One of the biggest perks of retirement is the opportunity to travel unhindered by the restrictions of taking time off work. But what a lack of a job gives, it also takes away in the form of a regular salary and paid time off!
If you want to make the most of the chance to explore the world, it’s important to find away to of doing so that matches your budget. So here are 10 tips to help you travel for less when you retire.
1) Take advantage of of out of season and off-peak travel
When you’re retired you’re not restricted by school schedules, work commitments, or limited vacation days. This means you can travel during off-peak seasons when flights, hotels and attractions are usually much cheaper.
For example, you’ll find that Europe is less crowded and more affordable in late autumn or early spring. Coastal destinations often drop their rates once the summer rush ends, and cruises are typically cheaper during “shoulder seasons” like September or May. By timing your travels outside of holidays and peak tourism months, you can save up to 40%.
The same applies even if you’re not traveling overseas. Timing your overland travel in quieter times, such as outside rush hour, or booking ahead, can save you money.
2) Look for senior discounts
It’s not well advertised, but many airlines, hotels, museums, and tour companies offer senior discounts. You have nothing to lose by asking – even small savings on entry tickets or transport can add up over the course of a trip.
In the US, Amtrak offers 10% off fares for passengers over 65, and you can buy a lifetime Senior Pass from National Parks for a one-time fee, giving you entry to hundreds of sites. In the UK, you can save a third on most rail fares with a Senior Railcard if you’re over 60. You can also save up to 40% in Spain with a Tarjeta Dorada, France sells an Advantage Card that gives you 30% off some trips, and Italy offers discounts of up to 50% for CartaFRECCIA and X-GO members who are over 60 years of age.
The key point here is that there are often discounts available for seniors – you just need to investigate them or ask. So don’t buy a ticket before investigating whether you can save money!
3) Embrace slower travel
One benefit of not needing to return home by a set date because you need to return to work is being able to travel more slowly. This can also be more cost-effective as, rather than booking expensive hotels and needing to eat out every day, you can rent apartments for longer periods.
Not only does this give you the ability to secure a better rate, but you can prepare some meals in your apartment to save too. Plus you have more time to immerse yourself in the local culture.
On Airbnb you can specifically search for accommodation that offers weekly or monthly discounts. On Vrbo you can save over £1,100 when you stay for a month or more. So when planing your stay, check whether the accommodation provider or platform you are using offers discounts for longer stays.
4) Stay in someone’s home for free
Even better – you can stay for free by swapping your home. There are many home exchange websites where you can list your home and find someone to swap with.
Aside from saving money, house swapping gives you all the comfort of a home when you travel, and enables you to immerse yourself in local culture more easily.
No home to swap? You can stay for free in homes around the world in exchange for looking after someone’s home and pets as a Trusted Housesitter.
4) Travel with groups
Traveling in a tour group can be cheaper than booking everything independently as the companies organising them are able to access bulk and loyalty trade discounts. They’ll also sort all the entrance fees and booking of guides, saving you hassle and ensuring you don’t miss out on any local gems. Plus you won’t feel alone as you’ll have fellow travellers to eat and chat with.
5) Use rewards and loyalty programs
Are you a member of any travel loyalty programme? If not, now is the time to look into it. By using the same airline or hotel group when you travel, you can add up points towards discounted or free flights and stays. You could also snag free breakfast, flight and room upgrades, and priority boarding.
Some credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses that can translate into free flights or hotel stays, and others have loyalty programmes that enable you to save on travel through your every day shopping. And your new-found freedom to travel when you like means you can take advantage of “award availability” that might be harder for working professionals to book.
6) Work for your bed and board
Programmes like Workaway, WWOOF and Worldpackers provide you with free lodging in exchange for light work. And they have destinations all over the world – from Chile and Tanzania, to Korea and Canada.
And not only will you save money on your travels, but you can better get to know the local culture, make lasting connections with people around the world, learn new skills, and maybe even find a new passion. It can turn travel from just a fun experience to something much more meaningful and rewarding.
7) Be flexible with your destinations
If you’re open-minded about where you travel to, you can choose destinations where your money goes much further. For example, countries in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and parts of South America usually offer excellent value, with affordable lodging, meals and activities.
You can use flight search engines that highlight the cheapest destinations from your departure city. Sometimes an unexpected location offers not only savings but also a unique adventure.
Last year I took my children to visit friends and family in Malaysia and West Sumatra, and I was able to work easily from every location – even deep in the remote Indonesian highlands. It was very safe and friendly, and Kuala Lumpur felt as modern and international as London. I would happily spend my winters eating delicious food and swimming in warm Asian seas, and living on less money than it cost to heat my home in the UK!
8) Travel light
The fees for checked baggage can add up quickly, especially on budget airlines, so consider traveling lighter with just a carry-on case or bag. Taking less luggage also makes it easier to use public transportation instead of taxis, which can be a big cost saver. With practice, you’ll soon get used to packing smart for different climates.
9) Stay healthy while traveling
Unexpected medical costs can quickly drain your travel budget, so make sure you have adequate travel insurance that covers emergencies, especially when traveling abroad. It’s also a good idea to pack prescriptions and basic medications to avoid paying potentially high prices at your destination. Staying active and eating well on the road can also reduce the likelihood of expensive health issues.
If you’re travelling off the beaten path, you might also want to be careful about what you eat. When I left to travel around the world for a year aged 28, a friend gave me excellent advice that saved me from getting food poisoning – even in rural India. He recommended three simple rules:
- Don’t eat meat
- Don’t have ice in any drink
- Don’t eat salad
He also recommended the book Bugs, Bites and Bowels by Jane Wilson-Howarth, which became my travel health bible!
10) Mix travel with purpose
If you’re not someone who likes lazing on a beach or sun bed, you might find combining travel with volunteering, teaching, or cultural exchange programmes rewarding. As well as giving your trip more purpose, these opportunities often provide free or subsidised accommodation in exchange for your time and skills.
Teaching English abroad, helping at cultural centres, or volunteering with nonprofits are rewarding ways to see the world for less – and it’s not just reserved for gap year students. You can find opportunities for mature volunteers on sites like International Volunteer HQ, Volunteering Solutions and OpenMind Projects.
Seeing the world doesn’t have to cost the earth
Traveling in retirement doesn’t have to eat into your savings. With flexibility, creativity, and an openness to trying new approaches, you can enjoy rich and fulfilling experiences at a fraction of the cost. After all, retirement is not just about having more time – it’s about living to the full.
