11% Off Travel Insurance. T&C's Apply.
10% Off* Travel Insurance! Limited time only. T&Cs apply
By Bec Milligan.
Growing older doesn’t mean your wanderlust suddenly falls by the wayside; in fact, over-60s are travelling more than ever.
The only hard thing can be deciding where to go! To help narrow things down, we’ve written a complete guide to the best countries for seniors to visit, from relaxing island getaways to bustling city adventures.
Of course, there’s no single ‘best’ country for seniors, because so much depends on what you are wanting out of a holiday. Some travellers want to relax beachside in tropical temperatures. Others want history, culture, or new, exciting experiences.
Whatever you’re after, there’s a country on this list to match.
Bali has long been a popular destination for Kiwi seniors, and the flight time is a big part of why. It’s around nine hours from Auckland, which makes it one of the more manageable long-haul trips on this list.
While areas like Kuta and Canggu lean toward a younger, party-focused crowd, places such as Ubud, Sanur and Nusa Dua offer a slower pace. You’ll find day spas, yoga retreats and quiet beaches, plus plenty of affordable five-star resorts. Local taxi apps like Blue Bird make getting around the island simple, and fares are metered so you won’t be hit with surprise costs. Food is another drawcard. Bali has excellent local warungs alongside international restaurants, and Balinese hospitality is some of the warmest in the world.
The USA suits seniors who want both city life and jaw-dropping natural scenery within the same trip. America is home to iconic cities like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles but also to 63 official national parks – including Glacier in Montana, Death Valley in California, Denali in Alaska, the Everglades in Florida and the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
What makes these parks particularly good for older travellers is the level of detail the National Park Service publishes online. You can check accessibility, road conditions, opening hours and trail difficulty well before you arrive, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of planning. Roads and general infrastructure are also well maintained, so getting from one park or city to the next tends to be straightforward, and self-drive holidays are usually cheaper than guided alternatives.
Singapore is a modern city with a genuine mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western influences, and it’s roughly an eleven-hour flight from Auckland. For seniors, the appeal comes down to ease. The MRT train network covers the whole island, English is widely spoken, and the tap water is safe to drink – which makes eating out far less of a gamble than in some neighbouring countries. Plus, street hawker carts were phased out years ago and replaced with government-run hawker centres, so you still get cheap, authentic food in a clean, seated setting.
If you're after culture, the National Museum of Singapore is worth a few hours, and Orchard Road is a great place to shop. And if you’re feeling adventurous, many attractions – like Universal Studios Singapore and the SEA Aquarium – offer reduced entry for seniors, so it’s always worth asking! When you’ve had enough sightseeing, a Singapore Sling cocktail at the historic Raffles Hotel is the best way to wind down.
Thailand is a great travel destination for seniors wanting a bit of everything; think exploring a culture-filled city one day and relaxing on a white-sand beach the next.
The north, around Pai and Chiang Rai, is dotted with temples, hot springs and valleys. Closer to Bangkok, the historic city of Ayutthaya and temples like Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew are some of the most striking religious sites in Southeast Asia.
Head south for tropical islands such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui and Phuket, all known for clear water and white sand. Just be mindful that getting around independently can be hard work if you’re not used to haggling with tuk-tuk drivers or navigating the language barrier; many seniors choose a small-group tour with an established operator instead as it takes the stress out of logistics while still covering the highlights.
Italy is built for slow, unhurried travel, which is exactly why so many seniors love it. Wander through Rome, Florence or Venice and you’ll find centuries of architecture, art and food culture around every corner. What makes Italy even more appealing is the reverent, inclusive attitude the Italians have for seniors – no one is respected more than the nonnas!
Just be aware that a trip to Italy involves a LOT of walking. If that’s not super appealing to you, in cities like Rome and Florence, it’s best to flag down a taxi through a cafe or hotel rather than hailing one yourself, as this helps you avoid unregulated drivers. In Venice, the Vaporetto water bus is the easiest way to get between the canals and the city’s many small islands. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with sitting at a piazza café for an entire afternoon with an Aperol spritz or matured Chianti. That’s part of the Italian experience too.
A lot of Vietnam is hustle and bustle, but in any given town or city (no matter how large or small) tour operators are in abundance and even the luxury tours are relatively cheap… which makes Vietnam a great country for seniors to visit.
In Hanoi, a common starting point is an overnight cruise of Halong Bay, where you can eat well and sleep on calm water before heading back to the vibrant city. In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), a guided tour will take you to landmarks such as Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral, without you having to navigate busy roads and heavy motorbike traffic on foot.
If guided tours aren’t your thing, smaller towns like Hoi An are far easier to explore independently. The French colonial architecture is best seen on foot at your own pace anyway!
Japan is one of the most in-demand destinations for senior travellers right now, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a country where breathtaking, ancient temples and cool, neon-lit cities sit side by side. And the food (think fresh sushi, authentic ramen and buzzing local markets) is so good, it alone makes the 11-hour flight worth it.
The transport system makes it ridiculously easy for seniors to get around; Tokyo and Osaka both have extensive train networks with English signage throughout, so getting lost is really hard to do. And in Kyoto, the Raku bus system (made specifically for tourists) will take you to all the major sights, with announcements made in both Japanese and English. For travel between cities, the shinkansen (bullet train) covers the 500+ kilometres between Tokyo and Osaka in about two and a half hours.
On top of all this, the Japanese are some of the most polite people in the world. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know their language, they’ll go above and beyond to help you out.
No, of course 80 isn’t too old to travel overseas, and plenty of Kiwis in their 80s do it regularly! Age on its own isn’t the deciding factor; your current health, mobility and how well you manage any existing medical conditions matter far more than the birthdate listed on your passport.
That said, there are a few practical things worth sorting out before you book anything:
See your doctor first. A check-up before you travel can flag anything that needs managing, and your doctor can advise on vaccinations, medication supplies and whether your destination is suitable given your health.
Sort out travel insurance. 1Cover’s comprehensive seniors travel insurance has no age limit and pre-existing conditions can be assessed and covered through a simple online medical assessment. Just note that if you're 80 or over, trips are capped at 90 days and a $3,000 excess applies to any claims related to an injury, illness or medical condition.
Choose destinations and itineraries that suit your pace. Countries with reliable healthcare, easy transport and good infrastructure (several of which are listed above) tend to be far less stressful than places requiring long overland journeys or limited medical access.
Build in rest days. A slower itinerary with fewer destinations is usually more enjoyable than trying to fit everything in, particularly on longer trips.
Consider direct flights where possible. Long layovers and multiple connections add fatigue and the dreaded jetlag, so a direct or simpler route can make a real difference on longer-haul trips.
Travelling in your 80s isn’t about whether you can go. For most senior travellers, it’s about planning a little more carefully so the trip stays enjoyable rather than exhausting. With the right preparation and solid travel insurance, there’s no reason age alone should keep you home.
The Complete Guide For Senior Travellers
Our guide explains exactly how seniors can make the most of their next holiday.
Popular Types Of Holidays For Seniors
For the senior traveller, there are now more options than ever - even for those with accessibility and mobility issues, or those recovering from illness.
NZ
AU