Travel in your 90s is absolutely possible—with the right planning, medical precautions, and realistic expectations. Whether it’s flying across the country to see grandchildren for the holidays or taking a short road trip to a favorite beach, many people in their late 80s and 90s are still on the move. This guide blends doctors’ up-to-date advice (through late 2025) and real-world experience to help older adults—and the family members who love them—travel more safely, comfortably, and confidently.


An older traveler walking through an airport terminal toward a pickup area
Many travelers in their 80s and 90s still fly regularly—careful preparation makes it safer and less stressful.

While this article focuses on travelers in their 90s, most of these doctor-approved strategies apply to anyone with chronic conditions, mobility challenges, or simply a desire to age well while still seeing the world.


The Unique Challenges of Traveling in Your 90s

In your 90s, travel risks don’t disappear—but they change. Many doctors emphasize that the goal isn’t “no risk at all” but “reasonably safe and meaningful travel” based on your health, values, and support system.

Common challenges for travelers in their 90s include:

  • Higher risk of dehydration, blood clots, and infections during long trips
  • Mobility limitations that make walking, stairs, or standing in long lines harder
  • Sensitivity to time zone changes, sleep disruption, and unfamiliar environments
  • More complex medication schedules and potential for missed doses
  • Increased risk of delirium or confusion, especially with stress or illness
“I rarely tell a patient in their 90s, ‘You absolutely can’t travel.’ Instead, we talk about how to lower the risks and whether the trip aligns with what matters most to them.” — Geriatrician, academic medical center, 2024

Understanding these challenges is the first step. The next is building a plan—ideally with your doctor—that keeps you as safe and comfortable as possible.


Step 1: Talk With Your Doctor Before You Book

If you’re in your 90s—or caring for someone who is—medical clearance isn’t just a formality. It’s an essential part of travel planning.

  1. Schedule a pre-travel visit 4–8 weeks before departure.
    This gives time to:
    • Review whether flying, long drives, or high altitudes are safe given heart, lung, or mobility issues
    • Adjust medications if needed (for example, blood thinners or insulin timing)
    • Plan for oxygen, mobility aids, or in-flight medical needs, if applicable
  2. Ask targeted questions.
    • “Is there any reason I shouldn’t fly or take a long car/rail journey?”
    • “How long a trip and what kind of itinerary would be realistic for me?”
    • “What warning signs should make me seek medical care on the trip?”
  3. Request a simplified medication schedule for travel days.
    Many older adults benefit from slightly simplified regimens during travel, while still staying medically safe.

Medication & Health Essentials: What Doctors Recommend You Pack

One of the most consistent messages from doctors is: don’t let your medications out of your sight. Delays, lost luggage, or unexpected layovers can turn minor issues into serious emergencies if you don’t have your meds with you.

Create a “health carry-on” bag

  • All daily medications in original bottles or clearly labeled pill organizers
  • At least 3–7 extra days of medications in case of delays
  • Written medication list with dosages and timing
  • Copies (photo or paper) of prescriptions, especially for controlled meds
  • Doctor’s notes for oxygen, injectable meds, or medical devices if needed
  • Basic first-aid: bandages, antiseptic wipes, mild pain reliever (if approved by your doctor)
  • Hearing aid batteries, glasses, and backup devices (e.g., extra hearing aid tips)
Close-up of a senior person's hand sorting pills into a travel pill organizer
Keep essential medications in your carry-on, with extras for unexpected delays.

Case example: Avoiding a last-minute crisis

A 92-year-old man flying to see his great-grandchildren forgot his diuretic (water pill) in checked luggage. His suitcase was delayed, his legs swelled, and he ended up in an urgent care clinic. After that experience, his daughter created a dedicated “meds pouch” that never leaves his side while traveling. Future trips were far smoother.


Vaccines, Infections & Staying Well on the Road

For travelers in their 90s, infections like flu, COVID‑19, RSV, and pneumonia can turn a simple trip into a hospitalization. By late 2025, major health organizations (such as the CDC and many national immunization groups) continue to emphasize vaccination as one of the most effective ways to reduce severe illness in older adults.

Discuss these with your doctor before travel

  • Seasonal influenza vaccine (high-dose or adjuvanted for older adults, if appropriate)
  • Updated COVID‑19 booster, if recommended based on the latest variants and guidance
  • RSV vaccine for older adults (available in many countries; ask if it’s right for you)
  • Pneumococcal vaccine status (to help prevent some forms of pneumonia)
“If you’re going through busy airports, staying with grandkids, and eating in crowded restaurants, it’s worth making sure your vaccines are as up-to-date as possible before you go.” — Infectious disease specialist, 2025

Hydration, Movement & Blood Clot Prevention

Doctors frequently highlight hydration and movement as simple but powerful ways to lower travel risks—especially on long flights or car rides where older adults may sit still for hours.

Hydration tips

  • Start the day well hydrated—sip water regularly before leaving home.
  • Bring a refillable bottle (empty through security, then refill) or buy water after security.
  • Limit alcohol and very salty snacks, which can worsen dehydration and swelling.
  • If you’re on fluid restrictions for heart or kidney issues, ask your doctor for a personalized plan.

Reducing blood clot risk (DVT)

Long periods of sitting can increase the risk of blood clots, especially in older adults or those with prior clots, cancer, or certain heart conditions.

  • Stand and walk briefly every 60–90 minutes if possible (on planes, trains, or at rest stops).
  • Do simple seated leg movements: ankle circles, heel raises, gentle marching.
  • Ask your doctor whether compression stockings are appropriate for you.
  • Discuss whether you need any temporary medication adjustments (e.g., for those already on blood thinners).
Passenger seated on an airplane performing gentle leg stretches
Gentle leg movements and short walks during travel can help reduce stiffness and blood clot risk.

Navigating Airports & Security Safely in Your 90s

Busy airports can be overwhelming for anyone, but especially for travelers in their 90s. Fatigue, noise, and rushing increase the risk of falls and confusion.

Use available assistance

  • Request wheelchair assistance when you book your ticket, even if you usually walk independently.
  • Ask to board early so you can take your time getting to your seat.
  • Let airport staff know if you have hearing, vision, or cognitive challenges—many are trained to help.

Plan for security screening

  • Wear easy-on, easy-off shoes with good grip (avoid slippery soles).
  • Keep meds and medical devices accessible in your carry-on for screening.
  • Bring a written list of implanted devices (pacemaker, joint replacement, etc.) if relevant.

Choosing the Safest Mode of Travel in Your 90s

The “right” way to travel depends on your health, the distance, and your personal comfort. Many doctors encourage older adults to choose the least physically taxing option, even if it costs a bit more or takes longer.

Air travel

  • Nonstop flights reduce stress from transfers and tight connections.
  • Aisle seats make it easier to stand, move, and use the restroom.
  • Some older adults benefit from boarding assistance and wheelchair support all the way to the gate.

Car travel

  • Plan frequent stops (every 1–2 hours) to stretch, hydrate, and use the restroom.
  • Avoid driving after dark if vision or fatigue is an issue.
  • Never let an older adult with impaired driving skills or cognitive decline drive, even on familiar routes.

Rail or coach travel

  • Trains can be easier than planes for some travelers: more legroom and easier bathroom access.
  • Ask ahead about steps, lifts, and accessibility features at stations.

Safe Lodging: Making Hotels and Homes Senior-Friendly

Many injuries in older travelers happen not during the journey, but where they’re staying. A few adjustments can significantly lower fall and confusion risks.

  • Request a ground-floor room or one near the elevator.
  • Ask for a room with a walk-in shower and grab bars, if available.
  • Bring or request nightlights for the path to the bathroom.
  • Keep a clear path from bed to bathroom; move suitcases and clutter out of the way.
  • Store medications in a visible, consistent spot to avoid missed doses.
Simple changes in hotel or guest rooms—clear paths, nightlights, and grab bars—can reduce falls for older travelers.

Pacing, Itineraries & Managing Energy in Your 90s

One of the most compassionate choices you can make in your 90s is to travel more slowly. You may see fewer sights in a day, but you’ll enjoy them more and reduce health risks.

Build rest directly into your schedule

  • Plan only one main activity per day (e.g., family gathering, museum, or outing).
  • Include a structured rest time in the afternoon, especially for longer trips.
  • Aim for at least one “light day” after travel days to recover.

Signs you may be overdoing it

  • Increased confusion, irritability, or agitation
  • Loss of appetite or trouble sleeping
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or unusually short of breath
“In my 90-year-old patients, the most common problem I see after travel is exhaustion. A slower pace and realistic expectations go a long way.” — Primary care physician, 2024

Traveling With Memory Loss or Dementia

Many people with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia still travel, especially to see family. But unfamiliar environments and disruptions in routine can trigger confusion or agitation.

  • Try to keep routines similar: meal times, medications, and bedtimes.
  • Use ID bracelets, cards, or smartphone notes with the traveler’s name and emergency contact.
  • Have a single primary caregiver in charge of medications and daily structure.
  • Avoid very crowded, noisy, or chaotic environments when possible.
  • Consider shorter trips or having family visit you if travel becomes too stressful.

Emergency Planning: Preparing for the “What Ifs”

Planning for emergencies doesn’t mean you expect them—it means you’re being realistic and kind to your future self (and your family).

Before you leave

  • Know where the nearest urgent care or hospital is at your destination.
  • Check what your health insurance covers when you’re away from home.
  • Consider travel insurance that includes medical coverage and evacuation, especially for international trips.
  • Share your itinerary and contact details with a trusted family member.

Pack an “information kit”

  • One-page medical summary with conditions, meds, and allergies
  • Photocopy of ID, insurance card, and emergency contacts
  • List of current doctors and their phone numbers
  • Copy of advance directives or healthcare proxy, if available and relevant
Close-up of travel documents and medical papers organized on a table
Keeping a simple, organized medical information kit can save valuable time in an emergency.

Emotional Side of Travel: Independence, Identity & Saying “No”

For many people in their 90s, travel isn’t just about moving from place to place—it’s about independence, identity, and connection. It can be painful to acknowledge that certain types of travel are no longer safe or enjoyable.

Families, too, may struggle to balance protecting an older loved one with respecting their autonomy. Open, honest conversations help:

  • Ask, “What matters most to you about this trip?” (Seeing a new place? Time with family?)
  • Be transparent about risks, but avoid scare tactics.
  • Consider alternatives: shorter visits, family traveling to you, or video calls to stay connected.
“We eventually decided that my 93-year-old mom wouldn’t fly cross-country anymore, but we made a new tradition: everyone visits her in smaller groups throughout the year. It wasn’t easy, but it’s actually brought us closer.” — Adult child caregiver

Lessons for Travelers of Every Age

The strategies doctors recommend for 90‑something travelers—packing medications carefully, staying hydrated, building in rest, and planning for emergencies—are just good travel habits for all of us.

  • Keep essential meds and health info with you, not in checked bags.
  • Stand, stretch, and move regularly on long journeys.
  • Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines before major trips.
  • Respect your body’s limits and schedule downtime.
  • Have a realistic emergency plan, even for short domestic trips.

Bringing It All Together: Traveling Wisely in Your 90s

Safe travel in your 90s isn’t about being fearless—it’s about being prepared. With thoughtful planning, medical guidance, and support from family or companions, many older adults continue to travel in ways that are deeply meaningful, whether that’s one more holiday with grandchildren or a quiet visit to a favorite place.

If you—or someone you love—is in their 90s and thinking about a trip, consider this your next step:

  1. Schedule a pre-travel visit with your primary doctor or geriatrician.
  2. Make a detailed packing list for medications and health essentials.
  3. Choose routes, lodging, and schedules that prioritize rest and safety.
  4. Talk openly as a family about what matters most for this journey.

You may travel differently in your 90s than you did at 60—but with care, planning, and support, you can still travel with purpose, connection, and joy.