Anyone else finding travel harder the older you get?

I am in London, and dont have a car, so enjoy walking. Dont particularly like the long lines but they are not the end of the world. I dont worry about my bags going through security. Why would I? 🤔

I’m slightly younger than you and don’t find things physically difficult. I’m pretty fit though

that said I most definitely do struggle with crowds and always get stressed out at security, mostly making sure I don’t leave anything behind.

however surely you don’t have to lug a heavy suitcase around the airport, only as far as the check in desk

I do get that some airports are massive and confusing. Some smaller ones are quite the opposite though.

I find the walking in airports can be difficult. I travel light.

This. I started HRT a year ago and the aching joints and fatigue vanished sharpish. I'm on a quite intense trip overseas at the moment and have coped much better than I would have done ten years ago.

I also feel the same about travel. I used to enjoy it, but I have lots of aches with my joints which does not make it easy. I think things have changed a lot. Terrible traffic on approach to the airport, annoying self-check ins, I always put my passport the wrong way around in the machines, long walks to terminals for the planes. The terrible noise of bags and trays being slapped down at the security, remembering not to wear shoes with metal on. Worrying about your bags going through the scanner and rushing to the other side to get it. It is endless. Lots of moans.

I dont think this is inevitable.

The best part is many people save money in the hopes that they can travel when they retire. If only they knew it's ten times harder...

I'm 65 and don't struggle at all but I have always packed light

I saw a service advertised in Japan where a company can provide you with a pre order of clothes when you arrive at your hotel. You leave the clothes at the hotel, when you depart.
Obviously, you pay for this.

I've got almost a decade on you and don't recognise this. Are you normally active? Do you exercise. Try different things? HRT also worth considering.

I struggle more in my 40s with things like crowded trains, long queues and generally those stressful aspects of travel that money buys you out of.

So I will spend money trying to get flights at times I’m comfortable with, maybe get speedy boarding, a lounge, upfront seats etc Maybe not all on the same trip but just those things that make for a less anxious experience.

Travel seems very complicated these days!

Miss the good old days when you turned up at the airport just as the desk closed with your paper ticket and huge holdall and got on the plane without any problem.

Now you have to do self check in, print your own boarding pass, make sure your luggage is the right size - phew!

Then once you get there, you have to have the most exciting itinerary planned!

Knackered before you even get there!!!

I'm not old but I am disabled,

I book special assistance. No walking and you get it all sorted for you.

Are you on HRT? I am nearly 53, post menopause, walk and travel a lot, and dont ache. I dont think its normal to ache that much.

I’m your age and travel a lot. Menopause isn’t treating me kindly but you’re right, it can be confusing. I check in online when I can, and have my boarding pass ready on my phone. I arrive early and have decent suitcases that can be wheeled comfortably and I pack ruthlessly so my hand luggage is just my tote bag.

I also don’t do long haul back to back anymore and have a one or two night stopover instead.

Marginally, yes. However, I also make sure that I prep for it the best way I can. I always travel light - small wheelie suitcase which fits under the seat and a small clutch with documents, phone, keys and bank card. Making sure I am dropped off/picked up at the airport or booking an airport hotel if the flight is too early/late. Have all my creature comforts with me - compression socks and wooly socks, neck pillow, eye mask, ear plugs and plenty of snacks.
And if I can't work out how to operate things, I always flag the staff to do it for me. That's what they are there for.

I'm 10 years older than you and I'd be very concerned if I was feeling like you are! How is your health generally? Are you overweight? Do you do much exercise on a regular basis?

Might be worth talking to your GP if you're aching so much all the time.

We spend more on making travel as easy as possible. Decent luggage, pay for speedy check-in, speedy security, extra legroom etc. It does help.

Some stuff like the self service check in does become familiar and if you are planning to travel regularly you’ll get more used to it.

It definitely is more complicated than it used to be.

Take less, travel lighter !

Depending on where you go, you can hand wash yourself, use a laundrette or pay to get your washing done.

I also wear comfortable clothes & comfortable shoes

Plus I always leave some luggage weight, so that I can bring a few things back from my travels.

I did two long haul flights recently (17-18 hours each way) and the tedium of them made me think long and hard about whether I'll ever do it again. I certainly wouldn't just for leisure (environmental hat on).

You could have got a luggage trolley for your suitcase and back pack?