I’m Spending Retirement Traveling the World—Here’s How I Make It Affordable

Retirees are hitting the roads, rails, and skies more than ever. According to a 2025 AARP survey of adults ages 50 and up released in March 2025, more than 70 percent in that age group expected to travel within the year, with 45 percent anticipating international trips. Of the 60-69 and 70-plus age groups, 68 percent were planning to travel in 2025.

The survey indicates that 95 percent of the respondents agree that travel is good for their mental health, and nearly as many believe it’s good for their physical health as well. With cost being the main barrier to travel, it’s especially important for retirees to make the most of every dollar. Shopping for discounts through AARP, Costco, Auto Club, and other membership organizations that offer travel is a good place to start.

I’ve used my own travel experience and consulted with experts to gather more suggestions on how to stretch your vacation savings without sacrificing the pleasure, health benefits, and learning experiences of travel.

Travel during shoulder season.

Planning your trip in the off-season often means fewer crowds and lower prices, but the real sweet spot is shoulder season—the transition between low and peak travel periods. In-the-know travelers often plan to visit during these dates for the best local conditions and prices. Do some research on your destination’s weather, holidays, and fluctuating rates, and you can score deals with shoulder-season travel.

Ride the rails.

With train travel increasing in popularity for its convenience, variety, and luxury, Travel + Leisure spoke to Rob Payne, chief commercial officer at Vacations by Rail. “Rail vacations offer excellent value because so much is included in the price. Transportation between destinations, quality hotel stays, guided excursions, and many meals are all bundled together, eliminating the need to budget for each item separately,” said Payne. “Through our partnership with AARP, members can enjoy an exclusive five percent discount on our tours. In addition, we regularly feature special offers and seasonal promotions for extra savings on some of our most popular destinations and itineraries.”

Consider camping, glamping, and RV-ing.

A group of senior friends at a campervan site.

Edwin Tan/Getty Images

Outdoor lovers, road-trip fans, and RV-ers save dollars on hotels and transportation while exploring. Campsite booking services like those offered by The Dyrt make traveling even more convenient and economical for on-the-go retirees. Travelers can search for free or low-cost campgrounds, read reviews, view maps, and learn about discounts and amenities on the website. Ryan Fliss, head of growth for The Dyrt, told T+L, “Camping offers lots of opportunities to make great memories, but a trip requires planning.” The Dyrt provides research tools for finding RV parks, glamping spots, and campsites, many near national and state parks. Users can enter their desired daily drive time or miles to get recommended stops along the way, local points of interest, and activities, as well as gas stations, rest stops, and services for a well-planned, rewarding road trip.

Grab the best airfares.

If the trip involves air travel, invest some time in finding the best fares available. T+L contributor and frequent traveler Chris Dong shared his best money-saving tips. “One of the best ways to keep tabs on airfare deals is to sign up for a service like Going or Thrifty Traveler Premium—these companies will email or text you as deals happen in real time. The best deals will often disappear quickly, and you can set your own preferences for what kinds of offers you want to see.” Retirees often have the flexibility to jump on a great deal for a last-minute opportunity. Dong is also a proponent of using credit card points and airline miles wisely, so don’t neglect those benefits when you travel.

Book last-minute travel.

“One of the best-kept secrets in travel today is that booking windows are shrinking. That means incredible vacation rentals are still available—often at better rates—within 30 days of your trip,” according to Alex Alioto, co-founder and head of growth at Whimstay, a platform specializing in last-minute vacation rentals. “Whimstay offers the same amazing properties you’ll find on mainstream sites, but always at lower prices within that 30-day window. For retirees who have flexibility, this can be an easy way to stretch a travel budget without sacrificing quality.”

Go with a travel group.

A retired man in a travel tour group.

Imgorthand/Getty Images

If you’re a retiree who postponed travel while waiting for your schedule to allow more leisure time and flexibility, you probably have little experience planning vacations. In that case, a group trip where all the arrangements for transportation, lodging, meals, and tours are made for you could be your best option. You’ll find many travel groups for seniors that align with your interests, needs, and budget, and you’ll know what your costs will be up front. There’s also the opportunity to meet others, a bonus for solo travelers.

Enjoy lifetime learning opportunities.

“Many of today’s older adults are aging adventurously and approaching life with a sense of excitement, curiosity, and discovery,” Road Scholar chief program officer Maeve Hartney told T+L. “As the not-for-profit world leader in educational travel for adults, Road Scholar goes beyond typical tourist trips and offers immersive, experiential opportunities through behind-the-scenes, curated, and expert-led programs.” Hartney continued, “We are able to provide these incredible experiences at a low cost thanks to our gracious supporters, which means that many of our programs in the U.S. and across all seven continents are accessible to those on a budget.” According to Ann Simanis, AVP of the office of financial aid and community outreach at Road Scholar, “Since our founding in 1975, Road Scholar has set aside resources to ensure that adults of all financial means can participate in our educational travel programs. Financial assistance is currently available in the form of scholarships and Caregiver Grants for Road Scholar programs in the U.S. and Canada priced under $2,500.”

Try all-inclusive resorts.

In my experience as a travel writer (and as a retiree), I’ve visited resorts that offer comfort, hospitality, and luxury at economical prices. A trip to an all-inclusive island destination can be affordable, so retirees shouldn’t just assume that a tropical resort vacation is out of reach. All-inclusive resorts allow guests to plan their expenses up front and can be bargains with clear explanations of what’s included and how it fits their needs.

Find a home away from home.

Staying in a home rather than a hotel, especially for longer vacations, provides significant savings on dining since you can shop at grocery stores, cook meals, and keep snacks on hand. HomeToGo offers vacation homes in a wide range of price points. For luxury stays in high-end homes, HomeExchange Collection allows members to swap lodgings directly, with options worldwide. “Retirees often have the flexibility for longer stays and off-peak travel, making the unlimited exchange model highly cost-effective. The authentic ‘living like a local’ experience also appeals to retirees seeking immersive cultural experiences rather than typical tourist accommodations,” David Bucci, head of HomeExchange Collection, told T+L.

See the national parks.

A retired woman hikes around Crater Lake National Park.

Fly View Productions/Getty Images

Exploring national parks tops the list of many retirees’ plans when they finally have time for travel. Seniors over the age of 62 can opt for annual or lifetime passes at special rates, and they can enter parks for free and participate in conservation efforts with volunteer commitments. Combining volunteerism and group exploration, Intrepid Travel has created attractively priced national park trips led by environmental activists. Retirees visiting the parks on their own can choose road trips or, for those who would prefer to leave their cars at home, there are Amtrak-accessible parks and others that they can visit without a car.

Save on snacks and airplane meals.

As a travel writer and frequent traveler, I have my own ways of saving a few dollars on trips. A refillable water bottle is a must, as most airports offer refill stations along with water fountains. Bring snacks like small bags of pretzels or crackers; it seems the airline snacks are getting tinier all the time. For longer flights, pack some grapes, protein bars, a sandwich, or cheese (just not tuna or blue cheese, please!). Most airlines sell snack boxes, but they’re not the most economical way to go, so take the time to prepare and you won’t have to purchase food at the airport or on board.

Consider small towns, near and far.

With overtourism becoming a problem in many popular destinations, it’s a good time to consider exploring America’s small towns for their nostalgia, walkable downtowns, wholesome attractions, and, in most cases, affordable prices. County fairs, farmers markets, local festivals, summer theater, and museums are low-cost entertainment, and many retirees can discover places in their own states that they never considered visiting before.

Cruise through retirement.

As an alum, if you will, of five river cruises, I can highly recommend this mode of travel for retirees. For budget travelers, there’s a range of staterooms available, and most activities are included, making it easy to plan actual costs up front. Excursions range from low-impact guided strolls to hikes and bike rides. For me, one of the great advantages of river cruising is being close to shore and therefore able to see small towns, cities, hills, and mountains as you cruise by. In most cities, you can simply walk off the ship and you’re in the midst of a new place—with no packing and unpacking. Ocean cruises are exciting as well, with ships that offer entertainment, gaming, restaurants, lounges, and expansive staterooms. Many cruises are adults-only, with activities optimized for mature travelers.