Senior Citizen Traveling

Situational awareness and having each other’s back, i.,e are everyone one’s possessions secured, is one of the group about to step into traffic because it’s coming from a different direction, is someone’s phone sitting on a table or a purse on the back of chair. The more people in a group the easier it is to get distracted and not be paying attention to something or someone that would have a negative result.

Make sure your hotels have elevators.

Is this your first time traveling together? I'd definitely have several detailed talks about what you are doing, and how you will do it. No doubt each of you has ways of doing things that may or may not mesh together, so work them out now. What time will you eat? Do you expect to do everything together? What time will you get moving in the morning, and end your day? Also, the more research about your destinations you do up front, the better. Have fun!

I am now 77 and for the past few years my wife and I have done group tours (we love Gate 1 Travel).
The tour company takes care of everything, tours, lodgings, most meals, transport, etc.

if you want to rent a car check the age policy.

If taking trains consider two x Two Together Railcards to get 34 % off most fares. Each card coasts £30 (going up in Spring) and requires passport sized photos of the two ladies on each card. The two ladies need to be travelling together on each journey so consider carefully how you want to pair off. If all 4 stay together at all times no probs. Some early morning restrictions. Are you all early risers?

Make sure you all have good travel insurance incase somebody goes for a Burton.

Where will you be? When's the trip? Everybody's passport in order?

Make certain all needed prescriptions are refilled and packed. Secondly that each traveler have emergency contact numbers on their phones and that each of you have a copy of those names and numbers. Always a plus to include primary physician and dentist as well as specialists ( cardiologist, diabetes, urologist, etc.)

Each of your group will need to accept the reality that each person travels differently. Some will pack lightly, others won’t. So will wear jewelry, others won’t, some will stress about their attire, others about their hair, some will prefer spicy food, others won’t.

Lastly, compromise will be helpful.

Don’t except everything to be the same in Europe as in the states. Nor will each of you like the same things.

Be honest with each other especially how meals will be paid for, if you need a separate room, can’t walk very far, etc.

If you need to opt out and rest do not feel guilty.

I’ve traveled with the same group of friends since grad school days.

Have learned to accept one will always be late because it’s about her make up, hair and attire. One is a night owl. One has allergies. We all have different medications. Also, as we’ve aged the necessity for a private room for each of us has occurred. No more 4 to a room.

Lastly, it is always assumed I will be the driver.

Traveling with friends is great but it can also be exhausting.

Don't forget that you now need to apply for an ETA online before you arrive -https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
It costs £10. Make sure that you don't use one of the many scam sites who will charge you much more unnecessarily.

Book two double rooms instead of a quad, if financially possible, in order to have two bathrooms. Favor hotels with showers, not tubs.
Be sure your medications are in your carry-on bags. Have fun, stay well and safe.

Great advice above.

The only thing I would add is to ask for help whenever you need it. You will find that most people (both British and other travelers) will be more than happy to help you with lifting up luggage, helping you onto a train, giving you directions, and anything else you might need help with. I never have any hesitation about asking for help, and I have never been disappointed.

Lucky you to have friends to travel with. My advice is recognize that you all will have different agendas and places you want to see. That’s not good or bad. It’s OK to go off on your own for a day.

Since I travel solo and am 74, I take security seriously:
-Wear a money belt or neck wallet for deep storage of backup credit cards, ATM card and passport
-I don’t leave anything in the hotel safe because I know I will forget it.
-Have snaps and locking zippers on your purse to keep unwanted fingers out.
-Wear your crossbody purse in front of your hip.
-Put a lanyard on your phone. Carry your phone around your neck frontside or tethered in your purse.
-Be aware of your surroundings. Watch which way the traffic is going.

For your physical safety, get in walking shape. You didn’t say when you are traveling, but start your exercise routine several months before your trip. Walk up/down stairs and hills to build up stamina.

Have a great trip!
PS Forgot to add — don’t over schedule. Take time for breaks, to wander around, go to the parks.

If you are traveling by train and need help getting your luggage onto the train don’t be afraid to ask a gentleman standing by you if he could help you. Last year when my sister in law and I travel around England for a month we took 17 trains, each of us had large luggage and 95% of the time someone offered to help us, the other 5% I would ask someone.

You don't say whether you are checking bags or not.

If you are, I would consider cross-packing to make sure everyone has a change of clothes in someone else's bag.

I always take a change of clothes in my personal bag, but maybe consider having another change for a travel partner?

Just a thought.

And I agree with everyone having a list of everyone else's emergency contacts, medical conditions, Rx lists, Med insurance phone numbers. Or at least know where your companions have stored that information.

Have a fabulous trip!!!

You didn't mention how long a trip you are planning. For shorter trips you might be able to carry enough clothing without doing any laundry. Personally, I prefer to travel light and while I appreciate and gratefully accept offers of help with luggage, I pack assuming I may need to lift, carry, and transport everything I pack. So, I pack light by planning to do laundry periodically on trips. I've used laundromats but my preference is a VRBO-type apartment equipped with a washing machine. I bring dry laundry detergent sheets from home.

As far as travel with a small group, it's important to discuss in advance what each person's expectations are regarding expenses, goals, and schedules. Determine whether you plan to be a consistent unit that does everything together or whether you will sometimes do things individually or in pairs.

Wow! I almost always travel solo internationally. But these responses make me want to try this some day—and gives excellent advice on how to pull it off.