What Are Senior Travel Clubs and Are They Worth It?

senior travel clubs

Do you know what retirees have in common, no matter their previous jobs? Boredom! That’s right. Quitting the 9-5 after years of service frees up a lot of time.

Maybe even too much. That was how the idea of senior travel clubs began. A small group of retirees decided they had the time and resources to travel together.

They could make new friends, feel comfortable in new places with a group, and learn new things about the world. What do you need to know about the clubs?

What they are, the types you can find, and how to choose one – we’re answering all those questions below.

What Are Senior Travel Clubs or Groups?

Have you seen groups of college students or teenagers go on school-sponsored trips? They usually go with a company like EF or the like.

On that trip, they get a guide, matching backpacks, and their accommodations and reservations made for them.

A senior travel club is the same idea, but no one under 55 is allowed.

You may not have to pay a fee per-trip, other than what the trip actually costs you. Most have small membership fees paid yearly, which keep the organization running and supplies paid for.

Sometimes they’ll have monthly meetings, where members meet and socialize. Trip planning meetings and emails are both parts of the experience.

The type of traveling you do depends on the group and the trips you opt into. It’s okay if you don’t want to fly to the other side of the world.

You can find groups that take RV’s out on the road, to those that carpool in travel buses. There’s something for everybody.

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Many trips go places in the US or to places a day-trip away. Learn more about Senior travel club types below.

Types of Senior Travel Groups

Do you have an RV? A Camper-Trailer? A motorcycle habit? You can find people with like transportation interests to go on trips with.

Maybe motorcycle tent camping isn’t as appealing as it used to be, but you can go on destination-rides with your friends. There’s no shame in stopping at a motel for a soft bed to skip the hard ground.

RV trains are another impressive-to-see senior travel club type. These people can rent out whole campsites and look like a caravan train going down the highway. They’ll go wherever the open road takes them.

Like camping but can’t bend over and wrestle together a tent anymore? Camper-travel clubs exist too. Like a mini-festival village, you’ll see personalized trailers and the like on these group outings.

Learning Tours

Maybe you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but that old dog can learn about historical sites and national parks. For the retirees tired of reading about things in books, there are learning-based clubs.

They find historical or impressive sites to explore and usually hire some sort of guide. It’s personalized to the general ability of the group, so no hiking a fourteener in Colorado.

You’re more likely to find a trip that will take the cog train up a fourteen-er and camp at the base.

Volunteer Vacations

Want to give back while still having fun and seeing/learning new things? You can go on a volunteer vacation!

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These would-be mission trips aren’t religious or as intense as building a house in equator-level heat. You can search for volunteer trips in your niche or that use your skill area.

Can you go help an Oregon farmer pick apples? Sort them? You can get into this action overseas as well. Whatever the danger level or intensity you want is, the trip probably exists.

Don’t be afraid to ask a trip organizer like Bill Bailey Travel Clubs if you can suggest a trip. Whoever comes up with the plans is always open to new ideas.

Benefits to Group Travel

Almost all hotels and transportation companies offer a group discount. It’s cheaper for you personally to travel in a group, but also benefits the group as a whole.

You can get better deals on plane tickets, bus rentals, hotel rooms, sometimes even at museums or attractions. Your trip organizer should have this all settled, but you’re free to call ahead and ask what an average group trip costs.

Even if you’re on a small budget, you can join groups that do small trips or even local walking tours. Don’t give up before you explore all your options!

Finding the Right Group

Ok, now that you’re itching to get out on the road how do you find a group? In theory, that’s the easiest part.

Search “senior travel clubs (your area)” on google and follow the results. You may find it links directly to company sites or some lists offer reviews from current members.

Once you’re interested in a company, look through their website to figure out what kind of group they are. Do they fly to foreign countries? Go on local hikes?

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What’s the price point? Look for words like high-end, all-inclusive, or affordable to get an idea of what you’ll spend.

You can always call their support teams and ask what the last few trip averages were. What are the annual fees?

If you find the right travel groups, the annual fees are a small price to pay for lifelong friendship and adventure.

Let’s Get Exploring

Your life as a retiree is just beginning. If you’re bored out of your mind and tired of day-time TV, explore senior travel clubs. They’re a great solution to that what-do-I-do-now feeling.

If you want to get inspired or start your wanderlust senses going, check out our trip guides and favorite places. You’re about to have fun!