Sometimes a passing comment makes you reflect. Solo travel over 50? I embrace it wholeheartedly. Should we be limited because of age?
It was a fleeting comment.
Somebody I paid to analyze my website.
Told me to change this picture
to one of me.
“That’s your back? You have a young back,” was the comment tossed my way.
“That’s you too?” was the next query.
“YES! Of course, it’s me.” was my shocked response.
Wh-a-tttttt? Because I am a mature, often solo, female traveller…
I can’t show my joy by leaping skyward or possibly be courageous enough to cross a questionable jungle bridge?
That joyous jump? I chuckle knowing I am a mere millimetre off the ground (and didn’t roll my ankle on landing).
I grin when I think of that precarious bridge, the eye-to-eye encounter with monkeys and my iron-clad grip on the cables.
At first, I laughed at those comments at first. Dismissed them.
On further reflection, I realized that the off-the-cuff remarks represented an attitude, a cliché. One that I am not willing to accept or live by.
I say, “Hell, NO!” to limiting beliefs, especially when they are about age and women.” I say, “Carve your own path, leap for joy and pursue your passions.”
Call it, “Badass.”
Call it, “Taking up My Space.”
I say, “Hell, YES to living life to the fullest, no matter your age or gender.”
Let’s do it – embracing fears and stepping out of your comfort zone.”
I say, “Hell, YES to being a solo, mature female traveller and connecting to the world at large.”
What do YOU say?
Don’t back down because of your age. It’s just a number on paper.
How old do you feel in your heart?
Here’s to solo travel over 50!
11 Reasons To Travel Over 50 Years Old
Let’s push the boundaries of your comfort zone into the wide world.
1. Solo Travel Over 50: Are You Curious?
“Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.” James Stephens
Stay curious. Ask questions. Dream possibilities. Never stop dreaming. Put them on paper. Shout them out loud. Somebody I know actually does this!
2. Solo Travel Over 50: Self-Doubt
Push self-doubt to the corner. Quieten that critical, negative voice you keep hearing. It’s been there all your life. It probably protected you at times but also held you back. Not this time. You’ve got a dream. And you’re going for it.
3. Solo Travel Over 50: Commitment
Book a flight or a train or a camper van. Once that first commitment is made, you’ve turned the corner. Think of it as an investment in YOU. Now it’s time to research and plan the details.
4. Attitude Is Everything
Attitude is everything. Believe that you can and guess what? You can. This is your trip. OWN it. You will face both successes and mishaps. Roll with it. It never turns out exactly as planned.
5. What’s Your Vibe Magnet?
Your vibe attracts your tribe. Right?
Smile before you frown. I have smiled and chirped, “Bonjour” or “Hola” at many strangers. I melt when the grumpiest face looks up and breaks into a grinning response.
If you go out into the world afraid that you will be robbed, cheated and scammed then… guess what? It’s likely to happen.
Of course, you need to be aware. A fearful attitude is not the same as awareness.
Check your vibe. Walk your path with grace and kindness. You will be so grateful when the energy you have put out comes flooding back into your life.
Read More: Wondering how to pack light? Read this post with tips from a former overpacker.
6. Solo Travel Over 50: Loneliness
Worried about being lonely on a solo trip? Loneliness is a funny thing. When I feel this way, I remind myself that one can feel lonely in a large group or even in a relationship.
When you feel the need for others, take an organized day trip or a walking tour. Look online for meet-ups. I recently joined a photo meet-up in Paris and loved the company of other photographers. Often you will end up with a new connection or, at least, a few hours spent with people who have similar interests.
Have you tried staying in a hostel for a few nights? It’s another way to meet people of all age groups. How are you at conversing with 20-year-olds? 70-year-olds? You might not want to go on the pub crawl with the youngsters but there will be someone else looking for another option too.
Solitude. There is a fine line between loneliness and solitude.
Read More | Survive the Lows and Embrace the Highs of Solo Female Travel
Embrace your solitude. Sit in a park or a café. Listen. Watch the world around you. Bring your journal. Sink into yourself. How does it feel? Enjoy your own company. You’ve been together a heck of a long time by now.
7. The Ultimate In Freedom
Solo travel over 50! Today it is you and your agenda. You and no agenda. You and a blank slate for the day. No one else to please. Just yourself. You never know who or what is going to cross your path. Be open to serendipity. Yoga in the park? Birdwatching? Stand up in your space, with all your wisdom and life experience, and tailor each moment for YOU.
8. Solo Travel Over 50: Table for One
Worried about eating solo? Bring your journal or a book to read, or use the Kindle app on your phone. It has taken me years to feel comfortable eating solo in a restaurant, especially at dinner. Now, I am better able to revel in my table for one, enjoy my meal and people-watch. Watching people’s restaurant behaviours rivals Netflix!
Alternatively, grab some regional food from the market and have a picnic. In your room. In a park. Slow down. Savour the local flavours.
Read More | What about that pesky travel companion called FEAR?
9. Solo Travel Over 50: Vulnerability
Sometimes, like riding the Paris metro, it serves you well to have that determined look like you know exactly where you are going. But most people love helping others. Stuck? Turned around? Unable to decipher road signs? Ask. Someone will help.
10. The Web of Humanity
One of the biggest gifts of stepping out into the wider world is making new connections. With humans. All ages and stages. Different nationalities. All colours. Fleeting connections. Longer friendships. Reciprocal ones. It is a completely humbling experience hearing the woes and joys of other humans in Sri Lanka, Guatemala or Spain.
Read everything I’ve got on Solo Female Travel.
11. Solo Travel Over 50: Celebrate
You are here. Thinking about solo travel over 50. Reading this. Planning. Or possibly sitting solo on a train in a foreign land. Celebrate the fears you quelled and the steps you took to get where you are. Celebrate your choices and sacrifices.
You only get one shot at life so I say, “Hell YES!” to all of it.
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Hi Alison. I have to admit I was slow on going through your blog. Feel like I’m finally settling. Your blog is amazing. I especially like the travelling independent/ solo as a female. You have covered so much and it is really vital and good information. Your blog is inspirational and I apologize for not keeping up with you. I look forward to your posts, will keep up with up and what a great job you have done. Thanks for all the interesting information, I am learning so much from you as you push me outside my walls.
Your friend, Kelly. ❤️
Hi Kelly, Thank you so much for the feedback. I am so thrilled that a little piece of what I am writing, or a few words, is resonating with you! Let’s push those boundaries, girl!! I say “Hell Yes!” to an empowered way of going through life! xx
We are all about doing what makes you happy. If you want to travel solo, do it. If you think you are too old to travel, there is no such thing. Happy to see you are doing what you love 🙂
Hi Candy! Yes, I am doing what I love. I agree you’re never too old to travel!
I hope to be traveling around when I’ve hit my 50’s! I’ve met some wonderful solo traveling women and men who are older than the usual backpacker crowd, but they always have great stories to tell and sometimes like a good party too! It makes me happy to read your positive “Hell Yeah” attitude – don’t stop 🙂
Thanks Erika! Nope, I won’t stop! I plan to encourage others my age to step outside their comfort zone – whatever that might be for them!
I started to really travel at age 60 when I found my travel partner/husband. I don’t think I can ever travel solo. You are courageous!
I love how you can really start to do anything new at any age! Good for you to start travelling at age 60. Life is good!
From a 60-year-old married traveler, who loves traveling with his wife, but also loves traveling by myself and always has, and loves it when my wife travels alone too. We find adventure together — we share adventure when we are apart. Your writing style and this post have just earned you another subscriber. You ARE AWESOME!!! Keep on keeping on and traveling well.
Thank you, Michael! I love how you and your wife find adventures together and share adventures when apart. Beautiful. Thanks for the vote of confidence! 😉
Your story is an inspiration and I hope to be traveling with the same attitude as you when I’m 50. I’ve never really solo traveled and I feel like I’ve missed out on that experience but at the same time I love traveling with my husband.
Travelling with a partner is also a beautiful thing! I just happen to be on a roll with my solo adventures at this point in my life. However, I was thinking the other day that I am so used to solo travel now, I wonder how I would adapt to travelling with a partner!!!!!!
I hope to be able to continue travelling for as long as you. You are an inspiration to many people who may be worried about travelling solo. So motivating!
Thank you, Laura! I do hope to inspire people that they too can travel solo and it’s not that scary!
Brilliant inspirational article! I started to travel pretty late myself, but never felt of getting old to do anything. The age is just a number that shows your experience.. ✨?
Thank you Ray! That number = yes it shows your experience and I go right to… “How old do you feel in your heart?!”
You’re so right about feeling lonely even when in a group – that shouldn’t stop anyone from experiencing solo travel. And PREACH! Love this post so soooooo much and it’s really upsetting how Instagram has shaped modern society into thinking that travelling is only for the young females who love to froilc in their pretty dresses when it obviously isn’t. I say you do you and I applaud you for your positive outlook!!!
Thanks Jas! “You do you” is so important. What’s that saying? “Comparison is the thief of joy.” In the instagram world, its super important to do a self check and be happy with yourself!
I totally support this and your continued travel! I laughed at the comment about being a millimeter from the ground in your jumping photo, and had to go back and look to see that we couldn’t actually see the bottom of your foot: great perspective there! I haven’t had the chance to take a solo trip yet, but having lived abroad twice, many of the same elements applied. If I wanted to visit a particular museum or especially to visit a restaurant I passed every day, I would often have to go alone and be OK with it in order to give myself that experience. I hope you continue to travel for many years!
Thank you Kelly. I too hope to continue travelling for many years to come. Going off on your own even just to a museum is a rewarding experience! I’m working on getting higher on my jumps!!! 😉
Wow, I can’t believe the comment on looking too young while jumping and crossing the bridge. I think people show their age less when they are keeping fit and enjoying themselves. I mean, I have a neighbor over 75 who travels solo keeping an open mind and stays fit by swimming daily when at home. She doesn’t even look close to being 60.
Mindset and exercise are the key to life! I love the saying, “Attitude is everything!”
Great article. I just went on a solo trip and it was great for my confidence. I say “no more” to those stereotypes about women not travelling by themselves and “no way” to thinking that you have to “act” old just cause you are 50+. I’m young at heart and love adventure!
I applaud you! WAY TO GO!!! I think young at heart is the way to be! Keep travelling!
I took my first solo trip at 59 and celebrated my 60th birthday in London.
I love travelling solo, stay in dorms in hostels, explore new cities on public transit, and befriend people whenever the opportunity comes.
At 70 I am going to Kelowna with my 75 year old bestie yo ride the Myra Canyon Trail to Rith Lake.
I have heen looking at house or pet sitting to explore more countries.
Do you find listings through one of the online services or do you find the sits on your own.
Paris was not my favourite city in Europe, but I plan to explore more areas to the east and south.
Loved your post on the Myra Canyon Trail
Hi Marian, Oh what an inspiration you are! I think one can start solo travel at any age! Good for you! I love meeting people of all ages on my trips. Some of the French people I met while travelling I have reconnected with here in France! Oh, you will love the Myra Canyon. It’s a unique experience to ride the rails. With housesitting I have used trustedhousesitters.com and have an ebook almost ready to put up on my site! Meet me in Paris – I’ll show you all the tucked-away gems!!! 😉 Enjoy your travels.