Traveling on your own after 60 can be one of the most freeing things you ever do. You go where you want, at your own pace, with no one to please but yourself. If the idea excites and scares you in equal measure, that's normal — here's how to plan a first solo trip you'll feel proud of.
You don't have to fly across an ocean to travel solo. A first solo trip to a city a few hours away — or a weekend at a national park — builds confidence with low stakes. You learn how you like to travel alone (early riser or slow mornings? museums or markets?) before you commit to anything bigger. Each trip makes the next one easier.
“Solo” doesn't have to mean “alone the whole time.” Many travelers over 60 book a small-group or escorted tour for their first independent trip. You get your own room and plenty of free time, but there's a guide handling logistics and a built-in group to share meals with. Look for tours that waive or reduce the dreaded “single supplement” fee, and ones aimed at your age group and interests.
Solo travelers are often charged extra because pricing assumes two people share a room. Ask directly about the single-supplement fee before booking — some tour companies and cruise lines waive it on certain dates, and a few cabins are designed for solo travelers.
One of the surprises of solo travel is how much easier it is to meet people when you're on your own — you're more approachable, and more likely to say yes. Staying socially connected is good for your health, too. A few easy ways in:
A little planning lets you relax and enjoy yourself. These habits matter for everyone and are worth extra attention for women traveling alone:
Pack enough of your regular medications for the whole trip plus a few extra days, in your carry-on and original bottles. For travel abroad, see your doctor 4–6 weeks ahead about any destination-specific vaccines, and price out travel insurance for seniors with emergency medical coverage — traditional Medicare generally doesn't cover care outside the U.S.
There's a difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Plenty of solo travelers come home saying they were never lonely — they were busy, curious, and connected. If quiet evenings get to you, build in a class or a group dinner, and call home. You're choosing your own company, not avoiding everyone else's.
Solo travel is really just one more way to fill this chapter with things you've always wanted to do. For more, see our list of things to do in retirement.
A printable checklist of documents to copy, people to notify, and what to pack — so your first solo trip is organized and worry-free. Tell us where to send it.
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Good to know
Yes, with sensible planning. Share your itinerary with someone at home and check in on a schedule, arrive in new places during daylight, keep copies of your passport and IDs stored separately, and trust your instincts — leave any situation that feels off. For international trips, enroll in the State Department's free STEP program so a U.S. embassy can reach you in an emergency. These habits matter for everyone and are worth extra attention for women traveling alone.
Solo travelers are often more approachable and more likely to say yes to invitations. Take a class like a cooking lesson or food tour, eat at the bar or a communal table, stay somewhere social like a small B&B with a common room, and chat with local staff and shopkeepers. Small-group tours also give you a built-in group while preserving your independence.
The single supplement is an extra fee solo travelers pay because tour and cruise pricing assumes two people share a room. To avoid or reduce it, ask directly before booking — some companies waive it on certain dates, some cruise lines have cabins designed for solo travelers, and tour operators aimed at solo travelers often advertise no single supplement.
Many solo travelers say they rarely feel lonely — they're busy, curious, and meeting people along the way. There's a real difference between solitude you've chosen and loneliness. If quiet evenings are hard for you, build in a class or a group dinner, stay somewhere social, and call home regularly. Staying connected is good for your wellbeing as well as your enjoyment.
Plan the trip
The Retirement Bucket List Planner gives every dream trip a page — a place to map the route, set a budget, and pick the month — so the journeys you keep talking about actually get booked.
See the Bucket List Planner →