What’s your picture of retirement? Laying in a hammock on an island beach, summery cocktail in hand? That would be the usual. Everyone dreams of living the good life once they stop working. That’s why we’ve got some essential tips for getting the most out of your retirement travelling – including making sure you have enough funds for more than one trip!
The perks of travelling when you’re retired
Keeps life fresh
Once you’ve stopped working, life can quickly become more limited and insular – with you seeing fewer people and experiencing less variety in your routine. Travel is a great way to keep injecting your life with interesting and unpredictable experiences. You’ll leave your comfort zone, try new things, and challenge yourself.
You’re always learning
When we visit new countries and places, there are endless opportunities for learning. And in retirement, this can be rare. Just because you’ve left the workforce, doesn’t mean you want to stop learning new things and expanding your mind. The learning experiences on offer when you’re travelling can include interacting with different sorts of people, on-the-spot problem-solving when situations arise, and simply having your assumptions challenged with new perspectives.
The trip can be longer
One major perk of travelling during retirement is that you’ve got longer to really delve deeper into the experience. Instead of a rushed two-week trip (probably with small kids in tow!), you’ll have months to explore, relax, and find unique experiences. No more jam-packed schedules where you try and fit in every major landmark. Get ready for lazy afternoons spent enjoying an Aperol spritz in an Italian square or discovering every intriguing secret of a historic city.
Helps you find companionship
It’s easy to get lonely during retirement, especially if you’re single – but when you’re travelling, there are always new people to meet. Retirement removes the structure of a workday and many people feel less motivated about going out and putting effort into socialising. On a trip, you have to interact with all sorts of people, so you’re bound to make some new friends and have stimulating conversations. It can also bring you closer to your partner, or the people you’re travelling with – therefore strengthening these existing bonds.
Travelling post-Covid as a retiree
No one wants to think about Covid anymore. But when you’re heading off on a trip – especially if you’re part of a more at-risk group – it’s still worth being more prepared than you had to be in 2019.
Book through a travel agency
Although travelling has already become more reliable since the beginning of 2022, there are still more cancelled flights and complications than there were before the pandemic began. So, especially when you’re booking an expensive, long-haul trip, it’s a good idea to book through a travel agency instead of a random website. If anything is cancelled or delayed, you will have a professional on your side, instead of an unresponsive customer service line. They can reschedule your flights without extra cost, keep you updated about the flight’s status, and provide much-needed reassurance.
Check the requirements for each country
Just because Australia doesn’t really have many restrictions left, it doesn’t mean other countries are the same. Make sure you do your research beforehand, to avoid getting caught unawares when you’re overseas in a vulnerable position. Look up the requirements for each country you’re visiting. Do they require vaccination proof on entry? Do you need to wear a mask in the airport? Also, check the current rules about wearing masks on planes, as airlines can have different rules from each other, and sometimes it depends on the country you’re flying into.
Get travel insurance
Travel insurance isn’t just for covering the cost of cancelled flights, it’s also for your health. If you catch Covid on your trip, you need to be able to access the hospital in whatever country you’re visiting. Many countries will not treat you if you can’t afford their services, so being covered for illness overseas can be a literal lifesaver.
Bring your Covid safety kit
Preparation is key. Even if you think that none of the countries you’re visiting are enforcing restrictions anymore, you don’t want to be caught unawares. Your Covid safety kit should include:
- Printed documents – like proof of vaccination
- Masks – bring a few, including some softer ones for sleeping on the plane
- Hand sanitiser
- RAT tests
How to prepare for your retirement travelling
Save extra funds before retirement
Unfortunately, travelling isn’t always cheap. And when you’re retired, you have a limited budget that needs to last a long time. So, to ensure you can afford multiple adventures during your senior years, we recommend setting aside an extra amount of savings on top of your retirement fund – an amount that’s specifically for travelling.
Stick to a budget
The other thing you can do is ensure you stick to a budget while travelling. Sit down and figure out exactly how much you can spend on each trip, then don’t exceed that number.
Make a realistic plan
Some holidays just won’t be possible when you’re 80. But they might be when you’re 65. So it helps to make a realistic plan about when you should do each of your bucketlist activities. Perhaps the hiking expedition can happen sooner and the relaxed beachside getaway can wait?
Find cheaper ways to travel
By taking shortcuts, choosing some more unique pathways, and travelling differently than you usually would, you can save money and travel for longer.
Online accommodation options
One of the best savings you can make is with accommodation. Use websites like Airbnb to find cheap deals and save money by staying in someone’s guest room rather than a hotel. Or choose an Airbnb apartment and save by making your own meals.
Less well-known destinations
Flights to locations like Paris and Rome will always be expensive and once you’re there, everything else will cost more than other places too. So sometimes choose unique destinations, like lesser known cities – you might even have more meaningful experiences in these places!
The retirement experts: St Ives
If you’re entering retirement and looking for a cosy, low-maintenance home to come back to after your travels, then we’ve got you covered. St Ives has had retirement villages in Western Australia since 1981, so we’re well-equipped to deliver the retirement living experience you deserve. Get in touch to find out more.