pps-DUEditor 
Having endured the stress and strain of waking up early and dashing out to work, the hustle and bustle, endless traffic and weary days, starting life as a retiree could be the much-needed break you have always wanted.
Instead of lowering your anchor and remaining at one place all your life, you should consider having a fun and adventurous time while you bask in senior living.
What other way to enjoy your senior life than to travel the world! Besides the opportunity to see new places, meet people, and experience different beautiful cultures, traveling and moving around helps seniors remain active and overcome the fear of getting out of their comfort zone.
Travel Tips for Seniors on Budget
Often, seniors get dissuaded from going on vacations because they think they can’t afford it. What if we could show you how to treat yourself on a tight budget?
Getting there
Unless you are going for an “all expenses paid for” vacation or trip, transport fare is probably going to eat up a large chunk of your travel budget.
However, you could save some money by:
- Traveling during the off-season when prices have relaxed after the incessant hikes during peak periods.
- Avoiding the temptation of thinking that you need everything on a journey. Carrying less luggage will save you lots of money, and you won’t have to struggle with your bags at every stop.
- Taking advantage of discounts on airfares. Most travel agencies offer discounts at certain times of the season/year. You could plan your vacation around that period, and while you are at it, don’t forget to read what’s on the fine print.
- Sometimes you may be required to pay for printing your boarding pass, carrying items or bags in the overhead bin, or reserving your seat.
If you are not traveling out of the country, you should consider locations that are within 100 – 200 miles from your front door. This trick works all the time! This way, you could explore your country and visit all those places that have always caught your eyes in travel guides.
Visiting spas, national parks and resorts, historic towns, and big cities in the country is one way to go about it!
Local transport
If you happen to be on vacation in a big city, finding affordable means of moving around should be on top of the list of things to cross off. Compare the cost of driving with that of using public transportation. Using the subway or bus on vacation often costs less and presents the chance of meeting interesting people.
Where to Stay
People generally think of expensive hotels when planning a vacation, but that’s not the case. Other affordable accommodation options that are safe and comfortable for seniors are also available. You could consider other lodgings that offer less expensive accommodation like youth hostels. Interestingly, youth hostels offer comfortable rooms with comfortable beds for seniors.
You could also check hotel websites for off-season room discounts. There are usually great deals on there if you look well.
Dining
The aim of going on vacation will be defeated if you don’t get to taste the local dishes of the places you are visiting. Eating at local restaurants gives you the satisfaction of being a tourist. It also helps you understand the culture of the people.
Additionally, you could visit local markets and get essential items for making sandwiches and other quick fixes you can manage. However, if your lodging offers affordable meals, you won’t have to worry at all.
Tours and Cruise
Who says you can’t go on tours on a tight budget? Well, you can if you catch tour and cruise discounts or cash in on early-bird discount offers. Booking your travels many months earlier also attracts handsome discounts, and tour operators also give amazing last-minute offers to spur travelers – you can also cash in on those!
Lastly, traveling as a senior demands that you get your medical history checked and handy in case you need replacement prescriptions.
Also, ensure that you understand the extent of coverage your health insurance provides. Most health policies don’t provide coverage outside your country of origin. So, ensure that you get the appropriate health insurance before traveling. Policies that cover medical evacuation are great investments for times of medical emergencies.
With all these tips, you can conveniently go on vacations without worrying about getting stranded in foreign lands or blowing your pension and savings.
