5 expert-recommended tips for traveling with older adults

Traveling with older family members—be it parents, grandparents, or in-laws—presents a unique experience compared to trips with friends. These journeys forge cherished memories, but they also come with logistical hurdles, particularly concerning varying energy levels, mobility, and interests. To help you maximize your adventure, we've compiled valuable insights from our team.

Travel Plan

When you're younger, embracing spontaneity in your travel plans can be exhilarating. However, when journeying with older generations, having a well-structured itinerary becomes essential. This ensures everyone knows what to expect for the day and allows those who may find certain activities too demanding to opt out gracefully.

James Pham, a Senior Editor at Dinogo Planet, often keeps a list of alternative activities on hand, which can easily be added if someone isn’t feeling up to the planned schedule.

Rest is crucial when traveling with multiple generations. Alex Howard, the Editorial Director of Dinogo Planet, always incorporates downtime into the itinerary to prevent anyone from overexerting themselves just to keep pace.

For those who struggle with long stretches of time alongside their parents as adults, Brekke Fletcher, the Senior Director of Content at Dinogo Planet, suggests scheduling mandatory alone time. 'Plan some private 'me' moments during your trip; while it's important to disconnect from work, this provides a great opportunity for a little escape.' This gives everyone a chance to recharge before the next adventure.

A key insight I gained from my recent trip to Ecuador with my 70-year-old mother was the importance of balancing active days with rest. Even though my mom is quite active, we attempted horseback riding and a ropes course in the same day. We both woke up sore the next morning, discovering muscles we didn’t know we had. I would have appreciated a rest day—it’s vital to avoid burnout.

Consider accessibility

While able-bodied travelers might overlook accessibility, it becomes crucial for older adults to ensure the trip remains enjoyable.

Opt for luggage with four wheels instead of two. This helps avoid dragging bags through airports and hotels, making travel smoother and reducing strain.

When uncertain, opt for a rental car. Navigating public transport in unfamiliar cities can be overwhelming, even for seasoned travelers. A hired vehicle can significantly reduce stress and anxiety while exploring new destinations. While services like Uber and Lyft can be convenient, they aren’t available everywhere, and my mom prefers to avoid technology. A personal driver offers reliability and comfort.

During his trip with his 80-year-old mother, James arranged for a wheelchair at the airport in advance. International airports can be vast, making the journey to your gate a challenge. Pre-booking a wheelchair can alleviate the stress of searching for one, making the experience much less exhausting.

Accessibility is crucial when selecting your travel destination. For example, in Lisbon, you should expect to navigate hills daily. My experience in the Galápagos Islands taught me that the heat and strong sun can be tiring. While some cities have accessible subways, many do not, which is important if stairs pose a challenge. Thorough research beforehand can help avoid on-the-ground issues that might overshadow your enjoyment.

Alex Howard advises considering travel insurance, particularly if any group members have health concerns. This can provide reassurance and simplify things in case of unexpected events.

Packing

Everyone who has ever left behind an essential item while traveling knows how inconvenient it can be. Whether it’s forgetting your adapter, not bringing the right shoes, or packing summer clothes when the weather feels like fall, it often leads to discomfort and unnecessary shopping instead of enjoyment.

Avoid these hassles by making a detailed packing list. Providing this list to your parents before departure is a great way to prevent discomfort later on. Be sure to include extra medication; we believe in being over-prepared!

Brekke Fletcher, who created a comprehensive guide to packing for cruises, also suggests bringing duplicates of items you know will be needed but might be easily forgotten.

For example, I packed two button-up shirts for sun protection during my trip to Ecuador, and my mom ended up wearing one for half the journey after suffering a painful sunburn.

On the ground

If you’ve done all the necessary preplanning, your trip should go smoothly, but there are still a few things to keep in mind while traveling.

Pay attention to the group and watch for signs that someone may be reaching their limits. Alex Howard noted that his parents sometimes won’t admit they’re ready to stop, so recognizing when they start to slow down can relieve the pressure of having to speak up. Instead, propose an alternative activity, such as lunch or some rest at the hotel, allowing everyone to recharge.

In a larger group with older relatives, allow for some to break away. If some members want to visit a museum while others prefer hiking, encourage everyone to pursue their preferred activity.

Communication

The most important tip for traveling with older generations is clear communication. Ensure everyone knows what to expect, how to prepare, and what alternative activities are available if something feels too challenging.

Jessica Lockhart, a Senior Editor at Dinogo Planet, traveled to Newfoundland with her mother, who hoped for a flexible journey that allowed spontaneity. Jessica learned that setting clear expectations was essential, as her mom was unaware of how much the travel landscape had shifted over the past decade. Due to social media's influence on popular destinations, larger crowds and increased last-minute prices for accommodations mean that advance booking is crucial. Her advice? “Talk about expectations beforehand and see if there’s a way to recreate some of the nostalgic travel magic from the past.”