"Are You Too Old to Travel Solo? What I've Learned from a Lifetime of Solo Adventures"
In this episode, I will bring together my greatest lived experience, an older woman's perspective, encouragement, and actionable advice.
I'll also introduce you to my 5 Steps to Solo Travel book series. I did that in person yesterday for Mary Ann, Jane, and Lisa.
Today’s episode asks: Are you too old to travel alone?
Maybe you've asked yourself that question. Or perhaps someone else has asked you.
"Should you really be traveling by yourself at your age?"
"What if something happens?"
"Aren't you afraid?"
Well, I've heard questions like these, and I have a question of my own:
Who decides when we're too old to explore the world?
Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest, where I help women build the confidence to travel solo, one step at a time.
I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, author of the 5 Steps to Solo Travel book series. I've been traveling solo since 1972, and after visiting all 50 states in the United States and nearly 75 countries around the world (but who’s counting?), I've learned something important.
You don't age out of adventure. But you may need to change how you approach it.
Today I'll share three lessons from my own travels, a mistake I've learned from, and a simple challenge you can try this week.
FAQ: Am I Too Old to Start Traveling Alone?
Here's today's frequently asked question:
"I'm over 60, and I've never taken a trip completely by myself. Have I waited too long?"
My answer is no.
But I would add something.
Don't compare your first solo adventure with someone else's fiftieth.
When I began traveling alone in 1972, the world was very different. We didn't have smartphones, Google Maps, or the ability to message someone back home instantly.
We had paper maps, pay phones, guidebooks, and a willingness to ask strangers for directions.
Sometimes we got lost. Sometimes we made mistakes. And sometimes those mistakes became our best travel stories.
Today, the tools are better, but the feelings are remarkably similar.
You might worry about being lonely, getting lost, managing your luggage, or becoming ill in an unfamiliar place.
Those concerns are worth planning for. They are not necessarily reasons to stay home.
And that's why I developed my Five Steps to Solo Travel approach. You don't have to begin by flying halfway around the world.
You can begin with an afternoon outing, a day trip, or an overnight stay somewhere familiar.
Confidence grows with experience.
Lesson One: Experience Is Your Superpower
One thing I love about traveling as an older woman is that I bring decades of life experience with me.
I've negotiated business deals, managed unexpected situations, taught students, raised a family, and navigated many of life's challenges.
And so have you, in your own way.
Think about the difficult things you've already handled in your life.
You've probably solved problems far more complicated than finding the right train platform or ordering dinner in another language.
When I travel alone, I remind myself that I'm not starting from zero.
I'm bringing everything I've learned along the way.
That is an advantage of traveling later in life.
You may not move as quickly as you once did. You may need more rest or a more comfortable hotel.
But you also know yourself better.
You know what you enjoy, what makes you uncomfortable, and when it's time to change plans.
That's not a weakness. That's wisdom.
Lesson Two: The World Is Still Full of People Who Want to Connect
One of my favorite ways to travel is through SERVAS, an international organization that connects travelers with local hosts to encourage cultural understanding.
I've stayed with hosts in countries including India, Ireland, Italy, Israel, and Scotland.
Think about that for a moment.
I traveled alone to another country, but I didn't have to experience everything alone.
Through these connections, I've shared conversations, meals, and everyday experiences that tourists staying in hotels might never encounter.
In Agra, India, I stayed with a family and learned firsthand about wedding preparations.
I wasn't simply seeing the Taj Mahal or checking another destination off my list.
I experienced family traditions and learned about another culture through the people who lived there.
These experiences reminded me that solo travel doesn't mean being lonely.
You can choose when to be independent and when to connect with others.
Of course, staying with hosts requires care. I recommend researching the organization, communicating with your hosts beforehand, sharing your itinerary with someone you trust, and always having a backup plan.
But don't underestimate the possibilities for friendship and human connection.
Sometimes the most meaningful part of a trip isn't a famous landmark.
It's someone you met along the way.
Lesson Three: Travel on Your Own Terms
Here's something I've learned from decades of travel.
You don't have to prove anything to anyone.
If you want to spend an entire afternoon in a Paris café, enjoying a coffee and watching people walk by, do it.
If you want to take the bus instead of walking five miles, that's perfectly fine.
If you need a rest day, take one.
And if you prefer a guided tour for part of your trip, you're still a solo traveler.
During my international adventures, I've learned that being flexible is one of the most important travel skills.
Sometimes your energy is high, and you want to see everything.
Other times, your body tells you to slow down.
Listen to it.
I encourage you to prepare physically for your travels, discuss any health limitations with your healthcare professional, and understand what your travel insurance actually covers.
You don't need to ignore your age.
You need to respect your needs while still pursuing your dreams.
Today's Travel Misstep: The Wrong Bus in Iceland
Let me tell you about a mistake I made in Iceland.
I was heading to the airport in Reykjavik and trusted the information I'd received about which bus to take.
Unfortunately, I boarded the wrong bus.
I realized something was wrong when we passed the airport I needed.
I asked the driver about it, but he didn't understand.
Eventually, I changed buses and walked the final half mile to the airport in the rain.
It wasn't exactly the smooth departure I'd planned!
But I figured it out.
And here's the lesson.
Don't confuse making a mistake with being incapable of traveling.
No matter how old you are or how much experience you have, things can go wrong.
The important question is how you respond.
Today, I double-check transportation details, especially airport names, routes, and schedules.
Preparation reduces problems. Flexibility helps you manage the ones you can't prevent.
Today's Confidence Challenge: Take One Small Step
Now, I want to give you a little homework.
Think of one place you've always wanted to visit.
It doesn't have to be Italy, India, or Iceland.
Maybe it's a museum in your hometown, a nearby beach, or a city just an hour away.
Now ask yourself three questions.
First, what's really stopping me?
Second, what's one thing I could do this week to prepare?
Third, what would make this experience feel safe and comfortable for me?
Maybe your next step is researching train schedules.
Maybe it's booking a walking tour.
Maybe it's inviting yourself out for lunch alone.
Whatever it is, take that step.
Because the goal isn't to become fearless.
The goal is to become confident enough to move forward, even when you're a little uncertain.
Closing: You're Not Finished Exploring
So, are you too old to travel alone?
I don't believe a birthday tells the whole story.
Your health, mobility, resources, interests, and circumstances all matter. And there may be trips that aren't right for you.
But wonderful adventures may still be waiting.
After decades of solo travel, I still have places I want to visit, people I want to meet, and things I want to learn.
And I hope you do, too.
Remember, you don't have to travel like a 25-year-old. You get to travel like the woman you've become.
Connect with Dr. Travelbest
5 Steps to Solo Travel website
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group
Dr.Travelbest on YouTube
