Travel Friendships After Retirement: How Women Over 60 Are Finding Companions for Adventures Abroad
Retirement can open a door for you that you have been waiting years to walk through. The children are grown, your busy calendar is finally quieter, and your travel bucket list is sitting there…waiting. Italy. Portugal. Japan. A river cruise through Europe. A month in Mexico. A walking tour in Scotland. The desire is there. The time may finally be there, too.
But one question often gets in the way. Who will I go with?
More and more retired women over 60 are not waiting for a spouse or a friend to be available to travel with. They are finding travel companions through women’s travel groups, online communities, roommate matching programs, cruises, walking tours, and informal friendship circles. Some begin as strangers. Some become trusted travel buddies.
This is not about women being afraid to travel alone. Many women are perfectly capable of traveling solo. But there is something fascinating and confidence-building about finding another woman who also wants to wander, split a taxi, compare notes over dinner, and say “France, here we come!”
Why Are Women Over 60 Looking for Travel Companions?
There are a variety of reasons why women over 60 look for travel friendships after retirement. Some are widowed or divorced. Some have partners who do not like to travel. Some have friends who are busy with grandchildren or have health issues. Others simply want to meet like-minded people who share their curiosity and pace.
Here are a few reasons why having a travel companion can make the experience easier:
- Sharing hotel rooms or accommodations can reduce costs.
- Having someone familiar nearby can make you feel safer in new places.
- Meals are often more enjoyable with conversation.
- Ever get decision-making fatigue? I do. Travel decisions can feel less intimidating when you can bounce them off each other.
- And last but not least, it’s just nice to have someone to share travel experiences with and to have fun with.
Where Are Women Finding Travel Friends?
Women are finding travel companions in more places than ever. Some use organized women-only tour groups. Others join Facebook groups, cruise communities, local clubs, house-sitting networks, or special-interest travel programs.
Women-Only Travel Groups
Women-focused travel companies are one of the easiest starting points. Sisterhood Travels describes itself as a group travel company for women and notes that it can match travelers with roommates when needed. It says its travelers are women over 45 who value friendship and unique adventures.
Women Travel Tribe is another example of a women-only travel group. It offers small group trips designed for women over 50. Its site says most members arrive solo, and its trips typically include 8 to 12 women.
A travel resource and community for solo women travelers over 50. It offers service, safety tips, stories, webinars, and a directory of women-friendly tours and travel services.
A women-only adventure travel company for active travelers. Many travelers come solo. This is a good option if you want structured support and connection.
An educational travel organization for adults over 50. Not all trips are women-only, but it does offer women-only programs focused on learning through expert-led experiences.
A women-only travel company mainly geared toward women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. Trips combine culture, adventure, friendship, and fun.
Another women-only active travel company offering hiking, kayaking, nature, and multisport trips. Good for women who want outdoor adventures within a supportive group.
A women-only small group travel company with a modern feel. Trips often focus on culture, food, design, local women-owned businesses, and connection.
Another women-only adventure travel company that offers active trips around the world. This is a good option for you if you are interested in hiking, wildlife, nature, and more adventurous destinations.
Online Travel Communities
Online communities through social media platforms like Facebook can help you connect with other women your age. Some groups are destination-specific, others are built around age, travel style, and shared interests. The important thing is to look for communities that are active, well-moderated, and clear about their rules.
Our very own Sixty & Me founder, Margaret Manning, has created a Facebook page that is a gathering place exclusively for women over 50 who enjoy independent travel and the quiet pleasure of sharing the road with others who understand this stage of life.
Over 50 Women’s Travel Club. The Original. The Exclusive.
This private Facebook group is for women over 50 who are interested in travel, friendship, and sharing travel ideas with other women. Because it is a private group, you need to join before you can see posts or contribute to discussions.
Ladies Who Travel Global: Over 50 Women’s Travel Group
This is another private Facebook group for women over 50 who love to travel. This is a place where you can share travel plans, ask questions, exchange tips, and possibly meet other like-minded women.
Remember, you should still use care when connecting privately or planning trips with people you meet online.
Read more: Senior Travel Tips for Stress-Free Trips After 60 (Flights, Hotels & Insurance).
How Does Roommate Matching Work?
Roommate matching can be very helpful for women who want to avoid single supplements but do not have a friend ready to join them. Some tour companies offer to pair solo travelers with another woman on the same trip. This can reduce costs and create an instant connection.
Roommate matching works best when expectations are clear before the trip. Ask whether the company matches people by age, sleep habits, mobility level, or travel style. Find out what happens if the match is uncomfortable. Can you request a room change? Is a private room still available later? Are there extra costs?
It’s also a good idea to have an honest conversation with a potential roommate before the trip. Discuss bedtime schedules, snoring, bathroom routines, room temperature preferences, and whether either of you needs quiet time. These are not glamorous questions, but neither is lying awake at midnight because your new roommate needs the TV on to fall asleep.
What Makes Someone a Good Travel Companion?
A travel companion does not have to be your perfect twin. In fact, part of the fun is traveling with someone who sees the world differently. But some things really do need to match.
I think the most important areas are budget, pace, independence, and flexibility.
Questions to ask before traveling together:
- What is your daily travel budget?
- Do you like slow mornings or early starts?
- How much alone time do you need?
- Do you prefer tours, wandering, museums, shopping, nature, or food experiences?
- Are you comfortable with public transportation?
- How do you handle delays or changes in plans?
- Do you like a daily schedule or do you prefer to go with the flow?
- Would you rather split everything evenly or pay separately?
In my opinion, the best travel friendships usually include both connection and space. You can spend the morning together, spend the afternoon separately, and meet again for dinner.
What Safety Steps Should You Take Before Traveling with Someone New
Safety should not ruin the fun parts of a trip. But there are steps you can take to stay safe while traveling, especially with someone you don’t know.
Here are a few steps you can take before traveling with a new companion:
- Meat or video chat before booking anything.
- Use reputable travel companies or well-moderated communities.
- Always keep control of your own passport, money, phone, and bookings.
- Share your itinerary with someone at home.
- Avoid sending deposits directly to someone you do not know well.
- Book flexible or refundable options when possible.
- Make sure you can leave, change rooms, or continue solo if needed.
- Trust your instincts if something feels off.
Also, make sure expectations are clear in writing. This can be as simple as a shared message confirming who booked what, how costs will be split, and what happens if one person cancels.
Read more: How to Check If a Destination Is Safe Before You Book: A Step-by-Step Guide for Older Travelers.
Why Travel Friendships are a Great Idea for Women Over 60
Travel friendships after retirement are special because they are often chosen with intention. These are not friendships formed because your children were in the same class or because you worked in the same office. These are friendships formed when two women look at the world and say, “I still want to go!” These friendships are not just about finding someone to share a room or split a taxi. They are about women creating new circles and opening travel opportunities.
The right travel friend can help you feel braver and more open to possibilities. She may encourage you to book the trip, try the local dish, take that boat ride, join the walking tour, or stay up just a little too late talking about life over a glass of wine.
For women over 60, adventure does not have to wait for the perfect partner, the perfect friend, or the perfect moment. Sometimes it begins with joining a group, replying to a post, booking a tour, or saying yes to a woman you just met who also thinks a month abroad sounds like an excellent idea.
Read more: Rideshare Safety for Women: Things to Know Before You Go.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you travel solo? Have you ever joined a travel group and found a compatible travel companion? Does finding travel friendships sound interesting to you? Will you be actively searching for a travel buddy for your next adventures abroad? Tell us about it in the comments below.
