International Travel Over 40: What I Do Differently Now (And Why It Matters)

I have been traveling internationally for decades, and one thing I can tell you with certainty is that I do not travel the same way now that I did when I was younger. And I am perfectly fine with that. In fact, I think I travel better now.

Getting older hasn't made me less adventurous. I still travel solo. I still explore new countries, try unfamiliar things, and get on planes headed to places I've never been. What has changed is that I am much more intentional—and much more flexible—about how I travel.

I know what works for me, but I'm also willing to change what I do depending on the destination, the trip, and the circumstances. I don't need rigid travel rules. I need a travel strategy that makes sense for where I'm going and what I'm doing.

For women over 40, I think that shift is important. There is so much messaging about what we supposedly shouldn't do as we get older, and travel can easily become part of that conversation. I reject that completely. Traveling over 40 isn't about shrinking your world or becoming less adventurous. It's about having enough experience and confidence to decide exactly how you want to experience the world.

I'm More Flexible About How I Travel

One of the biggest differences in the way I travel now is that I am much more flexible.

If you've followed me for a while, you know I have historically been Team Carry-On, and I still travel carry-on whenever it makes sense. I like the convenience of getting off the plane and leaving the airport. I like not waiting at baggage claim. I like knowing exactly where my luggage is, and years of traveling have taught me how to pack very efficiently.

But I no longer treat traveling carry-on only as some kind of accomplishment.

If I need to check a bag, I check a bag.

The length of the trip matters. The destination matters. The weather matters. What I'm doing when I get there matters. Sometimes I'm traveling for several weeks. Sometimes I need different types of clothing or shoes. Sometimes I am combining destinations with completely different climates. Sometimes I simply want more options.

Experience has taught me that good travel isn't about following arbitrary rules. It's about making decisions that make sense for the trip you're actually taking.

That flexibility applies to more than luggage. Sometimes I'll take public transportation from the airport, and sometimes I'll arrange a private transfer. Sometimes I'll stay in the middle of everything, and sometimes I'll choose somewhere quieter. Sometimes I'll pack an itinerary with experiences, and sometimes I'll leave entire days open.

I don't have to travel the same way every time because every trip isn't the same.

I Prioritize Comfort, But Comfort Doesn't Mean Luxury

I care more about comfort now, but that doesn't mean everything has to be luxurious or that I'm only interested in five-star travel. It means I've stopped pretending that being uncomfortable is somehow a badge of honor for a "real traveler."

I think much more carefully about flights, connections, arrival times, hotel locations, transportation, and how I'm going to feel once I arrive. A cheap flight isn't necessarily a good deal if it includes two terrible connections, an overnight airport stay, and an arrival time that leaves me exhausted before the trip has even started.

I look at the entire journey, not just the airfare.

On long-haul trips, I consider where I'm sitting, how long my connections are, whether I have enough time to comfortably navigate the airport, and what time I'll arrive. Sometimes paying more for a better itinerary is worth every penny. My time matters. My comfort matters. Arriving with enough energy to actually enjoy the destination matters.

At this stage of my life, I understand that value and price are not always the same thing.

I Research Every Destination Before I Go

One thing that has become even more important to me over the years is researching a destination before I arrive.

And I don't mean watching a few TikToks about the best restaurants and Instagram spots.

I want to understand the place I'm going. Of course, I research what I want to see and experience. I want to know about the food, neighborhoods, history, culture, transportation, shopping, and things that make that particular destination interesting. I want enough information to make informed decisions about how I spend my time once I'm there.

But my research also has another component: security. Long before BaldGirlWillTravel, I spent more than 15 years working in the international development sector, where I was responsible for oversight of safety and security for thousands of people traveling and working around the world. That experience fundamentally shaped how I approach international travel.

Before I go somewhere, I want to understand not only what there is to do, but what I need to know to move around that destination safely.

What types of crime are travelers most likely to encounter? Are there particular tourist scams that are common? Are there areas where I should be more cautious? How am I getting from the airport to my accommodations? What transportation options make the most sense? Are there cultural norms I need to understand? Are there particular situations where tourists are frequently targeted?

Security conditions also change, which is why I don't assume that because I've traveled somewhere before, I already know everything I need to know.

I Prepare for the Risks of the Place I'm Actually Visiting

I'm traveling to London this month, and I'm already thinking specifically about how I will carry my phone and purse while I'm there. I've researched the issues travelers are currently encountering, and I know that phone theft and pickpocketing are concerns that I need to take seriously. So I'm making decisions about how I'll secure my phone and carry my purse before I ever arrive.

I'm also taking the train from London to Edinburgh, and I've researched that part of my trip too. With reports of luggage being stolen from trains, including bags disappearing from luggage racks at stops along the route, I'm purchasing a small bike lock so I can secure my luggage to the luggage rack during the journey. Will everybody on the train be doing that? Probably not. Do I care? Absolutely not. I'm traveling alone, and that means I'm solely responsible for keeping track of myself and my belongings.

I'm even thinking about something as basic as going to the bathroom. My plan is to use the bathroom before I get to the train station and limit what I drink until I arrive in Edinburgh so that, ideally, I won't need to leave my carry-on unattended during the trip. Some people may consider that extreme. I consider it planning. When you're traveling solo, there isn't another person sitting beside you who can watch your luggage while you run to the restroom. There isn't someone else keeping an eye on your purse while you grab a coffee. You are your own backup.

That doesn't mean I'm going to spend my trip paranoid or clutching my belongings for dear life. I'm going to London and Edinburgh to enjoy myself, and I fully intend to do exactly that. But part of being an experienced solo traveler is understanding that freedom and responsibility travel together. I get to go where I want, when I want, without waiting for somebody else to come with me. In exchange, I accept that I have to think ahead about things that might be easier if I were traveling with someone else.

That's what preparation looks like to me. The precautions I take in the UK may be completely unnecessary somewhere else. What I think about before traveling to Cape Town may be different from what I consider before going to Florence. The security concerns at a beach destination may be completely different from those in a major European city. That's why I don't believe in a generic list of travel safety rules that you apply everywhere without thinking.

I research the place I'm actually going and prepare for the risks I'm most likely to encounter there.

That isn't fear. It's awareness. And when I'm traveling solo, that awareness allows me to enjoy the independence I love about solo travel while also accepting responsibility for looking after myself and my belongings.

Preparation Gives Me More Freedom, Not Less

Sometimes people hear the words "travel safety" and immediately think we're talking about fear or restricting ourselves. I see it exactly the opposite way. Preparation gives me freedom.

If I've already researched how I'm getting from the airport to my hotel, I don't have to figure it out while I'm standing outside an unfamiliar airport with my luggage. If I know that a particular scam is common at my destination, I'm more likely to recognize it when somebody tries it. If I know phone theft is a problem, I can change how I handle my phone before I ever leave home.

I also think through what I would do if something went wrong. What happens if my phone disappears? What if my wallet is stolen? What if my transportation doesn't arrive? What if my luggage doesn't make the connection?

Having a plan doesn't mean I expect any of those things to happen. It means the first time I consider my options won't be in the middle of the problem.

There is a huge difference between traveling fearfully and traveling with awareness.

I choose awareness.

I Don't Try to Do Everything Anymore

Another major change is that I no longer feel compelled to cram every possible activity into every trip.

There was a time when travel meant trying to see as much as humanly possible. Every day needed an itinerary, every hour needed an activity, and somehow you were supposed to come home from vacation needing another vacation.

I don't travel like that anymore.

These days, I would much rather experience a destination than race through it. I want to be able to sit at a café and watch the city go by. I want time to wander through a neighborhood without an agenda, stop in a store I didn't know existed, or go back to my hotel in the afternoon and put my feet up before heading back out for dinner.

Sometimes it means accepting that I simply don't need to see everything. If I've already had a full day and there's one more attraction on the list, I am perfectly capable of saying, "I'll catch it next time."

Travel does not have to be an endurance sport, and there is no prize for returning home having checked the most boxes.

I've also learned that free time is part of the travel experience, not wasted time between activities. That's something I incorporate into the group travel experiences I curate. I deliberately want women to have opportunities to explore on their own, shop, sit by the pool, take themselves to lunch, get a massage, or simply do absolutely nothing if that's what they want.

A good itinerary gives you memorable experiences. A great itinerary also gives you room to breathe.

Where I Stay Matters More to Me Now

When I was younger, accommodations could simply be somewhere to sleep. That's not how I choose them anymore.

Location matters enormously to me because where you stay can affect your entire experience of a destination. I want to know what's around my hotel and how easy it will be to get where I want to go. I consider whether I can comfortably get to restaurants, cafés, shopping, or attractions and what transportation will look like when I can't walk.

There is also a security component to that decision. I want to understand the neighborhood where I'm staying, particularly if I'm traveling solo. I want to know what it will be like returning to my hotel after dinner or an evening activity. A hotel can have beautiful rooms and a great price, but if the location makes getting around unnecessarily complicated or uncomfortable, it may not be the right hotel for me.

I've also learned to look beyond the nightly rate. A hotel that's cheaper but requires expensive transportation every time I want to do anything may not actually save me money. Even if it does, the inconvenience may not be worth the savings.

Again, experience has taught me to look at the entire picture.

I Pack for the Trip I'm Actually Taking

Packing intentionally is still important to me. What has changed is my definition of intentional packing.

I think about the weather, destination, itinerary, activities, footwear, and what I'm realistically going to wear. I want clothes that work together and shoes that I can actually walk in. I want pieces that make me feel stylish and like myself without packing a bunch of things that never leave the suitcase.

I also know my travel style now. I'm not packing for the imaginary person I think I might magically become when the plane lands. If I don't wear something at home, chances are I'm probably not suddenly going to love wearing it because I've arrived in another country.

A safari requires something different from a week in Florence. A beach vacation requires something different from exploring Dublin. A day involving cobblestones, hills, and several miles of walking requires something very different from dinner at a beautiful restaurant. And yes, I still want to look fabulous.

Being practical and being stylish are not mutually exclusive, and being over 40 certainly doesn't mean disappearing into a wardrobe of "sensible travel clothes" unless that's genuinely your style.

Wear the dress. Pack the fabulous sunglasses. Bring the statement earrings.

Just pack them because they make sense for your trip, not because somebody on social media told you that you need them.

I Build Recovery Time Into Long-Haul Travel

International travel can be physically demanding, particularly when you're crossing multiple time zones, and I don't ignore that anymore. Jet lag is real. Long travel days are tiring. Sometimes your body simply needs a minute to figure out where it is.

If I've just flown halfway around the world, I don't necessarily need to hit the ground running the minute I drop my suitcase at the hotel. When possible, I give myself time to settle in, unpack, take a shower, eat something, walk around the neighborhood, get some daylight, and allow my body to adjust.

I've learned that I enjoy my trips more when I don't begin them completely exhausted. I'd rather give myself some breathing room on the front end than spend the next three days trying to recover while keeping up with an overloaded itinerary.

This matters even more when I'm traveling between several destinations. Constantly packing, checking out, traveling, checking in, unpacking, and doing it all over again can turn an exciting itinerary into an exhausting one. Just because you can visit five cities in ten days doesn't mean you need to.

I'm More Willing to Spend Money Where It Makes a Difference

Getting older has also changed the way I think about my travel budget. I still care about value, and I don't believe spending more automatically creates a better travel experience. But I'm much clearer about where spending additional money can make a meaningful difference.

I may pay more for the better flight. I may choose the hotel with the better location. I may arrange a private transfer instead of figuring out public transportation immediately after an overnight flight. I may pay for an experience that genuinely matters to me while skipping three other things I don't particularly care about.

That's not about being extravagant. It's about understanding what I value.

One of the advantages of traveling over 40 is that many of us know ourselves much better than we did when we were younger. That self-knowledge should extend to our travel budgets. Spend where it improves the experience for you, save where it doesn't, and stop worrying about whether somebody else thinks you're traveling the "right" way.

I Trust Myself More

This may be the biggest difference of all. After decades of international travel, I trust myself more. I trust myself to navigate unfamiliar places, make decisions, and change plans when something doesn't feel right. I trust myself to ask questions, leave situations, say no, spend additional money when necessary, or abandon a plan that no longer makes sense. That confidence didn't appear overnight. It came from experience.

And this is something I especially want women who are considering international or solo travel after 40 to understand: you don't have to know everything before you go.

You should prepare. You should research. You should understand the destination and use good judgment. But you don't have to have every possible situation figured out before you're "ready" to travel.

You are probably far more capable than you give yourself credit for.

Travel Over 40 Isn't About Doing Less

There is a narrative around aging, particularly for women, that suggests our worlds are supposed to become smaller as we get older. I have absolutely no interest in that. My world has become bigger.

Traveling differently now doesn't mean I'm doing less. It means I'm much more intentional about what deserves my time, money, and energy. I'm also flexible enough to recognize that what worked for one trip—or even what worked for me ten years ago—doesn't have to dictate how I travel today.

I can still travel carry-on and check a bag on the next trip. I can take public transportation one day and hire a driver the next. I can spend an entire day exploring and decide tomorrow is going to be a slow morning and a long lunch.

None of those decisions make me less adventurous.

They make me an experienced traveler who knows how she likes to travel.

The Final Word

If you're over 40 and thinking about traveling internationally—especially if you're considering your first solo trip—I don't want you approaching travel from the perspective of what you supposedly can't do anymore.

Think instead about everything you know now that you didn't know at 25. You know yourself better. You understand your boundaries. You're probably more comfortable saying no. You're less likely to waste time doing things simply because everyone else is doing them. And you have decades of life experience that you carry with you every time you walk through an airport. Use it.

Do your research before you go—not only to find the best restaurants, attractions, and experiences, but to understand the place you're visiting and how to navigate it safely. Be aware of the risks without allowing those risks to make you afraid of the world.

And give yourself permission to be flexible.

Take the nonstop flight if that's what makes sense. Check the bag if you need to. Leave a day open on the itinerary. Book the comfortable hotel. Take yourself to the beautiful restaurant. Spend an afternoon doing nothing. Wear the outfit. Skip the attraction you don't care about. Change the plan when the plan stops working for you.

International travel over 40 isn't about accepting limitations. It's about having the experience, confidence, and good sense to stop traveling according to arbitrary rules and start traveling in the way that works best for you.

And from my experience, that's when travel gets really good.