A survey of 2,000 people aged over 50 found that 34% feel more inspired to travel now than when they were younger, while 47% are keen to make up for lost time. However, a quarter (25%) admitted to feeling stuck in 'travel limbo', held back by health or mobility issues, work commitments, or financial pressures. Money was cited as the biggest obstacle to travelling earlier in life, alongside work demands and raising a family.
Even those with fewer childcare commitments often juggle grandparent duties, and one in four fear that taking an extended break could permanently shut them out of the jobs market. On average, the last time someone over 50 took a holiday lasting more than two weeks was over six years ago.
Bucket List Destinations and 'Pretirement Sabbaticals'
Topping their bucket list are witnessing the Northern Lights in Iceland (25%) and embarking on a luxury train journey across Europe (20%). The study was commissioned by Newmarket Holidays as part of its campaign championing '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 firm has formalised its own sabbatical scheme to include 'pretirement sabbaticals'. Alobaidi added: 'We want to lead by example, proving that enabling older working Britons to recharge actually keeps them in the workforce longer and fights burnout. 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.'
Top Tips from Race Across The World Winners Mark and Margo
The company has teamed up with this year's Race Across The World winners Mark and Margo, who have shared their top tips for travelling later in life. Alobaidi commented: '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.
