Are we ever too old to travel?

Have you seen Race Around the World?

I love it, and this season got me thinking about whether we ever become too old to travel. 

Not only did we get to enjoy some fabulous armchair journeys around China, Nepal and India, but I found myself reminiscing about some of my Asian adventures years ago. That said, what really captured my heart was watching the evolution of Caroline, a 61-year-old woman travelling with her son. Throughout the series, she mentioned that before the trip, she’d thought she was too old to travel or backpack—she thought only young people embark upon that type of trip. I remember feeling that way, too, when I was about to go on my first backpacking trip.

I thought I was “too old to travel”—at 24!

I was genuinely concerned that I was going to be the oldest person out there and that most people took their gap year around 18, between school and university or work, so I worried I wouldn’t meet anyone my age. But the real underlying fear as a solo traveller was being lonely for a year and having no one to connect with and have fun with. Yes, I didn’t need to worry. In that entire year away, there were only a handful of days I was by myself, and I can’t ever remember feeling lonely.

When I look back at my photos and memories from that first trip, nearly everybody was around my age, although I do remember meeting wonderful people of all ages. Three years later, I went backpacking again, and once again, my memory and photos show that most of the people I naturally gravitated towards were around my age.

The truth about age and travel connections

As I’ve continued travelling throughout my life, I realise there are always younger people and those who are older.

Even on the Arctic cruise I’ve just returned from, the age range was 14 to 81, with an average age of 58. But here’s the fascinating part: who did we spend most of our time with? The people we naturally clicked with based on similar interests—in our case, those who also enjoy independent travel, camper vanning, and making the most of life. It wasn’t our age that determined who we connected with; it was our shared hobbies and values.

Think about it. When making friends as an adult, it’s not age that determines whether you click with someone, but rather what you have in common. If you’re like me, there will be plenty of people your age, you don’t want to spend time with.

Age becomes irrelevant when you speak and spend time with people who share your passions and worldview.

So, are you ever too old to travel?

The simple answer is no. If you have the physical and mental ability to do so in the capacity required for the type of travel you’d like to do. Age is just a number.

“I’m too old to travel” often masks other concerns

If you think you are too old to travel or do anything else, it’s worth exploring why you think this and whether it’s being driven by other underlying doubts or fears, such as:

• I’ve never done that before, or I wouldn’t know where to start – this doubt can apply to anyone at any age! In the same way you’ve learned how to do things in the past, you can learn this too. There are countless books, magazines, TV programmes, and YouTube channels about independent travelling. Thousands of travel agents can help, too. I’m writing a guide on this at the moment, so let me know if you’d like to hear when it’s available.

• I’m scared – people of all ages have fears. What specifically are you scared of? Delving deeper into your fears and taking action to overcome them will help you move forward. Sometimes therapy can help you overcome deep-seated fears, or invite the fear to come on the journey with you—that’s what confident people do. They smash through their comfort zone as part of their adventure.

• What if I get ill? – Our health is a valid consideration for us all, regardless of age. Make sure you have comprehensive health insurance that covers all the most likely eventualities.

• I have a health condition – again, this isn’t age-related. People can have health conditions at any age. If you have health conditions that restrict travel in some way (like medication that needs refrigeration), this becomes a factor when choosing your destination and trip type. Consider your physical or mental abilities, but remember that nowadays there is an array of trips that accommodate most needs, including assistance at airports and stations. I’ve had to adapt how I travel due to chronic fatigue and only having energy for a few hours each day. This impacts the trips I choose and how I travel to my destination, but it isn’t stopping me from having incredible adventures. Rather, the nature of my adventures has changed.

• I don’t have anyone to travel with – this can apply to people of all ages, too! Plenty of people travel independently, solo, and in groups. You could:

  • Seek out people in a similar position to be potential travel companions.

  • Consider going somewhere yourself (it’s far less scary than you think). Be bold and push through your comfort zone. When you’re travelling, you’re most likely to meet people you could naturally engage with—those standing next to you in a queue at a café or the airport. You get to choose whether you engage or not. The more you initiate conversations, the more pleasurable your trip is likely to be.

  • Join an organised group with specific focuses like activities, historical sights, wildlife, relaxation, or spirituality.

  • Check out my blog, 5 Ways to Find People to Travel With for further tips. Or buy my Nourishing Friendships book that’s packed with ideas for making like-minded friends. 

• What will others think?”– Who cares? The only thing that matters is how you feel. Please don’t stop yourself from doing something incredible simply because you’re worried about what others think. People often project their own fears and anxieties onto you to make themselves feel better. Sometimes it is worth listening to close family or friends if they’re aware of something important you haven’t considered. But ignore others’ opinions unless they are helpful and encouraging.

How did 61-year-old Caroline do on Race Around the World?

She and her son won! By pushing through her doubts, fears, and anxieties, she went from thinking her life was over and that she was too old to travel, to feeling lighter and discovering that travelling had given her a second chance at life.

In summary

You’re never too old to travel—as long as you have the physical and mental capability to do so. There are always adaptations you can make and ways to travel that suit your abilities and interests.

What about you?

If you’re hesitant, it’s time to change your mindset. Detox thoughts and feelings that no longer serve you, so you can start enjoying fabulous new adventures. Sometimes, they’re factors worth considering or accommodating, but often, they’re habitual, outdated beliefs that are sabotaging your future.

• If you knew for sure you’d have a great trip, where would you go?

• What’s holding you back?

• What would make it easier to plan a trip that lights up your heart and satisfies all your needs?

Ready for your next adventure?

Join our community of vibrant souls who are redefining what it means to age with curiosity and adventure over on Substack <HERE> so we can explore this extraordinary chapter of life together.

Or book a free discovery session with me to find out how I could help you overcome whatever’s holding you back from your next great adventure.

You matter, your happiness matters, and what you do next matters.

Let the adventures begin!

With love and gratitude,

Author and life coach for women in midlife and beyond

Embrace your next chapter with adventure, confidence, and joy

P.S. Want help working out what’s next for you?

I help women explore how to make the most of the second half of life and turn their dreams into reality. Book a free 20-minute discovery session with me <HERE> to help you decide if I’d be the right person to accompany you on this journey.

Often described as one of the most authentic and inspiring souls you can meet, Alisoun is on a mission to make it easier for women in their midlife years and beyond to live their truth, do something that matters, and make the most of life. 

Alisoun’s keynote talks, training, mentoring, and best-selling books, Nourishing Friendships, Heartatude: The 9 Principles of Heart-Centered Success and Give-to-Profit have favourably changed the good fortune of thousands of people worldwide. Alisoun loves spending time with friends, exploring the world, and living by the beach in Scotland.