Traveling alone at almost 80years old, do you think it is dangerous ?

The first thing that I would ask is - Have you ever been to Paris ? If not , what are you waiting for ? I'm 77, and wild horses won't keep me from going back this coming Autumn . Have all your shots , wear a mask and use sensible caution . Of course, the final decision is personal , but it's a gamble we all take . Also stay in a reputable hotel with an English speaking front desk if you should need help ( not an AirBB of apartment )

Like anything, it depends.

Have you traveled solo before, particularly in the last decade? Do you have any experience being in a foreign place by yourself? How did it go?

Can anyone "join you" on such a trip, like your daughter? Or have you considered an organized tour where logistics are taken care of?

I say, if you are fit and capable, go for it. (I am 65). I recently read a woman's report of her visit to Paris (on an over 60 solo woman travellers Face Book page). She is 84 with some mobility issues and uses a cane for balance. She may have a bit more expendable income, but her travel agent organized wheelchair service at the airports, had a car service pickup from the airport, and used Uber to get around the city. She stayed in the Montmartre area to see some specific exhibits. She said people on the street helped her out of low seated Uber cars, walked with her up the flights of stairs (Montmarte is hilly) and were nothing but kind. She said she tended to order in food as she was tired end of day.
If you choose a hotel with a 24 hour front desk, any illness can be helped. Most hotels have a doctor accessible. They are equipped to deal with tourist needs. As to Covid specifically, you want to know if there are any France quarantine requirements, and be sure that you have travel and travel medical insurance that covers 'trip interruption' insurance for delayed return due to quarantine. Any covid illness is covered by the medical insurance.
I find that if family or friends are worried a out 'safety', it is because they are uneducated about travel to Paris, or untraveled. Let them help with some of the plans so they become comfortable with your intentions. Or, if you can stand their company, let them join you.
If you aree concerned about Covid in France, then you are most likely also aware and concerned about it in your own town. So mask up, and wash and sanitize your hands, and paractice some sort of social distancing. You know the drill.

I would go. Do you have a younger relative or friend to go with you? That would allow you to eliminate some concerns. If you have a younger relative and can afford it, pay for their trip. They would get a trip, and could help you out in Paris.

Another approach is to look for a travel partner - there are websites which do that. A lot of older people travel, because they have money and time. If you found a person about 70, they would not go any faster than you, but might be a bit more spry.

Paris is a pretty easy place to travel. There's public transport, and taxis. I would plan carefully, getting all the details set before your trip. I would also go in either April or September, when crowds are less huge. You do need to be able to think on your feet. In our last trip, we suddenly realized that the platform for the train had changed. We had to quickly change platforms.

We are 70 and 73. We were just in Italy. No one worries about COVID, even in Milan, the very first place COVID showed up.

Please post other questions, or send me a private message.

How about a Road Scholar program in Paris? Here is a link to one of several programs they offer in Paris.

https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/22235/paris-at-a-slower-pace-art-culture-in-the-city-of-light

You are are already my hero, go for it!

As long as you are being sensible about your health and your ability to manage this trip you can do it.
Definitely stay at at full service hotel in a central location, I would recommend in the 6th. Make sure you communicate with them your need for assistance and guidance. I am sure they would look out for you and could help you with any issues. Look into tours you can join to meet people and have contacts while there. Is this your first time there? What are your goals for this trip? Sounds like a dream come true!

I'm 78 and last summer I went to Switzerland alone and got Covid while I was there. Fortunately, it was a mild case. I had taken cold medicine with me. It wasn't particularly different than if I'd had it while in my apartment at home. And I plan to travel to Italy alone this coming September. I say go for it!

Why not strike a happy compromise. Travel alone to Paris, but then join a group tour.

Dangerous, No.

We don't know anything about your physical condition, but if you and your doctor think it's good, don't let your daughter and the others influence you.

Stay in a central location in a hotel with a 24-hour desk and elevator and go see what you want to see.

Çovid is in the rearview mirror here in France, generally. However, those of you coming from the States have had less daily exposure (car culture vs urban culture) and therefore less immunity, so yes, you should wear a mask in crowded areas.

I am pushing 80 and relatively capable but I am not what I was and there are travel challenges I wont' be taking now -- I climbed to the top of Angkor Wat when you still were allowed to do so -- but I will never be at Machu Pichu.
But although older and less vigorous, guess what. I will be a long time dead and NOW I can still enjoy travel -- at my pace. At any moment I may no longer have the capability for international travel.

Don't let your kids prematurely bury you. Take the precautions age requires. Good travel insurance including a policy that will bring you back home if there is an injury or illness requiring this. Make sure you have plenty of whatever meds you need. Have numbers you need to contact people in an emergency and your travel insurance and local emergency services. Then enjoy your life while you still can. At our age we don't know how much 'good time' we have.

Paris is a safe city that is easy to get around. You are as safe there and perhaps safer, than at home. Live life while you can. I would not hesitate to plan your own trip. And Rick Steve's Paris guide is excellent for newbies.

Take a Seine cruise at night and watch the city sparkle; book a great French meal; go up the Eiffel Tower; spend an afternoon at the Orsay with impressionists; see Monet's murals at the Orangerie; see what the Louvre has to offer -- so much more than Mona Lisa. spend an afternoon in the Luxembourg Gardens watching kids sail miniature sail boats; rent one yourself (I was 77 when I first actually got my own boat and sailed it with a couple of friends. ) Book a wine or cheese tasting course. Learn how to make macarons.

Book a flight that is at least premium economy with better seats and food -- if you can or someone can upgrade you with m;iles book business where you can get a flat bed.

If you get sick your hotel can arrange for a doctor to visit you in the hotel (France has this service for relatively little money, under $100) and you can then get what meds you need and hospitalization in the rare case you need it. The hotel can arrange for food to be brought in. These days we travel with tylenol, cough meds, thermomenter, pulse ox device just in case. We have been to France 3 times since COVID and not yet had to use any of that -- but with COVID it is prudent to have the basic meds and COVID tests. Travel insurance will also help you get necessary care if you need help.

But most of all live your life to the fullest and enjoy a visit to Paris. You will not be younger next year; for those of us our age, every chance may be our last chance. I am heading for Paris this April. I have a reservation to celebrate my 79th birthday there.

I have a friend who is 98 years old, and until last year (excluding the COVID years) he visited every year, flying alone from either his Californian home or his DC home.

The journey isn't an issue, assuming you're healthy, and the stay in Paris shouldn't be an issue either, as long as you pace yourself.

Go for it!

The biggest risk and danger for your age group is a fall. If you think of that in all you do, walking, steps, showers, on and off transport, etc you will do better. I am talking a conscious awareness of this at the times of risk. Active thought process. Not a back of the mind knowledge, but all the time.
Know your limits and stay within those limits.

Falls are my problem. I haven't been to Paris in many decades, but I'm guessing it's sidewalks are generally in good condition. (I cannot say the same for Rome.) Still, it's very smart to keep one eye on the pavement and minimize your after-dark walking unless the sidewalks are so well illuminated you can easily see well in front of you.

You can be an 80 year old woman who stayed at home or an 80 year old woman who traveled to Paris. Which would you rather be?

I'm 67 (soon to be 68) and have been traveling solo for almost 30 years. I have found that traveling solo is a wonderful experience that takes you into situations where you meet people you might never have met had you not been alone. However it's not for everyone. You might be better off with a tour, as others here have pointed out. There are many good tour companies out there that can make a trip to Paris fun and better yet, easier than doing it all on your own.

That said, if you decide to go on your own, you can take simple precautions while you're out and about. Keep your wits about you when walking; try to avoid distractions; and keep your money, credit cards and passport secure. Book rooms that are "senior citizen" friendly, like getting a room on the ground floor [American "first" floor] or make sure that the hotel has an elevator. Travel light so you don't have to schlep lots of heavy luggage around.

Plan your trip in advance (this can be a very fun and rewarding thing to do). Figure out what sights you want to see, book any needed tickets in advance (many museums require advance booking), and make SURE you have travel insurance (and especially medical insurance) for overseas.

Once you decide, come back to this forum and ask as many questions about Paris as you like. There are many experts here on Paris (I am not one of them, lol!) who would love to help you in your travels.

Everyone gives good advice and I will chime in with GO. Absolutely GO. If YOU feel like you’re capable of it, don’t let your kids tell you otherwise. GO.

I have been visiting Paris for 30 years now and like @Janettravels44, I know my limitations and can always work around them. I am a woman in my 60s now, and certainly don’t have quite the stamina I did when I started visiting Paris, but that’s OK :-). If I am in good health with reasonable mobility at nearly 80, you bet I will still GO. Alone if I have to (I have traveled to Paris alone)

As for worrying about getting Covid in Paris, I completely understand that concern. I went in January of 2021 (when masks were still mandates, vaccination cards, having to have tests coming and going etc). I was concerned myself and made a contingency plan of what-ifs so that I felt prepared for the possibility. Again, @Janettravels44 gives good advice about this.

I love this @Mardee “You can be an 80 year old woman who stayed at home or an 80 year old woman who traveled to Paris. Which would you rather be?”

Google “Paris for seniors” or “visiting paris at 80” and you will come up with a lot of helpful information!

By all means GO!
If it’s within your means the 9 day Road Scholar Paris at a Slower Pace looks wonderful! You can have your own room, they have flight options AND a nice itinerary-lots of open dates to choose from now. When I get to 80-not too long from now-I wouldn’t hesitate to do such a tour.

Charlotte and everyone. You are my inspiration! Last year at 71, I traveled solo for the first time and took my second RS tour. This year I’m doing it again. And am starting to think about next year.

I noticed that you posted several times in 2019 about a trip to Lisbon. Did you go? It sounds like you have travel experience.

To put it mildly, I was terrified of Paris. After much angst, I chose to stay above ground, taking buses or taxi. I met some of the nicest people on the bus or at the bus stops. They helped me get on the right bus and use the Navigo Easy pass. I took two Eating Europe food tours so I wouldn’t eat alone. Next time I will be braver!

Besides buying travel insurance with stated Covid coverage (Allianz), I bought MedJet evacuation insurance to get me home. My sister-in-law was my back-up emergency person who could fly to Europe if I was hospitalized (part of Allianz coverage). Fortunately nothing happen except a sore toe. But the planning helped my confidence. My hubby won’t travel, doesn’t even have a passport. I called him every night and texted friends frequently. I got into walking shape and exercised pre-trip. Learning the 20 polite French words helped.

So go for it! Ignore any naysayers, even if you have to tell them to hush. Take things at your own speed. Enjoy your trip!

Great answers here Charlotte. Wonderful, informative, encouraging - not to mention witty and wise.
I am over 80, so in your age range, but my situation is different since I'm male and travel with my wife. Still, many of the responders here are women who travel alone. They are being very clear that traveling to Paris alone is do-able.
So it all depends upon your capabilities. Do you travel alone now? Are you okay being in places that you've never been before? Are you willing to get along in a country where a different language is spoken? Will physical limitations be an issue?
You sound like you think you can do it, so I'd start off by agreeing with you. But I do wonder about the objections from your daughter and "other people". I feel younger than my age, so I routinely assume that I'm more capable than I actually am. Sometimes other people have to remind me that, no, I really can't do "that" or "that" the way I used to. That doesn't mean I can't do it, just not the way I used to. I don't know how that applies to you, but I encourage you to be honest with yourself.
If you decide to go, please come back and ask for more ideas from this community.

Thank you everyone for the wonderful response and helpful suggestions. I have a travel Agent person who is going to who did book but I haven’t said yes to her yet and she suggested seven nights $6000. Plus my airfare, which is not included and food is not included. do you think this is the going rate? Rick Steves trips are not quite that much money for one week. But that also includes the travel insurance and the picking up at the airport and take him to the hotel & about three different tours one to Monets garden and guided tour in the museums small groups. I don’t know do I need all those tours. I know how to get around the museum. I don’t think I need a private tour or maybe that would be nice. so one week from United States is $6000 +2 so that’s eight thousand so probably I’ll spend about $9000 for one weeks travel does that sound too high or is that about average in Paris. I’m staying at will be the where the ARTIST stayed in a hotel.? Trip travel protection was $523. The total package is $6,300. The area is MONTPARNASSE, the hotel is Villa des Artistes. I think the cost is $600 for the travel agents booking of the trip is that about right?
Thank you for all your efforts to help me

Charlotte, I’m going to refer you back to the Road Scholar site. Even with the single room supplement, it isn’t nearly the cost that your travel agent is quoting.
Road Scholar offers airfare options (I don’t know with whom or from where), but transfer from the airport to hotel is included. They arrange it. I think their website is a little hard to navigate, but maybe you have a friend or grandchild that might assist you with that?
I don’t believe you’ve mentioned when you want to take the trip either. As I mentioned before they have several departure dates to choose from. Personally, I think $9,000 for that amount of time is a bit high, but others may give you another way to look at it.
Then again, maybe having the travel agent is more comfortable. Whatever way you decide to go, know there are many of us cheering you on.

Absolutely go, but possibly on a week-long tour with a group? It's nice to have someone know where you are, get worried if you don't show up and just to not have to worry about the logistics of everything.

Rick Steves has a Best of Paris 7 day tour for just $2,295 (Does not include air), a fraction of what your travel agent is offering. Look Over the itinerary and see if it suits you.

Charlotte, About 5 years ago I was taking a French class in an Ollie program . There was a charming man in his 80’s also in the class. His wife had recently died and he was studying intensely because he wanted to spend a month in Paris. He did. He stayed in a hotel, practiced his French and had a wonderful time. The happiness and excitement I saw in his face when he returned was wonderful. Front desks at hotels can assist in many ways, and could help you if you became ill.

My husband and I always said Paris is where we would go when we were no longer as mobile. See if you can qualify for the Diamond Medjet Assist…I don’t recall what the cut off age is. If something horrible happened, they just get you home. I get this so all my daughter would have to do is name the hospital. Of course, thats preparing for something that is unlikely to happen, but fears for you would be eased. And again, I love front desks at hotels.

Go! I think this would cost you much less if you set this up on your own or with an easily controlled travel agent.

I'm 78, planning another trip to France this fall, and I'll join the chorus urging you to go for this. I can't speak to the cost your agent is talking about, without knowing more about the quality of the hotels, tours, etc. The Rick Steves and Road Scholar tours both look like very good values, many posters here have experience with both companies. With either, you'll have a built-in safety net of friendly companions and a very capable professional guide to help with any problems you might encounter. You will want insurance that covers medical care, and it will cost more than if you were 30, but it's well worth it. And I agree with acraven that the greatest risk is a fall -- which is also true if you stay home or travel domestically.

Someone put it very well -- do you want to be 80 and have been to Paris, or 80 and have never been there?

Villa des Artistes, absolutely not. That's a 3-star hotel, good for vacationing families. I know that hotel. I often stay close by and just booked my son a single there so he can snore alone. It's not a hotel at the level of a 8k trip.
It doesn't sound like your agent is a France or Paris specialist.
I agree with the above about the Road Scholar tour, but add time on before and after.
We'll help you. Many of us know Paris very well.
Edit: in high season, I paid 159 euros a night for my son's single room. This is not a high-end hotel.

Understand that your travel agent is going to get comissions from the hotel, the airport transfers and the tours she books for you. She has a very big vested interest in selling you all kinds of bells and whistles you may not need or want. I think the price she is quoting you is exorbitant, but perhaps you're a wealthy person who has always traveled to high-end hotels, etc.? In that case, I'd certainly stick with the level of travel you're comfortable with.

I'd suggest going to booking.com and checking hotel rates for the period you'd like to travel. You can specify 4-star or even 5-star hotels, but there are charming 3-star places, albeit with generally smaller rooms and less opulent furnishings.

I agree with the many who have said, "Go for it!"

I also agree with those who have said that the price you're being quoted is much higher than it should cost. I think that's the most dangerous part of what you've told us about this potential trip so far.

My husband opted out of European travel in 2014. Since then, I've traveled on my own, usually combining a Rick Steves tour sandwiched between time planned on my own before and after it. I'm now 77 and over the years I've noticed that the grayer my hair gets, the more help I've been offered, and accepted.

However, I travel very light, so I can easily manage on my own. That means packing for a week with things that all go with each other, no matter how long I'm gone. It also means taking care of laundry along the way by sink washing in my room, using a self-service laundromat or having it done for me.

I can't stress enough how important it is to pack light. It makes everything so much easier. And if you pack light enough, you'll have room to get something cool in Paris to wear back at home.

The other very important thing that others have mentioned is getting medical insurance that will take care of you there and get you back home if needed. Medicare doesn't cover anything in Europe. The biggest possible cost is getting back home in a medical emergency which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The insurance is not cheap and gets more expensive the older we get, but I don't leave home without it. I've bought it for years, always within the window of my first payment for the trip so that pre-existing conditions are covered. I've never had to use it, thank goodness.

I'm providing some links below to information right here on the RS website which could be helpful in your planning.

About European travel in general, I encourage you to read all the Travel Tips:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips

Other particularly useful forums include the ones on ...

Packing:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing
and Best Walking Shoes for Travel: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/best-travel-shoes

I have bad knees, a concern about tripping and falling and a desire to be comfortable on my feet for hours at a time. So regardless of season, I always wear Sockwell moderate compression socks and boots that are high enough to support my ankles when I'm out walking around or visiting museums.

And for the fun stuff, including Paris:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france

That travel agent is ripping you off.

I am 75 and walk 8 miles a week, cut my own grass and trim my shrubbery.

We have no problems traveling, but have tended to take guided tours instead of doing it on our own.
Suggest you talk with your doctor, if you have medical issues.

We met lots of people that age on tours and they seem to do just fine.

The standard encouragement for people that ask this question is: "how old will you be if you dont go?" Absolutely go, but if you have concerns about safety and dont want to deal with logistics and planning, by all means consider a tour. The cost will be worth it and you will feel freer to enjoy your time there.

Medicare doesn't cover anything in Europe.

Technically your statement is correct that Medicare doesn't cover you outside the US. However, select supplemental plans - the lettered plans aka "Medigap" - offer emergency medical coverage abroad. I have Plan G, bought it specifically for the coverage...and I hope to never need it, but it is nice knowing it is there.

I also buy a Medjet medical evacuation policy which should be everyone's greatest concern. I understand that those policies are harder to find (or cost a lot more) after age 75, but I am not there yet, will cross that bridge when I get to it.

I have a travel Agent person who is going to who did book but I haven’t said yes to her yet and she suggested seven nights $6000.

I would have to see an itemized quote, but I agree with others that on the surface this seems very high for one week without airfare.

Jojo is correct - my Medicare supplement plan also covers me while I'm traveling abroad (and for that matter, wherever I go in the US). If you're not sure you are covered, contact your agent (or call the number on the back of the card) and they should be able to tell you your coverage status.

The travel agent’s quoted price seems higher than I would expect to spend. However, if it fits your personal financial situation and suits your needs you don’t need to feel bad about going that route.
The thing is, I think you would really enjoy a Rick Steves or other group travel format. It isn’t about age, it is about the fun of being with a group of people and having excellent local guides that really add to the experience.

One thing to add since the vast majority of people have given great advice….

On my last two trips to Germany and Switzerland, I have been impressed with how many older people are using hiking poles for casual walking around the cities. Excellent idea for cobbles and steep stairs. If falling is your concern you would not look out of place with a collapsible pole or two stashed in your bag.

Re travel insurance. I agree that most Medicare supplement plans do cover up to 60 days abroad for in our case it is 60K limit over the lifetime. BUT your biggest potential expense is the medical flight home; if you need an air ambulance or similar it can cost well over 50K. I would not risk a trip at our age without a travel policy that covers getting you home if injured. We have a friend who became ill in Myanmar on a trip to visit his daughter and the travel insurance he had not only airlifted him to a hospital in Bangkok for treatment (Myanmar medical care was grotesque -- ) but when he was able to fly home they took him first class and provided a medical attendant to accompany him and his wife. They were in their 90s.

We used to have Medjet Assist but aged out -- this was a flight home only policy. I think there may be other companies offering similar. But your Medicare supplement will not cover that cost. You need a travel policy as this is your greatest financial risk,.

FWIW in decades of travel mostly without travel insurance because until I retired I had very good coverage at work so we only had the Medjet Assist policy, I have only had to use it once a few years ago when I broke an elbow in a fall in a castle ruin in the Dordogne -- 4 days hospital, surgery, etc cost $4000. It would have been tens of thousands in the US and been outpatient surgery. The travel insurance paid the hospital direclty and then reimbursed me for follow up treatment and physical therapy costs in Paris. It was week 5 of a 10 week trip and this saved them the cost of flying me home and me the rest of my vacation.

Get travel insurance.

Since your header asked about "dangerous", always wear a money belt or neck wallet. My favorite, thanks to Lo's referral, is Stashbandz. Very comfortable for all day wearing, has 4 pockets so you can distribute your passport, cash, credit and debits cards without unslightly bulk. Wear if under your clothes, not over like the picture shows. It's for deep storage of things you don't need immediately. I take an extra small Travelon crossbody purse to hold my daily money, phone (on a lanyard), advil, etc. Anything larger hurts my neck. I use a packable backpack on the days I need to carry more (rain poncho, sweater, camera, etc). You have to check backpacks at most museums.

Also, unless the travel agent is a very good friend of yours, I'd fire her. You can do much better price-wise planning your own trip or on a city tour. I had a very bad experience with a travel agent and will never use one again. As others have offered, we can help you plan your trip. Please listen to Bets advise about the hotel your TA planned. Booking.com is a good resource and there have been many posts during the past year about Paris hotels for all budgets. Guidebooks are your friend.

There are day tour companies like Take Walks who can give you guided tours of the Louvre (is that what you're referring to as the Museum?) Since I like to spend time really looking at exhibits, tours are sometimes too rushed for me. You can book tickets on your own.

In our experience travel agents book you out of their big books of tourist accommodations and passes and you end up with charmless hotels for too much money and ridiculous passes that cost far more than doing it youself.

Part of the fun is the planning and with on line resources it is easy.

Re money belts. You need one for transit e.g. when moving from hotel to airport or back or on the train. They are body safes, not purses -- not to be accessed in public. But once you are at the hotel, stow most of your stuff in the hotel room safe and carry only a small amount of money, one card, your passport card. I use a bandolier cross body phone case which has an attached small envelope purse which is enough for key, cards, money and a chapstick and mask and meds. Travel without a heavy purse is heavenly.

In fall, winter or spring I am wearing black jeans a shirt and jacket. The money belt rides below the belt and in back and is not really visible there and wearing a long travel shirt or jacket covers that part anyway if it did show. It is so comfortable I don't even notice it. I only use it in transit or if I am doing a trip out of town far enough that I need to be sure we have our passports with us. A moneybelt worn in front is both visible and less comfortable. And anything worn outside your clothes is just an invitation to pickpockets who are VERY skilled. They can pluck a wallet, remove the money, toss it town or even put it back in a thrice without the victim noticing.

Great question and answers. I hope by now you are feeling very good about making this trip. A couple of things I did for my first solo Europe trip:
* wear an ID tag with a state-side contact, just to give you and your family another layer of confidence if you have a medical emergency
* get excellent walking shoes, be sure that your balance is good, and bring moleskin or other blister repellants. You will want to see Paris with happy feet

Charlotte,
If I were 80, I would absolutely want to go on a Tauck Group Tour to Paris (and the surrounds). We have traveled with Tauck several times, and singles (often women, but sometimes men) are not uncommon among the tour goers. Tauck attracts a very nice (though generally older) group of people. The pace would not be as brisk as a Rick Steves' tour nor would you need to carry your luggage up a flight of stairs by yourself (far from it). Luggage is handled for you throughout the entire trip...from the minute you arrive until you return to the airport for your flight home. The hotels are top-notch in every way. You get picked up at the airport and delivered to the airport for your flight up by a private transfer (on one trip it was just my husband and me) in a Mercedes sedan. Most everything is included, and people are very welcoming, as well as the tour guide, to make sure that everyone has someone at the table to enjoy a meal with.

Take a look at some of the itineraries for France, and some are less expensive than what your travel agent quoted. And, you can also have your travel agent book your tour with Tauck (so he/she gets something), but it will not cost you anything more to have the travel agent do it....or you could book it directly with Tauck. Tauck can also arrange your airfare, if you would like.

https://www.tauck.com/destinations/europe-tours/france-tours#itineraries

For repeat guests, Tauck will often run specials when their tours for the next year are announced, such that if you book by X date you get an extra free hotel night (before the tour begins), in case you want to fly in a day early to rest up from the long flight...or you tack that extra night on to the end of the tour. So, you can keep that in mind, in case you love them and want to travel with them again in a future year. Most everyone does. Lots of repeat Tauck tour members.