Make sure you read these solo travel tips before leaving for your next trip!

Like a fine wine, life gets richer and more flavorful with age. At this point, you’ve probably accumulated lots of knowledge, experiences, and maybe even a touch of wanderlust. The thriving senior travel market perfectly matches this yearning for exploration. It offers opportunities for self-discovery and exciting new adventures.

And I get that specific trips, like adventure travel, are best managed in groups. But you can also travel solo and join a group later on to get a taste of both.

Still, I love a solo trip for the exhilarating experience of feeling free to wander, independent, and open to seeing what I can discover next.

So, to complement your wisdom and help you have a smooth, enjoyable trip, I came up with a list of 6 solo travel tips for your next vacation. Read through them, and tell me what you think!

Solo travel tip: Be prepared

I’m sure you’ve probably heard this before, but it’s solid advice. Before you go anywhere, especially overseas, get some local currency, including small denominations. You might discover places that only accept cash, like a small shop or a place where you want a snack and some coffee.

Also, you might want to tip hotel staff for helping with your bags or if they provide any other services. If you’re traveling to experience new places, maybe you should read up a bit about them before you get there. I recently went to a small town in Portugal.

In fact, it was so small that I couldn’t find any taxis, Uber, or a way to get to the beach. Lucky for me, the hotel found a driver to take me, and he was even willing to come back to pick me up later! Obviously, that was a cash transaction, and I was so happy that I came prepared.

You should also consider buying travel insurance. Flight cancellations, accidents, baggage losses, and illnesses happen, and you’ll value the comfort of knowing you’re covered.

Solo travel tip: Tell someone about your travel plans

Here’s a very important senior travel tip: Let someone know about your itinerary for your peace of mind and safety for your loved ones at home. This isn’t about compromising your independence. It’s advisable to let a relative or friend know what you’re up to.

Here’s what I do: Every time I go on a solo trip, I leave my husband a printed copy of my itinerary. And, of course, I call and text every day, though I admit that sometimes I’m having such a good time that I forget.

And here’s another thing to keep in mind: If your home will be empty while you’re off on your dream adventure, hold off on posting social media pics that let the world know you’re away. Being safe and sharing your experiences when you get home is much better.

Solo travel tip: Choose the right excursion for you

Picking the right excursion for your needs can make seeing the top sights stress-free and effortless. On a trip to Paris, I naturally wanted to see the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. But the truth is that so do thousands of other people on any given day, especially during the peak travel months.

I signed up for a group tour, and boy, was I in for a treat. The guide was extremely pleasant and gave us a healthy dose of history while visiting Paris’s most iconic places. Also, I recently spent a few days alone in London and booked a walking tour of the city’s West End with Lookup London.

A private tour perfectly fit my schedule, and we visited Oxford Street, the theater district, and St. James’s Church, which, by the way, is a “Bridgerton” filming location. I loved having my own personal tour guide, but I also enjoyed small groups where there was interaction among the guests, and I had a chance to meet other senior travelers.

Solo travel tip: Try new things

Now, don’t get me wrong! What I mean by this isn’t going somewhere to jump out of a plane. And I’m not suggesting ziplining across a rainforest canopy or bungee jumping, though I know many senior travelers who would go for it without hesitation.

While I might admire anyone who does this, I’m talking about a solo travel tip like a cooking class that includes visiting a local market, buying the ingredients yourself, and then cooking with a professional chef, as I once did in Italy.

Another thing I experienced was visiting the famous Burlington Arcade in London, one of London’s most historic shopping spots. A Beadle in a British uniform greeted me with some information about the place. Then, I went to the cosmetics boutique Code 8.

This was where there was a personalized lipstick shade designed and created for me. Then, I had my boots polished by a darling gentleman as I sat on a vintage shoeshine stand and people-watched. And I get it!

That’s not exactly skydiving, but how cool were my experiences? The idea here is that I strolled a bit past my comfort zone. You should try it too on your adventures and tell me all about it!

Solo travel tip: Watch out for scams and pickpockets

The AARP constantly warns seniors of the clever ways criminals can take advantage of tourists, especially aging adults. Maybe the problem is that we can get distracted or can even be overly trusting of strangers. That’s why being prepared can help you avoid becoming a target of theft.

I once went on a trip where my wallet was stolen from my bag at a prominent tourist site in a European city. I don’t want to say exactly where because I don’t want to blame a specific country for this happening to me because this can happen anywhere, even at your local supermarket.

The bottom line, though, is that I was unwise to carry my credit cards, cash, and wallet in a purse on my arm. My one saving grace, at least, was that my passport was in the hotel safe then.

So now, I only carry what I need for the day in a hidden wallet or secure crossbody bag, which I use sometimes. But I’ve heard that others prefer to use money belts for cash. No matter what you prefer, make sure you’re always aware of your surroundings.

Solo travel tip: Try to travel light

After all my years of traveling, I consider myself a pretty good packer. But I can admit that sometimes that suitcase can get heavy. So that’s my sign to revise… Do I REALLY need all those cosmetics or those dress shoes? Probably not.

Boarding a bus, train, or plane at a small airport without jet bridges requires carrying your bags, so you should make sure they’re manageable. While it has happened, and I appreciate it when another passenger helps me lug my bag into the overhead bin, I try not to count on that happening.

Also, I always try to limit myself to two items. It’s easier to keep track of two things so that nothing gets left behind. I usually start with a purse but ensure enough room to cram it into my item. With these preparations, tips, and warnings, you can now proceed to plan your solo trip. I hope my hacks have helped!

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your cell phone battery… and did you pack your charger?!?

So now that you have all these solo travel tips, where are you planning your next trip? If you need some inspo, I highly recommend these 11 Visitor-Friendly Cities in the US That Are Magical