The 20 best travel sites for seniors

If you’re ready to dust off your luggage and start traveling during retirement, this guide can help you explore your options in more detail. You’ll find travel websites for older adults interested in visiting the U.S., Europe, Asia, and many other destinations around the world. Whether you want to travel with a large or small group, as a couple, or on your own, these resources cover adventure trips, cruises, couples getaways, and solo travel. 

Get ready to travel 

Start by asking yourself what kind of trip you’re looking for. Would you like to stay active while exploring a new city, or is sailing to an exotic destination on a cruise ship more your style? Are you single and interested in a small-group adventure, or are you planning an anniversary trip with your partner? Whatever the occasion, you can find a travel website that fits your unique travel needs. As more people enter older adulthood, there are more travel sites for older adults, with deals, discounts, vacation packages, and options for many interests. 

Adventure travel 

If you have an adventure in mind, whether you’re traveling alone, as a couple, or as part of a small group, these travel websites can help you explore your options: 

• Road Scholar offers almost 8,000 tours in 90 countries and is a popular choice for many travelers 60 and older. Educational experiences are at the heart of its tours. These may include lectures, field trips with experts, and opportunities to interact with local people and learn about their culture. It also offers tailored tours for travelers with a particular passion, such as bird-watching in Costa Rica. 

• Eldertreks.com is another option for older adults looking for adventure. It’s described as the first adventure travel site designed specifically for people 50 and older. Its all-inclusive land journeys focus on adventure, culture, and nature. 

• Walking The World offers hiking tours and travel adventures for people 50 and older. Walking can be one of the best ways to experience the majesty that nature has to offer around the world. It also gives you a close-up view of different cultures and villages, along with opportunities to meet local people and sample some of the world’s finest food and drinks. 

• Trafalgar offers tours for travelers 55 and older across all seven continents. Its themed options include national park tours, religious tours, and battlefield tours. 

• Senior Cycling is another option for travelers 50 and older. It offers small-group bicycle tours throughout the United States and Canada, with each group limited to 13 participants. 

• Insight Vacations offers an Easy Pace journey for travelers who want more time to explore. Each destination includes a minimum three-night stay and plenty of free time to have a good look around at your own pace. 

• Luxury Gold offers personalized tours and VIP experiences for travelers over 45. Groups of 28 or fewer can enjoy five-star accommodations and fine dining. 

Volunteer trips 

If you want an economical way to see the world while giving back, a volunteer trip may be right for you. The practice of volunteer travel among older adults has grown rapidly over the last decade. Long-term service abroad, lasting six months to a year, once appealed mainly to younger, post-college adults seeking real-world experience for a resume. Older adults have since found a different reason to participate and give back. Those who are physically able may find that these trips offer a renewed sense of purpose and a true feeling of accomplishment through service to a charity or cause they believe in. These sites can help you begin your journey: 

• Cross Cultural Solutions 

• Earth Watch Institute 

• Global Service Corp 

• Globe Aware 

Travel with a disability 

Accessible travel is becoming more common. The travel industry is responding to the needs of travelers with disabilities by providing more services, greater accommodations, and additional tour options for older adults. 

If you have a disability, there’s no need to let that stop you from traveling. Planning ahead and doing some research can help you enjoy a fantastic trip to destinations around the world. Websites such as Smarter Travel and Million Mile Secrets offer helpful tips and links to other sites that can help you begin your adventure. If you’d prefer destinations already known to be disability-friendly, take a look at our list of the 6 best vacations for seniors with limited mobility. 

Cruises 

Cruises are among the most popular forms of travel for older adults. They’re a convenient way to see the world while enjoying all the amenities that cruise ships have to offer along the way. Cruise lines almost always offer deals and discounts for older travelers. The following companies provide deals on cruises and other types of travel: 

• AARP is a resource for deals on cruises and other types of travel throughout the U.S. and abroad. 

• American Discount Cruises and Travel 

• Cruises Only 

• Silversea 

All-inclusive resorts 

All-inclusive resorts are popular among older adults who want to leave the planning to someone else. Think of it as stress-free travel, with everything you need, from lodging and food to daily activities, covered. These resorts range from quiet, romantic getaways to nonstop adventures. Here are a few all-inclusive resorts to consider: 

• Bear Creek Couples Resort is an all-inclusive retreat in Ontario, Canada, next to Algonquin Park. You can sample gourmet fare, enjoy wilderness luxury, spend an afternoon at the spa, or rent a motorboat and fishing gear. In winter, activities include snowshoeing, dog sledding, and horse trails. 

• Sun Palace Cancun Resort offers a sunny getaway in Cancun, Mexico, with golf, delicious food, and poolside amenities.