4 essential tips for long term travelling in retirement

As the years go on, it’s normal to start dreaming of a long-term travel adventure once you retire, but there are some major changes to consider before diving into a full-time nomadic lifestyle. Planning ahead can make a huge difference to how much you enjoy your travels after spending so much time in the workforce. It’s good to be prepared.

From getting on the same page as your partner to organising your finances, here are some of the top tips to help you get started with your itinerant retirement plans.

Align with your partner

If you’re travelling with a partner, make sure they’re on board with the new lifestyle change. This means you’ll both need to agree on what you want and be committed to the challenges that come with the nomadic routine.

You’ll want to make sure your partner shares your enthusiasm for travelling throughout retirement as this will reduce the risk of facing emotional or financial barriers.¹ It’s also important to check that your partner has similar expectations as you do. For example, are they willing to live on a limited budget with just the essentials, or would they prefer a luxurious experience while travelling?

Answering these questions ahead of time will make the transition into retirement much easier for both of you and ensure you can enjoy your plans in harmony.

Set a financial strategy

Spending your retirement travelling may be an enriching experience, but it can also be an expensive one. It’s important not to leave your financial strategy to chance as this will determine how you’ll be able to enjoy your new lifestyle.

Long-term strategy

While you might be looking forward to a carefree retirement, you’ll need to ensure you have the finances to support both you and your partner. Working with a financial planner, accountant, or any other expert can help you work out how much you’ll need to budget for, as well as any tax or investment implications to consider.

Income

Even if you’re no longer working, it’s still wise to consider other forms of income that can help support you during retirement. Income from rent, pensions, or annuities can still be generated while you’re on the road. If you don’t have any set up right now, it may be worth looking into these as they can provide valuable financial support when you’re no longer working.

Budget

Take into account all the essentials like food, travel costs, insurance, emergencies, vehicle maintenance, and so on. Whether you’re going to be travelling in a caravan or living in a beachside apartment, having a detailed budget will ensure you’re prepared for an uninterrupted and carefree retirement. Without a budget, you could find your savings quickly depleting, so it’s important to plan ahead and be clear about what you can afford to spend.²

Get familiar with practical tips

With so many different ways to enjoy retirement, as well as all the potential challenges that can come up along the way, it’s a good idea to become familiar with any practical tips you can use. This will help you avoid sudden headaches on the road.

Join community travelling groups, get advice from people you meet on the road and download specialist apps that might be able to give you advice and tips on a local, practical level. Other travellers can be a fountain of knowledge, so reach out when and where you can.

Van travel

Travelling around Australia in a caravan or motorhome is a popular option among older travellers. If you’re interested in caravan travelling, you’ll want to get to know the types of caravans available, how to find and use caravan parks, and also DIY caravan maintenance in case you run into a mechanical problem.³

Self-storage

What will happen to your belongings during your travels? Packing light can be difficult when you’re planning to spend extended time on the road, so look into self-storage options to ensure your property stays secure.⁴

Weather and seasons

Planning to travel during mild weather and seasons can significantly boost your experience and even help you avoid health issues like heat stress. Check the local weather before settling off to a destination.⁵

Managing risk on your travels

Unexpected challenges and surprises can occur at any time in life, but during your retirement, they can be particularly unsettling. Bills you didn’t plan for, health issues and extra family commitments can all impact your peace of mind when travelling long term.

Don’t let these everyday risks stop you from enjoying yourself. Having a backup plan for emergencies, such as an emergency savings account, can come in handy should anything go wrong on your trip. It’s also a good idea to take out travel insurance to ensure you’re covered for any major expenses or losses that arise.

Plan for your return

Coming back is probably the last thing on your mind, but you can’t live the nomadic life forever so it’s crucial to have a plan for when you return home. Consider whether you’ll have sufficient funds to support yourself after so much time away, and also consider where you’ll be living upon your return.

If you’re renting, will your property still be available? Where will you keep all the extra souvenirs you’ve collected, and what will you do with your caravan or motorhome if you’ve purchased one outright? These are all important questions to consider ahead of time, so you can return to normal as quickly as possible without the added stress.

Taking out travel insurance is the easiest way to make sure you’re covered in case anything goes wrong while you’re on the road. Find out more about travel insurance for seniors or contact our friendly team for more information.