remarks. “They don’t have to go to museums if they hate museums. They can go to museums all day if they love museums. It’s all up to them.”

Plus, she says, the experience is incredibly empowering. “Sometimes as you’re getting older, you might start feeling less capable. You go out there and you navigate the world by yourself? Yeah, you come back feeling pretty darn strong.”

Hear more from Janice Waugh about the beauty in solo travel on Let’s Go Together , available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify , Megaphone , and Stitcher .

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Tips for Embracing Solo Travel Over 50

In Partnership with Road Scholar

No matter your age, solo travel can be a great learning experience that allows you to look deeper within yourself, forge strong relationships with people you encounter, and discover the world on your terms. However, in recent years, solo travel tours for those over 50 have become increasingly popular.

Solo travel over 50, which is part of the “ grey nomad ” movement, offers a plethora of benefits, from self-discovery and personal growth to freedom and empowerment. Taking the leap of travelling solo as you grow older can seem intimidating.

However, this doesn’t have to be the case, and shifting your mindset can open up a whole new world of possibilities and adventure. If you’re itching to explore new areas across the globe, read our guide on the importance of solo travel in your 50s and beyond.

Shifting Your Mindset

It’s human nature to prefer consistency, especially as you age and become comfortable in your daily routines. This can make it challenging to get the courage to embrace courage and break out of your shell. It’s often thought that solo travel is for young travellers. 

However, shifting your mindset and telling yourself that solo travel is meant for everyone can help you step out of your comfort zone and start a journey of personal growth. Shifting your mindset about who solo travel is for and that travelling alone over 50 is possible can bring many benefits. Here are some ways changing your perspective can benefit you:

• Embracing independence: As you enter the later stages of life, embracing independence is important, especially if you spent most of your adulthood with a partner. Viewing solo travel as an opportunity to assess your autonomy can help you make decisions based on your preferences while enjoying the many freedoms that come with it. This way, you can fully immerse yourself in new experiences without relying on others for companionship or validation.
• Personal growth: With newfound independence for solo travellers comes the opportunity for personal growth. When travelling solo in your 50s, you can embrace a growth mindset that allows you to expand your horizons, challenge your comfort zones, and discover new things. Having a growth mindset with each new experience will allow you to enrich your life.
• Overcoming fears and uncertainties: It can be daunting packing up your bags to travel to a new country alone. While this can be scary, taking the leap can help you overcome any fears or uncertainties that come with it. Through solo travel, you can find that you’re self-sufficient and can handle a detailed adventure independently. Through self-discovery, you’ll be able to put fears behind you and find confidence in yourself that you might not have realized.
• Rediscovering passions: Solo travel allows you to rediscover passions and interests. As you navigate a new area you’ve never explored, you can draw inspiration from the people you meet, the food you eat and the sights you see. Upon return, you can bring your passions to life, whether adding new flavours to your kitchen when cooking or picking up a hobby like painting or photography.
• Celebrating achievements and memorable experiences: Another way shifting your mindset is beneficial is by allowing you to celebrate achievements and unforgettable experiences along the way, whether cresting the top of a mountain or meeting a host family.

Researching the Best Destination Options for Solo Travelers

When it comes to solo travel tours over 50, a key part of planning is finding the best destination. There are a variety of factors to consider when travelling solo, such as transportation, language barriers and finances.

Researching options for solo travel tours can provide peace of mind that you’re travelling to a new destination that meets your preferences. Some considerations to keep in mind include:

• Safety: Above all else, it’s important to keep safety top of mind when travelling alone. As you research destinations, consider the safety reputation of the area by looking at factors like crime rates, healthcare facilities and political instability. You can also try connecting with travellers who’ve visited the potential destination recently to get their input.
• Solo-friendly infrastructure: Sometimes, solo travel can be more expensive because certain costs, such as transportation and lodging, aren’t shared. With that in mind, look into destinations with solo-friendly infrastructure, such as their transportation system, tourism infrastructure and accommodations, such as hotels, B&Bs and hostels.
• Accessibility: It’s crucial to keep accessibility top of mind as a solo traveller over 50, such as flight availability, visa requirements and the overall ease of getting around.
• Activities and interests: The area you’re travelling to should match your interests. For example, are you looking for outdoor adventures, including hiking and biking, or are you more interested in art or cuisine? Taking the time to assess what you’re interested in seeing and doing can help you find an ideal travel destination.

Connecting With Fellow Travelers

Travelling solo as someone 50 or older doesn’t mean you have to be alone. A helpful solo travel tip is embracing discomfort and connecting with fellow travellers you meet. There are various ways you can meet new people, including joining a travel group or club that allows you to adventure on your own with the safety net of a group.

Or, you can connect with fellow solo travellers in online communities and travel forums where you can join before meeting in person. Another option is signing up for organized tours and activities, such as a walking tour of a city or a boat tour along a coastline or river.

Embracing Solo Travel as a Lifestyle

Whether you’re taking an extended vacation or spending your golden years globetrotting, certain tips can help you embrace solo travel as a lifestyle. Some tips include:

• Planning an itinerary: When it comes to long-term travel, make sure to plan an itinerary that outlines the destinations you will visit. However, ensure your itinerary is loose and allows for adaptations, as spur-of-the-moment activities are often the most memorable.
• Pack smart: It can be easy to overpack, especially when travelling for an extended period. Make sure to choose versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched, and only pack the essentials, as you’ll most likely want room for a souvenir or two.
• Stay flexible: When travelling solo, challenges can arise. Maintaining an adaptable mindset can help you when things don’t go as planned.
• Trust your instincts: There’s a reason why people say to trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s best to trust your instincts and remove yourself from a situation.

Final Thoughts on the Transformative Power of Solo Travel

Travelling solo beyond 50 can be an extremely rewarding experience. Through solo travel, you can learn more about yourself by embarking on a journey of personal growth and development.

By travelling alone, you’ll connect with locals and fellow travellers, participate in activities you decide to pursue, and learn more about the world without relying on a companion or outside opinions. If you’re looking for a sign to travel solo as you grow older, let this be it.

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Solo Traveler

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The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Travel Alone & Love It

January 4, 2024 by Janice Waugh

What is solo travel? After 15 years of traveling solo, I've concluded that it is two things. Solo travel can be done independently or on a group tour. Essentially, solo travel is when you leave behind everyone you know and embark on a trip. Independent solo travel is when you plan and navigate the travel yourself. Group solo travel is when you join a tour or cruise alone. Both provide the unique experience of exploring the world without family and friends who have expectations of you. It's about discovering who you are when no one (that you know) is looking.

Traveling alone delivers access to the world in ways that other forms of travel don't. It is an essential mode of travel, at least some of the time.

However, not everyone takes to it naturally. Some worry about traveling solo. There are concerns around loneliness, safety, and more.

While we have hundreds of articles on the site that get into the details of how to travel solo, here, in one place, is the ultimate guide for those who want to travel alone. The tips in this post will help you have the best experience possible. They will help you travel alone and love it.

If you are traveling independently, read on.

If you plan to go on an organized tour, don't miss our page of tours with no or low single supplement . It's updated at least once a month and if you'd like to receive it via email you can sign up here .

Table of Contents

Why You Will Love Solo Travel

When you travel alone, you travel on your terms. You get to do what you want, when you want. You can connect with people if you wish or avoid them completely. Those are the obvious benefits for going solo as a traveler.

But there are many benefits of solo travel that affect your whole life. The experience encourages you to stretch and grow as a person. You gain confidence and get better at problem solving. You understand yourself better, become more independent, and become a more interesting person.

For more, read Why Travel Solo? 15 Reasons Going Alone Makes Travel Better . Now, let's get on to the ultimate solo travel guide.

Your Guide for Planning to Travel Alone

Planning a solo trip takes a bit of time and thought. To cover everything, this would be an extremely long article. Instead, I'm pointing you to some of the basic planning posts on Solo Traveler. There over 600 posts on Solo Traveler. This just takes you to the ones that cover the fundamentals.

• Solo Travel Planning Guide with Trends, a Checklist, and Insider Tips
• Solo Travel Safety: 50+ Proven Tips to Keep You Safe
• Carry-On Packing List That Makes Sense: Traveler Tested
• Best Accommodation for Solo Travelers
• A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers
• Eating Alone Is Easy When You Know How

Ultimate Tips to Travel Alone and Love It!

Let's get into the experience of traveling alone.

For some people, enjoying a solo trip comes naturally. Others have to work at how to travel alone. Most who do, fall in love with it. Here are a few things you can do to ensure a great solo adventure.

1. Visualize the trip you want. It's all about you.

Start thinking about the opportunities that are present when you travel alone long before you leave. Is it down time you really want? Build that into the plan. Are you after a creative travel experience ? Research the opportunities before you go and then dream on them until you get there.

2. Gather firsthand knowledge before you go. Personal stories tell you more.

Talk to people who have already traveled to your destination. Doing this was so incredibly helpful when planning my trip to Patagonia. At the time, no amount of research helped me plan the logistics. Talking to people who had made a similar trip gave me insight into the travel options and tips on how to avoid the mistakes they had made. Use your social network to find people. Join online meetup groups based in your destination. Find expat groups at your destination. By talking to people you will learn more about things to do as well as things that are not really for you.

3. Learn to chat with strangers.

Starting conversations with strangers can be a challenge, especially when you're an introvert like I am. However, these conversations can be trip-changing, if not life-changing. There are many skills that can be developed for this and one is never too old to learn them. In fact, it was only when traveling alone after my husband passed away that I learned how much I had grown and taken on the techniques of an extrovert. I learned that I could talk to strangers easily.

4. Tap the experience of the people you meet. Get current information.

As a solo traveler, you'll meet more travelers and locals than those who travel with a partner. Ask a traveler about the best thing they've done so far or a local for the best hidden gem restaurant in the area. The people you meet and the advice they offer will greatly enrich your trip.

5. Be flexible with your plans. Opportunities arise!

When suggestions or opportunities arise from these chance encounters, be flexible enough to act on them. There are times when flexibility must reign and the schedule should be thrown away. I do this most often on road or rail trips.

6. Don't over-plan. You will absolutely need relaxing time.

Managing your travels yourself takes more energy than if you are with someone else. It is important to have extra time in your itinerary to wander a market leisurely, linger over a coffee at an outdoor café, or take that trip into the mountains you hadn't considered.

7. Be patient. Take time to settle in and learn how the city works.

It can be difficult arriving in a new city alone. Take your time. Take a day to relax, watch the city function, and settle in. Read Solo Travel Confidence: How to Be Strong, Capable, and Safe .

8. Explore your destination at different levels. Gain different perspectives.

In London, it's natural to take the Tube. However, riding on the top of a double-decker bus gives you another perspective on the city. But you still wouldn't want to miss the Tube as it's an experience unto itself. My point is, explore the city in as many ways as possible: on foot, by bicycle, via public transit. Take a taxi and talk to the driver. Rent a car and learn what it's like to park or drive on the opposite side of the road. Every mode of movement offers new perspectives.

9. Take in local events. Get to know the daily life of a culture.

Whether it's a street festival or a sporting event, these are opportunities to rub shoulders with locals, offering insight into the culture and, potentially, fun conversations. Events made for tourism will not be as successful for this as events created by and for locals.

10. Be proactive if you’re unsure of yourself.

Ask for help. Standing around looking dazed will not get you where you want to go and it may get you noticed by the wrong people. Go ahead, smile, and ask for help. It's one of the fundamentals of staying safe as you travel solo .

11. Eat locally! Discover the culture through food.

There is nothing like exploring the local cuisine. It gives you a new path into your destination's culture, history, and geography. There is always a reason, historical or geographic, for a specific cuisine that can be explored through your tastebuds and your mind.

12. Shop where the locals shop.

Are you into home renovations? Then a hardware store in another country could be quite interesting. Are you a foodie? Go to the grocery store or the street where all the specialty vendors are located. Are you into fashion or interior decorating? Again, explore (you don't have to buy) where the locals shop.

13. Know which way is up. An old-school map is your friend.

Study a map of your destination. Get to know it. Get a sense of direction using major landmarks like Central Park in New York City or the CN Tower in Toronto. This will help you explore cities happily, with greater confidence. Read How to Navigate a New City Solo .

13. Find people who share your passion.

Whether it's chess or poetry or badminton or books, there will be hubs or groups that share your passion at your destination. Many destinations have an English bookstore which is typically a great resource for events you will want to attend. Google search or find them on meetup.com. What a great way to combine your love of travel with your love of other things.

14. Take day tours and classes.

There are many benefits to punctuating your independent trip with local tours such as cooking classes . You have new ways to better experience your destination, enjoy some social time (after all, solo travelers are not necessarily loners), and you get to take a break and let the tour company run the logistics and planning of the experience.

15. Have great evenings out.

Just because you're traveling solo doesn't mean you have to stay in at night with a book. There are many options for things to do in the evening. If you're in a country where you don't speak the language, music is a good bet. Read What to Do at Night When Traveling Alone and How to Enjoy Going to a Bar Alone When You Travel .

What If You Don't Love Solo Travel?

Let's face it, not everyone likes the same thing. Some people will travel alone and, for one reason or another, not enjoy it.

The first thing I suggest is that you be patient. You're not going to find your solo travel groove on the first day of your first trip. You need to give yourself some time to settle into your destination and apply some of the many travel alone tips above.

If, then, you're still not loving it, read  What If You Travel and You Don’t Love It ? and the advice of other solo travelers in Feeling Overwhelmed? How to Conquer First-Day Solo Travel Anxiety .

Round Out Your Guide to Solo Travel with These Resources

Here are a few posts to explore to help you plan your best solo trip.

• How to Save Money for Travel
• How to Plan Your Travel Budget: Luxury or Frugal
• Best Solo Travel Destinations: Real Solo Travelers Love These
• Feeling the Pinch? Solo Travelers Save Money at The Airport
• How to Get Through an Airport by Yourself with Ease
• Carry On Packing List That Makes Sense: Traveler Tested
• Checked Baggage: Top Planning and Packing Tips.
• Best VPN for Travel: What, Why, How & New Recommendations
• Road Trip Alone with Confidence: 10 Tips for a Great Trip

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Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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Solo Travel Tips for Women Over 50

by Sue Janzen | May 28, 2021

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Last updated on July 12th, 2023

Featured Image: S ue Janzen at  La Muse writer’s retreat  in France.

Five Tips to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

By Sue Janzen, Guest Writer

I was nearing 50 when I took my first solo trip. I had never been to Europe and wanted to see Paris but was afraid to go alone. When I complained to my friends that I couldn’t find a travel companion, they nudged me to go anyway. I am forever grateful for their prodding. Stepping out of my comfort zone and taking that first solo trip changed my life. 

Looking back, I remember my Paris trip as a mixture of grand adventure and deep loneliness. I couldn’t have imagined that it would be the start of my great love of solo travel.

In just 10 years, I’ve gone from becoming anxious at the thought of traveling alone to planning extensive solo travel for when I retire. Like many other women in their 50s, I’m increasingly comfortable with my independence and proud of my courage.

  Get more Solo Travel Tips: Click here to sign up for our Solo Travel newsletters here. 

Five Things I’ve learned about Solo Travel

Here are some valuable lessons I’ve learned through a decade of travel.

One of my favourite memories of my Paris trip was the evening I spent at the famous jazz club, Caveau de la Huchette. I bought a glass of wine, pressed myself into the corner and watched people dance. I was too shy to get on the dance floor, but found great joy in watching and listening to the live band.

1: Solo travel means you can start writing your own story 

That might sound obvious but it’s easier said than done. If you are a parent and your life has revolved around the needs of others, if you’ve only traveled with someone else or if you’re brand new to travel like I was, it can be challenging to notice what lights you up.

As you start to tell others about a trip you’re planning, you will get a lot of advice from friends and family – places you have to see, restaurants you simply must eat at, even agendas you should stick to. It’s natural for people to share about their experiences – I do it myself, and that’s why we’re here at JourneyWoman! But your trip is a blank page and it’s waiting for you to start writing your own story.

With only my own whims to entertain, I once joined seven other travellers at a cooking class in Rome. We made fresh pasta, meatballs, eggplant parmesan and tiramisu, then sat down to enjoy a memorable meal together.

My first time in Lisbon, I set aside my agenda and spent a day wandering through the neighbourhoods. Down one tiny alley, I discovered portraits hung outside of the doors of the elderly who live there. It was a touching reminder that they share their space with us.

2: Go easy on yourself

It can take time to become comfortable travelling alone, so don’t judge yourself harshly if you feel overwhelmed. Your confidence will build with every trip you take. In the meantime, accept that you may need down time. Spending so much time alone can bring up challenging emotions, so give yourself permission to spend hours sitting in a square instead of pushing yourself to see everything on your list. Order an espresso or a glass of wine, remind yourself that you have nothing to prove, and celebrate your courage and independence. 

3: Connect with others

Small group walking tours are a great way to meet other travellers. So are ‘ex-pat’ organizations which can often be found with a quick internet search. In Rome, I attended a party held by an organization called Friends in Rome . I spent a wonderful evening talking to people from all over the world, and it was helpful to discover that some were just as uncomfortable as I was. I also went for a lovely walk with a retired professor in Paris through International Greeter Association . Do a bit of research ahead of your trip and look for opportunities to connect with others. Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time alone.

Find small group activities and walking tours here !

  I love train travel. On one long ride through France, I captured three women playing cards – I loved watching their laughter and friendship. I recently discovered the train travel website  Seat61.com  and can’t wait to make more use of it.

#4: Plan your evenings

Many solo travelers agree that evenings can feel very lonely. Some women choose to stay in at night because they’re tired from a full day of exploring or because it feels safer. It’s a nice time to upload photos or connect with someone at home. It took me a while to get over the feeling that I was wasting time and opportunity by staying in, but I’ve become comfortable with it. I also love getting a good sleep so I’m up early in the morning to enjoy a quiet coffee while I watch the city awaken. 

That said, I also try to plan a few evenings out on every trip. I’ve attended a cooking class, enjoyed live music and treated myself to nice dinners. A tip about dining out – it can feel especially lonely in the evening. I find it helpful to bring a notepad and write about my day or what I observe around me. I also chat with tourists at nearby tables – a fun way to compare my day and get tips about something I might want to see.

When you are up before dawn, you get to take beautiful photos of sites before they are crammed with tourists. This is La Cité de Carcassonne in France.

5: Start a courage collection

On your first solo trip, start a souvenir collection to mark this new phase of your life. I buy something on every trip that I can hang on my Christmas tree each year. As I place them on the tree, I breathe a prayer of gratitude for the wonderful memories I am collecting. Maybe you want to buy some jewelry, a scarf or a book of local poetry on each trip. Choose something that will remind you of your growing courage and strength as well as the bank of experiences and memories you’re adding to with every trip you take.

Looking for More on Solo Travel? 

Solo in Switzerland’s Prettiest City: Lucerne is Full of Surprises

by Carolyn Ray | Jun 4, 2024 | Europe , Solo Travel , Spotlight , Switzerland

Not only is Lucerne the prettiest city in Switzerland, it’s a safe, welcoming place for a solo getaway in Europe.

How to Travel Solo in Your Own City: Ten Tips to Fire up Your Inner Wanderer

by Amanda Burgess | Apr 20, 2024 | Solo Travel , Solo Travel at Home

Yes, you can travel solo travel in your own city or country. Here are nine tips to get you started on your adventures!

How Solo Women Can See the ‘Real’ Cuba, From a Woman’s Perspective

by Carolyn Ray | Mar 31, 2024 | Cuba , Solo in a Group , Solo Travel

How solo women can see the ‘real’ Cuba and support women-owned homestays, restaurants and markets, at a time when tourism is desperately needed.

Sue lives in downtown Toronto and works in government communications. Her first solo trip was a week in Paris in 2011. It was uncomfortable and disorienting but ignited a passion for travel. She is drawn to off-the-beaten-track experiences, loves planning almost as much as the trip itself, and looks forward to many years of wandering after she retires.

That was a wonderful read – thank you Sue. I’ve only done a couple of international trips on my own, before a recent relationship, and I miss being able to plan these again. I got the courage to let my friend know I wanted to go on my own and booked a flight in early March 2020 but cancelled as it became clear what was coming. I’m 59 now and hoping I’ll be able to do some stuff late this year or early 2022. At the very least, a road trip to the east or western Canada. I love the days of driving and following back roads to strange little roadside attractions, hostels and national parks. You’re absolutely right – the planning is at least half of the fun! Thanks for several of your suggestions as well. I had never heard of International Greeters – what a great idea – and I completely agree about getting out at night. I love live music and pubs and on my last/only trip to London, England I found a concert I wanted to see in a club and later that week, found a pub (through a Rick Steve’s podcast) with fabulous food; sat at the bar with my book and notes and rubbed elbows with Hugh Grant and his friend who came in for a drink. Fabulous experiences.

Thank you for this wonderful and encouraging article. I’m over 60 and run a safari lodge on my own near the Kruger National Park in South Africa. Therefore I always encourage women over 50 to travel this wonderful country alone. And I am pleased to see that women are more willing to seek the adventure of travel alone. Many questions can always be clarified in advance of the trip and we are ready to provide advice and assistance during a stay. And we always recommend Journeywoman for suggestions, tips and tricks. Thanks and keep it up.

I am so glad I stumbled upon this wonderful article that has now given me the confidence to try traveling alone. I never imagined traveling alone despite my cravings to travel to many beautiful destinations. I am sure I would shock my friends and family if I ever told them that I am considering traveling alone. I am so excited about the concept of International Greeters, something I never heard of. This gives me a sense of comfort, and confidence knowing that I can travel safe in the company of Greeters who can show me around their beautiful countries. I am seriously considering making a start now to travel alone to my dream destinations. If anything, I will be very proud of myself if I did that. I am smiling now as I write this message as I am already imagining the excitement and fun I will have when I travel. Of course, it will take some time to get used to traveling alone, but I guess I have to make a start somewhere, sometime. Thanks again.

Hi I’m Catherine!! I’m.thinking of travelling alone for the 1st time to Europe, but have anxiety and fear that I might get lost once I reach my destination. But I have been wanting to travel all my life by myself as I’m already 53.

I so appreciated this article. I am turning 70 in January 2023 and have decided to celebrate the new decade each month during the year. In May I will be travelling from Halifax to London, then on to the Cotswolds. It’s my first solo vacation and I’m both excited and fearful at the same time. The information in this article offered ideas about what to expect and normalized the fact that what I’m experiencing is normal. Thank you!

Love your advice..very wise!!

Terrific article. Lots of good information. Always amazed when I see a photo of somewhere I’ve already been in this case it was Carcassonne in France. My one regret was not taking up the invitation to visit a women who I met on the bus from the airport. She lived next door to the old city hotel I was booked into.

We always strive to use real photos from our own adventures, provided by the guest writer or from our personal travels. However, in some cases, due to photo quality, we must use stock photography. If you have any questions about the photography please let us know. Disclaimer: We are so happy that you are checking out this page right now! We only recommend things that are suggested by our community, or through our own experience, that we believe will be helpful and practical for you. Some of our pages contain links, which means we’re part of an affiliate program for the product being mentioned. Should you decide to purchase a product using a link from on our site, JourneyWoman may earn a small commission from the retailer, which helps us maintain our beautiful website. JourneyWoman is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you! We want to hear what you think about this article, and we welcome any updates or changes to improve it. You can comment below, or send an email to us at [email protected] .

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Solo travel after 50: Everything you need to know

Thinking about planning a solo trip but don't know where to start? It can be a bit daunting, especially if you’ve not travelled alone before. But this handy guide to solo travel will tell you everything you need to know about travelling alone when you’re over 50.

• Solo travel is an excellent way to see the world when you're over 50
• Travelling alone means you can travel wherever, whenever and however you like
• Taking a solo trip is a great way to make new friends and meet like-minded people
• Booking a trip just for you will get you out of your comfort zone and open your mind to new ideas

Travelling solo: FAQs

Is solo travelling worth it.

Absolutely! Travelling alone can bring many benefits . Not only will you be able to travel exactly when and where you want, but you'll also open yourself up to new experiences. In addition, travelling by yourself is a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and meet new people. It can be scary at first, but it’s well worth it in the long run. 

How can I meet people while travelling solo?

Solo travel doesn't have to mean travelling  alone . There are a few easy ways to meet people while you're travelling alone. For example, you could travel as part of a singles holiday  package or book yourself a spot on small group tours. You might also meet people while you're out and about. Be friendly and open, and you're bound to make plenty of friends!

Is solo travel safe?

Like any type of trip away, there are safety risks involved with solo travel. Taking steps to travel safely, especially  travelling as a woman alone , should always be at the forefront of your mind. Take the proper precautions and always let friends and family back home know where you're going and when.

When we hear the phrase "solo travel", most of us probably conjure up images of young people heading out on a gap year or having a backpacking adventure around Southeast Asia. But solo travel is becoming more and more popular among people of all ages – and that includes over 50s.

Whether you want to know why people travel solo, where you can travel by yourself or how to keep safe while travelling alone, you've come to the right place.

Whether you're looking for a solo holiday, an adults-only getaway, or an all-inclusive package for the whole family, our selection of holiday providers has you covered. Click below to start your holiday search!

The benefits of solo travel

Travelling alone can be pretty daunting, particularly if it's not something you've done before. You might even be wondering  if it's a bit weird to travel alone  – it's not! In fact, solo travel is a fantastic way to explore the world on your own terms. The truth of the matter is that travelling solo has numerous benefits.

A trip on your terms

Picture this. You're trying to plan a holiday with your partner or spouse, but you just can't agree on where to go. Your other half wants to go to a resort for a relaxing week of sun, sea and sand. But you are more in the mood for something different – a city break somewhere new or maybe a cross-country road trip.

You run through the pros and cons of each and realise you're never going to agree. 

Instead of deciding to take a trip you aren't really in the mood for, consider taking trips separately instead. A few days apart will hardly bring about the difficulties sometimes associated with long-distance relationships . In fact, it's quite the opposite. Time away from a spouse or partner could actually  strengthen  your relationship in the long run – think about how much you'll have to catch up on when you get back! 

Planning a trip that's just for you means you can be a bit selfish. You can go exactly where you want without any guilt.

Activities just for you

Once you're actually  on  your trip, travelling alone also means you'll have the freedom to spend your time just how you want to. 

If you're an early riser, you can get up with the larks and beat the crowds at major tourist attractions. If you're more of a night owl, you won't have to feel guilty about sleeping in. If you want to try something new and adventurous, there'll be no one to stop you.

Whatever you like to do on your holidays, you'll be free to do it. With nobody else to answer to, you can enjoy yourself on your own terms.

A chance to meet people…

Another benefit of solo travel is that you'll be able to meet new and different people. When we travel with others, it's easy to keep to ourselves. As a result, we often miss out on the opportunity to chat with locals or engage with like-minded travellers.

When we travel solo, though, we're more likely to push ourselves out of our personal bubbles and strike up a conversation with a friendly-looking stranger. Even if you're travelling totally by yourself (i.e. not as part of a tour group), you'll still be coming across new people every day. It's easy enough to get chatting – especially while experiencing something new. 

Travelling alone is a fantastic way to expand your circle and make friends with people you might never have met otherwise. You might even find romance – it's certainly easier than online dating !

…Or time to be alone!

Some of us are looking to meet new people and expand our horizons. Others, though, are looking for a bit of peace and quiet.

A solo trip could be a great solution if you feel you need a bit of time away from it all. Taking a holiday by yourself is an easy way to have some quality time alone.

Stretch out in a double bed with nobody tossing and turning next to you, or stay up late reading your favourite book without worrying that you're disturbing someone with the light on. 

How to meet people

If you're thinking about travelling alone for the first time, you might be wondering how easy it is to meet other people. Will it be lonely? How will I find someone to have dinner with?

These concerns are only natural. But in reality, travelling solo is a great way to meet new people - if that's what you want to do.

Wherever you go, you're likely to encounter fellow travellers, whether at your hotel, on public transport or out at tourist sights. It's easy enough to start chatting when you do bump into people. Strike up a conversation at a museum or in a café, or say hello to people you meet in the hotel lounge. 

If you're shy, it's easier to meet people as part of an existing group. Book yourself onto a travel tour excursion or a free walking tour of the city you're in. In this type of situation, you'll be on equal footing with other members of the group, so it's not too hard to take the next step of asking a fellow solo traveller out for dinner or a drink.

If you're an adventurous type, you might also meet new people while participating in a kayaking excursion or an organised hike. 

All you need to do is be open and engaging, and you're sure to make friends.

Types of solo trip

Solo travel can really encompass any type of trip away. It doesn't have to be a backpacking adventure (but it can be!). 

For one thing, a solo trip doesn't actually have to mean a journey that you take entirely by yourself. If you're a bit nervous about travelling alone, you might prefer to join a group holiday. Numerous companies offer group trips aimed explicitly at over 50s. Still, nothing is stopping you from joining an all-ages group trip if you want. 

It's worth noting that some companies running group tours charge an extra fee for singles. This is because it's often more expensive for companies to pay for a hotel room for one person than it is to pay for a twin room for two to share. This extra money might pass over to the customer in the form of single supplements. To avoid this, it might be more sensible to opt for group-trip operators that specifically cater to singles and solo travellers.

Travelling alone but as a part of a bigger group means it's easy to make friends. Still, you might feel like you lose some of the flexibility that makes solo travel so unique. So if you'd prefer to really experience a holiday by yourself, we recommend simply heading out on your own. Of course, you can always join group excursions for the day if you want, but the bulk of your holiday will be solo, giving you plenty of freedom!

The world is your oyster

Once you've decided whether you want to venture out on your own or join up with a travel group, the next step is to determine what type of trip you want to take.

Many solo travellers love backpacking and staying in hostels. Of course, accommodation in dorm rooms isn't for everyone, but it definitely makes it easier to meet new people!

Another excellent type of solo trip is a city break. A getaway to a city you've always wanted to visit is a fantastic option for solo travel because you can see the city the way  you  want to. If you're interested in art, you can take your time in museums without worrying about your partner getting bored or hungry.

Or, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a foodie, you could take a solo food tour of a country of your choice. Then, you can simply roam from restaurant to restaurant, snacking or feasting as you go.

Want to visit many cities or countries but don't love sitting on public transport? Plan a road trip around your favourite country or continent to see more of the world in one go. Road trips are ideal for solo travel as you can go at your own pace and enjoy the flexibility that car travel brings.

Adventurous types can book a solo adventure or a trekking experience. Head to the hills and sign up for a pilgrimage walk in Europe – the Santiago de Compostela in Spain is very popular – or go mountaineering.

Fans of winter sports don't have to feel left out, either. Check out this  list of the best ski holidays for singles over 50 .

Whatever type of holiday you like, you can undertake as a solo traveller. There's really no limit to what you can do…or where you can go!

Where to go as a solo traveller

When you've figured out what type of trip you want to take, it's time to start thinking of  where  you want to travel. Remember - one of the main benefits of solo travel is that you get to decide what you  want.You make the rules!

Starting reasonably close to home, there are some fantastic destinations in Europe that are ideal choices for solo trips. Italy, Croatia and Portugal are good options if you want a mix of good weather and fun things to do. Iceland is an excellent choice if you're feeling a little more adventurous or want to take a road trip. The country has one main road that can take you nearly anywhere you want to go.

Don't forget that the United Kingdom also has some excellent towns and cities, as well as gorgeous countryside. So plan a solo staycation and start exploring more of good old Blighty!

Further afield, there are several appealing destinations in Central and South America. Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador…all these and more make great solo travel destinations.

If you want to plan a trip to North America, remember that public transport can be slow and expensive compared to car travel. It's the perfect destination for a road trip, though! Wind your way around the USA's numerous national parks – just don't forget your walking boots!

Other options include Thailand, Vietnam (both great for backpackers and hostel stays), and Morocco (good for foodies!).

There really are so many destinations available to solo travellers. Anywhere you can go with a friend or a partner, you can go by yourself. It's just worth bearing in mind some extra safety considerations, especially if you're a woman.  Travelling as a woman alone  can be dangerous, so you'll want to choose your destination wisely.

Travel tips: Keeping safe while travelling alone

All types of travel involve risk – that's just a fact of life. But when you're travelling alone, there are more things to consider, and you have to be fully aware of what's going on around you when there's no friend or partner to help you out.

With that in mind, here are a few top tips for keeping safe while you're travelling solo.

• Always lock up your valuables when you aren't using them. Most hotels have a safe – use it!
• Don't be flashy when you're out and about. It's a good idea to leave the expensive watch you got as a retirement gift at home! Keep your money out of sight, too.
• Buy an  anti-theft backpack  or wear a  money belt  under your clothes. This will reduce your risk of being targeted by pickpockets.
• If you find yourself in a sketchy part of town and you don't know where you're going, avoid pulling your phone out. Walk with purpose until you find a café or bench where you can sit down,  then  consult Google maps.
• Invest in a comprehensive travel insurance policy. You never know what might happen while you're away, and this will save you from unexpected expenses or disasters!
• Write down a list of phone numbers on a piece of paper. This is useful to have in case your phone is lost or stolen.
• Keep a note of any allergies you have or medications you take in the local language. That way, you can quickly inform doctors or restaurant staff of anything they need to know about.

Travel safety as a female traveller

Travelling as a woman alone comes with additional risks, and it's essential to take that into account when you're planning your trip. Here are a few extra travel tips for keeping safe as a female traveller . 

• Keep in touch with your friends and family back home with regular check-ins. Just a quick message to let them know you're okay will do. Set up a system so that if they haven't heard from you in a certain amount of time, they should contact the emergency services where you are.
• Let friends and family know where you're staying and when. That way, they can keep a virtual eye on your movements.
• Invest in safety devices like a  personal alarm  or a  portable door lock . These are great tools for ensuring your safety while you're in a foreign country.

Travel solo and see the world

Travelling alone is a great way to see more of the world on your own terms. If you don't have a travel buddy lined up – a spouse, a friend, a partner – that doesn't mean you can't enjoy trips away. 

Travelling solo will increase your confidence and get you out of your comfort zone. You'll be able to meet new people and experience new things – and with no age limit in sight, there's no stopping you. So what are you waiting for? Start planning!

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Single Travel: Essential Tips for Planning a Solo Trip

The Editors

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

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People who have never traveled alone often describe their first solo trip as an almost religious experience. To take in new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes, or preferences of a traveling companion can be heady stuff. Solo travel gives you the chance to indulge yourself fully.

Of course, traveling alone has its perils too—such as safety concerns, loneliness, and the dreaded single supplement. But a little preparation and common sense can save you money and get you through the rough spots.

Why Travel Alone?

How to travel alone safely, how to travel alone as a woman, avoiding the single supplement, tips for solo dining.

• When You’ve Had Enough of Solo Travel

The Best Solo Travel Websites

Solo travel can be the ultimate in self-indulgence; you can rest when you want and pour it on when you’re feeling ambitious. Another benefit is that your mistakes are your own, and your triumphs all the more exciting. There’s no worrying that your insistence on trekking all the way across town to a museum that was closed ruined your partner’s day; it’s your own day to salvage or chalk up to a learning experience.

Also, you can do exactly what you want to do—all the time. Always wanted to try surfing? Sign up for a class and go for it; there’s no one sitting on the beach feeling bored while you have the time of your life. Have no desire to see Niagara Falls? Just drive right by. For more benefits of solo travel, see 11 Reasons Why You Should Travel Alone at Least Once .

The 13 Best Places to Travel Alone

It’s perhaps the foremost question of the solo or single traveler: “Is solo travel safe?” Without a companion to watch your back, you are more vulnerable to criminals and scam artists, as well as simple health worries. But the saying “safety in numbers” isn’t always true—a solo traveler can blend in more easily than a group, and not drawing attention to yourself as a tourist is one way to stay secure.

Here are a few safety tips for traveling alone:

Do your homework before you arrive. Know how long it takes and how much it costs to get from the airport to your hotel or to the city center. Solo travelers are more likely to be “taken for a ride,” so ask the taxi driver for an estimated fare before you leave. If it’s considerably different from what you know to be true, take a different cab (or opt for a rideshare instead).

Choose the right accommodations. Book a hotel with a 24-hour front desk if you’ll be arriving late, so you don’t end up sleeping in your car or worse.

Trust yourself. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

Carry good identification —in more than one place. If you choose to wear a money belt , use it for storage and not as a purse. Constantly reaching under your shirt for money draws attention to it and defeats the purpose. Instead, keep your passport, extra stores of money, and other important documents tucked away, and use a theft-resistant bag or purse for carrying daily spending money.

Stick to open and public places , especially at night.

Exude confidence. Whether you’re on a street at home or 7,000 miles away, walking confidently and with direction is an effective technique for deterring unwanted attention, since appearing lost or confused can make you vulnerable. If you are lost, walk into a shop or restaurant and ask for directions there.

Avoid appearing like a tourist. Ditch the Disney T-shirt and don’t walk around with your face in a guidebook. (See 10 Things Not to Wear Abroad for more thoughts on this one.)

Leave valuables at home. Don’t draw attention to yourself by wearing flashy clothes or jewelry.

Lie a little. When asking for directions, don’t let on that you are alone: “Can you direct me to the museum? I have to meet a friend.”

Check your maps and transportation schedules before leaving your hotel/train/rental car/tourist office. A solo traveler who’s too absorbed in their phone can be a mark for unsavory types.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member at home, and stay in touch regularly via phone, text, video chat, or email.

Register with the State Department. For U.S. citizens traveling internationally, consider signing up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , which could help the State Department assist you in case of emergency. If you’re from outside the States, see if your home country has a similar program.

Arrive during the day. Areas around bus and train stations can be scary and/or deserted, and small towns tend to shut down early. Veteran solo traveler Mara Rothman of San Francisco notes that plenty of beautiful towns can appear eerie at night, and locals who are genuinely trying to help you can appear unnecessarily threatening. Arriving during the day means you’ll be able to find a place to stay and get your bearings before dark.

Trust everyone and no one. One of the best reasons to travel alone is to meet new people, but this also makes you more vulnerable. It’s okay to hang out, travel, and share with new friends, but you might not want to ask them to hold your money. Scam artists can often be the most charming companions you’ll find; you want to be open-minded, but keep your guard up enough to ensure your safety.

10 Travel Safety Mishaps (and How to Avoid Them)

Though some tips apply to just about every solo traveler, women traveling alone have their own set of safety concerns that most men don’t have to face. Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself.

Exercise hotel safety. At check-in, consider asking for a room near the elevator so you won’t need to walk down long, potentially ill-lit hallways to reach your room. When filling out guest registration forms, consider using your first initial instead of your name, and skip the “Mrs./Miss/Mr.” check box. Additionally, make sure the clerk writes down your room number instead of saying it out loud. This will prevent anyone in the vicinity from knowing where to find you later. Consider packing a door stop to wedge under the door in case the lock is unreliable.

Dress to blend in. To avoid attracting unwanted attention, dress as conservatively as the women you see around you. This doesn’t necessarily mean donning the traditional dress, but a good rule of thumb is to dress modestly. Think knee-length or longer skirts. Bare arms, shoulders, and legs are considered risqué in some countries, so do the research before you go and once you’re there. Note which body parts the local women cover and do the same.

Know when to buddy up. Seeking out company can help you have a safer and more enjoyable experience. Smaller hotels and hostels are great places to find like-minded travelers to explore new places with. And even when you can’t find someone to buddy up with, there are often ways to associate yourself with others so you’ll be less likely to be bothered. In some countries, there are women-only sections in trains and women’s waiting rooms at train stations. Sticking close to families on public transportation and in unfamiliar public markets is another technique some women use.

Combat harassment. Having a repertoire of harassment deterrents can be as important to women travelers as a sturdy pair of shoes and a passport. Not engaging with people who are bothering you can make you a less interesting target. If you want to avoid being approached during lulls in activity, such as while waiting for a train, carry a novel or keep your eyes on your phone to make yourself look busy and involved.

If a situation of harassment escalates, making a scene can sometimes be effective. Many societies place a high premium on respecting social norms, so drawing attention to harassment in a loud and clear manner may solve the problem. The sentence for “leave me alone” is a handy one to learn in the language of your destination.

What is the Safest Hotel Floor to Stay On?

Frequent solo travelers are all too familiar with the single supplement, which tour operators and cruise lines often tack onto your bill to make up for the fact that they’re not making money off a second occupant. The supplement can range anywhere from 25 to 100 percent of the trip cost, meaning that you could end up paying twice as much as someone traveling with a partner.

There are several ways to get around the single supplement. You can avoid it altogether by booking with a tour operator that doesn’t charge single supplements on most trips, such as Overseas Adventure Travel .

Many other tour operators, including G Adventures , Intrepid Travel , Exodus Travels , REI Adventures , Adventure Women , and Road Scholar , offer roommate matching. By finding you a roommate, the company maximizes its own profit off each room and saves you the single supplement. The catch is, of course, that you’ll have to share a room with a stranger. If you’re concerned, contact the tour operator and see what kind of procedures it uses to match roommates. Some pair people off at random, while others will try to put travelers of similar ages together.

Several cruise lines offer single staterooms on select ships, including Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line , Cunard , and P&O Cruises .

You can sometimes save money by booking at the last minute. Tour operators eager to sell out their last few places may be willing to reduce their usual single supplement. Insight Vacations and Road Scholar are two companies that regularly discount or waive single supplements.

It’s not for everyone, but you may also want to consider staying in a hostel, which charges per bed rather than per room. Hostelling International properties tend to be reliably clean and secure, and they’re open to travelers of all ages. You can find more hostels and read reviews at HostelWorld.com .

3 Ways for Solo Travelers to Avoid Single Supplements

Eating alone isn’t so bad. Many solo travelers (and frequent business travelers) hate dining by themselves, worried that they appear like some worn-out Willy Loman of the road. There’s even a name for it: solomangarephobia. (Occasionally the fear is justified—see Terror at the Table for One .) The following tips can help you overcome what for many travelers is the most unpleasant aspect of going it alone.

Chat with the service people. Waiters and waitresses are some of the best local color you’ll find.

Choose the right eatery. Cafe or outdoor dining is often attractive to single travelers; sitting alone with a book in a cafe isn’t as unusual as a table for one at a fancy restaurant. You can also opt for a counter seat or a seat at the bar. A restaurant booth can also provide some privacy.

Bring reading material. If you start to feel uneasy sitting alone and staring down at your food, you can crack open a book, whip out your phone, or read a magazine.

Eat in. If you don’t want to endure yet another public meal alone, use room service or order carry-out from a restaurant nearby.

Eat well. Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take time for sit-down meals, a leisurely cup of coffee, or a decadent dessert.

When You’ve Had Enough of Single Travel

The constant sensory input and vigilance of traveling alone can wear you down. If you feel your attention or your body flagging, don’t be afraid to back off your ambitious itinerary, slow the pace, and kick back for a bit.

When traveling abroad, seek out an expat bar—locals will often know where these are—where you can hang out and speak your native tongue with some fellow expatriates and travelers. When traveling in more familiar locales, a hot shower and a night in front of the tube in a nice hotel room can often give you enough of a reprieve to send you out eagerly the next morning.

How to Meet Other People When You’re Traveling Solo

Best Single Travel offers vacations, cruises, and weekend getaways for solo travelers of all ages.

Flash Pack leads small-group trips of single travelers in their 30s and 40s.

GAFFL , which stands for “Get a Friend for Life,” lets you find travel buddies to meet up with in your destination.

Intrepid Travel has dedicated solo trips as well as a roommate-matching program on the rest of its offerings, so you never have to pay a solo supplement if you don’t want to.

One Traveller is a U.K.-based company leading trips for the “mature single traveller” (aged 50+) to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Singles Travel International offers trips for solo travelers with an average age 50+. If the company can’t find you a roommate by the time you make your final payment, you can have a room to yourself for free.

Solos is a U.K.-based company offering a wide variety of solo-only trips around the globe.

Solo Traveler offers tips, resources, and destination guides for solo travelers.

Women on the Road offers tips and advice for women traveling alone.

Women Traveling Together is for women travelers, most of them age 50+ and unaccompanied, who prefer to be with a group of like-minded women. The company offers tours, retreats, and other getaways, complete with roommate matching.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Sarah Schlichter and Christine Sarkis contributed to this story. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The Smart Way to Travel When You’re Over 60 and Going It Solo

Solo travel can be daunting.

Most of your life, someone else has handled the travel – the reservations, the research, the budgeting.

Now, suddenly, for whatever reason – it’s up to you. Not only do you have to plan it all, but you actually have to go. There. On your own.

And that can be scary.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be, because solo travel after 60 can be easy, safe, and, more than anything, fulfilling beyond your wildest dreams.

Solo Travel – Simplified

Yes, I did say easy, because there’s a method to it and following a few simple steps will put you in the right frame of mind to go out there and grab the world on your own terms.

Don’t wish for a partner. Accept that you’re going on your own, and you’ve won half the battle.

Choose a comfortable, familiar destination for your first trip, somewhere you won’t feel too out of place.

A weekend trip to a new city down the road. A country that’s socially similar – Canada, for example – or one where English is spoken, like England or Scotland or Ireland or, if you’re feeling intrepid, East or Southern Africa.

Make it short. That way you won’t have time to miss home, and if you feel the trip wasn’t long enough, you’ll be able to make the next one longer.

It is vital to have a plan. You can always throw it out the window but the comfort of knowing where you’re going and when will help boost your peace of mind.

Pat yourself on the back. You’ve got this. You’re doing it. It’s your trip and no one is going to take it away from you.

Solo Travel – The Safe Way

As we get older and the carefreeness of our youth occasionally evaporates, little worries begin seeping in. What if I get sick? What if I’m robbed?

Tell yourself this: any one of those things could happen at home. You don’t have to be in Paris or Pamplona. Yes, things happen. And yes, you can do a lot to make sure they don’t.

Plan for Your Health

Getting sick is no fun anywhere, least of all when you’re in a strange place by yourself. Your first line of defense is robust health insurance . If you get ill, at least you won’t have to sell everything you own to get medical attention.

The next thing to do is make sure you have the name of a reliable practitioner and hospital at your destination, someone who speaks English.

You can often get this from your Embassy, but you can also find this information online. You’ll feel a lot safer if you’re already armed with those phone numbers before you even land.

And if you’re staying in a hotel, know that hotels always have doctors either on call or on their roster: just ring reception if you’re feeling poorly.

Plan for Your Safety

Getting robbed is a common fear at any age. We’ve already left most valuables at home and the last thing we need is the theft of what little we’ve taken with us (not to mention the pain of having to hunt down some cash and cancel credit cards).

I have a few tricks I use when I’m traveling to make sure my stuff stays mine.

The first is to secure my hotel room. When I’m in it, I use an alarm system. It can be as simple as sticking a plastic wedge under the door or as sophisticated as a portable door handle alarm – you hang it on the doorknob and if someone tries to enter your room, the entire neighborhood will hear the siren.

When I’m out of my room, I often leave the radio on to discourage opportunistic thieves. I also never leave anything of value in my room.

I use a cross-body bag that’s nearly impregnable and my little laptop fits right into it. I sometimes alternate with an anti-theft daypack. And if I don’t have my laptop with me, I use a money belt (some of the wider ones are now made to be comfortable even for my expanding waistline).

The Joys of Solo Travel

Practical measures are well and good, but the true reward of solo travel comes from the accomplishment of coming home a changed person.

Imagine the fears and hurdles you overcame on your first trip – what an accomplishment! If you could do that, what else could you do?

Here are just a few by-products of solo travel : you’ll feel greater self-confidence, you’ll feel stronger and better able to cope with the unexpected, you’ll open up to the world… and you’ll be better able to face whatever life throws at you.

After all, you’ve just been away, alone, and you made it there – and back.

Now, bring on the next challenge!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What feelings does the concept of traveling solo evoke in you? How can you overcome them? Have you tried going somewhere on your own? How far from home did you go? What was the experience like? Please share with the women in our community.

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It isn’t scary…..but my uber driver had to help me unlock the door to my airbnb in Boston! The train station at night in Boston goes from wonderful, awesome and welcoming to scary, depressing and fraught at night!

I would say that the things one might worry about could also happen in the city where you live. In fact, they might even be more likely to happen because you may be so relaxed in your familiarity of your surroundings, that you may be more vulnerable. Awareness of your surroundings is essential no matter where you are.

There are a number of Women Only travel groups;i.e., Gutsy Women Travel, Girls Guide to the World and others … check them out!

I have traveled solo for many years without problem. My last trip was last week when I went to Boston to visit my brother. I was walking through the airport with my lugage wheeling beside me and I fell down. I was fortunate that the only thing hurt was my pride, but it was a terrible experience. I was able to get up thanks to a lady that came to help me and go on my way. I was sore the next morning, but it did not ruin my trip or stay. Heading home next week I worry about the trip home. Phew!

I have traveled alone for years, and yes, I am still apprehensive before I set out. That never changes. However, my first goal is to get where I am staying and take a lot of deep breaths. Then I venture out and expand my exploring day by day. It’s never as scary as it is in my imagination before I do it. I’m thinking of doing another trip, and I’m just as apprehensive as ever. If we don’t get beyond that, we’ll never leave our homes. I’ve spent months and even years in other countries, and I wouldn’t change those experiences for anything. It’s a big world out there, and there just isn’t enough time to see it all (but we can try).

Tags Solo Travel

Leyla Giray Alyanak

Leyla Giray Alyanak is a former foreign correspondent obsessed with social issues, culture, food, maps – and stationery. She launched Women on the Road https://www.women-on-the-road.com/ in 2007 to encourage women to travel solo whatever their age. Her weekly newsletter shares strategies to overcome solo travel challenges.

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Best Trips for Singles Over 50

DISCOVER MORE SOLO DESTINATIONS

Adventure  

Sightseeing

Embark on an exciting solo trip, where you enjoy the flexibility of carefully selecting a destination that you’re truly interested in, and comfortably explore it at your own pace.

While on the road, solo travelers have the opportunity to choose a more peaceful vacation where they can quietly explore and become immersed in their surroundings, or opt to socialize and meet up with other travelers along the way.

There’s a multitude of captivating moments to experience on a solo getaway. The best trips to take alone can include engaging activities such as food + wine tastings, discovering historic landmarks, attending theater performances, and scenic nature walks.  

Whether you’re looking to branch out on your first solo trip, or you’re a seasoned traveler in search of a new destination, check out the list below for the best cities to visit as a single person in their 50’s.

In Denmark’s capital city of Copenhagen, discover a relaxed city with beautiful landmarks and fantastic cycling culture.

Stroll through the buzzing neighborhood of Nyhaven, which is steeped in history and culture. Along this quaint harbor, discover the colorful houses, remarkable wooden ships, and a wide range of eateries and shops. 

Stop by the Rosenborg Castle to view the astounding artwork, ancient artifacts, and beautiful textiles from various centuries. This 400-year-old-castle is also where you’ll discover the iconic crown jewels from the Danish Royal families.

Grab lunch at the Torvehallerne, a fantastic food hall lined with various delicacies including delectable pastries, aromatic coffee, fresh produce, cheeses and olives, and much more. This energetic food hall is a great spot for single travelers to grab a quick bite at your own pace, while sampling a diverse variety of tasty items.

See our Solo Travel Guide to Copenhagen if you’re interested in learning more about this city.

Chiang Mai 

Located in the mountainous region of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is noted for stunning historic temples, an array of delicious food, and a laid-back atmosphere. This enthralling city is a fantastic option for solo travelers.

A highlight in the city is the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, a late-night market lined with rows of merchants showcasing a diverse mix of handicrafts, clothing, colorful lanterns, spices, souvenirs, and much more. Take in the energetic aura while browsing through the numerous shops, and sample the local delicacies at the food vendors.

Explore the array of magnificent temples, conveniently located in the heart of the city. Don’t miss the most-visited temple, the Wat Phra Singh. Built in 1345, the complex features elaborate architectural details, stunning patterns and designs, and impressive large stupas wrapped in gold.

For an interactive experience, join a cooking class to learn about the local cuisine and create a delicious meal in a fun group setting!

The capital of Austria is well-known for Imperial palaces, elegant historic architecture, and classical music + arts.

Stop by the Schonbrunn Palace to admire the beautiful original furnishings and aura of sophistication. One of the top attractions for visitors, take a group tour to join other single travelers in uncovering the history of this stunning building. Don’t miss the superb gardens located behind the palace, which is an attraction all on it’s own.

Make your way to the historic center of Vienna, which is brimming with remarkable architecture, grand buildings, and spectacular parks. As you stroll through this majestic neighborhood, you’ll also encounter specialty museums, as well as the St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Immerse yourself in a live performance, or take a tour at the magnificent Vienna State Opera. This leading opera house is a spectacular display of Renaissance architecture, featuring a grand staircase, marble hall, and fantastic acoustics.

An urban city surrounded by mountain ranges and cool ocean waters, Seattle is also home to top-notch coffee (it’s the site of the first Starbucks), an iconic food market, and distinctive landmarks.  

Bring your appetite to the Pike Place Market, a buzzing farmer’s market containing a large selection of appetizing eateries. Navigate through the countless rows of beautiful flowers, tasty prepared meals, fresh vegetables, divine pastries, and handmade craft items.

For single travelers looking to sample a diverse variety of local foods while in a fun group setting, consider booking one of the many awesome food tours!

For a spectacular view of the city and surrounding nature, stop over at Kerry Park. At the vantage point, catch a view of the city skyline with the downtown skyscrapers and the famous Space Needle, as well as Mount Rainier off in the distance. With plenty of benches and greenery around, enjoy a peaceful break away from the busy city.  

Situated on the southeastern coast of Spain, Valencia is rich in history, culture, and timeless architecture.  

Start with a visit through Casco Antiguo, the charming old town that’s bursting with energy. Stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets, ancient cathedrals, vibrant street art, and wonderful mix of restaurants and shops. Throughout the city, you’ll encounter plenty of eye-catching traditional Spanish architecture.

At the massive Central Market of Valencia, stroll through an endless assortment of shops. Solo travelers will find plenty of delectable items at this lively market. Don’t forget to try the tasty tapas and famous rice-dish that originated from Valencia, the aromatic paella.  

Being right on the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia offers lively beaches such as the Playa de la Malvarrosa. Venture down the stunning coastline, which showcases a long narrow beach with bright blue waters and clear sand.

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Vacations for singles over 50s & 60s

Traveling single? Small group travel could be just the ticket

Is a  Japanese  onsen calling you? Or maybe a flavor-packed taco in the streets of  Mexico City  has your name on it? Whether you’re traveling solo, single or simply can’t be labeled, our small group tours are the perfect way to explore a destination and meet like-minded people. While our trips aren’t exclusively for single travelers in their  50s or 60s , you'll be part of a small group of intergenerational, adventure-hungry individuals who are just as keen to explore as you are. From swapping anecdotes over Aperols on the  Amalfi Coast  to late-night chats under the desert skies of Wadi Rum, it’s often those moments of connection – big and small – that are most memorable. 

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

Our trips can be great for singles over 50 and 60 as we take care of safety, logistics and transport so you can focus your time on the joy of travel. We don’t offer the classic ‘singles-only’ tours, but we do provide the perfect base for people looking to get to know others, usually a varied mix of ages, nationalities, cultures and more. Since our trips are so diverse, this could mean you’re with couples in their 40s, singles in their 20s, family groups or people traveling on their own in their fifties and beyond. Our trips aren’t specifically designed for making perfect matches, but hey, if it happens, it  happens .

The best part of traveling in a small group is the friends you can make in the most unlikely of places – we’re talking while hiking the  Inca Trail  or cooking dhal in  Sri Lanka . It also means a bunch of new faces to share the world’s most epic experiences with and a few people around to watch your back (especially when walking through a traffic crossing in  Vietnam ). No matter who you’re sharing your trip with, you’ll be docking at unbelievable sites, meeting local people and getting a one-of-a-kind journey - single or not, we think that's pretty epic.

Traveling solo at any age can feel like a big deal, especially when venturing to far-off places. That’s why small group trips are the perfect fit, no matter if you’re traveling alone at 25 or 65. We’ll do the planning, manage the itinerary, handle the transport and keep  safety  in mind - all so you can immerse yourself to the max. Not to mention, your guide will be able to support you with potential language barriers, give recommendations, show you the best spots for photos and so much more. Don’t just take our word for it; find out for yourself.

Maybe you’ve already seen the big sites and now looking for a different experience or new perspective. That’s where we come in. Our trips are led by our Local Leaders, all of whom are experts in their corner of the world and are out there showing it to others right now. Their knowledge of their country’s attractions, delicacies, cultures and communities is something you probably won’t get to experience elsewhere. Find yourself ducking into unknown hotspots and learning more than just the basics when you’re on one of our trips.

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Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join an Intrepid trip?

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Who are Intrepid travelers?

Intrepid adventures are for travelers with a yearning to get off the beaten track. Whether you're traveling solo, with a group of friends, or are aged 18 or 70, there is an Intrepid adventure to suit your interests and comfort level. Each Intrepid adventure has a physical rating and cultural grading to help you decide if the trip is right for you. No special skills are required for most adventures, just a sense of adventure and a curiosity about the world. Even on our camping adventures, no previous experience is required; our tents are easy to set up, even for first-time campers.

Are there age restrictions on your trips?

For the majority of our trips, the minimum age is 15. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 18. Our Overland Adventures have a minimum age of 18. Younger children can join us on our Family trips and Short Break Adventures , but check each trip for its minimum age, which is located on the trip’s overview page on the website. Most of our trips don’t have a maximum age limit, but a Self-Assessment Form is required for all travelers 70 years and over.

How many people will be on my trip?

Good things come in small packages, which is why we keep our group sizes down. This means we’re small enough to remain flexible as we thread our way through communities without intimidating the locals. On most of our trips you’ll be part of an intimate group of 12-16 people, though our group sizes are on average 10 people. Our Overland trips are in purpose-built vehicles that can carry up to 24 travelers. Group sizes are displayed on each trip’s overview page on our website.

I’m traveling alone – is that OK?

This is the beauty of the Intrepid style of travel: many of our travelers join because they are traveling solo and want to meet and share experiences with like-minded people. 

I have a disability – can I join an Intrepid trip?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We ask that you carefully consider whether you are physically and mentally able to complete the itinerary you have chosen, recognizing that on many trips you will be required to carry your own bags and use public transport.

Where we can we will make reasonable adjustments to the operation of our trips to facilitate the requirements of disabled travelers – such as booking ground floor accommodation, or having our leaders communicate important directions in writing as well as verbally. Many travelers with disabilities have been able to enjoy our trips by traveling with a friend or companion who can assist with specific needs. If joining a group trip is not practical, we may be able to provide you with a private departure. Please contact our sales team for further information on any of our itineraries.

Do I need to buy travel insurance?

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips if you’re traveling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number – it’s really important there are no barriers to getting emergency assistance for you.

For travelers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when traveling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Will I have my own room?

It’s completely up to you. On our trips, rooming is organized on a twin-share basis, and we pair up solo travelers with another traveler of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. But if you'd like your own room, an individual room is available on the majority of our trips (it’s just a small extra charge). Just mention this to our  customer service team  when booking your trip and they'll arrange it for you.

As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please  contact us  so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open gender, multi-share basis (for example on a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam). In those instances it will clearly be stated in our Essential Trip Information prior to booking and traveling.

How does group time work?

Whether you’re traveling solo or with a partner, our trips have a set itinerary. But within that there’s time set aside for your own exploration (if you want to – no pressure). The amount of free time depends on the  travel style  - you can ask your guide for a few tips then head out alone, or hang out with the group and see where the day takes you.

What makes a small group tour better than a coach tour?

The main difference between a small group tour and a coach tour is the size of the group; our tours have 10 travelers each (on average), while coaches can hold up to 60 people. This means that you'll never have to vie for your leader's attention on a small group tour because you'll automatically have it.

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Solo Travel Tours Over 50

Don't let being alone stop you from traveling if you're in your fifties. Life begins at 50! This article covers the best destinations for those over 50, recommended tour companies for over 50s and ideas for different experiences for your next solo trip!

Embarking on solo travel after 50 opens up a world of self-discovery and seasoned wisdom. It's all about redefining your own boundaries, enjoying the freedom of newfound independence as you go on these solo adventures. Imagine immersing yourself in different cultures, making meaningful connections, and just soaking up the richness of exploring solo.

With all your life experiences, you navigate the world with confidence, enjoying the freedom to go wherever you want and relishing the joy of discovering the world on your terms. If you prefer some company for your solo trip, I've also included the best solo travel tours over 50 below. Happy planning!

Best Destinations For Solo Travellers Over 50

Having travelled to 115 countries solo, I recommend these ten destinations that are known for their safety, cultural richness, and diverse experiences, making them great options for solo female travellers over 50:

• Japan: Known for its safety, cleanliness, and polite culture, Japan offers a blend of tradition and modernity. I spent two weeks here and loved it!
• New Zealand : The breathtaking landscapes, friendly locals, and outdoor activities make New Zealand an ideal destination for solo female travellers.
• Iceland : With its low crime rates and stunning natural beauty, Iceland is a peaceful and adventurous choice (and you may get to see the Northern Lights!)
• Canada: From the vibrant cities to the serene wilderness, Canada is known for its friendliness and long train journeys. The Rocky Mountains should definitely be on your list.
• Australia : A diverse country with a variety of landscapes, Australia has friendly locals and a destination for any activity whether you're into culture, islands or city sightseeing. 
• Netherlands: With its efficient public transportation and welcoming atmosphere, the Netherlands is a great destination for cultural exploration. It's small too!
• Norway : Norway consistently ranks high in safety and has amazing landscapes to explore. The country is easy to navigate and it doesn't feel overwhelming. I've spent two months here and loved it. 
• Switzerland : Known for its picturesque landscapes and efficient public transportation, Switzerland is safe and easy to navigate and where else can you sample some of the best chocolate in the world!
• Portugal : A friendly and affordable destination with rich history and beautiful landscapes, Portugal is becoming increasingly popular among solo travellers especially those interested in wellness and spas. 
• Puerto Rico : With its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and fusion of cuisine, Puerto Rico is a colourful destination known for its salsa music scene and warm sunshine. 

Tours are a great way to see a country with company

Tour companies catering to women over 50 understand the desires of mature travellers. These companies curate experiences that blend adventure, cultural immersion, and comfort. Tailored itineraries, supportive guides, and a focus on like-minded companionship make these tours ideal for women seeking enriching and hassle-free travel adventures, especially if you're looking for a small group tour. 

Women Tour Uganda

If gorilla trekking in Uganda is a dream of yours, consider exploring with Women Tour Uganda. This company, which is proud to employ 90% women, is led by a Managing Director who is an avid solo traveler. She understands the significance of empowering women through travel and the unique challenges women face when traveling alone in a foreign land.

Women Tour Uganda crafts tours specifically for women, promoting travel and camaraderie in a group setting. They offer group safaris for solo travelers as well as private safaris for those who prefer a more solitary experience. Trekking adventures range from a 3-day excursion in Kibale National Park to a comprehensive 14-day tour that includes both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. By the end of your journey, you'll have gained deep insights into the local culture, wildlife, and traditions of Uganda. I did gorilla trekking with them and loved it! Save 5% with the Solo Travel Card App!  

If you're on the lookout for guided tours tailored for those aged over 50, Just You presents solo-guided vacations, ensuring stress-free and enjoyable travel experiences. You can take a group adventure in so many destinations from Africa, Asia, Europe, both North and South America, Oceania, and even extend to the scenic landscapes of Antarctica.

With over 15 years of expertise as specialists in solo travel, Just You has been crafting holidays exclusively for solo and single travelers. Embark on a classic tour through the charming landscapes of Portugal, the rich cultural tapestry of China, or the vast expanses of Canada. Alternatively, unwind along the picturesque coasts of Italy and Spain.

Their commitment to flexibility allows you to modify your booking at no extra cost. Guided by the mantra of ‘solo adventures together,' whether you opt for a brief getaway, a two-week retreat, or an extensive tour with ample free time, you have the opportunity to explore the world independently while enjoying the company of like-minded individuals. * Check prices, dates and itineraries: Just You

Discover a diverse range of solo travel options tailored specifically for those aged 50 and above with Explore. Whether you're seeking a global getaway, a culinary adventure, or the flexibility of private or self-guided tours, Explore caters to your preferences.

As seasoned experts in adventure travel, they specialise in solo holidays designed for mature individuals, offering activities such as leisurely walking and scenic cycling routes. What sets Explore apart is their dedication to off-the-beaten-track experiences.

Among their top picks for solo travellers aged 50 and above is the Toubkal Climb in Morocco. Explore stands out as a tour company committed to sustainable travel practices, taking proactive measures in their supply chain to eliminate support for modern slavery or human trafficking during any of their excursions. * Check rate and itineraries for all worldwide tours

Wendy Wu offers comprehensive escorted tours that cater specifically to solo travelers. Their packages cover everything, from flights and hotels to most meals, tours, transfers, and visas. This ensures a hassle-free travel experience, as all the details are taken care of for you. Wendy Wu even provides dedicated departures for solo travelers on select tours, creating a community of like-minded individuals.

In contrast to many other companies, Wendy Wu includes international flight prices in their packages. You can choose from a variety of destinations, such as Japan, Sri Lanka, India, Cambodia, China, or Vietnam.

And you also receive a complimentary lounge pass and chauffeur transfer within 50 miles of a UK airport. For those open to sharing accommodations with another solo traveler, Wendy Wu eliminates the single supplement.

Renowned as the UK's leading Asia specialist, Wendy Wu has earned numerous British Travel Awards. Prices start from £2,390 per person for a 10-day tour of India, featuring iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Delhi, and Jaipur. * Check prices, availability and itineraries: Wendy Wu

Venus Adventures

Explore the world with empowerment as Venus Adventures, the leading travel company for women, beckons like-minded explorers to join their transformative journeys. Specializing in women-only holidays to captivating destinations, Venus Adventures offers a supportive environment for women to be their authentic selves. With a devoted following catching the travel bug, these curated trips are more than vacations; they are empowering adventures with a focus on female camaraderie.

Tailored for women who seek unique experiences, Venus Adventures takes them to extraordinary locations, ensuring the safety and comfort of group travel. From cultural immersions to adventurous escapades, each trip is designed for maximum enjoyment. Engage in activities crafted for women, from tea sessions with locals to thrilling adventures like desert camel rides.

Meet and connect with local communities, contribute positively through charitable initiatives, and adhere to responsible tourism practices. Join Venus Adventures for a transformative and exciting journey—a place where friendships blossom, challenges are embraced, and excitement becomes a way of life. * Check tours, prices and itineraries: Venus Adventures

Solo Female Travelers Club

If your preference is to embark on adventures with fellow females, the ideal choice is the Solo Female Travelers Club. This exclusive club offers women-only small group travel to captivating destinations like Iceland, Barcelona, the Costa Brava, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, and Morocco. You can also delve into the charm of popular European countries such as Portugal, Scotland, or Paris.

The club's wellness retreats elevate your travel experience with activities like sound healing, forest baths, and cacao ceremonies in Costa Rica. Alternatively, you can indulge in culinary delights and wine-tasting in Spain, savoring tapas and exquisite wines, or venture into the wonders of waterfalls and ice caves in Iceland.

Their small group tours and itineraries are designed with a focus on women's preferences, ensuring you derive the utmost enjoyment from each destination. * Check prices, availability and itineraries: Solo Female Travelers Club

Experiences For Over 50s

If you’ve never travelled solo before, a really good way of gaining the courage to go it alone is to book a holiday doing something that you love. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook French cuisine, dance Cuban Salsa or you just need a boot camp to get you in shape for a wedding you need to attend. That’s where these experiences come in.

Not only do you get to learn a new skill or do something that you really enjoy but you’ll get to be in a group with other like-minded people too. Plus, someone else arranges everything for you, so all you need to do is take a flight and turn up at your destination to be looked after. A great way of travelling solo.

Maybe you’ve solo travelled before and are looking for a unique experience to give your trip that added edge. Here are some ideas for holidays for solo travellers over 50.

Book Yoga Retreats

Wellness and yoga holidays are a perfect fit for solo female travelers over 50, offering a rejuvenating blend of self-discovery and relaxation. These retreats create a supportive space for exploring physical and mental well-being, fostering connections and a sense of community among like-minded individuals.

Engaging in personalised yoga and wellness activities promotes holistic health, while serene settings encourage introspection and empowerment.

This platform curates a diverse range of global yoga and meditation retreats for all solo travellers. From tranquil 2-day escapes in Portugal to transformative weeks in Indonesia or immersive two-week retreats in Costa Rica or the United Kingdom or United States, the platform covers it all.

Offering convenient searches based on duration, destination, price, or popularity, it provides a transformative way to unwind and connect with kindred spirits on a similar journey. I love this platform! * Check prices, dates and itineraries: Book Yoga Retreats

Art Safaris

See the world and paint as you go. Art safaris are a unique concept with  painting tours all over the world. Paint azure skies in Crete, the skyline in New York or butterflies and bears in Slovenia. There are also UK workshops to practice your watercolours or sketching.

Singing Holidays & Retreats 

Sing your way to a holiday on a singing retreat and learn how to sing in stunning locations in Barbados, New York and the UK. Not only will you find yourself empowered but you’ll also have fun, and meet new people all with the same interest as you. The retreats are for people of all levels. Perfect if you enjoy singing on holiday . * Save 10% discount with the Solo Travel Card

On Location Tours

Okay, so this isn't really cultural and is more of a celebrity tour but if you’ve ever wanted to see the city locations of your favourite American television series then one of these tours could be right up your street. From The Real Housewives of New York City to Sex in the City, you can experience New York City or Boston through the eyes of a TV star.

Food & Drink

Food is such an important part of travelling the world, whether it’s accompanied by a good wine or just local street food, every country has their own dishes to offer. Embark on a journey to discover new flavors and cooking techniques alongside like-minded individuals, fostering connections over a shared love for food.

The following are perfect single travel tours over 50!

Culinary Vacations

If you're a solo traveler over 50 seeking enriching culinary experiences, this site is really easy to search and covers cooking holidays all over the world such as Italy, Vietnam, USA, Spain and France. It’s a bit like a mini Trip Advisor and works as a search engine for cooking holidays, listing reviews to help you decide which trip to take.

These culinary adventures encompass cooking classes, winery tours, and visits to local markets when applicable. Your package includes accommodation and some meals, ensuring a seamless experience. What's more, you'll receive the recipes, allowing you to recreate the delectable dishes back home. 

Simply search based on your preferred price range or duration for a cooking holiday, and peruse reviews to find the perfect fit. * Check prices & destinations for culinary holidays

Gascony Cookery School 

French food is one of the world’s finest cuisine and the Gascony Cookery School offers a cooking holiday with a difference. Located in Gramont, a historical quaint village, you’ll learn how to cook dishes in classic French style whether you are an absolute beginner or a master chef.

Scotlands Malt Whisky Trail 

Named as the only malt whisky trail in the world, these unique experience will take you on a journey through Scottish distilleries to places such as the home of Glenfiddich. A whisky lover’s dream.

Battlefields Tours 

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who are interested in war history, Leger Holidays offer battlefield tours to the D-Day Landings in Normandy, Waterloo Battlefields and Menin Gate in Ypres, and more. Their style is more of a coach holiday with accommodation and breakfast included, and packages start from 4 days.

Holidays in Historic Buildings  

The Landmark Trust offers short breaks in restored historical buildings. Stay a few nights in a castle in Wales, the Duke of Windsor’s former residence in France or a historical gem in Belgium. You’ll find historic buildings throughout the UK and Europe.

Humanitarian

Relief riders international .

I love this humanitarian travel company. If you want to combine your holiday with humanitarian work, Relief Riders gives you the opportunity to ride horseback through remote areas whilst providing humanitarian aid to local people. Join relief rides in the Andes/Amazon, Pushkar, and Rajasthan.

Travel Insurance

Whichever country you decide to travel to, make sure that you have relevant travel insurance for your trip, even if you're only covered for medical. 

True Traveller and World Nomads are two insurance companies which I recommend. True Traveller is available to UK and European residents, and World Nomads is available to over 100 countries worldwide, including the USA and UK. For digital nomads, Safety Wing is a nomad insurance that covers people from all over the world.

All companies allow you to buy insurance when you are already on the road and offer different plans depending on your needs including additional adventure cover. * Check insurance prices and cover for True Traveller

Ready to travel?

I hope that this article with solo travel recommendations has inspired you and given you some ideas on where and how to travel solo. If you're worried about safety, you can find my safety tips for solos here . Or get inspired with stories on solo travel over 50 . 

And don't forget to check out the destination page for the country that you want to travel to. There are so many places out there just waiting for you, so book that flight! 

Save these holidays for singles over 50 on Pinterest for later

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I travelled the world alone at 50 – here's what I learned

At a crossroads in her life after a frightening health scare, kim rix overhauled her whole life..

At 47 years old, I was at a crossroads in my life. I'd recently been told I had heart disease, and it made me appreciate how fragile life can be.

I felt pressure to achieve something meaningful before I reached age 50, and in the end, it was a horrible experience that pushed me in a new direction.

I was travelling in Egypt when I fell in love with a beautiful red gemstone. I was told it was a genuine, natural Burmese ruby. Initially, I ;was delighted with my purchase but when I showed it to my local jeweller in London, I was told it was made of glass.

I felt foolish and cheated. That humiliation gave me the impetus to take a seven-month break from my wedding photography business to study gemmology so that I would never be fooled again.

I decided to put my wedding photography business on the back burner, opting instead to travel the world researching the gem trade in different countries and taking the photographs that are in the books I published on the topic.

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Building up my wedding photography business took time and passion and I put my heart and soul into it. My business was my baby. So, I was apprehensive about the change in direction: it was a huge decision to keep my photography business on hold for a while.

My solo travel experience

Up until that time in my life, I had always considered myself to be well-travelled. But travelling for the books was a whole new experience.

I went solo to each country, hiring cars, staying in budget hotels and from the moment my feet hit the ground, talking to as many people as possible (both in the gem trade and tourists on holiday). Their experiences of gem-hunting were invaluable to my research and the books.

Travelling alone was frightening and exhilarating at the same time. In Australia, I hired a mini campervan called a Jucy Crib and drove 4444 kms around the Outback, visiting shops, mines and several famous opal shows including Lightning Ridge.

In the USA, the unfamiliarity of hiring enormous cars with snow wheels and tinted windows took me well out of my comfort zone – as did the eight-lane motorways! My book research took me from Las Vegas to Tucson and all the way around New Mexico.

DISCOVER:  I went on my first wellness retreat at 69 – here's what happened  

Closer to home, during the UK lockdowns of 2020, frustration set in and my stress levels rose.

Airbnb and hotels were closed, but I had to get out there and continue writing the book series. So, after releasing some equity by remortgaging my flat, I bought a campervan. My trusty van equipped me to travel around Great Britain, without having to worry about where I would sleep at night.

Why did I leave my comfort zone?

Some people might see making such a radical change as a midlife crisis. Either way, I had a fantastic time travelling the world, enjoying experiences that I would otherwise never have had. I feel enriched, more confident and generally much happier within myself. It was the right decision to make at that time in my life.

I’m a great believer in creating one’s own destiny. It’s just a matter of having the courage to step outside your comfort zone and find your own path.

I believe that any lifestyle change should be viewed as an adventure and an opportunity to learn more about oneself.

If the timing feels right and your heart is pushing you to embark on the next phase of your life, approach it with a positive attitude and enjoy the ride.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson, a 19th-century American philosopher, wisely said, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey”.

 Kim Rix is a gemmologist and author of  The Gemstone Detective . 

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I totally changed my life in 30 days - here’s how, i went on my first wellness retreat at 69 – here's what happened, i changed my entire life at 54 – here's what happened.

A Not So Young Woman Abroad

Information and inspiration for older solo travellers.

Travelling alone in your 50’s

The long haul flight takes its toll.

Your baggage seems heavier.

• The best things about travelling alone in your 50’s.

anotsoyoungwomanabroad

A picture popped up on my Facebook feed this morning that reminded me of travelling alone 9 years ago. A spritely 44 year old at the time, it got me thinking about the differences between travelling solo in my younger years and my experiences as a 50 something.

I’ve been travelling alone internationally for over a decade now and before that regular interstate travel was part of the jobs I had. I remember once during my time as a business traveller, I took 19 flights in 22 days. Sure at the time I was a bit tired by the weekend, but overall the flights didn’t really bother me.

Wherever you travel internationally from my home country Australia pretty much means a long haul flight. Even some flights within Australia would be considered such. When I first started my international solo trips, the long haul was no real big deal. I’d board the plane, get myself comfy, eat my meal, close my eyes and wake up in a different time zone. No big deal. Off the plane I’d hop and on with my adventure for the day.

They say that 50 is the new 30. Ghee wiz whoever came up with that saying obviously doesn’t fly long haul often. On my recent trip to Malaysia , I was reminded once more that I’m no longer a spring chicken.

Long haul flights take their toll on my 50 plus year old body. No longer can I get comfy in my seat, although I can still drop off to sleep, it’s just not the same. My feet swell, my body aches and the slightest noise wakes me. When I disembark the plane I have to force myself to get into adventure mode on the first day.

I’ve always travelled light in comparison to others and the scales at the airport don’t lie when I check my bags in at around 15 kilos. But for the life of me I can’t figure out how all of a sudden my bags feel like they weigh a tonne. In my forties I could throw my bags around without much fuss. Now I feel like I’d just rather leave them to lost and found.

Though it’s not all bad news on the bag front. As I’ve aged, strangers are happy to help me with my bag on trains and buses. It seems like a mark of respect, they just want to help and I’m happy to have them do so. I no longer have to protest that I’m capable of struggling for myself.

The best things about travelling alone in your 50’s.

With the obvious changes in your body, comes a different way of travelling. Sure I still love doing the things I’ve always liked to do, like get lost, experiencing different cultures, learning new languages, seeing different architecture and talking to locals, but things have changed.

The best things about travelling alone in your 50’s are that you don’t give two hoots about whether or not you see all the things on the tourist maps. You don’t care to rush.

I still walk everywhere for hours on end but at a slower pace. I’m much happier to sit in local parks and watch the world go by. I no longer care what people think of me.

People from all walks of life are more likely to strike up a conversation with me. I learn so much more from others. I still get asked why I am travelling alone and this is a wonderful way to meet people.

It’s okay to be in bed by 9.30pm and not just an excuse to keep me safe by not staying out late. I love the early mornings in places much more than nights anyway.

I find extremes of weather take their toll more than ever, but hey it’s a great excuse go for a swim, sit in a nice restaurant and have a cold beer or rug up with a hot toddy.

All in all the best things about travelling alone in your 50’s is that you can take your time, you no longer care what people think of you and you don’t have to climb those 300 stairs to see something if you please.

Travelling solo in your 50’s is as awesome as travelling alone in your younger years, it’s just that now you get to really experience a place, it’s people and take the time to enjoy new cultures.

Happy travels!

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7 Things I’ve Learned After 10 Years As A Solo Female Traveller.

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Comments 10.

You sound tired! I avoid planes if possible and go by ship or train or, even better, I walk. But as you say you are in Australia and I am in Europe so it’s a different kettle of fish (as we say here!). Thanks for sharing. Now that I am slowing down and through the menopause (I am a grand 55 years) I find that I am more resilient again and enjoy travel a lot, but one thing which happens is that I cannot read small print – any chance you could make your font bigger? I can’t seem to zoom in on this blog (and I admit I almost gave up 🙁 but only for that reason – and I am glad I didn’t). Good travels!

Thanks for your feedback Tamsin. I finally found where to modify the font size in my theme. Xx

Great post and even though I am not in my fifties yet some of them are already recognizable. Especially about not caring much what others think and not having to see everything you can possibly do. For sure I hope I will still travel in my fifties

Oh you speak my language. I too care less what people think about the way I dress. I love to sit and watch the world go by and body aches are as much part of my day as eating breakfast. Whilst I don’t travel solo, I do hear you. kx

Love this post & relate so well to it! Couldn’t agree more that it’s so much more pleasant to just savour being there & the experiences you have than to chase down everything you “must” do. Also love the conversations I get into with others – so much more interesting now I’m older.

I am just into my 50s and can relate to much of this especially swollen feet on flights! But I still want to go everywhere and see everything, much to my kids’ annoyance. (They still travel with me because they are still young).

Like you, I just love the freedom that comes with over 50 solo travel! I couldn’t agree more about sitting in a park, observing local life and engaging in conversations. I am still learning to let go of trying to see everything! Happy travels!

Those bags and the long haul flights. Just got back from Singapore to NYC and still feeling jet lagged. And the bags are definitely getting heavier. Loved this post. And the joy of taking time to just “be” somewhere.

My favorite thing to do when traveling solo is to find a superb restaurant and enjoy a few courses while, as you say, watching the world go by. If it has outdoor seating then even better. I have a ways to go until my 50’s but I can already feel the effects of aging in my day to day life. Happy to know I’m not the only one and that travel will be just as worthwhile in the future as it is now. Happy trails!

So true! Things change, our body changes and thoughts, ideas and wants from life change too. In a way that makes me speed up and do things now.

I’m a 1963 baby…. do the sum!

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7 Tips for Solo Travel in your 50’s

September 22, 2014 //  by  Jo Castro 22 Comments

Not everyone wants to travel alone, but sometimes circumstances dictate that we need to. At other times it might be a conscious decision to leave the rut of routine and responsibility and head off with no more than a backpack or suitcase on your own without anyone else to think about.

Whichever camp you fall into to, I think you’ll enjoy this guest post by Michela Fantinel who’s been travelling alone for 25 years, as she discusses the whys and the wherefores and offers tips so that you can – Just Do It!

Solo Travel after 50 by Michela Fantinel

Solo Travel is the best life experience! I believe that every woman should try at least once in her life. I’ve been travelling for 25 years and I can say I’ve become addicted to it 🙂

Are you feeling called to travel? But is fear of going alone holding you back?

In reality solo travel is easier and more fun than you may imagine! When you step out and hit the road fear will quickly dissipate. And you will start loving your company more than ever!

 “It’s beautiful to be alone. To be alone does not mean to be lonely. It means the mind is not influenced and condemned by society.” Jiddu Krishnamurti.

Why travel solo?

Solo travel is empowering . When you travel alone, everything is up to you.

When you need something done, you just do it and follow through. You become more accountable and self-confident. You are aware of your environment and this makes you strong. Most importantly you decide how to do things. You naturally attract attention for help, information, advice or just a chat. This is definitely the best part of solo travel. You will see how easy it is to strike up a conversation with strangers, to create connections and make new friends.

People will be kind and generous to you! People will love you!

If you are thinking of going solo, here are a few tips to get you started with your first solo adventure.

1 First time solo?  Start small

Don’t put too much on your plate. You don’t have to start with a challenging Round The World trip.

Start with something small. Choose a place you feel called to, with activities you love. For some, it may be a city trip, for other sport lessons, a hiking trail or an outdoor adventure, a photography workshop, an exotic spa-wellness retreat or maybe volunteer work.

You might also like: 10 Reasons to book a cycle cruise holiday

2 Avoid un-supportive criticism

“I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.” – Oscar Wilde

 3 Create a supportive network

If I look back to when I started travelling solo, I’m amazed at how things have changed. The number of female solo travellers is increasing enormously and that’s great. Do connect with other women, who share the same enthusiasm for solo adventures. Solo Travel is all about freedom and networking. Find a group or a solo travel forum on the internet. I can recommend the Australian based BroadsAbroad, a new international travel network for women, above 50 who love to travel on their own. You can sign up for free to share thoughts, ideas, projects and meet up and also stay with like-minded women.

4 Where to Stay – Meet the locals

I remember how lost I felt lost in a huge hotel room, in New York. It was my first solo trip abroad in the 90s. Nowadays there are more accommodation options: From budget hostels to rooms in private homes, to home-stay in farms.

Hostels and private rooms are good for cities, a home stay can be a good choice in rural areas. Hostels offer kitchen facilities, and communal areas, ideal to meet fellow solo travellers. In the last years I have discovered private accommodation as a more intimate way of meeting the locals and I really enjoyed it. If you don’t mind looking after someone else’s house and pets, then house-sitting could be your thing. Happy House Sitters and Aussie House sitters are good membership sites for Australia.

5 How to stay safe – Trust your instincts

When you are alone you must feel comfortable. If, for any reason, you don’ feel comfortable, then leave the place. Use common sense. Trust your instincts. They always show you the right way. Before leaving to a foreign country research your area and make sure the place is safe. Be respectful, stay with the locals and ask about the do’s and dont’s. Adjust to the local environment, as much as you can. If the place has a strong cultural and religious background, blend in by wearing their clothes and eating their food.

Tip : Back-up your safety tactics. Don’t forget travel insurance .

6 How to find the best deals – Be well organised

Travelling solo does not have to cost a fortune. Hotels are the most expensive way to stay as a solo woman, but you can ask whether the single supplement can be waived. Make bookings at least 2-3 months ahead to get the best deals. For car rentals, book the smallest car available, you may be lucky and get a free upgrade to a higher class. I can recommend Sky Scanner for the best flights deals and Drive Now for cars deals.

For hotel price comparisons and to find the best hotel deals around the world click Here.

“Loneliness adds beauty to life, it puts a special burn o n sunsets and makes night air smell better.” Henry Rollins

7 Solo Travel Blues – welcome the “Feeling lonely” syndrome

No matter how much you love travelling alone, chances are you are going to feel lonely, sooner or later. It’s all part of it and you should treasure those moments! You can look for the buzz and hang-outs. In cities, go to a shopping mall, a walking area, a trendy cafe. Visit a museum or an exhibition. Exercise: Jog, hire a bike, go to a fitness centre. Strike up a conversation with a stranger. Get in touch with your women travel network and arrange to catch up for a coffee.

Solo travel can be daunting, scary, challenging and fascinating at the same time, I know.And that’s why I love it so much. No matter how and when in your life you decide to start travelling alone, take the challenge! You will be amazed how your solo travel adventures can open up infinite opportunities.

Want to know more?

Read more tips and advice about solo travel on ZigaZag .

About the Author : Michela Fantinel is a Solo Traveller, Author of Rocky Travel, a Blog for women who love to explore Australia solo. She has recently published a book: “Your Australia Itinerary” – The Ultimate Guide For Female Solo Travellers To Australia. Follow Michela on her adventures at Facebook and Twitter

This post contains affiliate links whereby a small commission is earned on purchases made from them, but at no cost to you. Read the full disclaimer .

Now it’s your turn!

So Lifestylers – do tell us: Have you ever travelled alone? How was your experience?

About Jo Castro

My name is Jo Castro and I've been a freelance writer for over 35 years. Ten years ago I committed to blogging, documenting my finds about fashion and travel for women, like me, over 50. On Lifestyle Fifty I share style and fashion tips, along with travel inspiration and packing guides. It's all about The Art of Ageing, Living the Good Life and Looking Fashionable everyday. Everything I write about comes from the desire to help as many women as possible live their best lives and look great after the age of 50. Check out more on my About Page.

Reader Interactions

April 26, 2023 at 3:01 am

Thanks for this post. I Love travlleing with freinds. but sometime, I have to travl alone.

September 30, 2021 at 9:07 pm

love to travel solo

December 21, 2017 at 12:23 am

I’m in black hole at the minute. I keep th8nking I want to travel alone to “find myself” ive spent years being a mum, gf, granma, daughter. Im so unhappy right now but how do I start? I’ve turned 50 this year, had my fair share of illness for the past 2 years and I’m not.the fittest. I’m in turmoil thinking I really really want to see some of the world but frightened I’m not fit enough. Where would be good to start? I was looking at a trip to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand (one of my dreams from being v young) but it seems quite expensive but on the other hand it’s organised and lots of great reviews from past solo travellers.

January 8, 2018 at 1:44 pm

Hello Karin, thank you for your thoughts and comments. If you want to travel alone I think it’s easier than it’s ever been before to travel without a partner/friend. Yes, I’d encourage that you join an organised tour, speak to the organisers about your health concerns prior to booking, and all being well get out there and enjoy. If the elephant sanctuary is on your bucket list I’d say, just do it. Sounds like you’ve done the sensible thing and looked at the reviews too. Good luck! And congratulations on turning 50 🙂 x

October 12, 2014 at 12:27 pm

I love traveling alone. I get a lot of raised eyebrows from friends about why I like to do this, but I usually am OK with my own company. Your tips are great especially the one about trusting your instincts 🙂

October 12, 2014 at 12:49 pm

Thanks for visiting Michelle. Yes, trusting your own instincts is so important.

September 26, 2014 at 4:51 pm

I travelled solo all Australia/NZ in 2012 from my home in Ireland, Im fifty something and wanted to travel The Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth to conquer my crippling fear of train travel so it had to be the longest journey and the furthest away from home i could find, it wasnt easy but i did it and went on then to travel The Ghan and in NZ it was mainly train travel also. I only yesterday re read my travel journal from that time and i had forgotton how sometimes it was difficult going and some decisions i made on the way were not the right ones i.e. accommodation, areas etc and sometimes i was downright lonely but it i have always got on well with myself and do enjoy my own company so i just got myself up and moved on to the next day, I can honestly say it was a life changing experience and i learned so much not only about other places and people i met along the way but also about myself and how when we push ourselves outside our comfort zone we can face any or all challenges put before us. my hubby and kids gave me massive support and that was invaluable so im off out again to Aus in dec so will definately have a look at broads abroad before then. I love Michaelas posts and follow her blogs like religion 🙂 Loving this new page now x

September 27, 2014 at 3:41 pm

Hi Carmel, Thanks for your inspiring comment! Yay for you getting out there and facing your fears, but learning how to enjoy train travel and doing something for yourself, by yourself. I loved your story. Thanks for following Lifestyle Fifty.

September 25, 2014 at 3:55 pm

I love the freedom of pleasing myself when I travel on my own. It’s perfectly OK to get up at a silly o’clock and see places empty of others and then having a little nanna nap at lunchtime. I love writing home on coffee stained postcards or disposable menus and sitting for hours people watching or wandering through galleries. Yeh I do love pleasing myself.

September 25, 2014 at 4:33 pm

I love the way you’ve made it all sound Sue. Quite agree.

September 24, 2014 at 8:01 am

Second attempt to comment… hope I haven’t mucked it up this time. I have a friend who would absolutely relate to and love this post so I shall pass it on 🙂

September 24, 2014 at 1:11 pm

No worries Pinky, nothing mucked up! Thank you so much for passing on. By the way, don’t forget to check the Comment Luv box so other readers can see what you’ve been writing too 🙂

September 23, 2014 at 2:46 pm

No I am too much of a people person to travel solo but I did meet several young women travelling solo when I was travelling around Australia recently. One was a young Japanese girl, with limited English, who was travelling around Australia on a motorbike. I thought “now that really takes balls to do that”!

September 23, 2014 at 3:43 pm

Interesting Kathy! It’s so interesting meeting people on the road. Great story! I can just see you watching her zoom off into the sunset thinking that!

September 23, 2014 at 9:09 am

I travelled alone a lot before I had kids and loved it. I used to say: ‘You’re never alone when you’re on your own.’ I met so many wonderful people and that’s what I look forward to most for whenever I manage to escape alone again. Not that it’s bad to be with the kids, but I feel so free when alone.

September 23, 2014 at 1:15 pm

I get that Seana – and you definitely talk to more people when you’re travelling alone and do more things on the spur of the moment. Holidays are different with kids – but they don’t last for long when it comes to years in our lives – enjoy them while you can and then just Let Free without guilt!

September 23, 2014 at 5:24 am

It has been a pleasure to write this article for your Jo. Australia is such a magnificient country for women travelling on their own. I’ve recently found out about the BroadsAbroads Network and cannot wait to meet up with a few of them in the next weeks. 🙂

September 23, 2014 at 8:11 am

Thank you Michela – It was a lovely post. Yes Australia is such a fab country to travel around and can’t wait to hear more about the women you meet through BroadsAbroad – seems like Lifestyle Fifty readers are interested too.

September 22, 2014 at 10:52 pm

I must say that solo travel is a daunting idea – though I can see it can have its benefits too – you can do whatever whenever you please! I must go and check out Broads Abroad. Thanks for the great tips for solo travel Mechela, and another great post on Lifestyle Fifty.

September 22, 2014 at 11:45 pm

Thanks Jill – yes indeed, daunting but with benefits if you set off with a pinch of courage and a check out of Broads Abroad 😉 perhaps!

September 22, 2014 at 5:24 pm

I was very interested to hear about the Broads Abroad organization. If I ever travel solo I will definitely join.

September 22, 2014 at 9:12 pm

I was also intrigued to hear about them, Jan. Thanks for your comment 🙂

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10 Reasons To Travel In Your 50s And 60s

10 Reasons To Travel In Your 50’s And 60’s

Are you now in your 50’s or 60’s and looking for a well earned lifestyle change that includes lots of travel and adventure?

It might embolden you to know that right now there’s a whole generation of people in their midlife and indeed older who are looking to prioritise travel in their lives.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to island hop in Thailand , or travel through Vietnam , or explore Japan ?

Maybe seeing turtles nesting on a beach under a full moon is your dream?

I can personally assure you that fuelling your own opportunities for travel in midlife and in those early retirement years is the very best time to set out to explore the world.

Because who knows what the future holds?

Why wait? If not now, when ?

If you need a little more encouragement I’m going to give you 10 reasons to travel in your 50’s and 60’s!

Table of Contents

World travel is no longer just for the Younger Generations

• Travel Fear in your 50’s and 60’s is natural but is it just imagined?
• Over 50s Bucket Lists

Couples Travel: Solo Travel: Group Travel in Over 50’s

• Personal Travel Dreams
• 10 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN YOUR 50S AND 60S

REASONS TO TRAVEL IN YOUR 50’S AND 60’S

Generally, I’ve found that people who want to travel in their 50s and 60s have more flexible attitudes to retirement.

In the 50’s age group, the line between working and travelling has been blurred, with opportunities for remote and nomadic working arrangements that can facilitate a more flexible way of life.

Those in their 60’s may have early access to pension pots and many will use their travel budgets to facilitate slow travel in travelling further and for longer.

For some, travel in your 50’s and 60’s is a time for rediscovery of travel .

It’s being reported in The Times that the proportion of people planning to travel in their 50’s and 60’s has more than doubled since the pandemic.

And a report in Forbes Magazine is telling us that midlife travellers now make up the largest travel demographic.

The solo travel publication Journey Woman says that in 2024 solo women over 50 are a driving force in travel.

I’m an enthusiast of travel at any age.

But I want to share with you why I personally believe that travel experiences in your midlife can be even more rewarding and beneficial than in your younger years.

I’m not saying that travel isn’t a privilege at any age – it definitely is and it always will be – but it can be perhaps more accessible and probably more affordable than you might think to travel in your midlife and older years.

I want to show you through reassurance and by example how travel can be a more rewarding experience in later life – and if you are feeling a little unsure or even a little bit afraid – it’s okay.

It’s only natural to have travel fears and particularly when we are older.

I get a lot of questions about travel and access to health and medical issues.

And practical issues to do with banking and postal problems and over 50’s travel insurance .

Or even if you should be thinking of taking a suitcase or a backpack for midlife travel?

Some people desperately want to to be bold and travel but are perhaps nervous of perceived dangers.

I do understand the latter but you should ask yourself if those fears are realistic or just imagined?

is travel fear just imagined?

Understandably, many of us midlife and older travellers concern ourselves with ‘what ifs’ and worry about our health and our personal safety and about money.

The news and media reminds us of this danger all the time and it’s true that travel can be dangerous.

But it should be considered that travelling around your home country can be just as dangerous as travel abroad.

So let’s look at the The Fear in a little more detail and try to put it in perspective.

There is actually a list of The Most Dangerous Places in The World but there is also a list of The Most Beautiful Places in the World that we should all hope to see with our own eyes.

I believe we can counter The Fear of the unknown world by being brave and sensible and by being prepared.

Take a look at my posts on Travel Planning so you can be well equipped.

You might like to read a post I wrote on travel risk assessment and how I managed my own scary travel experiences and – most reassuringly – how you can learn to avoid them.

Over 50’S Bucket Lists

More than a third of those of us over 50 years old are likely to have a Bucket List of things they want to do before they die.

Many of us believe that age 50 is the point where their life is just getting started.

In other research, I discovered that just like the backpacking husband and I – lots of people age 50 and over will use assets such as liquidating property wealth – to live an enjoyable retirement and to invest in travel and a holiday of a lifetime.

Bucket list holidays are particularly popular and those with a good amount of disposable income are researching bucket list holidays like never before.

You might also be interested in reading my post on How I Afford To Travel The World .

MAKE TRAVEL MEANINGFUL

“Our survey of British over 50’s sought to prove that a sense of adventure doesn’t diminish with age,” says Woman and Home magazine.

With their children grown up and leading independent lives, parents in their 50’s are now just as likely as those in their 20’s to embrace a more flexible location free working environment in order to mix travel with ‘workcations’ and opportunities to work remotely as ‘digital nomads’.

Many are also looking to travel more sustainably and mindfully in future and plan to take work breaks or to volunteer on conservation or charity projects to make travel meaningful.

Not only do a majority of over 50s have a meaningful travel wish list but they can see that now is the best time to complete it.

“Free from the burdens of a young family and not limited by financial or work-related constraints, people actually find more freedom to explore in older age than when they are young.” Woman and Home Magazine

I asked on my social media channels how over 50’s want to travel: as a couple or with a friend or with a group?

A solid 50% of those that responded said they are happily prepared to travel alone.

Many cited this is because if they waited for someone else to join them then they might never travel at all.

Those already traveling solo say they only sometimes suffer from loneliness because they often meet other solo people.

They say the biggest benefit of solo travel is doing what you want to do without having to compromise.

20% enjoy group travel and say the joy of organised tours is that all the details and logistics are taken care of for you.

And that the benefits of group travel can offer personal security plus the company of likeminded people.

30% of those who responded travel as a couple.

Mostly, I travel as a couple with my backpacking husband but I’ve also travelled with my best friend.

And, on several occasions, I’ve travelled with a group of friends.

I’ve enjoyed travelled solo too but usually it has been to attend meetings and events to do with writing and publishing.

What are your plans and how do you prefer to travel?

I’d love to hear from you so do let me know by leaving a comment at the end of this post.

TRAVEL IN YOUR 50’S AND 60’S

A European survey found that people between the ages of 50 and 70 wanted to travel more intensively while they had reasonable health and because of the available time following retirement.

On the other hand, people over 75 tended to travel less (in relation to their share of the population) possibly due to a decreasing motivation to travel or to health issues.

All proving that travel in your 50’s and 60’s is the very best age to travel!

Perhaps you’ve spent years working a job and waiting for the freedom of the weekend?

And spent years fitting your travel and adventure into an annual two-week holiday slot?

Personally, I spent all of my 20’s working on building my career.

I spent my 30’s making a home and having children and also working.

I spent my 40’s raising teens and encouraging them to become well educated and well-rounded adults.

During these wonderful decades I longed to travel and we often did – saving up for family holidays in far flung places – and raising our kids to think of themselves as citizens of the world rather than just one country.

Then, in our mid-50’s, once our kids had left home and had left us with an empty nest, my husband and I decided we no longer needed a home – we just needed a phone – and the resources to travel.

We didn’t have much in the way of cash savings but we did have a house and furniture and cars.

So it came down to a simple choice of staying home or travelling around the world .

PERSONAL TRAVEL DREAMS

We also had a couple of small private pensions we could take early and we knew from life experience that at 54 (the age we were back then) we still had the ways and means and capacity to earn money to support ourselves.

I had my writing and my practical husband could turn his hand to most things.

Although, what he actually ended up doing during our first years travelling, was making his personal dreams come true by training and qualifying as a scuba diving instructor and eventually going on to qualify as a PADI IDC Instructor Trainer .

During the same time, a personal dream come true for me too when I wrote my Backpacking Housewife series of books to be published by HarperCollins.

Living a life of travel and exploring the world in our midlife and older years has afforded us opportunities we would never have believed possible.

Do you have personal dreams and ambitions that you might develop and achieve while travelling in your 50’s and 60’s?

10 REASONS TO TRAVEL IN YOUR 50’S AND 60’S

1. You’ll get to live life with no regrets.

When you are older, you get to realise that time is more important than money.

But, unless you are fortunate to have savings or a big pension pot, affording your dream of travelling the world in midlife could come down to making a few different lifestyle choices or shifting your priorities.

We decided to sell everything we owned to afford long term travel when we were in our mid-50’s and we have no regrets.

I’m not saying that everyone should be spending the kids inheritance like us.

But I am suggesting that you shouldn’t let the idea of leaving money or assets for your loved ones after your death stop you from living your dream of travelling in your later years.

2. You can practice adventure before dementia!

Travel in your 50’s and 60’s will lead to experiencing new places, cultures, languages, and people, have all been proven by scientists to improve cognitive function – it’s good for your aging brain.

Travelling in midlife can keep your brain healthy and keep your mind more alert for longer than if you’d stayed at home.

3. TRAVEL MAKES YOU see the world differently and from a new perspective.

A grown up gap year and time spent travelling broadens the mind and expands both horizons and tolerance.

It can make you perceive everything differently and realise that there is still so much to learn about the world.

4. Travel can give you a new purpose in life.

Why not make a difference and volunteer on conservation or charitable ventures abroad?

There are lots of fabulous organisations all over the world that encourage those over 50 and in retirement to find and volunteer on the perfect project for them.

Organisations like Volunteer World, Work Away , Global Vision International (GVI). Projects Abroad and Volunteer Forever are just a few. Please note that you should do your own comprehensive research into any volunteering opportunities and organisation before making any commitments.

5. Travelling slowly

Spending several weeks or even months at a time in a place can manage jetlag and travel fatigue and help reduce your travelling carbon footprint.

Slow Travel can also help you to truly experience living like a local and give you the chance to make new lifelong friends.

6. Frugal or fabulous?

The choice is yours. If being older and more mature means you are more decerning and you now appreciate your comforts then leave the hostels and hard bunks to others and choose to stay in good quality and comfortable accommodation.

Travelling – even backpacking – can be done in comfort and even on a budget is way more affordable in some countries than in others.

You just have to learn your travel hacks and ways to be fabulously travel savvy .

7. You learn to trust your gut in all situations.

You have the benefit of maturity and wisdom and life experience and so have learned to stay safe and sensible by listening to your gut and trusting your own instincts.

8. Choose to plan or not to plan

Make your plans and live your dreams but don’t forget to leave room for spontaneity and to allow for impulse trips and to take advantage of unexpected and wonderful opportunities that might come your way.

In my experience, that kind of thing happens all the time when travelling.

9. Have fun creating and ticking off your bucket list

Make a list of all the places you’ve dreamed of seeing with your own eyes but don’t forget to include experiences to live and feelings to feel.

10. Write about it !

You can inspire others to be bold and travel in their 50’s and 60’s by keeping a journal of your travels or create an online blog to share your adventures with friends and family back home.

If only so they have an idea of not how you are but where you are !

Are you planning to travel more in your 50’s and 60’s?

Do you have a Midlife Bucket List?

Don’t hesitate to leave a comment as I’d love to hear from you!

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JANICE HORTON

Janice Horton is The Backpacking Housewife and the person behind the travel and adventure website www.thebackpackinghousewife.com

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I found your blog after reading your book, I love reading through it. My husband and I made the leap almost 3 years ago to retire early and never looked back. We don’t travel 24/7 but try to chase the warmer weather, (we live in Canada) either hiking or beach bumming. And in wanting to document our trips, we stated a YouTube channel for fin and quasi-blog website. I am so grateful that we can do this while we have our health. Every day is precious.

Hi Karen – I’m delighted you’ve found my website and that you’ve also read my book! Do you mean The Backpacking Housewife? Did you know it’s a three book series? I absolutely agree with you that every day is precious and life in retirement is good. I’m with you on chasing the warmer weather! Happy travels to you and your husband. Janice xx

I love your site. My husband and I plan to retire and head off into the wild next year. Can’t wait. I will be following your adventures from today as I have just found you. Thanks for all the effort you put in. 🙂

Hi Kaz – thanks so much for your message! I’m really happy you found my site as I’ve got SO many more travel posts to share over the next few months and year ahead. I’ve been travelling so much this year and it has been fabulous. I’m really excited on your behalf that you and your husband are planning lots of travel in your retirement too. Please keep in touch and if you have any travel questions please do ask. You can contact me through my Contact Page. Happy travel planning!! Janice xx

This is me!!! At age 54 and my husband age 64 we are nomad travelers! Our kids have left for college and military,COVID devasted our business and we were renting , so we decided to check off or bucket list of epic travels and travel for as long as we can physically and financially keep it going. I have some anxiety of not having a traditional /normal lifestyle back home in the states but, the world is in major change and uncertainty-not sure what normal is anymore – so why not travel. I have been flirting with the idea of a creating a BLOG – gonna make it happen! Thanks for being apart of my new community- I have new peeps!

Hi Lissa – I’m cheering for you here and so happy you got in touch to tell me about it! How fantastic that you and your husband are living a free and wonderful life of travel in your midlife and beyond. Yes – we do have to question what is normal these days and I love your attitude. Please do let me know when you start your blog so I can read and follow your adventures! Janice xx

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50 Engaging Questions to Start a Conversation with a Stranger While Traveling Alone

This article lists 50 questions you can ask a stranger to strike up a conversation when traveling solo.

Traveling alone can be both amazing and difficult, offering freedom and opportunities to meet new people while pushing you out of your comfort zone. For me as an introvert, the hardest part is striking up a conversation with a stranger. I find that having an arsenal of questions ready to go makes this much easier, so I’ve compiled my list of go-to questions here to keep the conversation interesting.

Whether you’re staying in a hostel, hanging out at a bar, or sipping coffee in a café, having a few ice-breakers ready makes all the difference! Some of the most memorable travel experiences come out of talking and meeting new people. Here are 50 questions to help you start a conversation with a stranger while traveling alone.

No shame in taking a peek at your phone to reference this list! Remember to keep safety tips in mind when traveling alone.

Table of Contents

General travel questions, cultural questions, accommodation and logistics questions, activities questions, personal interests questions, conclusion – 50 questions to start a conversation with a stranger while traveling alone.

• What brings you here?
• Have you been to this city/country before?
• What’s been your favorite place to visit so far?
• Do you have any travel plans after this?
• What destination is at the top of your travel bucket list?
• What’s the most memorable travel experience you’ve had?
• Have you had any crazy or funny travel mishaps lately?
• How do you usually choose your travel destinations?
• What was the best meal you’ve had while traveling?
• Do you prefer traveling alone or with others?
• Have you learned any new languages while traveling?
• What cultural differences have you noticed here?
• What’s something interesting you’ve learned about the local culture?
• Have you participated in any local traditions or festivals?
• Do you have any favorite local foods or drinks?
• What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered about this place?
• Have you made any friends on your trip?
• How do you usually immerse yourself in a new culture?
• What’s one thing you think everyone should know about your home country?
• Have you visited any historical sites or museums here?
• Are you staying in a hostel, hotel, or Airbnb?
• How’s your accommodation? Any recommendations?
• Do you usually book your accommodation in advance or decide on the go?
• Have you ever had any unusual or unexpected accommodations?
• Do you prefer staying in the city center or in quieter areas?
• How do you usually get around in a new place?
• Have you tried any unique modes of transportation while traveling?
• Do you have any tips for finding affordable accommodation?
• What’s the best hostel/hotel you’ve stayed at?
• How do you manage your travel budget?
• Have you done any exciting activities or tours here?
• Do you like to plan your activities or go with the flow?
• What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done while traveling?
• Are you into hiking or outdoor adventures?
• Have you tried any extreme sports or activities?
• What’s your favorite way to explore a new place?
• Do you enjoy visiting popular tourist spots or do you run off the beaten path?
• Have you taken any great photos on this trip to share?
• What’s the best wildlife encounter you’ve had?
• Do you have any recommendations for things to do here?
• What are your hobbies or interests?
• Do you enjoy reading? What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
• Are you into music? Have you discovered any new artists while traveling?
• Do you enjoy cooking or trying new recipes from your travels?
• What’s your favorite type of food?
• Are you a coffee or tea person?
• Do you like art? Have you visited any interesting galleries or street art?
• What kind of movies or TV shows do you like to watch?
• Do you keep a travel journal or blog?
• What’s something new you’ve tried or learned recently?

These questions are designed to spark interesting conversations and help you connect with fellow travelers. Remember, the key is to show genuine interest and be open-minded, and you’re sure to walk away with a new friend.

Happy travels and happy chatting!

Last Updated:

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be for informational purposes only and may contain affiliate links. Refer to the full disclaimer for more information.

The post 50 Engaging Questions to Start a Conversation with a Stranger While Traveling Alone appeared first on Imperfect Nostalgia .

Itch in People Over 50: It May Not Travel Alone

—these investigators found over 30% prevalence of itching among middle-aged and elderly patients in this patient population, and noted that there were additional contributing factors to consider..

By Ted Bosworth

The lifetime prevalence of skin conditions with itch among individuals over the age of 50 years exceeds 30%, according to data derived from interviews with more than 5000 participants in a population-based cohort. 1 Not surprisingly, several skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, are associated with pruritus in this age group, but so are renal impairment, self-reported asthma, self-reported dry skin, and anxiety, and the majority of those affected tend to be women. 1

In the general population, the lifetime prevalence of chronic pruritus, typically defined as itch that persists for at least 6 weeks, has been reported to be about 25%. 2 The risk in specific populations of adults, such as those over the age of 50, has not been well studied, even though some risk factors for pruritus, such as dry skin, might be more common in this age group. Older patients are also more likely to have concomitant conditions, including renal insufficiency, liver disease, stroke, and thyroid disease, which potentially pose a risk of pruritus. 3

In a study designed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for pruritus in individuals over the age of 50, participants in the Rotterdam Study were interviewed. The Rotterdam study is a prospective population-based cohort that was initiated in 1990. Two additional cohorts were added in 2000 and 2006. 4 At registration into the Rotterdam Study, all individuals were assessed by dermatologists for skin conditions, skin types, and physical characteristics, such as body mass index (BMI). 1

In this cross-sectional analysis, data were extracted from 5246 participants in all 3 cohorts. These Rotterdam Study participants were interviewed between 2010 and 2015 by research assistants using standardized questionnaires that elicited information about itch and dermatological conditions. The median age of participants was 67 years. 1

Of those interviewed, 1766 (33.7%) responded “yes” when asked whether they had ever had an itchy skin condition. The proportions were similar when broken down to the earliest, second, and latest cohorts (31.0%, 35.2%, and 33,6%, respectively). 1

Of skin conditions, atopic dermatitis was associated with the highest odds ratio of lifetime itch (OR 4.29; 95% CI, 3.74–4.92). Psoriasis (OR 2.31; 95% CI 1.77–3.01) and self-reported dry skin (OR 1.95; 95% CI 1.73–2.29) were also significantly associated with itch. 1

Non-dermatologic variables significantly associated with itch included asthma (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.08–1.83), renal impairment (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.17-1.79), female sex (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.11–1.43), and increased BMI (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.03). For BMI, each 1-unit increment was associated with a 2% increased odds ratio of itch. Clinically relevant depressive symptoms (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.52–2.25) and anxiety (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.11–1.66) were associated with increased risk. 1

Variables not associated with itch in this study included hyper- and hypothyroidism, diabetes, liver disease, previous stroke, increasing age, smoking, skin color, education level, and alcohol consumption. 1

Several limitations were noted in this study. First, the assessment question used in the study, “Have you ever had an itchy skin condition,” was general, lacking specifications around intensity, timing, and duration of itch. The authors noted that including “skin condition” in the question meant that any itch without a skin condition may not have been considered by those questioned. Other limitations included the fact that the study data were self-reported, potentially subject to recall bias, and did not contain information on skin conditions other than atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or dry skin. 1

Finally, the authors wrote that the cross-sectional design may have limited the ability to establish a link between itch and assessed factors, though they did note this was the first cross-sectional study in the Netherlands to have assessed lifetime itch with skin conditions in an over age 50 population. This, they wrote, added to the strength of the study, along with the large population sample and the involvement of trained physicians and research assistants. 1

According to the senior author of this study, Luba M. Pardo MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, one of the takehome messages, besides the high lifetime prevalence of pruritus in individuals 50 years of age or older, is that risk appears to be multifactorial. While dermatological conditions, including dry skin, predict itch, other factors may contribute to risk and should be considered when evaluating persistent itch. In particular, she noted that mild-to-moderate renal impairments, not just end-stage kidney disease, was associated with pruritus in the patient population studied.

In late-stage kidney disease, elevated urea levels, immune dysregulation, and micro-inflammation are all implicated in the development of pruritus, according to Dr. Pardo, but she suggested that itch in patients with early disease “underscores the potential multifaceted nature of itch with both skin conditions and renal impairment playing roles.”

Published: June 20, 2024

• 1. Bollenmeijer JF, Zheng KJ, van der Meer AM, et al. Lifetime prevalence and associated factors of itch with skin conditions: atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and dry skin in individuals aged over 50 . Clin Exp Dermatol . Published online March 19, 2024. doi:10.1093/ced/llae077
• 2. Matterne U, Apfelbacher CJ, Vogelgsang L, Loerbroks A, Weisshaar E. Incidence and determinants of chronic pruritus: a population-based cohort study. Acta Derm Venereol . 2013;93:532-537. doi:10.2340/00015555-1572
• 3. Weisshaar E, Dalgard F. Epidemiology of itch: adding to the burden of skin morbidity. Acta Derm Venereol . 2009;89:339-350. doi:10.2340/00015555-0662
• 4. Ikram MA, Brusselle G, Ghanbari M, et al. Objectives, design and main findings until 2020 from the Rotterdam Study. Eur J Epidemiol . 2020;35:483-517. doi:10.1007/s10654-020-00640-5

More On This Topic

Hidradenitis suppurativa: don’t get burned by a flare, chronic skin diseases: listening to the patients, do patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases get sufficient pretreatment tests, why do some patients with hidradenitis suppurativa shy away from biologics, more than skin-deep: higher mortality risk in hidradenitis suppurativa, in hidradenitis suppurativa, the patient-doctor relationship is complex, hidradenitis suppurativa and asthma: unexpected comorbidities, in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, what detracts from quality of life.

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• 3x 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
• 2x 2x on all other travel purchases.
• 1x 1x on all other purchases.

What we love: This popular card comes loaded with features that can make it easy even for occasional travelers to offset the modest $95 annual fee without eating into hard-earned rewards. Plus, its rewards program is one of the best, giving you some of the most valuable travel redemptions — through both Chase and transfer partners — and Chase card pairing opportunities if you want to build your card portfolio eventually. Learn more: Why expert Margaret Weck loves using the Chase Sapphire Preferred Alternatives:   If you’re looking for an even simpler travel card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a terrific option. Its flat rewards rate makes it easy to know exactly how much you’ll earn with every purchase and though it can’t match the Sapphire Preferred’s redemption flexibility, it offers more redemption options than the typical travel rewards card. 

• You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around, especially if you pair it with Chase’s cash back cards in the future.
• The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
• Doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
• The sign-up bonus is decent, but the card has previously offered higher, chart-topping bonus points.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Best for flat-rate rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Earn 75,000 miles

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

2 Miles - 5 Miles

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: It’s a great option for travelers looking for a straightforward rewards program and flexible redemption options. You'll earn unlimited miles on all eligible spending and can redeem not only for travel bookings, but also as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made in the past 90 days. Learn more: Why expert Jacqueline DeMarco loves the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Chase points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase, while Capital One miles are only worth 1 cent each when you redeem for travel. Plus, Chase rewards are more helpful for occasional travelers since you can redeem as cash back at 1-cent-per-point value.

• Carries solid perks given its low annual fee, including expedited airport purchase security and hotel experience credits, lost luggage reimbursement and more.
• Zero foreign transaction fees make this an excellent choice for international travelers.
• You can’t offset the annual fee with annual travel credits or bonuses alone as you can with some rival cards.
• The card’s sign-up bonus carries a high spending requirement, so it may be tough to earn if you don’t have large purchases on the horizon.
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 80,000 points

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

See Pay Over Time APR

• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

What we love: Luxury travelers and big spenders will appreciate the bevy of travel benefits, including annual statement credits worth around $1,700, elite hotel loyalty status and access to perhaps the most comprehensive airport lounge access available with a credit card. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Platinum Card® from American Express Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a lower cost than many premium travel cards. You can unlock a generous rewards rate on both travel and general purchases, complimentary access to popular airport lounge memberships and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles.

• Comes with a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
• A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners and related perks make this card truly valuable for travelers.
• The $695 annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t spend much on travel frequently or can’t take full advantage of the card’s luxury — and often niche — perks.
• Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can be a bit confusing.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Best for no annual fee

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel

20,000 miles

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

• 1.25 Miles 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: This card offers some of the same advantages as the Capital One Venture, without the burden of an annual fee. It gives you the chance to earn flat-rate miles on your everyday spending and the option to transfer miles to over 15 loyalty program partners to even cover travel purchases outside Capital One — a unique level of redemption flexibility for a starter travel card. Learn more: Reasons to get the VentureOne Rewards Card Alternatives: A general-purpose flat-rate credit card that offers 2X points or 2 percent cash back on all purchases may bring more value if you don’t travel often and aren’t ready to upgrade to a travel rewards credit card with an annual fee. However, the Discover it® Miles earns a flat-rate 1.5X miles that can also be redeemed for cash back at 1-cent per mile, which is unusual for travel rewards.

• The welcome offer is generous for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
• Booking hotel stays and rental cars through Capital One Travel nets you an impressive 5X miles.
• Unlike several no-annual-fee travel cards, redeeming for non-travel purchases waters down your rewards’ value.
• Capital One has no major U.S. carrier in its line-up of travel partners.
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Best for foodies

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• 3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

What we love: Few credit cards are more rewarding for traveling foodies than the American Express Gold Card. Both the food-related annual credits and the rewards rates at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and on flights booked directly with airlines or via the Amex travel portal are some of the best on the market. In fact, the up to $240 in credits each year alone nearly make up for the annual fee. Learn more: Why the Amex Gold is worth the annual fee Alternatives: If the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee sounds high, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . It carries key travel perks, high travel and dining rewards rates, and a much lower annual fee.

• This card features one of the best rewards return rates available on dining, groceries and food deliveries.
• There is no preset spending limit, so you can enjoy extended purchasing power, and you also have the option to pay off purchases with Pay Over Time if necessary.
• Although the card touts a solid collection of travel perks, it doesn’t include popular premium card perks like airport lounge access or trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
• Only eligible airfare earns more than 1X points, while rival cards often earn similar (or higher) reward rates on hotel stays and other travel purchases as well.
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Best for everyday spending

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

70,000 bonus points

Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

• 10X Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• 3X Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• 1X Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

What we love: This card’s high rewards rate in everyday bonus categories makes it an especially good choice for occasional travelers and people looking for a standalone rewards card. Its practical bonus categories mean you can earn rewards quickly, even if you don’t actually spend a ton on travel. Alternatives:   As long as you don’t mind buying groceries online, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be an even more lucrative everyday rewards card. That’s thanks mostly to its high point redemption value (1.25 cents per point when you use points to book travel with Chase, versus just 1 cent per point when you book with Citi using the Strata Premier).

• It’s one of the only travel cards that offers a high rewards rate on groceries, dining and gas, so it should work well whether it’s your standalone card or just one part of your card stack.
• Its annual hotel benefit carries enough value to potentially offset the annual fee on its own.
• The annual hotel benefit, though generous, isn’t very flexible: You’ll only get the $100 discount if you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through CitiTravel.com.
• Based on Bankrate’s latest point and mile valuations, Citi ThankYou rewards carry a lower average redemption value than Chase, Amex and Capital One rewards.
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Best for intro APR

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

25,000 points

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

What we love: This entry-level travel card keeps things simple for occasional travelers. It offers simple flat-rate rewards and lets you redeem for a broad mix of travel options not typically available on many travel cards, such as cash back toward purchases with travel agencies,  zoos, art galleries and more. It’s even more valuable if you’re a Bank of America customer and can qualify for a rewards boost through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. Learn more: Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it? Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another great starter travel card, but, unlike many cards in this category, it lets you transfer your miles to airline and hotel partners, potentially for a higher redemption value.

• Its easy-to-earn sign-up bonus and intro APR offers give this card good short-term value.
• No annual fees or foreign transaction fees sweeten this offer.
• It only offers 1.5X points on purchases, and you can’t transfer points can’t to airline partners for more rewards value, so it may not be as lucrative as competing cards.
• The top tiers of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program may be out of reach for many cardholders.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Best for point values

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠. Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

22.49% - 29.49% Variable

• 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
• 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
• 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: Rewards-savvy travelers will be hard-pressed to find a card with better rewards potential than the Sapphire Reserve. Points are worth 50 percent more through Chase Travel, and potentially more with the right transfer partner. It’s a stellar partner for Chase’s cash back cards and stacks on even more value with enough perks to recoup the annual fee without relying on hard-earned rewards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers some of the same key perks as the Sapphire Reserve at a much lower cost. Along with a generous rewards rate on both Capital One Travel and general purchases, the card boasts valuable, practical benefits like competitive airport lounge access , up to $300 in annual Capital One Travel credits and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary.

• You can kickstart your rewards bank with one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market.
• Its top-tier benefits include up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, Priority Pass airport lounge access, exhaustive travel protections and stand-out partner perks.
• The card’s cost could be a deterrent for some new cardholders, especially if they plan on encountering adding multiple authorized users.
• You won’t get as many luxury hotel and airport lounge perks with this card as you would with some of its rivals.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best for practical perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel

75,000 miles

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

2 Miles - 10 Miles

• 10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel

What we love: This is the perfect middleground for travelers who want the practical benefits from luxury travel cards without dealing with bloated features and an annual fee upwards of $500. It offers complimentary lounge access, high-earning bonus rewards categories, anniversary credits and bonus miles, which can easily make the card worth it for frequent travelers. Learn more: Capital One Venture X Benefits Guide Alternatives: If a higher annual fee is no issue, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be better if your luxury travel experience calls for racking up more rewards.

• Offers anniversary bonus miles and a chance to earn credits worth hundreds of dollars starting at your first account anniversary.
• Comes with complimentary lounge access at over 1,300 lounges for you and two guests per visit.
• To earn the anniversary credit, travel must be booked through the Capital One Travel portal. That’s not as flexible as some other cards, which offer credits that cover any travel purchases, regardless of how you book.
• Lacks some perks found on other premium travel cards like airline or hotel elite status, which can get you benefits like free checked bags or room upgrades.
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Best for pairing

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Up to $300 cash back

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service. 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

• 5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
• 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service.
• 1.5% 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

What we love: Not only does it earn 1.5 percent cash back on general spending, but it also has a bonus cash back rate for drugstores and dining at restaurants. And if you pair it with one or two premium Chase travel cards, you could pool your rewards for better travel redemption value.  Learn more: Why I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited Alternatives: If you want to take advantage of even more rewarding cash back categories and remain in the Chase family, consider the Chase Freedom Flex® .

• You can pool rewards with other Chase cards to maximize your earnings.
• The additional rewards rate offer can add even more cash back to your pocket for the first year.
• The welcome offer isn’t as competitive as other cards’ offers.
• Maximizing rewards with this and other Chase cards can get complicated for people who like simple rewards programs.
• Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Best for hotel bookings

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

• Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.

Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels. Earn unlimited 4X points on airlines. Earn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants. Earn 1X points on other purchases.

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

• 5X Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels
• 4X Earn unlimited 4X points on airlines
• 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants
• 1X Earn 1X points on other purchases

What we love: It offers a great rewards rate on hotel bookings and gives you a chance to earn a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase. Add in a solid rate on airline purchases, other travel and restaurants and this card carries great value as a standalone mid-tier card for occasional travelers. Alternatives: If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t actually spend much on hotels and airfare, the lower-tier Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is also worth a look. Though it earns also rewards on travel, it boasts a great mix of other practical everyday categories (including gas stations).

• You can transfer points to Wells Fargo’s new list of airline and hotel partners, including popular programs like British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges and more, which could boost the redemption value of your rewards.
• The $50 annual statement credit offsets more than half the card’s $95 annual fee and should be a cinch to earn if you fly at least once per year.
• Wells Fargo only offers one other card that earns travel rewards (the Autograph), and there is some category overlap between the two, so they may not be as lucrative as some competing card stacks.
• The card doesn’t carry some popular travel perks available on other mid-tier travel cards, such as credits for expedited airport security screening or rideshares.
• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
• $95 annual fee.
• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Best no-annual-fee hotel card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

• Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.

Earn 70,000 points

Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

20.99%-29.99% Variable

• 7X Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5X Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• 3X Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

What we love: This card earns rewards in a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, so it should be easy to rack up Hilton points even if you don’t spend a ton on hotel bookings. Since it charges no annual fee and provides a few Hilton Honors benefits like Silver status, it’s also a great fit if you’re new to hotel cards and want a single no-annual-fee option instead of juggling multiple rewards cards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Hilton Honors American Express Card Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be more flexible since it lets you earn and redeem rewards on a much wider variety of travel purchases, including airfare and bookings with several hotel brands, not just Hilton. You can transfer points to the Hilton Honors program as well, but the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card may be better if you prefer upgraded Hilton-specific rewards, loyalty status and other perks.

• Comes with automatic Silver Elite status, which includes a free fifth award night when you book at least four consecutive nights with points.
• Earns rewards in three of the average person’s biggest spending categories, making it a terrific standalone option for earning Hilton points.
• A higher-tier Hilton card would earn more on Hilton bookings and could be more lucrative for frequent guests, even with an annual fee.
• You can only redeem points with Hilton and its partners, which limits the rewards value you earn on the everyday categories compared to a general-purpose cards’ rewards.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.

Best for luxury hotel perks

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points

• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• 6X Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
• 3X 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2X 2X points on all other eligible purchases

What we love: Frequent Marriott guests looking for luxury card-level perks and elite status should be able to justify this premium card. Along with a terrific rewards rate on Marriott bookings and an annual free night award, you could enjoy generous annual credits for restaurant purchases and Marriott property stays, airport lounge access, elite night credits and more. Learn more: Best Marriott credit cards Alternatives: If you’re looking for top-tier travel perks but want the flexibility to earn and redeem rewards for stays at any hotel chain, consider an elite travel card from Chase or Amex, which can come with generous travel benefits, airport lounge access and the ability to transfer points to Marriott. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another lucrative alternative.

• Outperforms other Marriott cards with its boosted rewards on travel-related categories and 21X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, thanks to the automatic Platinum Elite status.
• It’s one of the only hotel cards that includes complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, top travel protections and credits for expedited airport security screening.
• Unlocking some of the card’s best perks — like Five Suite Night Awards — requires a $60,000 annual spend, which may be tough to reach even for frequent Marriott guests.
• Unless luxury perks are at the top of your wishlist, the annual fee may not be worth it and a lower-tier hotel card may offer more value overall.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.

Best for transfer partners

Bilt Mastercard®

Intro offer is not available for this Wells Fargo credit card.

3x points on dining. 2x points on travel. 1x points on other purchases. Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

1X Points - 3X Points

• 3X Points 3x points on dining
• 2X Points 2x points on travel
• 1X Points 1x points on other purchases
• 1X Points Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

What we love: Not only is this card is a terrific choice for renters since it earns rewards and waives transaction fees when using it to pay rent, it’s also great for rewards strategists considering the extremely robust travel rewards program. You can earn rewards on travel and dining and your points carry a high value whether you redeem through the Bilt travel portal or one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners. Alternatives: If you like the Bilt card’s travel rewards program but don’t see yourself renting long term, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns generously on both travel and dining and also boasts high-value points and transfer partners. If the way you pay rent doesn’t incur credit card payment fees, a flat-rate card may also be worth weighing. 

• It’s the only card that helps you avoid the fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card.
• Offers a solid collection of travel perks for a no-annual-fee card, including trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and other high-level travel protections.
• You can only use rewards to cover rent, toward a future home down payment or for travel and shopping. Cash back isn’t an option.
• There is no sign-up bonus. Most competing travel cards — even those with no annual fee — offer at least a $200 bonus.
• $0 Annual Fee.
• Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
• 2x points on travel.
• 3x points on dining.
• 1x points on other purchases.
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
• When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.

Best for gas

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

20,000 bonus points

Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases.

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

• 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

What we love: The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great option for occasional travelers and households on the go looking to earn rewards while avoiding an annual fee and reduced redemption value for cash rewards. It’s one of a few entry-level travel cards to offer high, year-round bonus rewards for gas, dining, transit and other key travel needs. Learn more: Is the Wells Fargo Autograph worth it? Alternatives: If you’re looking for ways to maximize the value of your rewards, you should consider a travel card that lets you transfer your points to airlines or hotels, like the Bilt Mastercard® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

• While some issuers only reward travel purchases made directly with airlines or through issuer portals, this card lets you shop around for the best deal on third-party travel sites and still earn extra rewards.
• Carries decent perks such as rental car collision damage waiver coverage, roadside assistance and Visa Signature® Concierge benefits, like access to Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection (terms apply).
• Unlike with traditional travel cards, you cannot transfer your points to airlines or hotels
• The travel perks and intro APR are weak compared to competing travel-oriented cards’ offers.
• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Best for companion tickets

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• Earn 85,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 85,000 miles

Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

• 3X Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• 2X Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1X Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

What we love: The annual companion certificate on Main Cabin domestic flights (taxes and fees apply) comes with this card after the first year is valuable enough to justify the annual fee even if you’re just looking for great Delta perks to make travel smoother with a partner. Plus, the companion certificate is easier to obtain than other airline cards’ since it carries no spending requirement that must be met beyond the card’s annual fee. Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be a great alternative since it charges a lower $150 annual fee, lets you earn and redeem rewards on travel with any eligible airline (not just Delta) and offers credits for Loungebuddy lounge access and Clear Plus. You can even transfer points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

• Boasts several valuable travel perks, including priority boarding, a free first checked bag and specialized annual credits for select rideshare services and reservations with Delta Stays and Resy.
• Gets you closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, and more.
• Its rewards rate on non-travel purchases is lacking — a general-purpose travel card could potentially offer better rewards value and flexibility for rewards travel outside Delta.
• No longer offers complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access as of this year, although airport lounge access is a staple perk for premium travel cards.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• $350 Annual Fee.

Best starter airline card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 85,000 points

Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

• 2X Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• 2X Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• 2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2X Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• 1X Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

What we love: This card’s anniversary bonus offers enough value to nearly offset the annual fee on its own, so it should be a terrific low-stakes option whether you’re new to airline cards or a regular Southwest flyer looking for a low-maintenance card. Plus, its sign-up bonus value is on par with the value you’ll get with much pricier airline and travel cards. Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefits guide Alternatives: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card could offer better value overall, despite its $149 annual fee. It carries an annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points each year on your account anniversary — more than enough value to justify the higher fee.

• You’ll automatically earn 3,000 Rapid Rewards points each year after your account anniversary, which could offset much of the card’s already-low annual fee.
• Delivers the same hefty sign-up bonus as higher-tier Southwest cards.
• Unlike several travel cards, it doesn’t carry rewards categories for popular everyday purchases like gas or dining.
• It may not be the best Southwest value for frequent flyers since it poses a 3 percent foreign transaction fee and doesn’t offer perks like upgraded boardings or elite status benefits.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Best for savers

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

60,000 points

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

21.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

• 2X Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases.
• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: If you do your banking with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards status, this card could provide an exclusive 25 percent to 75 percent rewards rate boost. The  rewards rates — 2X points on dining and travel, with 1.5X points on all other purchases — could increase to an incredible 3.5X on travel and dining with an unrivaled flat 2.62X points rate. Learn more: Why expert Sara Coleman loves the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card Alternatives: The similarly-priced Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best alternatives thanks to its stellar travel protections, yearly bonus rewards and stronger rewards program. However, flat-rate cards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or the Discover it® Miles card could be lucrative if you don’t think the $95 annual fee is worth it.

• The $95 annual fee is relatively affordable for this card category thanks to the up to $100 in yearly airline incidental statement credits.
• You can smooth out your travel experience with great benefits like credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and comprehensive travel insurance.
• Attaining the highest rewards rate is not an easy feat, since you’ll need to hold significant funds in Bank of America accounts.
• This card does not offer a few popular premium travel perks like lounge access.
• Low $95 annual fee.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Best for first-year value

Discover it® Miles

• Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

Discover Match®

Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

• 1.5X Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

What we love: In addition to the exceptionally valuable Discover Match® , this card combines solid flat-rate rewards with consumer-friendly terms, like minimal fees and an equal value for both travel and cash back redemptions. Travelers who value simplicity will appreciate this card’s straightforward rewards and adaptability — even when you aren’t traveling. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Discover it® Miles Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card carries a more straightforward and still easy-to-reach welcome bonus. The VentureOne card also gives you the option of transferring miles to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, which could increase the redemption value of your rewards.

• All miles earned in your first year will be matched at the end of the year, which could make it one of the most valuable first-year offers for no annual fee.
• Miles don’t lose value when they’re redeemed for cash back, which gives it a leg up over many travel rewards programs for occasional travelers.
• You’ll miss out on pretty standard travel perks like travel insurance, and car rental damage protection.
• The rewards structure lacks flexibility; you won’t be able to transfer your miles or use them to book travel.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Best for fair credit

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

Intro offer is not available for this Credit One Bank credit card.

Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site. Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas. Earn 1x points on all other purchases.

29.74% Variable

• 10X Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• 1X Earn 1x points on all other purchases

What we love: The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is a solid option if you want to earn points on travel but have trouble qualifying for mainstream travel cards. Not only is this card accessible with only fair credit, but its rewards program boasts generously high rewards rates in key travel categories. Learn more: Best travel cards for people with bad or fair credit Alternatives: If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee secured card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *. It’s a unique secured card that lets you build credit while earning rewards in a category of your choice (with travel just one of many popular options) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

• It’s one of the only travel rewards cards available with a fair credit score, making it a decent option if you want to earn travel rewards as you work on your score.
• Provides 5X points in travel, dining and gas, plus 10X points on eligible hotel and rental car bookings through Credit One Bank — rare and impressive rates with only fair credit.
• Its annual fee is high compared to other cards you can get with a fair credit score , so it may not be the best fit if you prioritize building credit over earning rewards.
• Other travel cards may offer better perks, fewer redemption restrictions and more value, so it may be worth working on your score with a lower-cost card before committing to the costly annual fee.
• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit  AmericanExpress.com/benefitsguide  for more details. Underwritten by Amex assurance company.

The information about the American Express® Green Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2024

What are travel credit cards.

Travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn points or miles on a variety of purchases (typically travel-related), which are redeemable for travel bookings, statement credits, gift cards and more.

The best travel credit cards do more than help you foot the bill for your next flight — travel cards also offer perks to upgrade your entire travel experience. Trip insurance , annual travel credits, concierge services and lounge access are all common benefits. Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards sometimes offer specific discounts and perks for loyalty program members.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Although a well-chosen travel card can pay huge dividends, it might not be the right move for every traveler. Before you apply, take time to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of travel credit cards .

Tips on choosing the best travel credit card for you

The right travel credit card for you will carry features and benefits that give you the best value. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the steps to choosing the best travel card.

How to choose a travel credit card

1. know how you prefer to travel.

Knowing whether your travel expenses lean toward airfare, hotel stays or a mix of other travel will help you decide whether you should get an airline card, hotel card or general-purpose travel card. A co-branded airline or hotel credit card may be a good fit if you mostly travel with a certain brand and want exclusive privileges to enhance your experience. A general-purpose travel card is better if you prefer to keep your travel options open.

2. Prioritize redemption value

You may have to pick between simplicity and maximum value when comparing cards and rewards programs. Many travel cards offer a standard point or mile redemption value of 1 cent when you redeem toward travel through the issuer portal, but some cards can get you a higher redemption value when you transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners. However, it's common for many travel reward programs to reduce the redemption value toward non-travel options or limit these redemption options altogether. If you prefer simplicity over maximizing rewards, you may want to consider cards that allow you to redeem points or miles at an equal 1-cent value toward general travel purchase credits, cash back or other non-travel options.

3. Match your card to your spending habits

Take a look at your typical spending and find which travel categories and non-travel categories you spend the most in to help you choose a card that offers a high rewards rate for your regular spending. Just make sure you factor in rewards spending caps.

4. Note what's worth the extra money

High rewards rates and valuable travel perks are the biggest reasons to get a travel card, but many of the best cards carry a high annual fee. You could stick with a no-annual-fee travel card (or at least one with around a $99 fee) if you're mainly focused on earning rewards, but you may have to pay up to $500 or more for luxurious perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance and hundreds of dollars in annual travel credits .

5. Look toward your next trip abroad

If you travel overseas, check to see if the card you're considering charges a foreign transaction fee. And since some credit cards aren't as widely accepted as others, you'll also want to make sure your credit card will work when traveling overseas . For example, merchants may not accept Discover and American Express cards as widely as Visa and Mastercard. If a trip is coming up in the next three to six months, keep an eye out for the big sign-up bonuses travel cards are known for. As a rule of thumb, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus should be.

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

Experts typically divide travel credit cards into two categories: co-branded travel cards and general travel cards. Co-branded cards are linked to a particular airline or hotel, while general travel cards offer more flexible reward opportunities. Here’s why and when you might want one or the other.

• Co-branded cards
• General travel cards

Co-branded travel cards tend to offer higher rewards rates on eligible travel purchases in exchange for limiting your reward redemption options to just one airline or hotel program . These cards may also feature more specific perks associated with the respective hotel or airline, such as free award nights, complimentary airline elite status or priority boarding — which general-purpose travel cards don’t often carry).

However, you won’t be able to use your rewards with a wide variety of different hotels and airlines like general-purpose cards allow. Plus, despite co-branded travel cards’ typically higher rewards rates, many brand-specific rewards tend to be worth less than the potential value of general-purpose cards’ points and miles.

When to get a co-branded travel card : When you often fly or stay with a specific airline or hotel and want to maximize your benefits with that brand.

General travel cards earn rewards on various travel categories and aren’t limited to a particular airline or hotel. Such cards may lack some of the dedicated perks you’ll find on a co-branded travel card, such as in-flight discounts, but make up for it with rewards flexibility and broader perks like general travel credits, expedited security screening and wider airport lounge access. 

The top travel cards even let you transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 rate. Redeeming with some airlines and hotels can even make your rewards more valuable than they would be if you redeemed with the card issuer.

When to get a general travel card : When you have no preferred airline or hotel and want the additional flexibility a general travel card offers. 

Who should get a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is almost always worth it for frequent travelers or anyone who wants to earn rewards toward their next vacation.

If you can save up airline miles, rack up points for free nights at hotels or get discounted travel through your credit card issuer, you’re on your way to significant travel savings. However, the right travel card for you will depend on your travel habits.

Frequent travelers

Naturally, the ideal candidate for a travel card is someone who travels a lot or plans to book several flights and hotel stays per year. However, in some cases, you don’t have to be a frequent traveler to reap the benefits of a travel rewards card. A number of cards offer good rewards rates on general purchases.

Travel beginners

If you’re new to travel rewards, a good place to start is with a travel card that makes it easy to earn and redeem points, without requiring you to navigate a complex rewards program or worry about tiered rewards rates or varying point redemption values. 

Brand loyalists

If you tend to book travel with the same brands frequently or already belong to an airline or hotel loyalty program, a co-branded travel card can offer terrific value.  Airline- and hotel-specific rewards cards often earn a top rate on bookings with the brand as well as exclusive perks like lounge access and automatic elite status. 

Business travelers

Some of the most valuable travel credit cards are business cards . Whether you're a freelancer on the go or the CEO of a Fortune 500, the right travel credit card can help you earn high rewards rates on everyday business purchases. 

International travelers

If you frequently travel abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees is a great way to help you avoid extra costs on overseas purchases. Plus, if you hate waiting in line at airport security or customs, a lot of travel cards offer statement credits to reimburse you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

Luxury travelers

Luxury travel cards often charge a pretty penny but also offer a ton of value via perks like lounge access and annual travel credits. These perks not only make travel more comfortable, but also often carry enough value to offset the card’s cost on their own.

Still unsure if a travel credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his travel card

Here’s how a bankrate editor chose his travel card.

With all of this advice in mind, let’s see how a credit card expert made their pick. Here’s Bankrate editor Nouri Zarrugh on how he chose his travel card:

When it comes to earning rewards, I’ve always stuck with cash back cards, preferring the simplicity of knowing exactly how much my rewards are worth and the ease of redeeming for statement credits. Recently, though, I decided I wanted to travel a bit more frequently, and I figured a new travel rewards card could be a great tool to help me earn free trips. When choosing the right card for me, a few major points of consideration stood out: Cost: I didn’t feel like I traveled enough to justify a huge annual fee. Simplicity : I wanted to stick with a single, streamlined travel card and not worry about juggling multiple rewards programs or rewards rates. Perks : While I didn’t need anything too fancy, I thought it might be nice to have a perk like TSA Precheck included, since I hate waiting in long airport security lines. To my surprise, the card that stood out most was the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Though it carried an intimidating annual fee of $395 ( See Rates & Fees ), I found this cost was more than worth it once I dug into the details. In fact, its benefits were so valuable, I barely needed to worry about offsetting the cost.  Two of its annual perks — a $300 Capital One travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles every year on my account anniversary — are valuable enough to offset the fee on their own. This means as long as I take one flight a year, I can basically break even on the card. Any rewards or perks I get beyond that feel like pure upside. It’s a huge bonus, then, that the card also includes practical benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and a credit of up to $100 toward the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. While I’ve never frequented airport lounges, I see these privileges as essentially free considering the value of the annual travel credit and bonus miles. So, I figure, why not take advantage?  For me, the Venture X strikes the perfect balance: A flat rewards rate that makes it easy to earn miles on everything I buy; flexible redemption through Capital One or via transfer to airlines and hotels, and practical perks I know I’ll use when I travel. I never imagined I’d have a $395 travel card in my wallet, but for me, it’s at worst a coupon for a flight every year, which can nudge me to take that next trip. — Nouri Zarrugh, Editor, Bankrate

Travel benefits may differ from card to card, but some of the most popular travel cards available often feature a few key perks. 

Travel insurance

Travel cards may offer various travel insurances , such as trip delay protection, trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage insurance or car rental insurance. These benefits aren’t worth anything until you need them, but you’ll be glad you have them when your flight is canceled or your luggage gets lost.

Travel credits

Credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry are a popular and common benefit on many travel cards. You can typically use this credit once every four years, which roughly corresponds to how long a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership lasts. Some cards may also provide an annual credit toward Clear Plus — another expedited security membership. Higher-end travel cards often offer annual statement credits toward travel purchases, and many of these credits nearly offset these cards’ annual fees. 

In-flight perks

Co-branded airline cards typically offer some airport and in-flight benefits on top of their reward-earning capabilities. These can include discounts on in-flight purchases (usually 25 percent back on refreshments and WiFi), free checked bags, flight seating upgrades or priority boarding. 

Free hotel award nights

Co-branded hotel cards may include free hotel award nights annually as part of their benefits. Some cards also add an extra complimentary awards night to your stay if you’ve booked a certain number of consecutive nights. These nights are typically capped at a certain value (sometimes based on the card or your elite status), and may be valuable enough to make up for some cards’ annual fees.

Airport lounge access

One of the most popular (and valuable) travel benefits featured on high-end and luxury travel cards is complimentary access to airport lounges. The lounges you gain access to depend on the card, though co-branded cards will often grant access to the lounge corresponding to the card’s airline. The Amex Platinum card currently offers the best airport lounge access .

If you want to add a credit card to your portfolio for your travel needs, knowing what cards are popular and why people like them can help steer your decision. We regularly stay abreast of these conversations online and noticed two travel cards come up regularly: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express .

These cards shine because they offer some of the best rates on travel purchases and the most comprehensive set of benefits and perks . Despite their annual fees, what you get in return can far outweigh your costs. And the conversation around these two cards isn’t new: Is the effort of maximizing their perks worth it?

What people say about travel credit cards perks

The Sapphire Reserve is often referred to as the gold standard in travel benefits and protections, and the value of its trip insurance is a big part of that. A member of the Rick Steves Forum remarks on the value of the insurance: “It has pretty extensive coverage wherever I travel … my entire trip is covered as long as I charged any portion of the trip to my card.” This feature is unique to the Sapphire Reserve and sets it apart from other premium cards, which require you to charge your entire trip purchase to the card to have active coverage.

But using trip insurance isn’t always a simple process. As a user in the r/CreditCards forum on Reddit cautions: “Credit card travel insurance in general is very specific on what it covers, and people tend to overestimate just how useful the coverage actually is,” they write. “These are named peril policies, so unless you see your exact situation as a covered hazard the policies won't pay out.”

The Platinum Card from American Express gets a lot of buzz for reasons similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The card gives so many benefits, credits and additional perks that it’s often called a coupon book for luxury travel. But for many people, the value comes down to whether they’re willing to do the work to maximize its features. Another r/CreditCards member says they use the card’s Hilton and Marriott status boosters, rental car company loyalty program automatic status features, Centurion lounge access, hotel and airline incidental credits, membership credits and more. Using all these features helps them offset the annual fee.

While some people love maximizing the card’s features to extract  as much value as possible, others, like this Redditor, think it’s too much work:

“The only benefit the Platinum card really adds is Centurion but only to the [cardholder] … I believe the Platinum is worth [it] at least the first year for the [sign-up] bonus but then it doesn't get much use after that. Trust me the credits are really annoying to use.” — r/CreditCards user

These two premium cards stand out from the rest because they offer the most comprehensive features available to suit your travel needs and protect you from any issues that arise. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is an exceptional option to protect you from travel issues, but make sure you know the fine print. While the Amex Platinum may not be as ideal for travel protections, the credits offered more than offset its annual fee if you can put in the effort to fully maximize them.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cardholder, your travel card should always work in your favor by offering the features and benefits you’ll actually use and that make your travels more enjoyable. But whether you’re willing to put in the effort to maximize a card’s value is something you’ll need to decide for yourself.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Credit card points and miles are two of the key types of credit card rewards , along with cash back. You’ll earn points and miles by making purchases with your credit card, but you can typically redeem these rewards for travel, gift cards and more — not just statement credits.

Points and miles tend to be more flexible than cash back, but since their value depends on how you redeem them — and, in the case of travel redemptions, where you’re going, when you book, your fare class and more — it may take a bit more effort to make the most of them.

What are your points and miles worth?

Since many airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models that continually optimize airfare and room prices, it can be hard to know exactly how much your rewards are worth without doing a little math.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a travel hacker to get a sense of this idea. Before you redeem, you can check your reward redemption value by dividing the cost of a plane or hotel booking in cash by its cost in points or miles. This calculation will result in the cash value of your points or miles.

You can also compare this value to Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations to determine if you’re getting a good deal on your redemptions. Bankrate collected data on hundreds of bookings across dozens of airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs and estimated how much each program’s rewards are worth on average .

• Airline rewards values
• Hotel rewards values
• Credit card program rewards values

The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated reward redemption value for a variety of popular airline loyalty programs. You’ll notice how widely the value varies between airlines, with some offering close to 3 cents per point in average redemption value and others struggling to meet a 1-cent-per-point value.

Keep in mind, however, that these values are averages based on a variety of fare classes, destinations, booking periods and more. For example, while Bankrate estimates Delta SkyMiles carry an average redemption value of around 1.2 cents per mile, they could be worth more or less depending on the details of your booking. 

*Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares.

Like airline miles, hotel points fluctuate in value. The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated point values for some of the most popular hotel brands. 

As you can see, hotel points tend to be worth less than airline and credit card rewards on average, often carrying less than 1 cent per point in redemption value. That said, hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates when you transfer rewards from a credit card rewards program. For example, you may be able to turn 1,000 credit card points into 2,000 hotel points (a 2:1 transfer ratio). 

*Based on median point values across budget, mid-tier and luxury hotel bookings.

Unlike hotel and airline rewards programs, credit card reward programs typically earn points or miles that offer a consistent redemption value when you use them with the issuer. Though the redemption value of your rewards may vary based on how you redeem, each redemption method should offer a consistent baseline value. 

Some credit card rewards programs may also allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which could boost their value considerably. For each major credit card rewards program, we estimate a baseline redemption value (assuming you book for travel with the issuer) and a Bankrate’s Value, which averages the program’s best-value transfer partners.

*Based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

When to use rewards vs. cash

To demonstrate when it’s best to use your reward miles versus paying in cash, we set up this example:

We estimate American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth 1.0 cents. If you book a seat in the main cabin on a one-way flight from Boston to Miami, and it costs either $139 or 21,500 miles, your miles are only worth $0.006 ($139 / 21,500 miles = $0.006). Since your miles for this flight are worth less than 1.0 cents, you may want to save your miles and pay cash for this flight.

But if you book a first-class seat on the same flight for $433 or 31,500 miles, your miles are now worth $0.013 ($433 / 31,500 = $0.013). Since 1.3 cents is higher than our latest valuation, you’re coming out ahead if you use your miles to pay for this flight.

Bankrate experts share their advice on using travel credit cards

It’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks. Otherwise, a travel card could end up being a money pit. Here are a few pointers from our experts for making the most of your travel card: 

Combine cards to maximize rewards

Knowing how much you spend in different categories and which merchants are eligible for rewards will help you earn more and build an optimized stack of rewards cards. A flat-rate card is often a great starting point to earn the same rate on every purchase you make. As you build out a rewards strategy, you can incorporate a card with bonus categories to earn even more in your highest spending areas.

Expert Insight:

“For a long time, I’ve used a combination of Chase credit cards known as the Chase trifecta for all my family’s spending…. [I] don’t typically use my Sapphire Reserve for everyday spending and bills. Since it only offers 1X points on non-bonus category spending, I use my Freedom Unlimited to make sure I earn a minimum of 1.5 percent cash back on everything I buy.” “I use each card strategically to earn as much in rewards as possible, then I pool them in my Sapphire Reserve account to redeem them for airfare, excursions, hotels and more.” — Holly D. Johnson — Award-winning personal finance writer and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel

Save your rewards for the most valuable redemption options. Travel points and miles often lose value toward non-travel options like cash back, so you’ll want to redeem your rewards for travel through the issuer portal for at least 1 cent per point or mile. However, transferring your rewards to the right airline or hotel partner program is usually worth the extra effort since it could net you even more value.

Expert Insight

“When I redeem my points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the most I can get is 1.25 cents apiece, which is pretty good. However, if I transfer them to a partner airline’s loyalty program, I will often get much more. For example, I can transfer my points to United Airlines MileagePlus and use them to pay for flights. When I do, I generally get a value of 2 or more cents per point — in line with Bankrate estimates that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth around 2 cents apiece on average when used with the right transfer partner.” — Margaret Wack — Personal finance expert and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Make the most of your travel perks

Travel benefits are one of the main reasons to get a travel card, and are often key to making up a card’s annual fee. Be sure to read the fine print to make sure you can take full advantage of these offers . For example, one card’s travel credit may apply to any travel purchase, including airfare, while another card’s may only cover costs like baggage fees or in-flight purchases. 

“This is the year to take inventory of your credit cards and make sure they’re serving you well. If you’re paying an annual fee, look for a card with recurring benefits. Whether it’s annual award nights, waived luggage fees or elite status benefits, these perks can offset your annual fee and make your travels more pleasant … Despite putting minimal spending on my Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card, I keep renewing it every year. That’s because the card provides automatic Hilton Diamond elite status, which can easily offset the $550 annual fee. Recurring card benefits like [these] can save you a lot on travel and are worth considering when shopping for a new credit card.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: Five benefits you need from a travel credit card

Plan for the sign-up bonus

The best travel cards come with generous welcome offers, but these bonuses may require a high spend in a short timeframe. That’s why it’s important to consider whether the spending requirement fits with your typical spending habits or whether you need to plan purchases to meet the requirement. Just be sure not to overextend yourself or take on debt you can’t pay back just to earn a bonus — interest and fees can easily eat through any value you’d get.

“Keep in mind that credit card sign-up offers change often. So if you’re interested in a particular card but not blown away by its current offer (there are some for 100,000 points or more that aren’t always worth the trouble), it could be worth your while to wait for a better one.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: 6 ways to get bigger credit card bonuses

Look out for limited-time offers, partner perks and other benefits

Keeping an eye out for limited-time offers like extraordinarily high sign-up bonuses, perks with partner services (like rideshares or delivery services) and other reward-earning opportunities is a great way to squeeze the most value from your travel card. Issuers sometimes provide shopping and travel portals and card-linked reward programs for select purchases (like for pre-paid dining or participating merchant spending), which can help you bank extra rewards.

“Keep an eye on your email inbox and rewards portal for any limited-time promotions your issuer may be offering. Many American Express cards feature Amex Offers, which lets you access perks like statement credits for spending a certain amount on specific hotels and other retailers.  Other cards, like the Capital One Venture X, also have occasional promotional offers, such as a credit for 5 percent back on VRBO rentals.” — Lori Zaino — Travel expert and Bankrate contributor: How to maximize credit cards for cheaper accommodations this holiday season

Track your spending and rewards each account statement

Track your favorite stores’ and services’ merchant category codes (MCCs) to fine-tune your spending habits for maximum rewards. If you notice your expenses changing, this practice may also help you notice whether you need to change which rewards cards you carry.

“The first step to optimizing your spending is to take the time to collect the MCCs of stores you frequently shop at. During the process, you might find that some stores in the same chain may have different MCCs, depending on their primary inventory. Even different counters or sections in the same department store may carry different MCCs. You can use this to your advantage if you know one location near you will provide a better cash back rate than the other. These “loopholes” can provide great opportunities to reap cash back on purchases that typically wouldn’t earn rewards.” — Garrett Yarbrough — Writer and credit cards expert at Bankrate: Merchant category codes: How to earn more cash back

Our data: What credit score do you need for the best travel cards?

It’s no secret that your credit score heavily influences which cards you’re likely to get approval for. But how good does your credit need to be to get the best credit cards for travel? We analyzed our data of Bankrate readers who applied for credit cards on our pages in 2023 and compared the approval rates of readers’ different credit tiers.

We found that, on average, 61.9 percent of users with excellent credit were approved for travel cards on our site. Then, an average of 39.5 percent and 19.5 percent of users with good and fair credit, respectively, got approval for travel credit cards they applied to.

If you have fair or bad credit, you still have options for travel credit cards. For example, the Credit One Bank Wander Card caters to people with fair credit — 57 percent of people with fair credit who applied on our site in 2023 were approved for this card , according to our data.

Obviously, the better your credit, the more likely you are to get the card you apply for , but other factors can affect your application. Issuers may also consider your income, recent credit applications, homeownership status and monthly rental or mortgage payment. Keep these other factors in mind with your credit score when you apply for credit cards.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us @Bankrate .

When evaluating the best travel cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best travel cards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology — our primary scoring category for travel cards — and details we considered when putting together our list of the best travel cards.  

• Flexibility 15%
• Customer experience 5%

Great rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories. 

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.  

This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,700
• Dining out: $3,600
• Entertainment: $2,400
• Gas: $3,100
• Apparel and services: $1,900

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Reasonable rates and fees

We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. 

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Redemption flexibility

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth. 

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Valuable perks

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits). 
• Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
• Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
• Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
• Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

And since this list focuses on travel cards, we tend to favor cards that carry travel-centric features like travel insurance, airport lounge access and credits for expedited security screening, instead of more general perks like food delivery credits or shopping discounts.

More information on travel credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards, are travel credit cards worth it.

Travel cards can be well worth it since they often have exclusive travel perks like credits for airfare, hotel stays, expedited airport security services and more, as well as complimentary airport lounge access and airline or hotel privileges. However, many of the best travel credit cards come with annual fees. It’s important to at least offset the cost of these cards by taking advantage of the various travel perks and features included on the card. 

What credit score do you need for a travel credit card?

It’s possible to get a travel credit card with bad or fair credit, but most travel rewards cards are geared toward people with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 661).

Do travel miles or points expire?

Even though many major credit cards earn rewards that don’t expire, you may lose your points and miles if your account closes or isn’t in good standing. However, some co-branded cards’ rewards may expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards within a certain timeframe (typically 12 to 36 months after the rewards are earned).

Check out our guide to credit card rewards expiration for a thorough breakdown of several popular issuers’ policies.

Are points or miles better on a credit card?

Whether points or miles offer better value will depend on the specific rewards program and how you redeem rewards. One airline loyalty program may earn miles that offer less than 1 cent each in average redemption value while another program’s points may offer close to 3 cents each on average. Similarly, a hotel card’s points may be worth less than half of a credit card issuer’s rewards points. Some programs offer points with only average baseline redemption value but high value when transferred to a partner airline or hotel. 

Ask the experts: Is it a good idea to have multiple travel credit cards?

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Erica Sandberg

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Whether you should have multiple travel credit cards depends on several factors, including your brand affinity, frequency of travel and ability to pay off your cards in full each month. As a credit counselor, I see many people carrying credit card debt at high interest rates while continuing to make charges to the account for the sake of earning rewards. They lose far more than they earn each month. Having more than one travel credit card could make sense for you if you’re able to maximize your earnings by strategizing spending across each card. Just take into account annual fees and actual interest paid.

Contributor, Personal Finance

If you’re up for managing multiple cards and their benefits, then there are definitely big reward payouts to be had. But if the thought of multiple cards is overwhelming, it’s also a good strategy to have one or two more flexible cards and focus on maximizing your earnings and redemptions until it becomes second nature.

Contributor, Credit Cards

Definitely! I currently have two travel credit cards. In addition to the Chase card that I use for my United Airlines purchases, I have the Capital One Venture card for all other airlines. I earn a solid amount of miles on everything I buy with it, so it's an easy go-to for non-travel related expenses.

Article sources

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.

Global entry: Trusted traveler enrollment program . U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed on June 12, 2024.

Discover International acceptance . Discover. Accessed on June 5, 2024.

“ Consumer Expenditures 2022 ,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on June 12, 2024.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.