Many over-50s are delaying dream trips due to work, health and mobility concerns, new research suggests. A survey of 2,000 people over 50 found 34% feel more inspired to travel now than they did when they were younger, while 47% say they're keen to make up for lost time.
Travel Limbo: The Main Barriers
But a quarter (25%) said they feel stuck in 'travel limbo', held back by health or mobility issues, work commitments or financial pressures. Money was also the biggest barrier to travel earlier in life, alongside work and the demands of raising children. Even for those with fewer childcare responsibilities now, many are juggling grandparent duties — and one in four worry that taking an extended break could leave them permanently excluded from the job market.
Dream Destinations and Extended Breaks
On average, the last time someone over 50 took a holiday lasting more than two weeks was more than six years ago. Topping their wish list are seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland (25%) and taking a luxury train journey across Europe (20%). The research was commissioned by Newmarket Holidays as part of its campaign to champion 'pretirement sabbaticals'.
CEO Insights on 'Pretirement Sabbaticals'
CEO Niel Alobaidi said: 'The retirement age may have slipped a little farther away, but their urge to explore the world certainly hasn't. Many find themselves trapped between the fear of age-based discrimination if they step away from their careers, and the burning desire to travel.' The holiday company has formalised its own policy to include 'pretirement sabbaticals'.
'We want to lead by example, proving that enabling older working Britons to recharge actually keeps them in the workforce longer and fights burnout,' said Niel. 'For those mature travellers who do make the leap, we know that taking an extended break can feel daunting logistically. Newmarket Holidays is designed to strip that stress away entirely.'
Tips from Race Across The World Winners
The company has partnered with this year's Race Across The World winners Mark and Margo who have shared their top tips for travelling later in life. Niel said: 'They embody the spirit that adventure doesn't come with an expiration date.'
1. Stop waiting for the 'right time'
It's easy to think you'll travel 'one day', after work slows down, after the mortgage is paid, after retirement, but life doesn't always stick to our timetable. Take that trip now, because the memories you make, the confidence you gain and the people you meet become part of your life today.
2. Choose ease over proving a point
On Race Across the World we spent weeks making hundreds of decisions every day: where to go, how to get there, where to stay, what to do next. After decades of organising work, family and everyday life, there's a real luxury in simply switching off and enjoying the journey.
3. Leave room for the unexpected
Years later, you'll remember the people far more than the places. Some of our favourite memories aren't famous landmarks at all, they were chatting to people in tiny cafés, wandering through local markets and laughing with shopkeepers. These are the moments that stay with you.
4. Travel is better when it's shared
Travelling with other people adds something really special to the experience, you're surrounded by people who are curious, interested in the world and ready to make the most of this stage of life.
5. Don't underestimate what you're capable of
People sometimes talk as though adventure belongs to the young, but we couldn't disagree more. One of the joys of travelling later in life is that you've stopped trying to impress anyone, you know what you enjoy, you appreciate comfort, and you value unique experiences.
