Solo travel in your sixties: enjoyable, realistic and safe?

[Dora60]

I would love to hear stories of solo travelling from women in their sixties. I’m approaching that era and thinking about retirement, my other half is a few years older but still working (own business) and probably always will! We will travel together a couple of times a year, long haul most likely, but I know I’m going to want to do more, whilst he’s happy at home, working, gardening, golfing. I’m not sure I’d want to do organised group holidays, so I’m thinking more along the lines of 2/3 weeks in an Airbnb in various cities, Portugal, Italy, Germany. Whilst part of me thinks it would be the perfect way to broaden horizons and break up the year, I’m not sure I’m being realistic about it. Would it actually feel quite lonely and potentially a bit unsafe? I’d be interested in hearing opinions.

I think it sounds very realistic, especially once you have the freedom that comes with retirement.
If it were me, I probably wouldn’t start with 2–3 weeks straight away. I’d pick an easy city and try a week first, just to see how I actually felt about travelling alone. I suspect the bigger adjustment might not even be safety, but having no one there at the end of the day to talk about what you’ve seen and done.
I really like the idea of staying in one place rather than constantly moving around though. You get to know the neighbourhood, find a favourite café or market, and it starts to feel a little more like living somewhere for a while rather than just being a tourist.
And perhaps don’t limit yourself to Europe. China could be an interesting option at some point too. Public transport in the cities is very good and the high-speed rail makes getting around surprisingly easy. There is a bit of a learning curve with language, payments and apps, but most of that can be sorted with some preparation before you arrive.
I’m based in China, so if you ever do consider coming here on your own, I’d be very happy to suggest some cities or routes and share a few practical tips.
As for whether it would feel lonely, I think you probably only find that out by trying it. Start with a week, and if you love the freedom of it, make the next one two weeks and gradually venture further afield.

I feel way safer solo travelling in my forties than I did in my twenties. Let's be honest : you are less likely to get unwanted attention from men when you're older which is a good thing (to me atleast).

This is what I’ve found.

I think if you like eating out, coffees out, cinema trips and days out solo in the UK then travelling isn’t that different.

Each month I treat myself to a solo date and go off somewhere or book tickets for whatever so my holidays are an extension of this. I make the days long and the evenings shorter than I would if I was traveling with someone else.

@CharlieXie China could be an interesting option at some point too. Public transport in the cities is very good and the high-speed rail makes getting around surprisingly easy. There is a bit of a learning curve with language, payments and apps, but most of that can be sorted with some preparation before you arrive.

China would be quite daunting solo. I had to register with the local police station because I wasn't staying in a hotel but was an 'alien' staying with a 'foreigner'. You have to show your passport even to buy a ticket on an ordinary train. The translation apps are so much better now - that would help. Previously I was told "tomorrow you buy card for car" - which I worked out was that I had to buy the ticket for the airport bus on the day.

Hahaha, your experience sounds so funny, especially the “tomorrow you buy card for car” part. I can just imagine you standing there trying to work out what they actually meant 😂😂😂

Since you were staying at a friend’s place, yes, you did need to register with the local police station.

China has changed quite a lot over the years though. So many things are digital now — getting around, buying tickets, calling a taxi, paying for things, etc. It’s much more convenient in many ways.

But I guess that can also create new challenges for foreign visitors. We’re so used to doing everything on our phones that we sometimes forget how confusing it might be for someone visiting China for the first time.

If you came to China again now, I think it would be quite a different experience. When was the last time you were here?

@CharlieXie If you came to China again now, I think it would be quite a different experience. When was the last time you were here?

I flew out on the The Year of the Monkey eve - so 10 years now. I stayed with a relative on a uni campus in Hunan Province. China is amazing but I wouldn't do it by myself.

@BrandiedAromatics
So much has changed over the past 10 years. There are places I’ve been to before that I barely recognise now.

I'm 70 and have been backpacking, solo, since my early fifties. If anything I am treated with more kindness and consideration than I would probably have experienced when younger. Asian countries are especially good for that!

There are so many pluses. After decades of travelling with family, only being responsible for myself was so freeing! My late husband and kids were enthusiastic and easy to travel with, but of course there are always compromises and responsibilities, and having to look out for each other.

So yes, I can't recommend it enough.

There were huge building projects - the local park area had boards announcing how it was to become like Pall Mall or the Champs Élysées, massive cranes (machines not the birds) building multiple tower blocks, etc.

Anyway, mustn't derail but I do recommend going - highlight for me the Terracotta Army with very good museum on site. An organised trip would probably be better (even if you have to spend far too long having 'opportunities to buy souvenirs' as on every other tour).

I went last year (not solo), I visited five places and it’s my joint best holiday ever.

It would be interesting to hear your highlights of China.

I spent a lot of time in my 50s and early 60s travelling solo around the middle east and europe. I seldom went on packages because the single room system is a rip off. I found it better to book direct with the hotel and then renegotiate when I got there for a better room. Im not a group person so I always travelled alone. I am very happy with my own company and just people watching.

One of the great things about being older is that you dont' get the same attention from males that younger women have to put up with.

One thing I would recommend is one of these tricky little gadgets you can get on Amazon for securing the hotel door from the inside when you are in. Or just a simple wooden or rubber wedge. Life is so much simpler now with smart phones and paperless check in.

Honestly all of it, the friendliness of the people , the beauty, the diversity of landscapes, walking on the completely empty Great Wall of China, bicycle rides (who knew I even like cycling), the bullet trains, Xian and the stunning countryside.

I don’t want to hog the thread as it was all phenomenal, I can’t wait to go back.

Coincidentally this year I’ve really got into t’ai chi so I’m thinking of going on a t’ai chi retreat type of solo holiday there.

Oddly enough, China was my very first solo backpacking trip, 18 years ago, before smartphones. Yet it was surprisingly easy. Transport worked well and I found that Chinese people took pride in helping me. There was always someone who'd write down what I needed/where I was going so that I could show it at the ticket office, and I would almost always be escorted to the right bus etc.
Likewise finding my hostels was rarely an issue and there was always someone who wanted to help if I was standing still looking confused!

That’s something that hasn’t really changed. Hospitality and helping others are a big part of Chinese culture. Even today, if you’re standing somewhere looking lost or confused, there’s a good chance someone will come over and try to help you.

I think it sounds very realistic, and 2–3 weeks in one city could be a lovely way to ease into solo travel. Staying longer rather than constantly moving around gives you time to settle in, meet people and have your own routine. You can always start with a destination that feels comfortable and see how you enjoy it.