I love to travel and do it as often as I can. In fact, I’m ready to take off at a moment’s notice. Now that my kids are out of the house, it’s much easier. But Baby Boomer travel can be challenging, especially when you’re lugging things through airports, train and bus stations. It’s a workout but so good for your body and soul. Below, I list the best travel products and accessories for Baby Boomers that I have found so far.
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Best travel products for Baby Boomers
My favorite destination is Europe. I’m obsessed with it and there’s nothing better than a river cruise. River cruise ships are smaller and more intimate than huge cruise ships. (although I love those too) It’s so fun to be dropped off for the day in quaint little towns so you can meet the people and experience their culture. Then, you’re back on board for dinner and a relaxing float down rivers strewn with castles and other beautiful sites.
I also love traveling throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and well, just about anywhere including my hometown of Los Angeles. There are exciting things to see everywhere.
For more of my best travel products and accessories for Baby Boomer’s recommendations read my post: A Baby Boomer’s Guide to Travel Light and Nifty Over 50.
Most affordable booking sites for flights and hotels
Booking.com – The premier site for booking everything from flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation rentals, restaurants and more. They service over 1,000,000 properties all over the world.
Expedia – This site does it all – affordable flights, hotels, cars, vacation rentals, cruises, bundle deals and more – Expedia is one of the most trusted sites online.
Hotwire – You can save up to 60% 4 star PLUS hotels using Hotwire all over the world. It’s also a great site to book flights, cars, and to create your own vacation packages.
Wander Wisely with Travelocity! – Home of the travel gnome. The Amazing Race uses Travelocity to book trips for its contestants all over the world. Find flights, hotel rooms, cruises, car rentals and activities at competitive rates.
Trip Advisor – Before you go anywhere check on Trip Advisor for reader reviews on hotels, restaurants, and activities. I never go anywhere without consulting it. And now, you can book your hotel reservations on the site. It’s filled with amazing ideas and tips for just about anywhere in the world.
Cheap Air – Since 1989, Cheap Air searches 100 times more low fare flights that other booking sites may miss. They specialize in flights only.
Agoda is excellent for booking hotels, especially in South East Asia. It’s based in Singapore. If you’re looking to travel to Asian destinations, you can’t beat it for best hotel deals and vacation rentals. You can also find good prices for travel in Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.
Jet Radar will help you find the cheapest deals on flights, hotels, cars, and buses.
Clear – Move to the head of the line at the airport. This even beats TSA-pre. Watch this video to see how it works. All you have to do is sign up for an Annual Membership. No lines and no ID.
Cruising
Cruise Direct – Cruise Direct has incredible discounts on cruises all over the world. Cruise lines include Carnival, Celebrity, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. You can even book last minute cruises at the best prices.
Hotels and Vacation Rentals
Hotels.com for affordable Deals! They will help you find the best prices on hotels around the world and flight-hotel bundles.
Home Away – Not into staying at a fancy hotel? Rent a home or rent your own home out as a vacation rental. Home Away has properties all over the world. All you have to do is enter where you want to go and arrival and departure dates and their website will bring up rentals in big cities, in the country, by the lake, or any environment you desire.
Try a homestay – Stay with a local in their house to soak up the culture of the destination you are in. Available in over 160 countries. Endorsed by The New York Times, USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Mashable, and National Geographic. You can also sign up to be a host if you have a spare room and want to make extra retirement income.
Best Western Hotels – I’ve always had good luck with Best Western Hotels and have stayed in them many times. Their rooms are affordable, for those on a budget and well-kept. Best Western offers Senior Discounts so make sure to ask when you book your reservation.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts – You can find Wyndham Hotels and Resorts throughout the world and earn Wyndham Rewards each time you stay there. Don’t forget to ask for your 10% Senior discount through AARP or AAA.
Motel 6 – Motel 6 offers senior discounts. Probably the best company for affordable rooms if you’re on a budget and want to get someplace without spending all your cash on hotels along the way. They aren’t fancy and you may want to check reviews before booking as some are better than others.
Radisson – Radisson hotels are available worldwide and are known for their outstanding service and properties. If you join their Club Carlson, you can earn points to stay at Radisson Blu, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM.
Room Key – Find low loyalty rates at over 60 hotel chains including Crowne Plaza, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Embassy Suites, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels, Marriot, IHG, Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo, Waldorf Astoria, and Hyatt.
Great restaurant deals
Restaurants.com – This site serves 62,000 restaurants and providers all over the United States. Find discounts, deals, and coupons for your favorite dining spots or give someone the gift of a night out on the town.
Planes, trains, buses, and cars
Rail Europe – The best way to travel through Europe is on a train. It makes life so easy! If you book a high-speed train it will take you where you want to go in much less time and it’s so comfortable.
Sixt Car Rentals – We used Sixt when we drove around Italy and everything ran smoothly. It’s affordable and reliable with wonderful customer service.
Hertz Rental Cars – A well-established rental car service that offers Senior Discounts. I booked a Hertz car to visit Pala Casino from Los Angeles and it was easy. Unlimited mileage and I used my AAA discount. Very affordable.
Expert Flyer – Find Flight Availability, Flight Upgrades & Awards, Frequent Flyer Information and more!
Starline Tours – If you are in the Los Angeles area and want to take fabulous tours around town, there is nothing better than Starline Tours. They offer tours of movie locations, celebrity homes, historical tours of Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, beaches and have multiple lines of Hop on Hop off Buses to take you throughout the LA area. I took the movie locations tour and loved it. So informative, entertaining and comfortable.
Big Bus Tour – I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Big Bus Tour we took in London. It’s the best way to get around the city. And what’s cool is that there are Big Buses throughout the U.S. and the world. They are Hop on Hop off buses that give you guided (sometimes live) tours that highlight points of interest but are entertaining and informative as well.
Tours and Fun Things to Do
Viator – Tours, sightseeing tours, activities and things to do. This company is affiliated with TripAdvisor and is based on best reviews with over 60,000 things to do. It’s vetted by personal experiences. Search by destination, popular attractions, and tours. It’s a wonderful way to find the best deals and ensure your vacation will be fun and exciting.
Tours4Fun – Nothing makes a trip more exciting than a wonderful tour. Tours4Fun offers packaged tours as well as day trips all over the world. They include bus and coach, train, bicycle, boat, and walking tours as well as special activities, events, and day passes. Rather than take your chances with a local tour operator, you can put your whole trip together on one site.
Stride Travel – Trips designed for specifically for Baby Boomers. Stride Travel offers tours all over the world and you can book without using a middleman because you book directly with the operator. You’ll be able to find everything from a relaxing river cruise to an African Safari at affordable prices. And just because Stride Travel is focused on Baby Boomers doesn’t mean they offer rocking chair tours. Some of their popular destinations include Myanmar, Machu Picchu, Tanzania, Cuba and the Galapagos Islands.
Sightseeing Pass – Sightseeing Passes are an exciting and efficient way to visit new cities while saving visitors a lot of money. They include free entry to many of the city’s best attractions, hop-on, hop-off bus tours, cruises and often provide visitors with exclusive dining options.
Travel insurance
Allianz Travel Insurance – It’s critically important to protect yourself when you travel with coverage for emergency medical, baggage, travel delay and much more. Allianz offers special rates for those who are 55 and older. Don’t even think about taking a trip without travel insurance. Click here to compare.
Travelex Travel Insurance – Another great company that provides travel and trip insurance. Travelex makes it their priority to ensure you have the best vacation possible. Children under 21 are insured at no additional cost and they provide coverage for emergency medical evacuations. Other products include expedited passport services and international driving permits.
Best travel accessories – luggage and more
Ebags – Top brand luggage, purses, travel supplies, and backpacks at affordable prices. They have a huge selection of travel accessories at the best prices I’ve found.
Eagle Creek – This is a cool site for luggage, duffels, backpacks, purses, travel accessories, organizers. Check out their pack-it specter bags. You can use them to fold up all your clothes into a nylon envelope to save massive space in your suitcase.
isABelt 2-Pack-Combo 1″ Wide, Flat, Skinny, Stretch Belt for Women – No Show, No Bulk, Invisible Belt with Magnetic Clasp (Black & Clear) – Want to keep your pants up while traveling but don’t want the bulk of a belt? This belt will keep you sleek and chic.
For more travel tips, click here.
More best travel products and accessories for Baby Boomers coming soon.
