3 retirement travel mistakes that can drain your savings — and what to know before you plan your next trip If you dream of spending your golden years exploring the nation — or the world — you’re far from alone.
Whether it’s hitting the open road in an RV, taking the train across Europe or hopping on an expedition cruise to Antarctica, adventure awaits
Often, those bucket-list trips get pushed to retirement; when you’re younger, you might be too busy raising kids, building careers, paying off the house and saving for retirement. But leisure travel in retirement requires financial planning, especially for those on a fixed income. Must Read – – – Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks.
Here’s where their money is actually going When it comes to discretionary income, a majority (86%) of Americans aged 50+ identify travel as one of their top priorities, according to the AARP 2026 Travel Trends survey. And nearly two-thirds (64%) expect to travel this year (1). “The desire to travel is incredibly resilient,” Lona Choi-Allum, AARP’s senior consumer insights manager, told AARP. “Despite challenges or barriers, older adults are adapting how they travel, not whether they travel (2).” However, cost continues to be a major roadblock to travel, as inflation takes its toll. “We noticed a significant increase in the [anticipated] annual dollar spend, from over $6,800 last year to a little over $7,200 this year,” Choi-Allum said. For example, even as the price of jet fuel comes down, airfares are expected to remain elevated.