15 Money-Saving Travel Tips for Retirees

1. Understand the impact of the fluctuating dollar

As of mid-February 2026, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the dollar's value against six major currencies, has declined approximately 0.5% to 1.5% year-to-date in 2026.

It currently hovers around 97.7–97.9, after dipping to lows near 95.55 in late January 2026, but has rebounded somewhat since then.

Still, the dollar packs a punch in many countries, making everyday adventures seem like steals. Nothing beats that thrill of stretching your dollars further. The weaker the local currency, the more affordable it becomes to visit if you're carrying U.S. dollars.

2. Watch airfares to snag the sweet spot

It's a good idea to plan your trip as far in advance as possible, says Nick Ewen, senior editorial director of The Points Guy, a travel website.

"I'm saying planning, not booking. Airlines in the U.S. will open their schedules about 11 months out, but you don't want to book your tickets 10 months and 29 days before you go."

Instead, start researching prices for when you want to travel so you'll recognize a good deal when you see one. Then pounce on it.

Use tools such as Skyscanner or Hopper, and get price-drop notifications to help ensure you book at the right time.

The sweet spot for booking a plane ticket is usually about one to three months for a domestic trip and two to eight months for an international flight, says Willis Orlando, senior product operations specialist for Going.

It alerts you when fares from an airport drop significantly below their average prices, Orlando says. The site has a free option that provides limited alerts for economy class deals in addition to two paid tiers of alerts.

3. Use a different airport

It's tempting to book your entire trip with one airline, departing from the airport closest to home, but that might not be your most cost-effective option. The cheapest airfares aren't always from large international airports.

Airlines sometimes cut prices to a specific destination from smaller international airports in secondary U.S. cities, Orlando says.

Because the international leg of your trip is typically the most expensive, look for deals from other airports besides the one you usually use, even if it means flying out of a different city. Then consider the cost of a connecting flight. Your savings could be more than enough to cover the cost of your domestic flight, Orlando says.

Pay attention to an airline's hub cities, where the carrier's flight operations are concentrated, as the location of the flight can affect pricing. Prices are often higher for a specific carrier's hub cities because the airline dominates service there. Other airlines, however, sometimes slash prices on popular routes from the competitor's hub to steal its business.

"This behavior has resulted in some of the absolute best flight deals we've ever seen, as tit-for-tat price slashing has resulted in ever-lower fares," Orlando says.

4. Embrace a flexible schedule

Freed from the tyranny of the school calendar and the workweek, retirees can fly at off-peak times, on days when prices are lower, typically a Tuesday or Wednesday. Historically, business travelers book Sunday and Thursday evening flights, leading to higher prices.

Although this trend has lessened somewhat, Ewen says, you can still find better fares by avoiding those days.

5. Avoid unnecessary fees

Some of the best travel credit cards in 2026 don't charge foreign transaction fees, which can typically add around 3% to every purchase made outside the U.S. "If you think about the number of times you are swiping that card, fees can add up," Ewen says. "If your card charges such a fee, switch to one that doesn't."

For instance, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card doesn't charge an annual fee and has no foreign transaction fees. It also offers a competitive sign-up bonus and five miles per dollar spent on hotel stays, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card charges an annual fee of $95, but no foreign transaction fees — great for globe-trotting retirees.

You'll earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening, which is redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.

You'll also get 3 points per dollar spent on air travel and hotel purchases.

Unfortunately, you might be hit with different fees using an ATM abroad, including one from the foreign bank that owns the machine.

Meanwhile, your bank in the U.S. can charge a foreign ATM withdrawal fee often totaling $7 to $10 or more per withdrawal, depending on the bank, as well as a foreign ATM transaction fee, usually about 3% of the transaction, to cover any currency conversion costs.

Ask your bank what it charges and if you can avoid those fees. Some financial institutions might waive or reimburse you for at least part of these costs depending on the type of account you have.

Whether you’re heading across the country or overseas, travel cards help you earn while you explore. See Kiplinger’s best travel card picks, powered by Bankrate. Advertising disclosure.

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6. Get rewarded for spending

Wouldn't it be nice if the money you spent on travel generated a return for you? It can, depending on your credit card.

Some rewards cards let you earn points or miles that can be redeemed to pay for travel expenses every time you swipe your card. Look for one with no annual fee, though the trade-off might be fewer rewards than a card with a fee.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Visa card has no annual fee and a sign-up bonus of 20,000 points if you spend $1,000 in the first three months. You'll also earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, hotels, plane tickets, public transit, cruises, dining and car rentals.

All purchases are worth one point per dollar, and you can redeem them for travel, gift cards in $25 increments, or statement credits. Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.

7. Don't rent a car

As tempting as it is to hop in the car rental line and peel out with your own set of wheels, it can be a costly mistake.

You might be better off exploring a city on foot, or opt to use an Uber or Lyft, or just bike. Many countries also have wonderful public transportation systems that are easy to navigate.

When mass transit can't take you everywhere you'd like, perhaps a cab or ride service can. "All of that brings you closer to the community," says Janice Waugh, founder of Solo Traveler, a website providing information about traveling alone. "You can have great conversations with a taxi driver or the person sitting next to you on a bus."

If you decide to rent a car at the airport, you can sign up for autoslash.com, which tracks your car rental and alerts you if a better deal is available.

If you're traveling in the U.S. by car and staying in a hotel, look for one 10 to 15 miles outside of a city, says Patti Maghamfar, co-founder of website One Road At a Time. Not only will the accommodations be cheaper, but parking will often be free, she adds.

8. Consider other lodging besides hotels

With the rise of vacation rental sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo, travelers can now easily forego traditional hotels and find wonderful condos, apartments, houses or even just a room to rent, making overnight stays sometimes cheaper.

The site, HiChee, compares Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo rates in popular cities here and abroad.

According to Bankrate, short-term rental rates in Augusta, Georgia, Long Island, New York, and Saratoga Springs, New York, double during the peak tourist months of spring and summer, while rental rates in Oxford, Mississippi, Vail, Colorado, and Green Bay, Wisconsin jump by at least 110% during the fall and winter months.

Flexibility is key when staying in a vacation rental site.

De Vore likes hostels, which aren't just for students backpacking through Europe. Many hostels offer private rooms with a bathroom — not just shared dorm rooms — at low prices. She recommends hostelworld.com and booking.com for finding budget accommodations.

9. Land a house-sitting gig

Travelers staying in one location for a longer period might consider becoming house sitters, Waugh says. In exchange for house sitting and perhaps caring for a pet, you can stay in the house for free. Retirees are often preferred as house sitters because they're generally experienced homeowners.

"You know there are electrical breakers in the house. You know that when it gets cold, the pipes will freeze," Waugh says.

Housecarers.com connects travelers with house-sitting gigs. Recent travelers included the McSkimmings. They had five months to allot for house sitting in the United Kingdom, and were thrilled when they were able to find five house sits. Along the way, they minded pigs, geese, miniature Dexter cattle and two adorable border collies.

Ms. Batty has been a house sitter since 1999. She's visited seven countries, and reports that her favorite house sits are in Greece, France and Italy. On a recent house sit in Greece, she felt as one with her neighbors and even got into whitewashing steps and walls in Greece.

TrustedHousesitters, Nomador and MindMyHouse are other well-used platforms.

10. Supplement meals out with a grocery run

One of the first stops to make while traveling is to a grocery store. You have more options when you stay at a vacation rental than in a hotel to cook a meal in, rather than eating out.

Keeping fixings for breakfast on hand will save around $20 per day. Farmers' markets are also great for picking up fresh fruit and vegetables for lunch or dinner instead of dining out at an expensive sit-down restaurant.

But you don't have to give up restaurants entirely. Experienced travelers Tom Bartel, 69, and his wife, Kris Henning, 68, of Minneapolis, ask hotel employees where they like to eat.

"You will find little neighborhood gems that are reasonably priced, so you spend $10 to $15 rather than $30 to $40," Bartel says.

11. Leverage your memberships

Your gym, alumni group or other memberships and organizations you might have can sometimes provide travel or hotel discounts, Waugh says.

For example, AAA members get discounts for hotel stays, flights, cruises and car rentals. The nonprofit also offers exclusive travel packages to members. The organization sometimes runs discounts on membership dues. Specials change all the time, so it's best to log on regularly.

12. Ask for an upgrade

Businesses in the travel industry will sometimes waive fees or provide additional perks on request. For instance, some seasoned travelers have found that hotel managers are often willing to waive parking fees.

Asking at check-in is one of the most obvious and effective strategies for getting that free upgrade. Generally, hotels upgrade your booking based on status before arrival.

Upgrades are limited during peak travel season, and a hotel can only accommodate a finite number before running out of upgraded rooms. During peak times, there are likely to be more elites at any given property and guests who pay for upgraded rooms outright. Still, it never hurts to ask.

13. Hang out with locals

Packaged tours can be a fantastic but pricey way to see a destination. Instead, meet up with locals who might be willing to show you the sights, Waugh says. She recommends signing up for Meetup, a free service that connects people from all over the world with similar interests.

Another site, Women Welcome Women Worldwide, aims to foster friendships between women across the globe, and its also a great way to connect with the locals.

Through the U.K.-based organization, travelers contact hostesses before setting off and arrange to meet once they get to the destination. The service is free, though an initial donation of about minimum £47 sterling or equivalent in your own currency (about $63) is recommended.

During a trip to northern Sweden, mutual friends introduced Bartel, who does most of the photography for his and Henning's travel blog, Travel Past 50, to a renowned photographer known for his pictures of celestial events and the night sky. Bartel met with the photographer one night and they drove around looking for interesting skies to photograph.

"That was an experience that didn't cost me a penny, and I got to hang out with one of the best sky photographers in the world," he says

14. Travel in the shoulder season

When looking for money-saving travel tips, many savvy travelers will advise retirees to avoid peak season when the crowds and prices are steeper. Traveling in the off-season, usually in the spring or fall, can often save you money on flights, dining and hotels. Just pack an extra jacket.

15. Get travel and health insurance

While no one hopes to have to use it, travel insurance can help protect you from unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations and lost luggage. Even if you have a U.S. health insurance plan, most plans provide little or no coverage when traveling abroad. Medicare does not provide coverage abroad either.

Although plans differ somewhat, most travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, such as ambulance service, doctor and hospital bills. Prescription medications, accidental death and dismemberment and 24-hour assistance services may also be covered under your plan.

Policies average from $40 to $80, according to Travelers.com, but higher coverage limits and longer coverage terms typically increase the cost of the policy. Check out SafetyWing to find the best rates.

Retirement travel doesn't have to break the bank

Many retirees in 2026 are eager to travel more than ever. Surveys, such as AARP's 2025 Travel Trends, show that the vast majority view it as essential for both mental and physical well-being, yet rising transportation and accommodation costs remain an obstacle.

By leveraging shoulder-season deals and senior discounts on food or accommodations, or tapping into travel rewards and choosing off-the-beaten-path destinations, your money can stretch farther, making it totally possible to enjoy getaways on a fixed income.

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