Welcome. If you're new to Travel Past 50, this page is for you.
We're Tom and Kris — former newspaper and magazine publishers who, in 2010, sold our last publication, sold our house and gave away most of our possessions, and set out to see the world. Sixteen years, 80+ countries, and two Caminos de Santiago later, we're still going.
We built this site because we kept meeting travelers in their 50s, 60s, and beyond who were full of questions and short on trustworthy answers. So we started writing down everything we've learned the hard way.
Where Do You Want to Start?
Everyone comes to this site at a different point in their travel life. Find where you are below.
I'm planning my first big international trip
Start here. These are the fundamentals we wish someone had told us in year one:
- Our 50 Best Travel Tips — The single best starting point on the site. Sixteen years of hard-won advice in one place.
- The Ultimate Carry-On Packing List for Travelers Over 50 — The most important thing you can do before any trip is get your packing right. This is our system.
- How to Make Flying Easier and More Comfortable — Practical strategies for the part of travel most people dread.
- Planning Tips for Safe and Secure Travel — A pre-trip checklist covering your home, your banking, your health, and your peace of mind.
- All About Travel Insurance — Don't skip this. We explain what matters and what doesn't.
I want to pack smarter and lighter
This is where we've put in the most work over the years. Everything you need to go carry-on only — for a week or for nine months:
- The Ultimate Carry-On Packing List for Travelers Over 50 — Our master packing guide, updated for 2026.
- Men's Ultra Light Packing List — Tom's exact packing list, item by item.
- Women's Ultra Light Packing List — Kris's version, with women-specific recommendations.
- The Best Travel Accessories (2026) — The gear we actually carry, with honest opinions on what's worth the money.
- Our Favorite Travel Gear — Bags, shoes, tech, clothing — everything we've tested over 16 years.
- Best Travel Shoes for Women — The right shoes can make or break a trip. Here's what works.
I'm going somewhere specific
We've written in depth about many destinations, with a particular focus on Europe, slow travel, and places that reward curiosity over checklists. A few of our most detailed guides:
- Spain Travel Guide for Travelers Over 50 — Our deepest destination guide. We've spent years in Spain and it shows.
- The Camino de Santiago Packing Guide — Everything you actually need for the Camino — and what to leave behind.
- Traveling After 60 — Honest advice about how travel changes as you get older, and how to make it work better.
- All Our Destinations → — Browse guides from 80+ countries we've written about.
I want to save money and travel smarter
- Get the Best Foreign Exchange Rates — One of the most practical money-saving articles on the site.
- 20 Best Mobile Apps for Travel — The apps we actually use, every trip.
- Get Global Entry — If you travel internationally even once a year, this is worth it.
- Points and Miles — How to earn and use travel rewards without it becoming a second job.
- How to Become a House Sitter and Travel Rent Free — One of our most popular and most practical articles.
I want to keep learning
The best way to stay connected is our weekly newsletter. Every issue includes travel tips, destination ideas, gear updates, and honest advice from the road — wherever we happen to be.
Subscribe and get our 50 Best Travel Tips immediately →
We've been publishing new articles regularly since 2010. Browse everything here:
Have a question we haven't answered? Contact us directly — we read everything.
