When it comes to solo travel, this is a question we get from ‘older’ customers. “Am I too old?” It poses the question, is there a cutoff point for taking off alone?
In short, no! Age is not a boundary to solo travel. However, age may influence how we approach our journeys, shaping the style and priorities of our adventures.
Solo travel remains timeless – a rewarding way to explore the world at every stage of life. Here’s why.
Our core travel needs remain constant
Travel is an expression of curiosity. Whether in your twenties or seventies, the desire for discovery and new connections is universal. But what I feel from personal experience is that how we choose to meet these needs evolves.
Take accommodation, for example. In my twenties, I was content with budget hostels and shared dorms. It was all part of the adventure and my priority was to stretch every dollar and I did it even to the point of discomfort.
Today, I’ve graduated to comfortable stays and I love a five-star hotel. While I’m no longer drawn to budget travel, I will if I know that budget is the only option, or that the budget option will offer a better experience.
We can expect to evolve and change our travel style. Perhaps you’ve moved from all-inclusive resorts to self-guided tours or from city exploring to more remote destinations.
The key is that these changes reflect personal growth and preferences – not barriers.
Fitness, time and money: changing dynamics over time
Age doesn’t limit your ability to travel solo, but your fitness, time and money often come into play.
- Fitness: As we age, our physical capabilities may change for the better or worse. While a two-week hiking expedition through rugged terrain may have been a dream in your twenties, you might prefer leisurely walking tours or accessible adventures later in life. For me, I went the other way; I enjoy hiking trips more as I’ve aged. Probably because with a busier life now, getting outdoors and more physically demanding trips are an escape from the desk chair and I appreciate this more than I did in my twenties.
- Time: In our twenties we may have the freedom of time but may need to travel on a tighter budget. Fast forward to your forties or fifties and you might have more disposable income but face constraints connected to busy work schedules or family responsibilities. Solo travel adapts to these life stages, whether it is a six-month backpacking trip or sneaking in a seven-day getaway because you are time poor.
- Money: Budget limitations in our twenties can equate to hostels over hotels, public transport over private tours.
Then, the decades move on and for many of us it brings financial stability and we upgrade our travels for more comfort and splurging along the way.
These changes are not about giving up on adventure but rather it’s about where you are in your (financial) life.
Travel evolves with you
Solo travel is a personal experience and if you started out early like me you may relate to this.
In your twenties, you might seek the thrill of solo backpacking – navigating foreign cities with a guidebook, staying up late to meet fellow travellers in a hostel common room and relishing the freedom of open-ended plans.
By your thirties or forties, your approach might shift. Perhaps you’re drawn to cultural immersion, splurging on experiences like cooking classes or private tours and finding joy in connecting with locals.
In your fifties and beyond, you may prioritise comfort, escorted tours (with other solo travellers), or meaningful trips that align with personal passions, like photography, food or history.
The shifts are not limitations, rather, reflections of how your interests and needs grow with time.
The final word: age is a mindset
Ultimately, solo travel is less about how old you are and more about your mindset. Age is not a boundary but a lens through which we view and shape our travels. It’s about finding joy in the journey and that is a very personal choice.
There’s a whole world out there waiting for you to explore – on your terms, in your time and at your own pace. Your choices are the only boundaries.
