Top 10 Travel Hacks for Working & Living Well on the Road After 50
Travel looks different in our Platinum Prime years. Gone are the days of cramming everything into a backpack, pulling all-nighters, and living on vending machine snacks. Today, travel is about comfort, balance, and making sure our adventures don’t completely derail our health—or our work.
This week, Karen and I are recording our podcast from the road, and it reminded us just how important little hacks can be when you’re juggling life, work, and travel after 50. Whether you’re taking a road trip, visiting grandkids, or hopping on a plane for business or pleasure, these simple strategies will help you stay productive, healthy, and joyful.
1. Pack a Portable Office
Your work doesn’t have to stop just because you’re on the move. A lightweight laptop or tablet, earbuds, chargers, and a portable hotspot can turn any hotel room or coffee shop into a workspace.
Pro tip: Toss in a small extension cord—hotel outlets are never in the right place.
2. Use Cloud Storage
Gone are the days of worrying about leaving files at home. Save everything in Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive and access it from anywhere. It’s peace of mind in your pocket.
3. Plan Your Time Blocks
One of the best travel hacks? Create a simple schedule. Do focused work in the mornings when your energy is fresh, and leave afternoons free for exploring and relaxing. Balance is everything.
4. Turn Downtime into Uptime
Waiting at the gate? Sitting on a long flight? Use that time to answer emails, brainstorm ideas, or journal. Those little pockets of productivity really add up.
5. Keep Snacks Handy
Travel food can be expensive and not-so-healthy. Pack nuts, fruit, or protein bars in your bag. Your body—and your wallet—will thank you.
6. Prioritize Movement
After 50, sitting too long can be rough on the body. Walk the terminal, stretch at rest stops, or find a 10-minute YouTube workout you can do right in your hotel room. Small moves make a big difference.
7. Protect Your Sleep
Good sleep makes everything better. Bring an eye mask, earplugs, pillow spray, or even your own pillowcase. It’s a simple way to make a hotel room feel a little more like home.
8. Stay Hydrated
Travel is dehydrating, and it can sap your energy. Carry a refillable water bottle and sip throughout the day. Bonus: you’ll save money and cut down on single-use plastics.
9. Mind Your Boundaries
It’s tempting to fill every hour of a trip with activities, but overscheduling leaves you exhausted. Say yes to the things that matter most, and give yourself permission to rest.
10. Capture Inspiration
Travel sparks ideas—don’t let them slip away! Use a travel journal or a simple voice memo app to capture thoughts, reflections, or creative sparks that pop up along the way.
Why Travel Feels Different After 50
Travel in our encore years isn’t about rushing. It’s about experiences, discovery, and balance. We know what our bodies need, we know how we like to work, and we know that sometimes the best moments come when we slow down and let the day unfold.
Karen and I laughed this week about how we used to push through red-eye flights and jam-packed itineraries. Now? Give us a good night’s sleep, decent Wi-Fi, and time to enjoy a morning coffee, and we’re living our best lives.
Free Guide: Top 10 Travel Hacks for Working on the Road After 50
We’ve put together a free, easy-to-use guide you can download and keep handy for your next trip. It includes all 10 hacks plus space to jot down your own notes and inspirations.
Final Thoughts
Your Platinum Prime years are a time for adventure, wisdom, and joy. Travel doesn’t have to mean letting go of your routines—it’s about adapting them so you can thrive anywhere. Whether you’re in an airport lounge, a roadside café, or a cozy hotel, you can live fully, stay healthy, and even get some work done.
So the next time you pack your bags, remember: it’s not just where you’re going, but how you bring your Platinum Prime spirit along for the ride.