Older Americans are traveling — a lot.
In AARP’s latest national study, 70% of adults 50+ say they plan to take trips in 2025, up from 65% in 2024. And they expect to spend about $6,847 on travel this year, roughly steady versus 2024.
International travel is also ticking up: 45% of 50+ travelers are eyeing a trip abroad, while domestic-only travel is down. At the same time, cost is still the No. 1 barrier for this group.
Key Stats: Senior Travel
- 👵 70% of people aged 50 and over plan to travel in 2025, up from 65% last year.
- 🛫 In 2024, adults 50+ took 3.9 trips on average, surpassing their own expectations.
- 💵 They’ll spend roughly US$6,847 on travel this year (2025), a modest rise over 2024.
- 🎯 For over 50s, travel and vacations are the top priority for spending beyond necessities — 63% say this is their number-one discretionary spending goal.
- 🏡 Most older travelers prefer staying closer to home: 61% of 50+ people will travel only domestically in 2023.
- ♿ Mobility matters: among travelers 70+, ~89% report needing some health or mobility accommodation; in younger senior brackets, the number is lower but still large.
- 🏘️ European seniors (65+) tend to travel 70% of the time within their own country; their trips are longer, averaging 6.3 nights, often in non-rented accommodation.
- 📅 The “off-peak” or shoulder seasons are growing in importance: older travelers take ~58% of their nights in those less busy parts of the year.
- 🚶♀️ Solo travel is not uncommon: ~20-30% of certain educational or experience programs for seniors are done solo.
Travel is resonating across the 50-plus audience.
“We are delighted to see that travel is back in full swing for older adults.”
— Patty David, Vice President, Consumer Insights, AARP.
How much will older adults spend — and does age matter?
AARP’s 2025 study shows steady overall budgets, with the 70+ group increasing spend the most (likely tied to more international trips).
Average anticipated travel spend by age (U.S., 50+, USD)
| Age group | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 50–59 | $6,054 | $5,991 |
| 60–69 | $6,865 | $7,028 |
| 70+ | $6,987 | $7,807 |
Source: AARP 2025 Travel Trends.
Where are 50-plus travelers going?
The mix is shifting: international travel interest rises while domestic-only plans decline.
For international trips, Europe leads (Italy, Great Britain, France, Spain, Ireland), with Mexico the top Latin America pick.
In the U.S., Florida and California top the list, followed by Las Vegas, New York, Texas, and Arizona.
How do older travelers get around?
Flying is back on top for domestic trips: 46% plan to fly versus 43% driving.
Age matters — 70+ travelers lean more to their own vehicle (50%) than flying (42%), while 50–59 lean the other way (fly 50%, drive 37%).
About one-third are open to train travel; 13% plan to take a bus.
What gets in the way of senior travel?
Cost is still the biggest blocker for 50+ travelers, followed by health and weather. Inflation worries are easing versus 2023.
Beyond personal budgets and health planning, experts say partnerships can unlock more age-friendly options.
“Public-private collaborations are essential to unlocking the full potential of travel as a catalyst for healthy aging.”
— Catherine Collinson, Founding CEO & President, Transamerica Institute.
Top barriers for 2025 (share of 50+ travelers)
- Cost: 45%
- Health (self/others): 29%
- Weather: 23%
- Financial uncertainty due to inflation: 20%
- Family obligations: 19%
- Other concerns (public health, security/terrorism, unrest, airline issues) appear for smaller shares.
Do health and accessibility needs change plans?
Accessibility is central — and it doesn’t cut trips. 17% of 50+ travelers expect to need accommodations (most often mobility), yet they plan just as many trips as those without special needs. Their average 2025 spend is ~$4,864.
Are cruises still a “senior thing”?
Not as much as the stereotype suggests: only 7% of adults 50+ plan to cruise in 2025.
In the broader market, cruising is growing and skews multi-generational; the average cruiser age is ~46, and 37.7 million passengers are forecast for 2025.
Use this as context — but among U.S. 50+ travelers, cruising is a niche choice this year.
Wellness & tech: What do seniors value?
Travel doubles as health care: 95% of 50+ travelers say it’s good for mental health and 85% for physical health.
On tech, 98% know about AI, but only 8% have used it for trip planning; interest in curated itineraries is strong once explained (55%), and 40% are interested in organized group travel.
The science backs this up, too.
“For the average person, nongenetic factors have a greater impact in keeping your brain and body healthy as you age.”
— Gary Small, MD, Chair of Psychiatry, Hackensack University Medical Center (interview).And for many older travelers, a sense of adventure is part of the wellness mix.
“Adventure enriches both health and happiness, and our desire for new experiences only grows with age.”
— James Moses, CEO, Road Scholar.
Senior Travel FAQ
How many older Americans plan to travel in 2025?
70% of adults 50+ plan trips this year — up from 65% in 2024.
What’s the average trip budget?
About $6,847 per traveler for the year (steady with 2024).
Are more 50+ travelers going abroad?
Yes. Interest in international trips rose to ~45% for 2025; domestic-only plans fell.
What’s the top barrier?
Cost, cited by 45% of 50+ travelers. Health (29%) and weather (23%) follow.
Do accessibility needs reduce travel?
No — travelers who need accommodations plan as many trips as those who don’t.
Sources
- AARP Research — 2025 Travel Trends: A Survey of U.S. Adults Age 50-Plus (PDF)
- AARP — Soaring into 2025: Travel Plans Take Flight Among 50-Plus Travelers
- AARP — Travel Trends: Survey Hub
- CLIA — State of the Cruise Industry 2025 (overview) and 2024/2025 reports (PDFs) (context on age and market size). (Cruise Lines International Association)
- AARP Press — Older Americans Are Traveling More Than Ever (2025)
- AFAR — How Travel Can Help You Live a Longer, Healthier Life
- Moral Compass — Road Scholar: Adventure Is Key Factor in Happiness and Health
- PR Newswire — Travel as a Catalyst for Healthy Longevity (GCOA & Transamerica)
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