Solo Travel After 60: A First-Timer's Guide
Yes, solo travel after 60 is safe and freeing with sensible planning: start close to home, share your itinerary with someone at home, and arrive in new places during daylight. Book a small-group or escorted tour, and ask about the single-supplement fee. If the idea excites and scares you in equal measure, that's normal.
Quick answer
Yes, solo travel after 60 is safe and freeing with sensible planning: start close to home on a short trip to build confidence, share your itinerary with someone at home, and arrive in new places during daylight. To ease in, book a small-group or escorted tour — your own room and free time plus a built-in group — and ask about the single-supplement fee, which some companies waive.
Start close to home
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.
Should a first-time solo traveler book a small group tour?
“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.
The single supplement
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.
How do you meet people when traveling alone?
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:
- Take a class — a cooking lesson, a walking food tour, a guided museum visit. Shared activities spark conversation.
- Eat at the bar or a communal table instead of a table for one.
- Stay somewhere social — a small B&B or a guesthouse with a common room beats an anonymous chain.
- Chat with staff and shopkeepers; locals give the best tips and a friendly face goes a long way.
How can seniors stay safe traveling solo, especially women?
A little planning lets you relax and enjoy yourself. These habits matter for everyone and are worth extra attention for women traveling alone:
- Share your itinerary with a family member or friend, and check in on a set schedule.
- Arrive in daylight when you can, so your first hours in a new place aren't in the dark.
- Trust your gut. If a situation or person feels off, leave. You owe no one an explanation.
- Keep copies of your documents — a photo of your passport and IDs, stored separately and in your phone.
- For international trips, enroll in the State Department's free STEP program so the nearest U.S. embassy can reach you in an emergency.
How do you protect your health on a solo trip?
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.
Compare senior travel-insurance policies
Traveling on your own means there's no companion to step in if a flight cancels or a medical problem comes up abroad — and traditional Medicare generally doesn't cover care outside the U.S. Squaremouth lines up policies from dozens of providers side by side, so you can compare the emergency medical and evacuation limits that matter most when you're solo, and check each policy's pre-existing condition rules before you pay.We may earn a commission if you buy through this link — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Compare quotes →Loneliness vs. solitude
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.
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Common questions
Is solo travel safe after 60?
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.
How do I meet people when 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.
What is the single supplement and how do I avoid it?
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.
Will I feel lonely traveling by myself?
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.