5 Travel Habits Boomers Are Abandoning As They Age

Many members of the baby boomer generation were born before global travel was accessible to the masses, but they're taking full advantage of the opportunities that have become available to them throughout their lives. The oldest baby boomers were born in 1946 and are now entering their 80s, while the youngest members of the generation, born in 1964, are in their early 60s. During their lives, baby boomers witnessed commercial flights become a mode of mass transportation. What was once only accessible to wealthy elites became something that people from many economic backgrounds could enjoy.

Before air travel was so widespread, parents would take their baby boomer children on classic road trips during school breaks. Camping became a popular recreational pastime, and RVs were sold to travelers who wanted to enjoy a home away from home. Many baby boomers grew up loving travel, and in many ways their generation is responsible for the global tourism industry that we have today.

Now in their golden years, baby boomers aren't showing any signs of slowing down. They dominate the overall travel market globally, and many are taking bucket-list trips post-retirement. Although boomers aren't abandoning travel as they age, they are leaving behind certain travel habits. Some are opting for slow travel over jam-packed itineraries and embracing modern technology that makes travel easier. Instead of opting to stay home due to medical issues, they're planning ahead and traveling anyway, and they're not afraid to travel solo. Many baby boomers are also taking more adventurous trips than ever before.

Although airfare prices skyrocketed over the last few months, it's still possible for budget-savvy travelers to find good deals. Low-cost carriers make it cheaper than ever to get anywhere you want to go. These days, baby boomers don't have to limit themselves to a single bucket-list trip. There's no need for them to jam-pack their travel itineraries full of every possible activity. Instead, boomers are choosing to travel at a slower pace.

They're taking more trips, and they're opting to travel for longer. Slow travel is a new, more "immersive" style of vacation that's gaining popularity amongst boomers. It's all the rage, and retired baby boomers can often afford to spend more time abroad and enjoy a more leisurely pace.

According to AARP, adults over the age of 50 planned on taking an average of 3.6 vacations in 2025, but they actually ended up taking an average of 4.2 trips. With multiple trips or longer vacations per year, boomers can relax, slow down, and enjoy the experience.

Members of the baby boomer generation grew up with far fewer resources to help them plan their vacations. During the dawn of the 21st century when the world saw a ton of technological advancements, boomers were in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Many of them may have already been nearing retirement and planning bucket-list trips, or taking family vacations with their kids. For those of us who grew up with smartphones, it may be hard to imagine that most boomers learned to plan their vacations without the use of modern technology.

Household computers first became common in the 1990s, and modern smartphones arrived around 2007. Today, more than a billion people around the world have smartphones, and many members of the younger generation would likely feel lost if they were suddenly forced to plan a detailed travel itinerary without unlimited information at their finger tips. Boomers — who used to rely on travel guides, travel advisors, and print magazines for their travel inspiration — are embracing modern technology as they age. Going analog on your vacation can be fun in theory, but techy gadgets sure do make things more simple sometimes.

Gone are the days of driving to the airport ticketing counter to purchase a plane ticket or carrying around a bulky atlas and a stack full of travel guidebooks on a trip abroad. Baby boomers are embracing tools like AI, social media, and travel apps to make travel easy and convenient.

Baby boomers are no longer putting off bucket-list trips or putting their dreams of travel on the backburner. Today, many boomers are either already retired or looking forward to retirement in the next few years. In their younger years, they may have put off travel in favor of other expenses like mortgage payments or college tuition for kids, but not anymore. Those who can afford to take trips are planning on doing so sooner rather than later. Around 86% of baby boomers surveyed by AARP ranked travel spending amongst the top three priorities in their budget for discretionary spending in 2026.

Previous generations may have been more likely to stay home due to financial reasons, and may have felt that it was more important to budget for other goals or activities closer to home. Boomers are abandoning that mindset completely. It's important to note that baby boomers are one of the wealthiest generations in the history of the United States, and they're using some of that wealth to take their dream vacations. They plan to spend more on travel than any other demographic, according to the 2026 Portrait of American Traveler Fall Edition by MMGY Global. On average, travelers are planning on spending $5,655 on travel in the next 12 months. Baby boomers are planning on spending an average of $8,796, which is higher than any other age demographic.

Baby boomers aren't letting health issues get in the way of their travel goals either. Instead, they're planning ahead for health issues that may affect them while they're on vacation. They may stock up on medications, plan with their doctors, or make arrangements to seek care while they're abroad — but they aren't avoiding travel due to health concerns.

Solo travel is becoming more popular amongst many different demographics, and baby boomers are certainly no exception. According to Road Scholar, 82% of Americans have traveled solo, and around 58% of baby boomers have taken at least one trip by themselves.

Although traveling with friends, significant others, and family members is a wonderful experience, many boomers are traveling by themselves and loving it. It can be extremely difficult to get groups of people to commit to travel plans. Many travel enthusiasts find that it's a struggle to get the travel plans to actually leave the group chat. When it's time to put down a deposit on a vacation home or book the plane tickets, interest often dwindles. Baby boomers are done waiting around for friends, family members, and partners. They're not afraid to go at it alone.

There are many incredible solo travel destinations around the world, but in the past older adults may have felt nervous about traveling to new destinations on their own. Today, there are plenty of guided group tours that can help offer peace of mind to boomer travelers and help them make new friends abroad. Rick Steves, a popular European travel expert who publishes travel guidebooks, hosts group tours that cater to older adults and solo travelers. According to a traveler named Judy who attended a Rick Steves tour, the majority of the group were retired people with an average age of about 60. Judy said that the group included both married couples and singles.

Luxurious cruises are still popular amongst retirees, and so are epic cross-country road trips — but they aren't the only options that appeal to older generations. Baby boomers aren't afraid of adventurous trips or traveling off the beaten path. Many baby boomers are still physically fit and in excellent health, so they're opting for trips that are more physically active and adventurous than previous generations.

Instead of splurging on a massive RV with all of the bells and whistles like their parents did post-retirement, my recently retired boomers decided to renovate an AWD van with off-grid capabilities. They might be on a two-month-long trip across the most remote parts of Utah or camping far from civilization and cell phone service. My mother recently hiked Angels Landing in Zion National Park, which is one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. My parents certainly aren't alone in their desire for adventure. A Road Scholar study found that 87% of older adults felt that they were more adventurous than previous generations (via Cheapism).

Baby boomers are whitewater rafting, learning to surf, ziplining, camping, and hiking more than ever before, and they aren't showing any signs of slowing down. Instead of the traditional Caribbean cruises, many are opting for unique destinations and cultural experiences abroad.