Traveling in your later years can be challenging, especially if you have mobility limitations. But that doesn’t mean you should plan to travel, just that you will need to plan more carefully.
Accessible travel can be achieved by choosing your destination carefully, planning in advance, and traveling with friends or family members. Read on to learn more tips for accessible travel for older adults.
1. Choose Your Destinations Carefully
Unfortunately, some destinations are more accessible than others. For example, if you are a wheelchair user, you won’t have much issue in Europe, where paved streets and public transport are the norm, but you may struggle on an African safari where neither of these options exists.
Sweden, Canada, Germany, and Singapore rank the highest in terms of countries with barrier-free access to public transport and the most public transport options. Additionally, with the exception of some of the less touristy spots in Germany, you should have no issue with getting around with English in these countries.
Find more accessible travel destinations in our article The Best (and Worst) Destinations for Senior Travel.
2. Travel With a Guide
Tour groups are an excellent way to see different parts of the world when you have mobility difficulties or are nervous about emergencies. While there is a large variance in tour groups and the accommodations they are able to provide for someone with limited mobility, here is a list of our favorite tour companies.
In general, before you book a tour group to your dream destination, take the time to inquire about their accommodations for those with limited mobility. Chances are, they’ll have options, adaptations, and suggestions on what to book!
3. Plan in Advance
If you decide to go without a group, then you need to be prepared to plan many aspects of your trip in advance. Gone are the days when you could just fly to a country and stay in a hostel. Instead, you will need to take the time to find a hotel or an Airbnb with an elevator. Remember, in Europe it is not common to have a lift or elevator in an apartment building, especially in older cities like Paris. You will need to verify that anywhere you book has access sufficient for your abilities.
Not only do you need to be cautious when booking a place to stay, but some of the older cities in Europe only have cobblestone streets, which are hell on wheelchairs. You may need to buy special wheels or stay in certain areas so you can traverse the city without issue. Also consider purchasing travel insurance, just in case something does happen.
4. Travel With Friends or Family
The reality is, traveling in your later years can be scary—especially if you have mobility or health issues. One of the ways to help you feel more comfortable and to make traveling more accessible is to do so with a friend or family member who is more mobile than you are.
Suddenly, you have someone you can send down to the desk if the elevator won’t arrive. You also have someone who can help you find a lift instead of having to struggle with the street stairs. While this may make your travel more expensive, it will help you to have a more comfortable and relaxed experience.
5. Choose a Cruise
We aren’t a huge fan of cruises, because we unfortunately suffer from seasickness, but they are one of the best ways for those with limited mobility to travel. Not only are cruise ships accessible, with wide doorways and elevators, but they also have medical staff on board to help in an emergency.
Plus, while they may help you off and on the boat in cities that are accessible, in ones that aren’t, you do have the option of staying on board and participating in a number of activities instead. Regardless, cruises are often champions for the disabled, coming up with solutions to ensure you can participate in as much as possible!
6. Pack Light
No matter whether you choose a cruise or a tour group, one of the most important aspects of accessible travel is to learn to pack light. Not only do you already have a lot to worry about for moving yourself around in a foreign country, but the last thing you want to struggle with is finding someone to help with your bags. Not to mention your bags likely already have medications and other items you can’t leave behind.
We recommend working on your packing skills until you fit everything you need into a single carry-on-size suitcase or backpack. While this might sound crazy, it can be easier than you might think, thanks to packing cubes and other modern suitcase designs. We find that most people pack too much when they travel anyway. Remember, laundry is something that is available in every country, and in most it will be cheaper than the cost of a checked bag, we promise.
7. Have a Backup Plan
Whether or not you have mobility issues, a backup plan is critical for stress-free travel. A backup plan also doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be something as simple as travel insurance, which can refund you if you are unable to travel at the last minute. It can also be a friend or family member you can call who can help you from afar.
Although travel insurance is our preferred backup plan, if you choose to have a family member or friend, ensure they have all your health information (or access just in case) as well as a full itinerary of where you will be. Also consider writing down their number and wearing it on your person or in your wallet so it can be easily found in an emergency.
Overall, we see no reason not to travel until the last possible moment, even if it can be challenging for those with mobility issues. As long as you have a plan, have picked an accessible destination, and pack light, you should be able to enjoy traveling for many years to come.
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