by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 5:40 PM ET, Thu September 3, 2026
Don’t rule out older Americans when it comes to travel. They know travel is good for their health and plan to keep on globetrotting.
That’s one of the key takeaways from the 2026 Travel + Health Trends for Older Americans survey, which reveals that 78% of respondents view travel as genuinely good for healthy aging. And 90% of them take at least one to two trips per year, with one-third traveling three to five times annually.
But it’s not all good news.
While older Americans say they have the time and money to travel, they also said physical barriers throughout the travel experience make 23% feel the industry treats them as an afterthought, with 21% even saying airport and luggage logistics have already reduced how often and how far they travel.
Some of the additional takeaways from the survey include
- Seventy percent of older Americans say they travel the same amount or more than they did five years ago, driven by having more time (62%), more money (46%) and a desire to spend time with family (44%).
- Among those older Americans who are opting out of international travel, rising costs are the biggest deterrent, cited by 52%.
- When planning trips, rest, relaxation and rejuvenation rank as the top travel philosophy among 59% of respondents, followed by visiting family and staying connected to loved ones (55%).
- As they age, 41% say they want to travel as much as they can while they’re still able.
Is travel the fountain of youth for older travelers?
The Travel + Health Trends for Older Americans survey also reveals that many older Americans view travel as a way to remain healthy: 29% said travel helps maintain an active, connected lifestyle, while nearly half (49%) say travel makes them feel healthier, and 39% say it makes them feel younger.
These opinions surrounding the health benefits of travel are not unfounded.
A study conducted by Edith Cowan University, published by Science Daily earlier this year, underscored this.
The study suggested that travel could be “a surprisingly powerful anti-aging tool.” In fact, researchers found that positive travel experiences may help the body stay balanced and resilient and that activities like exploring new places, staying active, and connecting with others may boost immunity, metabolism, and stress recovery.
What’s more, according to that Travel + Health Trends for Older Americans survey, the motivation to remain healthy among older Americans continues long after a trip ends.
More than one-third (39%) of respondents say they sustain their fitness year-round because they want to keep up while traveling. Another 33% prioritize rest and recovery between trips to maintain their travel stamina.
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