Everyone can travel. There is no age limit. For senior citizens, retirement is actually one of the best times to travel. Aside from being able to decide where they want to go, they have full control of when and for how long they want to be away.
After working for most of their lives, they now have both the money and the time to finally tick off those must-see places from their bucket lists.
Here are some tips that will help ensure that seniors experience the world’s wonders during their golden years.
1. Pick the right spot.
Deciding on a destination is, perhaps, the hardest part. Long-haul flights tend to be uncomfortable for everyone and even more so for seniors, so they may want to choose a spot that’s just in Asia such as Bangkok, where there are plenty of Asian cuisines familiar to their taste buds and a good amount of sight-seeing that can be done from a coach. Consider Taiwan and New Zealand as well, where language is not a barrier and the city areas are easy to get around on foot. PAssion Silver Concession Card holders (all Singapore Citizens 60 years old and above) are eligible for a variety of discounts from travel agencies such as Chan Brothers Travel, Dynasty Travel, and SA Tours.
Alternatively, seniors can look for travel programmes designed specially for senior travelers by Singapore-based Silver Horizon Travel Co-operative, a social enterprise formed by seniors for seniors. From trips to the exotic Sri Lanka to fascinating Kyushu, each tour is dedicated to organising senior-friendly activities, well-timed itineraries, comfortable stays, and quality interaction among participants.
2. Book the trip
As seniors no longer have the vitality they once had, booking a non-stop flight is highly recommended. Rushing between connecting flights and long transits will take a toll on their energy levels even before the holiday really starts. They should avoid the smaller regional planes, especially at airports that do not offer a jet-bridge. In such cases, planes may be less roomy and passengers are required to climb a flight of stairs to access and disembark the plane.
For the more apprehensive senior traveler, taking a cruise may be the ideal maiden voyage. All the attractions are located in one comfortable place, making it perfect for those with limited mobility. For those who are feeling adventurous, there are some cruises that offer shore excursions suitable for seniors.
PAssion Silver Concession Card holders who are also KrisFlyer members can enjoy an exclusive discount of 5% off Scoot fares (valid till 31 October 2019). They must check the Star Cruises promotion webpage regularly as seniors often get to sail with substantial discounts! Currently, seniors sail for free on SuperStar Gemini when accompanied by at least one full-paying passenger sharing the same cabin (valid before 10 November 2017).
3. Secure the right accommodations.
Choosing the right accommodations is essential, as it will be the seniors’ home for up to several weeks. When researching on hotels, they must find out if a place has all the necessary features such as lifts in the building, wheelchair-accessible corridors and rooms, or even something as simple as a scrumptious breakfast to start the day right.
As seniors tend to be light sleepers, it’s best if they read hotel reviews by other users on TripAdvisor to ensure that the hotel they want to stay in is not affected by traffic noise or construction works.
Seniors who pick hotels located in the heart of their destination city can easily pop into their rooms for a quick nap if they feel fatigued after a round of sight-seeing. It also helps to stay at a hotel that’s near a train station or is easily accessible by public transportation so it’s easier for them to get around.
Senior discounts are very much alive in the hotel industry, with many major hotel chains such as Hyatt and IHGproviding discounts of 10% to 50% to travelers above 60 years old. Seniors should always enquire about their chosen hotel’s promotions.
PAssion Silver Concession Card holders looking for staycation options are in for a treat. They simply have to check the partner hotels from this list and look for unbeatable hotel offers and promotions.
4. Pack wisely.
Seniors should pack fewer clothes and just opt for laundry service, which most hotels have. Before their trip, they should check if their hotel provides towels and toiletries so that they can avoid packing these things. It’s best if seniors can fit everything in a lightweight four-wheel rolling suitcase and ensure that their carry-on bag can be stacked neatly so they don’t have to wrestle with two bags.
If they’re traveling via plane, they must keep their most important items such as travel documents, eye glasses, and medication in their carry-on bag. The carry-on bag should be small enough to be placed underneath the seat in front of the senior’s. This way, the valuables are easily accessible and they don’t have to seek assistance to retrieve the bag from the overhead compartment.
5. Be mindful of medication.
Seniors must remember to take ample medication with them as filling a prescription overseas may not be as fuss-free as in Singapore. They should also get a list of generic drug names and dosages from their doctor so that they will have an easier time looking for substitutes. Their medication should be kept in their original containers in case of customs checks. Moreover, they must keep their medication in their carry-on bags so that they won’t be left without them in case of flight delays or when their luggage gets lost.
Before their holiday, seniors should stock up on medication at the nearest Guardian pharmacy. Guardian Golden Senior Card holders are entitled to a 5% discount on all Guardian purchases, or 10% off on their birthday month.
6. Cover all the bases.
Although travel insurance is more expensive for seniors, it is worthwhile because they are more likely to need it. For starters, they must check if the insurance policy they are interested in covers pre-existing conditions. They should also take note of evacuation insurance, in case they need to be flown out to seek emergency medical treatment. Once they purchase their insurance, they must inform their family members about the details so that the latter can also keep track of the policy.
PAssion Silver Concession Card holders are sometimes eligible for travel insurance discounts. They should check for any promos. Alternatively, they can sign up for any single trip travel insurance plan from HL Assurance and receive a complimentary overseas WiFi router rental voucher to ensure that they are always connected to their family back home.
7. Be ready for the airport journey.
Seniors with mobility issues can request for a wheelchair or buggy at the airport so they can easily reach their departure gate. At Singapore Changi Airport, the staff at the Information and Customer Service counters will provide a complimentary wheelchair service on a first-come, first-served basis. Alternatively, when seniors book their flight or during check-in, they can request wheelchair services from their airline. They can also request for designated airline personnel to assist them in boarding the plane.
Seniors who have mobility aids are advised to arrive early for more efficient check-in. They must be at the airport two to three hours before departure. Most airlines do not count mobility aids towards the free baggage allowance. Seniors whose wheelchairs are battery-operated should contact their airline at least 48 hours before their departure.
8. Look for senior discounts at various attractions.
At many tourist attractions, seniors just have to flash their passport to get a discount of 5% to 20% off the entrance fees. Travelers aged 60 years old and above often qualify for discounted rates on local modes of transport, too. Seniors should scan through the websites of the attractions they plan to visit or enquire at the ticketing counter about senior discounts.
For example, visitors to Hong Kong aged 65 years old and above can borrow an Elder Octopus Card at the Airport Express Customer Service Centres to enjoy concessionary rates on public transport. Seniors also enjoy discounted rates at attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland and the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.
9. Stay in touch.
Seniors should always inform their family about their location and itinerary, which will be helpful in the event of an emergency. Staying connected to loved ones while overseas via your smartphone has never been easier. M1 subscribers who are 55 years old and above are eligible for an additional 1GB of local mobile data; they can then pay $10 to $50 to buy a Data Passport to use their local data overseas. SingTel subscribers can pay $12 to $35 for Singtel ReadyRoam to use 1GB over 30 days. StarHub subscribers can pay $15 for 2GB or $20 for a 3GB DataTravel plan over 30 days in Asia and Oceania.
10. Don’t forget the essentials.
Other than the usual clothing items and toiletries, here are some important travel necessities that are often overlooked. Seniors should pack them in their bags and they’ll be ready to go!
As the saying goes, good shoes take you good places. It pays to invest in a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Thus, seniors can go to more places and visit more sights without feeling pain and discomfort from “walking too much.”
- Travel pillow, eye mask, and ear plugs
A good night’s rest is crucial for an enjoyable holiday. Seniors who are taking a red-eye flight can try to sneak in some sleep with a travel pillow to support their neck, an eye mask to block out the light, and ear plugs to muffle noise. If seniors are traveling to countries where the sun rises very early during summer or if their hotel is located next to the railway tracks, the eye mask and ear plugs will come in handy again.
- Toiletries less than 100 ml for carry-on bags
How many travelers often forget about the 100-ml requirement for toiletries on carry-on bags and end up throwing away unopened bottles of lotion at the bag check? While packing their carry-on bag, seniors must make sure that their liquid and cream in-flight essentials are less than 100 ml in size and stored in a clear resealable bag.
- Electrical converters and adaptors
Seniors must find out the electrical system of your destination or they might end up being unable to charge their camera and smartphone. If the voltage of the current and the shape of the plug are different from Singapore’s, they must bring along a suitable converter and adaptor for their electronics.
- Sunblock and lip balm with SPF
Seniors who are on their way to a sunny island getaway should not forget to bring sunblock and lip balm with at least SPF 30. Even on cloudy days and days spent traveling on a coach, sun protection is necessary to avoid skin damage. The last thing anyone wants during a holiday is to nurse a painful sunburn.
With over 50 Giant stores in Singapore, seniors do not have to travel too far to snag a good deal on travel essentials. Those over the age of 60 years old enjoy 3% off purchases every Tuesday, so they must bring their PAssion Silver Concession Card or identity card along during their pre-holiday shopping trip!
