Solo Senior Travel Tips You Need To Know!

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I was thrilled when my daughter Victoria invited me to celebrate her birthday in Paris, France, the City of Light!

That excitement quickly turned to fear when I realized I would have to travel alone from Europe back home to the United States.

I hadn’t been overseas since I was a teenager, and the thought of flying all that way, making connections in foreign countries, and going through customs alone was daunting.

I made it home, made my connections, and went through US Customs. Alone.

While this article is mainly for airport travel, solo senior travel tips and tricks I share can be applied to train, bus, and car travel.

Here are my Solo Senior Traveler Tips!

Solo Senior Travel Tips You Need To Know

Solo Senior Travel Tips:  Do Your Research and Plan Ahead

Planning, reserving, and confirming sooner rather than later will lessen fears of the unknown.

Once your destination is resolved with target dates, you can attend to researching airlines and land transportation.

I selected times and flights that I was comfortable working with my schedule.

My target was to be at the airport three hours before my international flight’s departure.

I opted for UBER transportation. That turned out to be quite an eventful trip!

I chose an itinerary giving a generous three-hour cushion between my flight connections.

Solo Senior Travel Tips: Pack Lightly

You have heard this advice before I know. But it certainly bears repeating. If possible, depending on your destination, aim to pack everything in a roll-aboard suitcase. 

Plus a medium-size over-the-shoulder carry-on.

For specific suggestions on this, read about packing lightly here.

This will save you a lot of time at your final destination airport. When you don’t have an extra pair of hands to assist you with your luggage, you need to be extra thoughtful about how you pack.

If it’s in your budget, invest in high-quality rolling carry-on luggage.

Also, look for a smaller carry on bag that will stack neatly, or more importantly, attach to the top handle of your wheeled bag.

Solo Senior Packing Tips: What To Bring

Using these useful senior solo traveler tips will enhance your upcoming trips and help you remain organized.

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves would be handy to prevent identity theft.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek Selfie Stick and Tripod for my birthday. It has Bloothtooth connectivity so it is easy to use.

These Bagail packing cubes are the exact ones I use whenever I travel. I cannot believe how much more organized I am now!

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel and it will fit nicely in the pocket of a backpack or your purse.

The replaceable carbon filter ensures fresh clean water whenever and wherever you fill the Bobble.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for bringing along snacks or drinks.

This antitheft backpack has a charging port, is water-resistant and can comfortably carry up to a 15.6″ laptop.

These Go Walk Skechers Joy sneakers come in colors to match your outfits and are still affordable. 

I highly recommend these Vionics adjustable strap orthotic sandals. 

I also sometimes bring along my Vionic Tides flip-flops. 

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable too.

If you are fond of aviator-style sunglasses these polarized aviators may interest you.

And this world traveler adapter kit can charge several devices.

If you need new luggage, this expandable soft side spinner luggage is affordable and in lots of colors.

If you like hard-sided better, you may favor this hard-sided luggage set better.

Both sets come with TSA approved zipper locks and 8 wheels per piece. Either will be great for the plane or train or even your car depending on how you plan to travel to France. 

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional charge to you.

 Single Travel For Seniors: Have Proper Documentation With You At All Times

A government-issued passport is accepted as the highest level of identification by security worldwide.

If you do not have a passport and plan to travel internationally, consider applying for your passport several months prior to your travel.

You can obtain an application form at your local post office or online here.

You will also need two official photographs, instructions provided in the application.

AAA and some drug or warehouse stores are able to take them for you.

No cell phone photos will be accepted.

You will need to check-in for your flight twenty-four hours before departure and obtain your boarding pass. If you are able, download your airline’s app to your phone.

This way you have the choice of either downloading your boarding pass to your phone (on the airline’s app) or printing it out to bring it with you.

Printing is easy if you are staying at a hotel, sometimes not so easy if you are not.

On the morning of travel, I have my passport and phone (with boarding pass downloaded) in a small purse I wear under my coat.

Senior Solo Travel: Security

Passing through immigration and security can happen in odd sequences and intimidating for senior women traveling alone.

And not feel logical at all, especially when in transit between flights. Follow the signs!

Whatever airport you are at. and do not feel afraid to approach airport staff to ask a question or for directions. 

I often must ask for directions when I travel through airports because I am afraid to miss an important sign and head in an incorrect direction.

Pack your bags so mandatory items can be easily and quickly removed at security. The most frequent error made by travelers is improperly packing LAGs (liquids, aerosols, and gels.)

To remain in your onboard bag, LAGs must be in containers of 3 oz or less, and all these containers must fit into a one-quart bag that must be closed.

Listen to instructions at security for the handling of your electronic devices. This varies from country to country.

Finally, dress comfortably. Shoes must be removed when traveling to or through the USA, and metal buttons and snaps often sound the security alarm.

Don’t forget to empty your water bottle before security. It can be refilled on the other side.

Travel Solo For Seniors:  Consider Priority Programs

I would be remiss if I didn’t add TSA Precheck and Global Entry as options to move through security more quickly and smoothly.

You can find more information about TSA Precheck, a five-year membership with an $85.00 fee, at www.tsa.gov/precheck. 

Global Entry, also a five-year membership, with a fee of $100.00 informatio. You can find information here.

Global Entry provides the TSA Precheck benefit, plus expedited US customs screening for international travelers when entering the United States.

Both are under the Trusted Traveler Programs.

Solo Senior Travel Tips: Quick Tips

Do not worry much about any language barrier. For the most part, everyone the world over knows a few words of English. A

nd may prepare by learning a few basic words in the language of the destination you are traveling to.

You can even use a translator app on your phone to assist with your communications. My family and I use Google Translate.

Call your credit card company and verify if your credit card does or does not have foreign transaction fees attached to it.

If it does, inquire about applying for a credit card that does not charge you a small fee every time you use it when out of your home country. 

When you visit an ATM, make sure it is in the same network with your bank so you are not charged transaction fees every time you withdraw cash.

Also, consider withdrawing larger amounts of cash, in order to limit the transaction fees.

Buy advanced tickets to attractions whenever possible. First off, usually tickets purchased in advance online are often less expensive.