Start with your documents three to six months before you leave
Your passport is the foundation of international travel. If you do not have one, explore at your local passport acceptance facility — a post office, courthouse, or library — as soon as you decide to travel. Processing takes four to six weeks in normal times, longer during peak summer months. Bring your birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, and a completed process form (DS-11 in the United States). If your passport expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it by mail; you must explore in person.
Check your passport expiration date now. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. If you are leaving in eight months and your passport expires in nine months, some countries will deny you entry. Renewing early costs the same as renewing late, so do it while you have time.
If you take prescription medications, ask your doctor for a letter listing each drug by its generic name, the dose, and why you take it. Customs officials in other countries may not recognize brand names, and some medications legal in the United States are restricted elsewhere. Pack the letter in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage. Keep all medications in their original labeled bottles.
Key Takeaways
- explore for a passport three to six months before departure, and check that it will not expire within six months of your return date.
- Carry a doctor's letter listing your medications by generic name, and keep all pills in original labeled bottles.
- Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates and destinations so they do not block your cards as fraud.
- Purchase travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and pre-existing conditions, and read the fine print about what it actually pays.
- Make copies of your passport, insurance documents, and emergency contacts, and store them separately from the originals.
Tell your bank and insurance company where you are going
Call your bank and each credit card company at least two weeks before you leave. Give them the countries you will visit and the dates you will be there. Banks flag transactions in unfamiliar countries as potential fraud and freeze your card without warning. A frozen card in a foreign city on a weekend is a crisis you can prevent with one phone call.
Ask your bank whether your debit card works at ATMs abroad and what fees they charge. Some banks charge $3 to $5 per foreign ATM withdrawal. Others have partnerships with banks in certain countries and charge nothing. Knowing this in advance lets you decide whether to withdraw cash once in a large amount or make multiple small withdrawals.
Check your health insurance coverage for travel outside the United States. Medicare does not cover care outside U.S. borders except in very limited circumstances — Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean islands under specific conditions. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, coverage may be even more restricted. Call your insurance company and ask directly: "If I need emergency care in [country], what will you pay?" Write down the answer and the date you called.
Purchase travel insurance and understand what it covers
Travel insurance is not one product — it is a bundle of separate coverages, and you choose which ones to buy. Medical evacuation insurance is the most important for seniors traveling far from home. It covers the cost of flying you back to the United States if you become too ill or injured to fly commercially. A medical evacuation from Southeast Asia can cost $50,000 to $100,000 out of pocket. Evacuation insurance typically costs $200 to $400 for a two-week trip and covers that entire cost.
Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you if you have to cancel before you leave — for example, if you break your leg two weeks before departure. It does not cover cancellations due to pre-existing medical conditions unless you buy the policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. Trip delay insurance covers hotel and meal costs if you miss a connection and have to stay overnight unexpectedly.
Read the policy documents before you buy. Insurance companies use the word "covers" loosely. A policy might say it covers "medical expenses" but exclude anything related to a pre-existing condition, or cover only expenses above a certain amount. Call the insurance company and ask: "If I have a flare-up of my arthritis and need physical therapy, will you pay?" Get the answer in writing if possible.
Arrange your medications and medical records before departure
Refill all prescriptions before you leave, even if they are not due to run out during your trip. Pharmacies in other countries may not stock the same medications, and getting a prescription filled abroad is slow and expensive. Ask your pharmacy to fill a 90-day supply if your insurance allows it, so you have a buffer if your trip is delayed.
Request copies of your medical records from your doctor's office — specifically, a summary of your current diagnoses, past surgeries, allergies, and current medications. Ask for this at least two weeks before you leave; offices can take time to compile records. Carry a printed copy in your carry-on bag. If you need emergency care abroad, a local doctor will want to know your medical history, and you may not remember every detail under stress.
If you use medical devices — a pacemaker, insulin pump, hearing aids, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine — ask your doctor for a letter describing the device and its settings. Airport security in other countries may not be familiar with your equipment, and a letter from your doctor smooths the process. Carry the letter in your carry-on bag.
Make copies and store them in two separate places
Make photocopies of the first and last pages of your passport, your travel insurance policy, your doctor's letter about medications, and a list of emergency contacts with phone numbers. Store one set of copies in your checked luggage and one set in your carry-on bag. If your wallet is stolen, you will still have proof of your identity and insurance information.
Take a photo of these documents with your phone as well. If both sets of paper copies are lost, you can still show a photo to a U.S. embassy official or your insurance company. Store the photos in cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud) so you can access them from any internet connection.
Write down the phone numbers for your credit card companies, your bank, your travel insurance company, and the U.S. State Department's emergency line (1-888-407-4747). Store this list in your phone and in your carry-on bag. If you lose your phone, you will still have the numbers written down.
Arrange transportation and lodging with accessibility in mind
When you book flights, request an aisle seat if you have mobility issues or need to use the bathroom frequently. Tell the airline about any mobility aids — a cane, walker, or wheelchair — when you book. Airlines have specific procedures for stowing equipment and assisting passengers, and advance notice prevents delays and confusion at the airport.
When you book hotels, call the hotel directly after you reserve online. Tell them your age and any mobility or health concerns. Ask whether the room has a walk-in shower or a bathtub with grab bars, whether the bed height is adjustable, and whether the room is on a lower floor close to the elevator. Online descriptions are often inaccurate. A five-minute phone call prevents arriving to find a room that does not meet your needs.
Research the healthcare system in the country you are visiting. In some countries, hospitals are excellent and affordable; in others, they are not. Websites like International Association for Medical information to Travellers (IAMAT) list hospitals and English-speaking doctors by country. Knowing where to go if you need care reduces panic if something happens.
Plan for jet lag and activity level realistically
Jet lag hits seniors harder than younger travelers. Your body clock does not adjust as quickly, and the fatigue can trigger falls, confusion, and medication errors. Plan to arrive a day or two before any important activities. Spend the first day resting, walking slowly, and eating light meals. Do not try to see major sights on the day you arrive.
Be honest about how much walking and standing you can do. If you normally walk a mile before getting tired, do not plan eight-hour walking tours. Hire a private guide or join a small group tour instead of a large one — guides can move at your pace and stop when you need rest. Bring a lightweight folding cane or walking stick even if you do not use one at home; uneven sidewalks and cobblestones abroad are harder on joints than flat streets.
Pack compression socks if you are prone to swelling in your legs or feet. Long flights and sitting in cars increase swelling. Compression socks cost $15 to $30 and take up almost no luggage space. Wear them during flights and on days with a lot of sitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa, or just a passport?
It depends on your citizenship and destination. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for many countries — the State Department website lists which countries require visas and how long they take to process. Some visas take weeks; others are issued on arrival. Check at least three months before you leave, because processing times vary by season and country.
What should I do if I lose my passport while traveling?
Go to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Bring your photo ID if you have it, or your travel insurance documents and copies of your passport. The embassy can issue an emergency passport in one to two days. This is why carrying copies and storing photos in cloud storage matters — you can prove your citizenship without the original document.
Can I bring my medications through airport security?
Yes. Prescription medications in labeled bottles are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage. Liquid medications (like insulin) are allowed in carry-on bags in reasonable quantities — the TSA allows more than the standard 3.4-ounce limit for medically necessary liquids. Pack medications in their original bottles with your name on the label. Bring your doctor's letter describing the medications in case security asks questions.
What if I get sick while traveling and my travel insurance denies the claim?
Request an explanation in writing and review the policy language carefully. Insurance companies sometimes deny claims incorrectly. If you believe the denial is wrong, file an appeal with the insurance company and include copies of receipts, medical records, and your policy documents. If the appeal fails, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner.
Should I buy travel insurance if I already have Medicare?
Yes. Medicare does not cover care outside the United States in most situations. Travel insurance fills that gap and also covers medical evacuation, which Medicare does not. The cost is small compared to the risk of a $100,000 evacuation bill or being stranded without coverage.