What to Check Before You Book a Trip as a Older Adult

Start with your health and medications before you pick a destination

Before you search for flights or hotels, talk to your doctor about the trip you're considering. Tell them where you're going, how long you'll be there, and what you plan to do — whether that's walking museums, sitting on a beach, or hiking. Your doctor knows your conditions and can tell you whether the climate, altitude, or activity level poses a real risk, and whether any of your current medications need adjusting for travel.

Get copies of your prescriptions in their original bottles, not a pill organizer. If you take multiple medications, ask your pharmacy for a written list that includes the generic name of each drug, the dose, and how often you take it. Bring this list with you and leave a copy at home. If a medication runs out while you're away, a doctor in another state or country can read the generic name and refill it without calling your home doctor.

Ask your doctor whether you need any vaccines for your destination. Some vaccines take weeks to become effective, so this conversation needs to happen at least a month before you leave. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease, ask whether you should carry a letter from your doctor describing your condition and any medical devices you use — some airports and border agents ask about pacemakers, insulin pumps, or other equipment.

Key Takeaways

• Talk to your doctor about your destination and activities at least a month before you book, so you have time for vaccines or medication changes.
• Bring prescriptions in original bottles with labels, plus a written list of all medications with generic names, doses, and frequency.
• Check whether your insurance covers care outside your home state or country, and get the phone number for claims or emergencies before you leave.
• Book flights and hotels that match your energy level — direct flights, ground-floor rooms, and places within walking distance of what you want to see reduce strain.
• Tell your bank and credit card companies your travel dates and destinations so they don't freeze your accounts when charges appear from another location.

Verify your insurance covers you away from home

Call your health insurance company and ask whether your coverage works in the state or country where you're going. Medicare covers emergency care in all 50 states, but it does not cover routine care outside the United States — if you're traveling internationally, you may need supplemental travel insurance. If you have a private plan or Medicare Advantage, the rules vary by plan and destination.

Ask your insurance company for the phone number to call if you need care while traveling, and write it down in two places — your phone and a piece of paper in your wallet. Ask whether you need to get pre-approval for any care, or whether you can go to any hospital or urgent care clinic. Some plans require you to use in-network providers even in emergencies, and calling ahead can save you thousands in out-of-pocket costs.

If you're traveling internationally, ask whether your insurance covers medical evacuation — the cost of flying you home if you become seriously ill. Evacuation can cost $100,000 or more, and many standard plans do not cover it. Travel insurance policies often do, and they're usually inexpensive if you buy them within a week of booking your trip.

Arrange your medications to last the entire trip plus a buffer

Count how many days you'll be away, then ask your pharmacy to fill your prescriptions for that many days plus seven extra. Flights get delayed, trips get extended, and pharmacies in other places may not have your medication in stock. Bringing extra doses means you won't run out if something unexpected happens.

Pack medications in a carry-on bag, not checked luggage. If your bag is lost, you still have your medications. If you're flying, keep prescriptions in their original labeled bottles — TSA allows reasonable quantities of prescription medications in carry-on bags, and the label proves the medication is yours.

If you take insulin or other medications that need to stay cold, ask your pharmacy or doctor how to keep them at the right temperature while traveling. Cooling cases designed for medications are available online and at pharmacies, and they're worth the cost if you depend on temperature-sensitive drugs.

Choose transportation and lodging that match your physical needs

Book direct flights when possible. Connections mean more walking through airports, more time standing in lines, and more chances for your luggage to get lost. If you have mobility issues, call the airline when you book and tell them — they can arrange wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, and seating near the restroom if you need it.

When booking a hotel, call the front desk directly and describe what you need. Ask whether rooms on the ground floor are available, whether the bathroom has grab bars, and whether the shower is a walk-in or a tub. Ask how far the room is from the elevator and the lobby. A room that sounds fine online can be exhausting if it's at the end of a long hallway or up a flight of stairs.

Choose a location within walking distance of things you want to see, or near good public transportation. If you have to take a taxi or rideshare to get anywhere, the cost adds up fast and the rides themselves can be tiring. Staying in a neighborhood where you can walk to restaurants, shops, and attractions means you'll actually enjoy the trip instead of spending it in a car.

Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates

Call your bank and each credit card company at least a week before you leave. Tell them the dates you'll be traveling and the countries or states you'll visit. Banks flag charges from unfamiliar locations as potential fraud, and if they freeze your account while you're away, you won't be able to pay for hotels, food, or emergencies.

Ask whether your cards charge foreign transaction fees if you use them outside the United States. Some cards charge 3 percent or more per transaction, and that cost adds up on a week-long trip. If your cards have high fees, ask whether your bank offers a no-fee card for travel, or research whether a different card might save you money.

Bring at least two payment methods — a credit card and a debit card, or two different credit cards. If one card gets lost or stops working, you'll still have a way to pay. Keep them in separate places in your bag so one lost item doesn't leave you without any payment method.

Get copies of important documents and leave them in two places

Make photocopies of your passport (if traveling internationally), driver's license, insurance cards, and any medical alert information. Keep one copy in your carry-on bag and leave one copy at home with a trusted family member or friend. If your wallet is stolen, you'll have proof of who you are and what insurance you have.

Take a photo of these documents on your phone as well. If you lose both the copies and the originals, you can still show a photo to a police officer or your insurance company as proof of your information. Store the photos in a cloud service like Google Photos or iCloud so you can access them from any device.

Write down the phone numbers of your doctor, pharmacy, and emergency contacts on a piece of paper and keep it with your copies. If your phone dies or gets lost, you'll still be able to call for help.

Pack a basic first aid and comfort kit

Bring a small bag with over-the-counter medications and supplies you might need: pain reliever, antacid, anti-diarrhea medication, antihistamine, bandages, antibiotic ointment, and any other over-the-counter drugs you use regularly at home. Pharmacies in other places may not carry the exact brands you're used to, and some medications are harder to find in certain countries.

Include compression socks if you have circulation issues or take long flights — they reduce swelling and blood clots on long trips. Include any medical devices you use, like a blood pressure cuff or glucose meter, plus extra supplies like test strips or lancets. Bring more than you think you'll need, because replacing them while traveling is difficult and expensive.

Pack any mobility aids you use at home — a cane, walker, or cushion for sitting. Don't assume the hotel will have what you need, and don't skip these items to save luggage space. Your comfort and safety during the trip matter more than packing light.

Arrange ground transportation before you arrive

Don't plan to rent a car and drive in an unfamiliar place unless you do that regularly. Arrange a car service, taxi, or rideshare pickup from the airport before you arrive. Call the hotel and ask whether they offer airport shuttle service — many do, and it's often cheaper and easier than figuring out transportation when you're tired from traveling.

If you're using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, set up your account at home before you leave. Download the app, add a payment method, and take a test ride in your home city so you know how it works. When you arrive at your destination, you'll be able to order a ride immediately instead of standing outside the airport trying to figure out the app.

Research public transportation options before you go. Many cities have reduced fares for older adults, and knowing which bus or train goes where means you won't have to ask for directions or stand around looking lost. Some cities offer visitor passes that cover multiple days of transit — these often save money and reduce the stress of paying for each trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need travel insurance if I have Medicare?

Medicare covers emergency care in the United States but not outside it. If you're traveling internationally, supplemental travel insurance is worth considering — it covers medical evacuation, which can cost over $100,000. If you're staying in the U.S., check whether your specific plan covers out-of-state care and what your out-of-pocket costs will be.

What should I do if I lose my medications while traveling?

Call your pharmacy at home and ask them to contact a pharmacy near where you are. They can often transfer your prescription electronically. If that doesn't work, go to an urgent care clinic or hospital and tell them you've lost your medication — they can write a short-term prescription to get you through the trip. Bring your written medication list so you can tell them exactly what you take.

Is it safe to fly if I have heart disease or other chronic conditions?

Talk to your doctor before booking. Most people with chronic conditions can fly safely, but your doctor knows your specific situation and can tell you whether the flight itself poses a risk. They can also tell you what precautions to take, like compression socks or getting up to walk every hour.

What if I need to cancel my trip for health reasons?

Trip cancellation insurance covers your costs if you have to cancel for a medical reason. You usually have to buy it within a week of booking your trip, and it's relatively inexpensive. Read the policy carefully to understand what medical situations are covered — some policies don't cover pre-existing conditions unless you buy the insurance within a certain timeframe.

Can I bring my walker or cane on the airplane?

Yes. Walkers and canes are allowed on planes and don't count toward your carry-on limit. The airline will gate-check them if there's no room in the overhead bin, meaning they'll load them onto the plane separately and give them back to you when you exit. Tell the flight attendant when you board that you have a mobility device.