Travel in Retirement

25 Practical Tips for Retirement Travel on a Budget

Traveling in retirement is the most common dream. Ask anyone about their retirement plans, and you will find something in common – a desire to see the world.

According to the Transamerica Retirement Survey, almost 70 percent of American workers want to travel the world in retirement.

Why? Because retirement is the ideal time of life to travel, enjoy and get a taste of places you could not afford to experience when you were younger. But travel as a dream often gets left unfulfilled because many people worry about the high costs of travel.

These 25 practical tips with help you get the most out of your money and still have an amazing travel experience in retirement.

1. Book in Advance.

Booking in advance is definitely worth it. Specifically, plane tickets do not get cheaper closer to the departure date.

The best time to book a flight is between 4 months and 3 weeks before the departure date when the tickets are most inexpensive. Similarly, you get extra time to compare hotel rates. Even planning as little as a month in advance is beneficial for your money because it gives you time to create a vacation budget.

2. Look for Last Minute Deals.

There are so many websites offering last-minute deals. In retirement, you can stay flexible so you can save a ton of money on travel expenses.

Here are a few sites to look at:

3. Be flexible with your travel dates.

When you are retired, you do not need to travel on a specific date and be home by a certain time. This flexibility can save you significant money.

In general, to get cheaper domestic flights fly on Tuesday or Wednesday or in the afternoon on Saturday.

Another tip is to avoid buying tickets on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday – these days are the most expensive to book airline tickets. Wait until Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday when there not so many people browsing the internet to book the flights.

4. Fly when no one else wants to.

Another way to save money is to fly an early-morning or late-night flight.

You can significantly cut the costs of your airline tickets if you choose to fly between 5 and 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Prices are also cheaper if you fly after the major holiday or on the day of a holiday.

Thanksgiving and the eves and days of Christmas and New Year are the most affordable days to fly.

5. Be flexible with the dates for your stay.

Having a flexible schedule can help you save money not only on airfare but also on lodging.

Traveling over the weekends will usually be more expensive. Choosing a destination’s high season will most likely cost you more money as well.

While doing your research, see what the accommodation rate is when just changing the date by a day, by a week, or more. I recently looked at a hotel that charged over $900 a night for a room. Then a few weeks later, they had the same room for $200 a night. That is a huge difference for the same room.

6. Sign Up for Email Alerts.

You should sign up for free email alerts from your favorite airlines or other travel sites to get an early access to coupon codes and flash sales.

7. Buy your plane tickets at the right time.

According to a CheapAir.com survey, for a domestic trip, you should buy your tickets 21 to 115 days before your trip.

Ticket prices within this window will be within 5% of their lowest price. For an international flight, you should book your plane tickets at least 6 months in advance.

8. Find more affordable travel destinations.

When you are on the road, it can be hard to stick with your budget.

Luckily, there are plenty of affordable destinations out there. Some travel destinations will always be cheaper than others, so you can travel on a dime and still enjoy yourself.

You may want to do a Google search for the cheapest places to travel to learn what your options are. You can find ideas for places to stay in the US or abroad. Research your destinations in advance to calculate potential costs.

10 Best Places to Travel on a Budget.

9. Get creative with transportation.

Transportation is often a deal breaker while traveling on a budget.

The hardest part is finding the right plane ticket. But there are a few strategies you can use to make your destination affordable.

Airplane tickets become very expensive with the additional cost of reserving a seat, extra fares for check-in luggage, carry-on bags, food, in-flight entertainment, and more.

The best way to find a cheap flight is to compare prices. We use Skyscanner, Kayak, and Expedia to compare ticket prices and make sure we get the best deal.

There are a few other ways to cut costs on airline tickets:

Let the airline choose your seat.
Bring your own food.
Do not purchase in-flight movies and TV shows.

Once you get overseas, you can save money on popular budget airlines like Ryan Air, Easy Jet, or Wizz Air. You can fly between European cities for as low as 50 dollars.

10. Find cheaper ways to get around your destination.

Depending on where you travel in retirement, there may be many ways to get around.

If you are traveling on a budget in Europe, use their affordable public transportation. Nearly every European city has a fine network of subways, buses, trains, and trams. If renting a car is your favorite option go for it, just remember that in many cases it won’t be cheap.

Traveling by train is a great way to get around different areas, even to different countries. Reclining seats, Wi-Fi, and clean toilets allow you to travel in related comfort.

You might fly to Paris, Madrid or Rome and then travel by train to nearby countries or regions.

Keep in mind that traveling by train can cost more than by bus unless you have a rail pass or book your tickets a few weeks in advance.

The best way to buy European train tickets is through websites like Trainline, Omio, or RailEurope.

For example, if you travel around Italy, the high-speed train tickets will be more expensive (around 50-70 euros per ticket) than Italy’s regional trains.

Rick Steves gives a great overview of Italy’s rail passes and train tips.

11. Travel Overnight.

You can save money on a train or bus ticket by choosing an overnight route since they are less popular than day trips or flights.

Generally, bus and train tickets are often cheaper than plane tickets, especially if you are traveling long distances. In fact, sometimes it is cheaper to take a bus than to drive. Also, traveling by bus and train is often cheaper than flying because you can take more with you before paying extra baggage fees.

Additionally, if you travel overnight, you will save some money on accommodation as well since you will be spending the night traveling. However, it can be well worth the money, but it won’t be the most comfortable sleep ever.

12. Bring your own snacks.

If you are traveling on a budget in retirement, keep in mind that food makes up 16% of your travel budget.

Plan ahead and pack snacks to avoid making a hole in your budget fast. Granola bars, mixed nuts, fruit snacks, or cookies are never a bad idea to have in your bag rather than buy them at the airport.

travel in retirement on a budget - snack in a lunch box

Even when you go out on a tour or excursion, carry something to nibble, like fruit, nuts, or a baguette, so you won’t be starving every time you sit down to eat and order more food than you need.

13. Save on baggage fees.

Nobody likes paying for their bags when traveling by air, especially on a budget.

Check your airline policies and fees for both checked and carry-on bags. If you always fly with a certain airline, you may want to open one of its credit cards to avoid a checked bag fee. Plus, as a bonus, one of your travel companions on the reservation can enjoy a free bag as well.

Also, you can save money on baggage fees if you are packed light, and you won’t have to pay for checking in bags. Checking a bag may cost $30 or more for the first bag, and it’s even more if you have to check a second bag.

Packing light can also reduce your travel stress. Apart from avoiding additional fees, traveling only with carry-on means you don’t have to wait in line at the baggage claim, there is no lost baggage, and there is less to carry around. Real winner!

14. Find inexpensive housing.

Next to finding a cheap flight, finding inexpensive accommodation will have the biggest impact on your budget.

Everyone likes to splurge on fancy hotels but staying at the hotel while traveling on a budget is not the best option. Staying at someone’s house or condo can be more comfortable and affordable.

Consider staying at a pension (local boarding house) or B&B (bed and breakfast) so you can live like a local.

Depending on the type of accommodation you choose and the city (or a country) you are visiting, you could be spending from $50 to $300 or $400 per night.

15. Rent an Airbnb.

Renting an Airbnb is much cheaper. It is an ideal option for staying in one place for several weeks or even months.

This will allow you to save money on lodging and food because you will have access to a kitchen to cook your own meals. You can buy food at local stores and prepare it at home or ask your host for budget-friendly local places to eat.

Additionally, you can ask your host for some advice on places to see, shop and eat as a local.

Airbnb, VRBO, and Home Exchange are the websites that can help you save money on accommodation.

16. Cut travel costs on food.

Food is another big travel expense. Eating out three meals a day can take a big bite out of your travel budget.

According to Business Insider reports, you can expect to spend an average of $71 per person at fine-dining restaurants and that does not include tax and tip.

Many restaurants have the same menu for lunch and dinner, but they mark up the prices for dinner.

One of my favorite ways to save money on food while traveling is to eat a big lunch. Eating a bigger lunch will fill you up, so you can still have a small dinner at the end of the day.

17. Eat like a local.

Another way to cut travel costs on food is to go and shop at the local markets.

You can make your own breakfast or cook dinner with fresh ingredients instead of spending money at an expensive restaurant.

The best way to get a more authentic experience is to eat at local cafes and bakeries or find mom-and-pop diners.

18. Cut travel costs on activities and entertainment.

No matter where you travel, there are so many things to do that will cost you little or no money at all.

If you are first time in the city, check out the popular tourist attractions. Many historical buildings, churches, and sites do not cost money to view.

Hiking the trails, spending time on the beach, or checking out nature usually does not cost you money. If you bring your own lunch and water, you can have an amazing day outdoors without paying a fortune.

Many cities offer free local walking tours. But you need to do research and plan ahead of time to reserve your spot.

9 Best Websites to Book Free Walking Tours

19. Travel in the mid or off-season.

There is peak season and there is off-season for traveling. Traveling during the peak season is always going to cost you more than traveling during the mid or off-peak season.

You can cut the costs on plane tickets, hotels, food, museums, and tours. When places on your bucket list are less crowded, they are also less expensive.

Being retired means you can be flexible and avoid the touristy season with inflated prices so your trip will become more affordable. For example, summer (and winter in some places) is the busiest travel season for tourists in Europe.

Therefore, spring and fall are good for traveling on a budget. You can enjoy mild weather, smaller crowds, natural beauty, and low prices. However, the Caribbean islands are a good place to travel during the summer. It is cheaper because of the hot weather and hurricane season.

20. Go for longer trips and keep expenses low.

I would recommend traveling slowly if you want to cut the cost of your travel expenses in retirement. Staying put in one place longer will allow you to reduce the costs of tickets and accommodation.

For example, going on a trip to Paris would cost about $1,350 from Boston airport (round trip ticket), and a mid-range hotel about $250 per night. Overall, you can spend around $2,850 for transportation and accommodations on a one-week trip.

You can stretch that trip to two weeks and the price will only go up to $1500 for the hotel since you do not have to pay for the plane ticket for your second week.

The trick is to spend more time in one place so you can reduce your per-day travel expenses by spreading the cost of an airplane ticket over a long trip.

21. Sign up for a hotel loyalty card.

No matter where you travel, sign up for a hotel’s loyalty card so you can earn a free hotel stay in the future.

The loyalty programs are typically 100 % free. You can accrue points with your membership card and possibly your travel credit card too.

There are also other benefits to signing up for these cards. Sometimes you can get free hotel room upgrades, early check-ins, late check-outs, and additional discounts.

Best Hotel Loyalty Programs and How to Maximize Their Benefits.

22. Get a Travel Insurance.

The one thing that you cannot afford to do when traveling on a budget in retirement is to get sick. That is why you should seriously consider buying travel insurance.

This is an extra expense that can save you a lot of money if you were to get hurt or sick in a foreign country. Keep in mind that Medicare wouldn’t cover any medical/ emergency expenses when you are out of the country.

Make sure that your trip doesn’t turn up as a disaster and protect yourself from flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage, especially when you consider flying with several stopovers.

The 4 Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Best Senior Travel Insurance by Forbes Advisor

23. Get a Local Sim Card.

Using roaming on your iPhone can increase your travel expenses fast.

Try to get a local Sim Card and use that phone plan for internet access while traveling. This way you can stay connected with family and friends back home without worrying about extra international charges.

When you arrive in a new country, just go to a local telecom store (the equivalent of Verizon or AT&T) and buy a temporary Sim Card.

24. Get a travel reward card.

If you do not have a credit card with travel benefits, then get one.

Travel credit cards are very popular because they give you cash back or points and travel rewards. You can collect airline miles and hotel points, or pay no foreign transaction fees while shopping.

A Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the most recommended by many travel blogs.

16 Best Travel Credit Cards.

25. Rent out your home.

If you do not plan on selling your home, you can put it to work when you are away traveling.

The typical house exchange is an arrangement where you swap houses with somebody else in another country or city. It is a great way to vacation if you want to stay in one place for several weeks or a month.

For example, I live in Boston and am planning to spend three weeks in Madrid. If there is someone from Madrid who wants to visit Boston at the same time, we can do a house swap. That way, I will save money on lodging and get to experience a new city in Spain.

The 11 Best Home Exchange Sites to Save Money.

How to Retire Well on a Small Budget

by Maggie 4 Comments

an older couple in woods-retire well on a small budget

The truth is a lot of retirees will be living on a small budget. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the median average retirement income in 2021 for retirees 65 and older is $47,357.

And the average retirement savings for people aged 55 to 64 is $375,000. For most people, these savings will decrease when they start spending them in retirement.

With not that much money in your pocket, retirement is getting more difficult than ever with the growth of inflation and just about everything getting more expensive.

Living well on a small budget in retirement can be challenging, but it is possible. There are a few things you can do to make it work.

Pay attention to your spending.

When you have to live on a small budget in retirement it is important to know where your money is going. Not many of us like to spend time tracking our expenses. But you cannot afford to slip money away on something that is not important while living on a tight budget. Every dollar should be accounted for.

Here are the biggest expenses in retirement – housing, transportation, food, and healthcare.

Take a careful look at your expenses and see how you tend to spend money each month. Divide all your expenses between fixed and variable and see where you can cut back.

Fixed expenses such as mortgage/ rent, utility bills, and car insurance are set and hard to change. However, variable expenses such as clothing, dining out, travel, and entertainment are easy to reduce.

How to Cut Expenses Before You Retire

There are many budgeting apps that make tracking your spending easier than it used to be.

Best Budgeting Apps

Reduce your housing costs.

Keeping a roof over your head is always one of your biggest budget items. But how much money you can spend on housing is critical when you have to live on a limited budget.

Luckily, we have many options to choose from:

Downsize to a smaller home or condo
Move to a cheaper location
Rent an apartment
Relocate to 55+ community
Age in Place

First, think about where to live in retirement and the monthly costs of that place including rent or mortgage, taxes, maintenance, and repairs.

Second, decide how close you want to live to your family and friends and what your other priorities such as climate, rural or urban areas, and proximity to medical facilities.

Third, if you choose to age in your home, figure out the cost of renovation for retiring in place and how much help you will need for maintaining that big house when you are older.

Choose your place to live in retirement carefully because it is your biggest budget expense.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Place for Retirement

Reduce your transportation costs.

Cars are expensive. You do not need to spend a lot of money on your car to have a happy retirement.

Typically, most retirees spend less time on the road driving than the average driver. According to stats, people over age 65 spent an average of $7,062 annually or $588.50 per month on transportation.

Owning 2 or 3 cars is often required when you live in the suburbs and work in the city or have kids. But when you retire, you do not need to have 2 or 3 cars. It stops making so much sense and hurts your budget.

If you have been a two-car family for years, it is time to downsize to one car so you can spend less money on insurance, gas, maintenance, and taxes. And if it is time to replace your old car, do not buy a new car. Consider buying something that is about 2 or 3 years old so you can pay less.

Most vehicles lose about half of their value by the time they are five years old. So, if you decide to buy a used car, a three-year-old car will cost you less in upfront expenses and maintenance.

In case you are planning to move from the suburbs to the city, you should sell all your cars and take advantage of public transportation. In this scenario, you do not need to worry about the costs of your vehicles at all. Buses, subways, and other public transportation can cost you around $526.80 per year with a senior discount. Just buy a monthly public transportation pass and enjoy car-free retirement.

Reduce your food costs.

Food is going to be your third biggest expense in retirement after housing and transportation.

On average most retirees spend around 20 percent of their income on food. According to stats, in the last 5years households run by people 65 or older spent $6,207 annually or $517.23 monthly on food. Those aged 65 to 74 spent on food $6,864 per year, and people over 75 spent $5,274. These food expenses include groceries, alcohol, and dining out.

Food costs will vary depending on your diet and habits. For example, people who prefer to buy organic produce will likely spend more money than people who do not.

If you are retiring on a small budget, you need to be creative with your food and how you eat.

Learn to cook

Eating at home more frequently will cost less than eating out. The reality is that the food you cook yourself is the cheapest food you eat. When you retire and have plenty of time there is no more excuse such as “I do not have time to cook”. After all, learning how to cook can become your new hobby.

person holding sliced veggies - retire well on a small budget

Plan meals in advance

I noticed that frequent trips for a few extra grocery items often lead to a higher food bill at the end of each month. That is why planning your meals in advance before you go grocery shopping is important.

For example, use a Monday morning to decide what dishes you want to cook at home during the coming week and additional snacks you will want to have in your pantry. After making a list, you can go grocery shopping just once for the whole week.

With current prices skyrocketing and inflation on a rise, it is getting tougher to find new ways to save on grocery shopping.

However, there are always ways to shop smart:

Shop seasonal food. Seasonal food is cheaper since there are no traveling and storage expenses involved. Purchasing seasonal produce is always cheaper than buying that same fruit or vegetable during its off-season. In addition to that, produce is fresher and tastes better in season, and is often perfectly ripe. So, take advantage of the low prices at harvest time.
Shop generic brands. The huge benefit of buying generic brands instead of name brands is saving money. Typically, generic brands are cheaper than name brands. The packaging may not be as colorful as a name-brand product, but often there is little to no difference between both products.
Shop the perimeters. Fresh foods are healthier than processed foods. In a typical grocery store layout, fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, milk, eggs, and cheese are on the outside perimeter. But processed foods are typically stored in the center aisles.

Many foods in the center aisles contain preservatives that make them last longer on the shelf. If foods do not have any added preservatives, then it needs to be refrigerated to keep them fresh.

Try to avoid buying pre-cooked meals or processed foods to maintain a healthy diet and cut the costs of your groceries.

Learn to eat out for less

Cooking only for one or two seems unrewarding. However, if you are living on a tight budget, you should avoid eating out frequently. It is not that you should never eat out. But if you are retired and worried about inflation and rising food prices, reducing the number of times you go to the restaurant can help to reduce the cost of it.

There are still many ways to have the restaurant experience on a small budget:

Have your meal at home and then go for coffee and dessert.
Instead of eating out dinner, go to the same restaurant for lunch. Many restaurants have the same menu for lunch and dinner, but they mark up their prices for dinner.
Instead of eating out once a week, start eating out only once a month.
If you still want to go to an expensive restaurant, avoid ordering appetizers, alcohol, and dessert to save money on the highest price increase items.
Be selective, look for coupons or Groupons, and only go to places offering deals and discounts.
Go to happy hours at restaurants, where wine and hard liquor are less expensive, and the bar food can serve as dinner.

Check out this website for Restaurant Deals and Specials

Sign up for Groupon to receive coupons and discounts

Take care of health to reduce medical costs.

We all know that medical care is expensive, and the cost of healthcare is rising every year. According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, an average retired couple age 65 in 2022 may need approximately $315, 000 saved (after tax) to cover healthcare costs in retirement.

Many health issues are age-related. Our body gets weaker as we age.

There are still many retirees who spend days lying on a couch watching TV and snacking. Some people gain weight when they stop working because they are not active and eat more because they are bored. Being overweight and lack of exercise put retirees at great risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, and cancer.

That is why regular medical check-ups are a must.

You should visit your doctor regularly and do not skip any recommended health screenings and tests. Keep an eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol level to avoid a heart attack or stroke.

If you want to eat healthy, follow a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products. Additionally, do not forget to shop smart and always read food labels to avoid foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Another way to keep your medical expenses down is to stay active and fit. Start with developing good habits in your new life. Create an exercise routine and follow it thoroughly.

You do not need to spend extra money on expensive personal trainers or gym membership. Walking, running, or cycling outdoor is more than enough to stay in good physical shape for years. Explore your local walking and jogging trails. Those 30 minutes a day you need to spend walking can be done in your local park.

How to Stay Fit for a Healthy Retirement

Travel and entertainment on a small budget.

One of the most exciting parts of retirement is enjoying your new lifestyle.

Portugal coast - travel on a small budget in retirement

For many retirees, travel is a big part of that lifestyle. However, traveling is expensive. It includes hotels, air tickets, restaurant meals, rental cars, entertainment, tours, and more. According to stats, the average retiree spends $11,077 per year on travel.

Travel off-season. If you want to travel on a small budget, look for travel deals or travel off-season. In retirement, it is much easier to save money on travel because you have the freedom to travel when the best deals are available.

Find cheap accommodations. Instead of paying a lot of money for the hotels, look at websites like Airbnb, VRBO, or Vacation Rentals to see what they have to offer at your destination.

Check airline prices and find the cheapest flights. Sign up for free price alerts. Be flexible on dates and be flexible with your travel destination. Fly out early because the lowest-priced flights are the first flights in the morning. Fly on the cheapest days of the week – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Look for senior discounts. Many museums offer free days or evenings for visitors. When you do not have to work, it is much easier to visit museums on a weekday with a smaller crowd. Also, you can ask for a senior discount at museums, concerts, parks, and other tourist attractions. With available discounts and deals, you can save a lot of money and travel for less.

If you like to travel but are concerned about spending too much money, do not travel far. Drive a few hundred miles rather than fly to your destination. You will save money on air tickets, airport food, overpriced hotels, rental cars or taxi, currency exchange, and other charges.

Find free activities. As a retiree, you can find many great things to entertain yourself for less money. There are many free local summer concerts, fall festivals, events at libraries, or social activities at a senior center.

Retirement Travel Tips for Planning a Vacation

Final Thoughts

It is good to remember that money and wealth are important, but it is not everything. Happiness is not about being able to purchase a fancy car, a big house, or indulge yourself in luxury vacations. It is small and simple things such as family, friends, and having a purpose in life that make us happy.

How do retirees manage to live on a small budget? Share your ideas in the comments below.

If you enjoyed reading, share this post so that others can find it, too!

Retirement Travel Tips for Planning a Vacation

by Maggie Leave a Comment

ocean beach with red umbrellas - retirement travel tips

Traveling can be a major part of your lifestyle If you are part of the baby boomer generation. With the children grown and gone, these empty nesters have all the freedom to spend their time and money exploring the world.

We all know that traveling can be exciting, but it takes time and effort to set up your travel itinerary and organize a whole trip. Even though it does take time, but it is well worth it because it will ultimately save your precious time when you are actually there to explore.

Here are some helpful travel tips to consider before planning a vacation or going on a long-term trip:

Prepare your home before going away.

It might be hard to leave your house when you are going away on a short or long trip. But creating a list of tasks needed to prepare your home is one of the most important tips.

When you check off each task accomplished, you can head off on your adventure knowing that your home is safe.

Clean out the refrigerator and freezer and get rid of all perishable goods.
Empty and wash all trash bins.
Empty the dishwasher and leave it cracked open, so any additional water in the system will evaporate.
Set the thermostat to practical temperature. For our winter trips, we always set the thermostat to 55 degrees. It keeps the house well above freezing and prevents the pipes from bursting.
Make sure that the smoke detectors are working properly.
Turn off the water valves to toilets, sinks, dishwasher, and washing machine. This can prevent any damage from water leaks. We usually turn off the main water line into our house before we leave.
It is recommended to turn off the water heater. There is no reason in maintaining a hot tank of water for months when you are away traveling.
If you are leaving for a very long time, I would recommend unplugging all electronic devices.
Arrange with the local post office to have your mail is forwarded or held. Mail can be held for 30 days or less, and you can do it through USPS.com. Although, our small-town post office can hold mail for three months. Also, reserving a P.O. Box from a local post office can be a good idea as well. Even though we pay all our bills online, we still receive a lot of leaflets and flyers in our mailbox. When you are away on a long trip you do not want a bunch of letters hanging out of your mailbox, shouting to the world that you are not home.
If you are planning a long-term trip, try to put on hold your cable TV and internet. Not all cable TV and internet service providers will allow you to do that, but some will. So, if it is possible put your expensive services on hold.
I like to leave my house clean before I go on vacation even though it is the last thing you want to do in the middle of packing. That is why I always thank myself and feel happy when arriving back to a clean and uncluttered home.
The ideal way to leave your car is parked in a garage out of everyone’s eyes. We do not have a garage, so we have to leave our cars parked in our driveway. Another tip is to disconnect the car battery to prevent drainage.
It is important to have trusted neighbors or hire a house sitter. When we travel, we leave a set of house and car keys with our trusted neighbors. We feel grateful to have good neighbors who help to keep our home safe while we are away.

Benefits of using travel apps.

There are apps for almost everything these days and it includes traveling. The rise of websites gives us direct access to hotel and airline booking.

But let’s face it – vacation planning can be overwhelming. You can spend hours browsing hundreds of travel websites and blogs researching destinations, accommodations, available flights, tours, and activities. You can go back and forth multiple times before ultimately choosing one.

But if you want to spend more time enjoying your trip and less time planning, you should consider using travel apps.

Even you do not use apps in your daily life, consider taking advantage of many helpful apps when you start preparing for your travels.

person holding a smartphone - retirement travel apps

If you are looking for a travel app to help to book your trip, Kayak is one of the best apps to make that part of travel easy. I prefer to use Kayak because it is a one-stop shopping app for browsing hundreds of websites for the best deals on hotels, flights, vacation package deals, and car rentals.

I like to use TripAdvisor while researching and reading reviews of restaurants, hotels, and destinations. The best part is you can make reservations directly from the app.

Yelp features reviews written by people who visited local eateries, cafes, diners, restaurants, etc. I even wrote several reviews and posted them on this website. If you are looking for a local flavor, this app might be your best bet.

Google Maps is one of the best driving directions apps available. You do not need to carry a printed map with you anymore. It might be not perfect, but it helps me to get around in places or towns I never visited before.

WhatsApp is one of my favorite apps to communicate with friends and family who live overseas. I use simple text messages, group chats, video chats, and phone calls to keep in touch with everyone when we travel. We can exchange photos and videos without SMS fees.

The Best Travel Apps from NomadicMatt

Benefits of using a travel agent.

The travel industry has changed over the last decade. These days many people prefer to plan their own trips because online booking makes it easy to book airline tickets, hotels, tours, or cruises without visiting a travel agency.

However, the traditional travel agencies have not entirely disappeared. Many have adapted to the modern era. And there are still some situations when you may want to work with a travel expert instead of doing it yourself.

Here are the top benefits of using a travel agent:

Travel agents are well-connected experts. They will do all the work for you if you do not like planning or have a complicated itinerary. If you are planning a big family vacation in another country, a travel agent can help to coordinate all the logistics. So, instead of spending hours on the computer searching for the best deals you will just pay the bill and show up at the airport.
Many travel agents specialize in a particular type of travel such as cruises, luxury tours, resorts, etc. Travel agents have established relationships with many travel companies. They can help you plan a trip that meets your budget and needs without wasting your time and money on the things you are not interested in at all.
Travel agents often have access to benefits that you might not be able to get on your own. Whether it is a hotel room upgrade without added expenses, better seats on the airplane, reservations to a popular tour, or event tickets, a travel agent can add some perks to your trip.
Using a travel agent can help you save time and money even you have to pay a fee for their services. Generally, all agents receive information about rates and discounts and access to promotions from the resorts, tour operators, cruise lines, and other travel industry providers that are not available to the public.
When you are working with a travel agent you can rely on her/his travel assistance if something goes wrong with your trip arrangements. You can call your travel agent if you need to rebook your flights or need assistance with the wrong hotel room or no scheduled transportation to a resort or a theme park.

Consider buying travel and medical insurance.

You do not have to be a frequent traveler to know that decent travel and medical insurance can save you time, money, and a lot of hassle.

We always buy travel insurance when we go on our overseas vacations.

But choosing travel insurance is not one size fits all process. You have to consider trip cancellation, medical emergencies, policy cost, exclusions, etc.

It is recommended to buy travel insurance within 15 days of making the first deposit on your trip, since buying early can qualify you for bonus coverages. You have to read through the insurance policies to understand what coverages are offered without an additional cost. Those bonus coverages may include:

Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions
Emergency medical insurance moved from secondary to primary
Additional accidental death coverage

The main thing to remember is that you must buy travel insurance coverage before it is needed.

Even though some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have left, most plans with medical coverage are required to be purchased before departing. That means you cannot buy any medical coverage once you got sick and need medical help.

The same applies to all travel insurance coverage.

You do not need to be in perfect health to start traveling. But you need to be in good enough health to endure the stress of being on a road for a long-time. Therefore, if you have a chronic health issue, I recommend checking with your doctor before making long-term travel plans.

Keep in mind, that Medicare does not cover medical expenses happen outside of the US. That is why you will need to buy travel insurance to cover any medical emergency.

How to Find the Best Travel Insurance from NerdWallet

What to pack for long-term travels?

When packing for a long-term trip, the most important things to keep in mind are the length of your trip and the weather.

woman in boots with luggage bag - retirement travel tips

When I am preparing for a trip, I always start with a travel packing list, so I do not forget anything important. My general packing list includes:

Clothes – underwear, sleepwear, socks, T-shirts, a casual shirt, one pair of jeans, one pair of pants, shorts, a few dresses, swimsuits, a sweater, shoes, and sandals.
Accessories – a hat, sunglasses, an evening bag, a purse, a few belts, jewelry, and an umbrella.
Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, hairbrush, curling iron, sunscreen, makeup kit, medications, bandages, a small bottle of shampoo and conditioner.
Electronics – cell phone, universal plug adapter, laptop, and electronic chargers.
Documents – passport, copy of passport, emergency contacts, list of medications, a printed list of passwords, credit cards/ATM card, money/ cash.
Misc. items in my handbag – house keys, glasses, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, earplugs, headphones, a book.

We all know that the pandemic has changed the way we travel. Make sure that you have your vaccine passport (vaccination certificate) or negative Covid-19 test results in your handbag. Many airlines require one of these forms to proceed. And do not forget to have a face mask on you and to keep a few extra in your handbag or carry-on.

Safe and Happy Travels!

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What are your favorite tips when planning a vacation or a long-term trip?

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How to Travel on a Budget in Retirement

by Maggie 4 Comments

man in the field - travel on a budget in retirement

Traveling in retirement is the most common dream. Ask anyone about retirement plans and you will find something in common – a desire to travel and see the world.

According to the Transamerica Retirement Survey, almost 70 percent of American workers want to travel the world in retirement.

Why? Because retirement is the ideal time of life to travel, to enjoy the views and taste of the places people could not afford to experience when they were younger. But travel as a dream often gets left unfulfilled because many people worry about the high costs of travel.

According to stats, an international trip typically costs up to five times higher and lasts three times longer than a domestic trip.

For those people who are still working, travel often means a rushed one-week or maximum of a two- week vacation. But when you retire you have more free time on your hands. And having more time on your hands means being more flexible. You can relax and enjoy your destinations at a slow pace. You can travel as long as you choose, and you can time your trips the way you want.

However, you have to be careful about how much you are spending because you are no longer receiving a regular salary and living on a fixed retirement income.

In this article, I have provided some helpful tips for your future travels in retirement and how to budget for it.

Pick destinations that off-season.

One of the biggest ways to cut your travel expenses is to travel during the off-season. You can cut the costs on plane tickets, hotels, food, museums, and tours. When places on your bucket list are less crowded, they are also less expensive.

For example, summer (and winter in some places) is the busiest travel season for tourists in Europe. Therefore, spring and fall are good for traveling on a budget. You can enjoy mild weather, smaller crowds, natural beauty, and low prices. However, the Caribbean islands are a good place to travel during the summer. It is cheaper because of the hot weather and hurricane season.

Keep expenses low by traveling slow.

All travel blogs recommend traveling slow if you want to cut the cost of travel expenses. By staying put in one place longer will allow you to reduce the costs of tickets and accommodations. For example, going on a trip to Paris would cost me about $1,350 from Boston airport (round trip ticket) and a mid-range hotel about $250 per night. Overall, I will spend around $2,850 for transportation and accommodations on a one-week trip.

I can stretch that trip to two weeks and the price will go up only $1500 since I do not have to pay for the plane ticket for my second week. But if I choose to travel during the off-season, I will only pay half price for the same travel expenses.

Paris is a very expensive city, but you can keep travel expenses low by renting a room or an apartment instead of staying at the hotel. So, if I prefer to rent an Airbnb apartment the cost would go down to $100 per night and I can cut expenses on food and eating out.

Instead of rushing through the city or country, take more time and try to experience the destination more like local people would do. The trick is to spend more time in one place so you can reduce your per-day travel expenses by spreading the cost of an airplane ticket over a long trip.

Cut travel costs on lodging.

The best way to avoid costly travel in retirement is to cut the costs of your lodging. Everyone likes to splurge on the fancy hotel. But if you are retired and traveling on a budget it is better to reduce your expenses by finding inexpensive lodging. Depending on the type of accommodation you choose and the city (or a country) you are visiting, you could be spending from $50 to $300 or $400 per night.

B&Bs (bed and breakfast) often offer a better price than a hotel, homemade breakfast, and plenty of local flavors.

Airbnb is another popular option for travelers today offering to rent a room, a beautiful apartment, or the whole house. Renting an Airbnb is much cheaper and ideal for staying in one place for several weeks or even months. You can buy food at local stores and prepare it at home or ask your host for budget-friendly local places to eat. Every potential host has a profile with pictures of their accommodations and references from previous guests.

Debby and Michael Campbell have been traveling since 2013. They blogged about their travels at “Senior Nomads”. To help to budget their travels they stayed at over 270 Airbnb’s and called them home while traveling through 85 countries.

If you want to cut costs on lodging use vacation rental websites such as Airbnb and VRBO to stay in one place longer and cheaper.

Airbnb

VRBO

Another way to save money on lodging is house sitting or house swapping. It became very popular among travelers of all ages.

House swap or house exchange.

If you do not plan on selling your home, you can put it to work when you are away traveling. The typical house exchange is an arrangement where you swap houses with somebody else in another country or city. It is a great way to vacation if you want to stay in one place for several weeks or a month.

For example, I live in Boston and planning to spend three weeks in Madrid. If there is someone from Madrid who wants to visit Boston at the same time, we can do a house swap. That way, I will save money on lodging and get to experience a new city in Spain. Websites like Homestay.com and Lovehomeswap.com make it easy to find an available home and provide safety measures for your peace of mind.

Cut travel costs on transportation.

The cost of airline, train, and bus tickets, as well as renting a car or using a taxi, makes traveling expensive. But there are a few strategies you can use to make your traveling in retirement more affordable.

mini-bus on the road - cut the costs of travel in retirement

Airplane tickets became very expensive with an additional cost of reserving a seat, extra fares for check-in luggage, carry-on bags, food, in-flight entertainment, and more.

The best way to find a cheap flight is to compare prices. We use Skyscanner, Kayak, and Expedia to compare ticket prices and make sure we get the best deal.

Another tip is to avoid buying tickets on Friday, Saturday or Sunday – these days are the most expensive to book airline tickets. Wait until Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday when there are not so many people browsing the internet to book the flights.

Even we are not retired yet, we always try to save money on airline tickets by flying during the middle of the week. We fly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays because no one wants to fly on these days and the airline tickets are the cheapest.

Another way to save money is to fly an early-morning or late-night flight. You can significantly cut the cost of your airline tickets if you choose to fly between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Prices are also cheaper if you fly after the major holiday or on the day of the holiday. Once we flew back from Europe on the 4^th of July day and Boston airport was completely empty.

There are a few other ways to cut costs on airline tickets:

Let the airline choose your seat.
Bring your own food.
Do not purchase in-flight movies and TV shows.

Once you get overseas, you can save money on popular budget airlines like Ryan Air, Easy Jet, or Wizz Air. You can fly between European cities for as low as fifty dollars.

Traveling in Europe is wonderful because just within a few hours you can be in another country. If you do not want to fly, you can choose fast and reliable public transportation such as a train or bus. If you are on a tight budget, buses are almost always your cheapest option. Reclining seats, Wi-Fi, clean toilets allow you to travel in related comfort if you do not mind spending hours on a highway.

Trains, unlike buses, go straight through the countryside. So instead of staring at the never-ending highway, you can see more of the quaint towns and scenic landscapes.

But traveling by train can cost more than by bus unless you have a rail pass or book your tickets a few weeks in advance. The best way to buy European train tickets is through websites like Trainline, Omio, or RailEurope.com.

For example, if you travel around Italy, the high-speed train tickets will be more expensive (around 50-70 euro per ticket) than Italy’s regional trains.

Rick Steves gives the great overview of Italy rail passes and train tips.

Cut travel costs on food.

Food is another big travel expense. Eating out three meals a day or just dining at fancy hotel restaurants can take a big bite out of your travel budget. According to Business Insider reports, you can expect to spend an average of $71 per person at the fine dining restaurants (think ‘The Capital Grill’) and that does not include tax and tip.

Most people like to have pleasant dinner with appetizers, entrée, and dessert and splurge on expensive wine or cocktails. However, many restaurants have the same menu for lunch and dinner, but they mark up their prices for dinner.

One of my favorite ways to save money on food while traveling is to eat a big lunch. Eating a bigger lunch will fill you up, and you can still have a small and affordable dinner at the end of the day.

variety of snack on table - cut the costs of food on retirement travel budget

Another way to cut travel costs on food is to go and shop at the local markets. You can make your own breakfast or cook dinner with fresh ingredients instead of spending money at an expensive restaurant. During our travels, we like to experience the local cuisine. That is why we prefer to find mom-and-pop diners or eat at local cafes and bakeries.

When we travel and stay in an Airbnb apartment instead of a hotel, I like to take advantage of the kitchen, refrigerator, and microwave. We typically eat breakfast at home, then go sightseeing and stop somewhere for a big lunch. At the end of the day, I will cook dinner and then we will go out to have a few drinks at a local bar. I have learned that eating out for every single meal puts a lot of pressure on your travel budget.

Cut travel costs on activities and entertainment.

No matter where you travel, there are so many things to do that will cost you little or no money at all. If you are first time in the city, check out the popular tourist attractions. Many historical buildings and sites do not cost money to view. Hiking the trails, spending time on the beach, or checking out nature usually does not cost you money. If you bring your own lunch and water, you can have an amazing day outdoors without paying a fortune.

Many cities offer free local walking tours. But you will need to do research and plan ahead of time to reserve your spot.

9 Best Websites to Book Free Walking Tours

Before going on a trip, I use a few websites to book our sightseeing or day tours and other activities:

Viator

Get Your Guide

Keep travel costs low and cut on buying the stuff.

When you travel on a budget in retirement, you should prioritize your spending. If you want to keep the travel costs low, choose to spend money on experiences rather than souvenirs or trinkets. When you are on the road for many months, you do not need to own many things. You can save a lot if you cut on buying the stuff and focus on experiences and living life.

When you experience something, you create longer-lasting memories. Browse local markets without buying anything, take a photo to preserve your travel memories, and post it on Instagram or Facebook.

Related Posts:

Final Words

As you can see, there is a lot to think about traveling in retirement. Whether it is a short road trip or a long journey around the world, you need to prepare for it thoroughly.

Are you planning to travel during retirement? How do you budget for your travels?

Do not forget to share this post if you liked it!

5 Tips on How to Create a Travel Budget for Retirement

by Maggie Leave a Comment

lake and mountains with boats - travel budget for retirement

You’re in your 50’s or 60’s working hard, saving money, paying off debt and doing everything to prepare for an enjoyable retirement. You always wanted to travel more, but with a tight work schedule, and kids, it was not possible for many years.

But now, when you’re an empty-nester and getting closer to retirement you started daydreaming again. This dream is about how to quit work, sell the house, pack a suitcase and head out into an adventurous life of travel. And it crosses your mind more often than ever.

But before you get on a life of travel, you need to find out if you’re financially ready for this kind of life.

These 5 tips will help you to determine if you can afford to travel the world in retirement and how to create a travel budget for your trips.

1. Envision your retirement years

How do you envision your retirement years? Are you going to relocate to a warmer place, join the country club and play golf 5 days a week with one exotic vacation trip per year? Or you’re planning to retire in place and go on extended trips to see your family and friends.

Maybe your idea of retirement is to have a more adventurous life – to sell all your possessions and live the life of senior nomads exploring the world.

Any kind of life you choose in your golden years requires the decision of how to pay for it. In retirement, you live on a fixed income, and you’ll need to have enough savings to pay for any travel and leisure activities.

It means you need to create a travel budget first.

2. Calculate how much to spend on travel in retirement

3 glass jars with coins - travel budget for retirement

You know that you want to travel in retirement, but how much you can afford to spend on it? To come up with the answer and estimate your travel budget you need to start by taking an honest look at your finances.

First, calculate your current expenses and get the idea of your cost of living in retirement. Then find out the size of your nest egg.

Take an inventory of retirement accounts including 401(k), IRAs, Roth IRAs. Then add to that number all your savings from the bank checking and savings account, your investment accounts, and any income from rental properties or business. The final number will show how much is your current nest egg.

When you stop working you expect to receive an income from several sources:

Social Security retirement benefits
Pension plans – if you’re a lucky one
Retirement savings – your nest egg

Use a 4 percent rule of thumb to calculate how much retirement income you can generate from your savings. As a general rule, you can withdraw 4 percent of your nest egg each year without worry of running out of money in retirement.

For example, your total estimated nest egg is $600,000. Based on the 4 percent rule, you can withdraw $24,000 annually from your retirement savings.

Your total retirement income includes a combined income from your Social Security, pension and calculated withdrawals.

After estimating how much you will spend on basic living expenses like housing, transportation, food, insurance, and medical cost in retirement, you’ll find out how much money will be leftover each year.

For example, your estimated retirement income from your nest egg and Social Security is $60,000. Your basic living expenses are $40,000. You’ll have $20,000 leftover each year, and you can spend it on travel without taking any extra money from your other savings.

3. Create the categories for future travel

table with smart phone, piece of chocolate, laptop & color pencils

The key to any successful travel is to plan ahead of time. After calculating how much you can spend on travel, the next step is to divide your travel ideas into separate categories.

I would recommend creating the categories or groups for your future travels:

Weekend getaways
Road trips
Camping trips
3 to 5 days of mini-vacation
Cruise vacation
1 to 2 weeks of international or domestic trips

Are you planning to have an annual vacation with your family? If yes, this might be a separate category in your travel budget.

If you have a retirement bucket list or just list of places you want to visit, put it as a separate category.

After you laid out all categories you want to know how much they might cost.

4. Estimate the travel expenses

If you’re in your 50’s or 60’s and still working, you have lots of time ahead of you. But keep your traveling vision in focus. Start mapping out the details of your travels. Think about what you want to do every day of your trip.

You should talk to your spouse or partner and decide how many travel trips you want to have per year and calculate if you can afford it. It’s important to figure out what kind of trip is more important to you and then find out an approximate total cost.

World travel doesn’t come cheap and if you envision going on 1 to 3 months international or domestic trips, you need to do some preliminary budget planning.

Think of every step involved, including flights, accommodations, local transportation or car rentals, groceries and eating out, entertainment, and insurance. You’ll need to have a hefty nest egg if you like to stay in chic hotels while traveling through Europe or North America.

But if you are willing to stay in modest accommodations like rented apartments or budget hotels and use public transportation instead of rental cars, you can travel inexpensively.

When you go on long-term travel, you’ll have the same basic needs as you do at home. Do your research and get the idea of how much the adventure will cost rather than just guessing at it.

After you created a list of your future trips, write beside each item what that is going to cost. Then build your travel budget around those numbers. When planning for long-term travel in retirement don’t forget to leave a room in your budget to pay for your household expenses. Even you’re exploring the world, you’ll still need to pay for your cost of living at home – mortgage or rent, utilities, insurance, phone, and more.

A website like Numbeo.com will make it easy for you to figure out the cost of living in different countries.

Numbeo

Many websites provide excellent travel deals. You can get discounts on flights, hotels, and cruises from Kayak, Vayama, Cheap-o-air and Google Flights.

Kayak

Vayama

Cheap-o-air

During the travel, the cost of the accommodations is the highest besides the plane tickets. A website like Airbnb helps to find comfortable and less costly accommodations for travelers. VRBO is a great source for finding vacation-house deals.

Airbnb

VRBO

Many cities in the world offer discounted public transportation passes for a day, a week, or a month.

If you read my blog, you already know that Roman and I love to travel. We constantly talk and discuss our future travels. Right now, our vacations usually include 1 or 2 international trips, a couple of weekend getaways and sometimes a short domestic trip for 3 to 5 days.

3 starfish - travel budget for retirement

We are still working full-time and our regular paycheck helps to pay for our travels. Moreover, we set up a separate bank savings account and save money there each month diligently. The money we saved is part of our current travel budget. When we travel, we like to splurge and allow ourselves to spend money on boutique hotels (if we can afford it), all-inclusive resorts or cruise vacations.

Once we retire, we’ll be living on the reduced income and our travel budget will be different. Our retirement bucket list is long, and we want to travel and explore the world, go to places we have never been to before. So far, our estimated travel budget for retirement is $30,000 per year.

We would like to start our retirement by traveling to Europe. We are planning to have two trips per year and each trip is up to 90-days, so we don’t need to apply for a long-term visa. Our travel budget is $15,000 per trip.

If cannot afford two trips per year we will have to scale it down to one 90-days trip to Europe. Then we can visit other countries and travel to more affordable places like Southeast Asia or South America.

With a limited travel budget, we will have to change our travel habits. We are planning on staying at rental apartments, using public transportation, buying our groceries, cooking our meals and scheduling our trips for during the off-season.

5. Decide how to pay for travel in retirement

master card -travel budget in retirement

Once you’ve figured out the cost of travel and your retirement income, you’ll need to take a serious look at your numbers and decide how to pay for your trips in retirement. If you want to accommodate regular or full-time travel and don’t have enough funds, you need to start saving more money now.

Save more money

Open a separate bank savings account, call it “travel” and start stashing money there regularly. Even $50 or $100 a month will help with funding your future travel.

Sell your home

If you’re planning to be on a road for a year or more, it’s time to discuss the downsizing to finance your trips. Selling your home, your cars and a big part of your belongings is not an easy decision, but it will help to increase your travel budget.

Rent your home

Another option is renting out your home while you travel. The rental income will help to pay for some of your cost of living at home and the cost of your trips.

Swap your home

House swapping is another way to afford travel in retirement. If you’re not planning to sell your home, you should put it to work supporting your travels. The house swap means you and another homeowner moving into each other’s house for a scheduled period of time. It may seem like too much hassle or too risky option for many people, but it’s a great way to travel around the world and stay in places for free.

Home Exchange

Work part-time

Some retirees like to work part-time with their paychecks set aside for travel. This gives them peace of mind that they are not reducing their nest egg.

5 Ways to Reorganize Your Life to Afford Retirement

Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

5 Easy Steps to Calculate Your Retirement Income Gap

Putting It All Together

How do you create a travel budget for your future trips in retirement? What is a reasonable amount of money you can spend? It’s all depends on your retirement income. Everybody is different and we all have different spending habits.

If you’ve always dreamed about traveling the world or even retire abroad, you’ll need to take an honest look at your financial situation and your travel goals. I think the priority is to find an amount of money you’re comfortable spending and then fit your travel into your financial limitation.

How will you pay for your retirement travel? Did you think about setting up a travel budget for retirement?

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