Travel Tips for Elderly and Obese Travelers

Jason Knowledge, Travel, Well-being

Traveling can be one of life’s greatest joys — a chance to explore, reconnect, and experience something new. But for elderly or plus-sized individuals, it can also bring unique challenges. Tight airplane seats, long walks through airports, and accessibility concerns at hotels can quickly turn a dream vacation into an exhausting ordeal.

The good news? With some smart planning and a few insider tips, traveling while older or larger-bodied can be safe, comfortable, and incredibly rewarding. Here’s your ultimate guide to navigating the world — one accessible, joyful step at a time.

Before You Go: Planning Ahead for a Smoother Trip


1. Choose the Right Destination

  • Look for mobility-friendly cities with good public transport, fewer hills, and walkable areas.
  • Cruise ships, all-inclusive resorts, and national parks with shuttle services are great options.

2. Check Accessibility

  • Confirm whether hotels, restaurants, and attractions are wheelchair-accessible or offer elevators.
  • Ask if walk-in showers or ADA-compliant bathrooms are available if needed.
  • If you use a CPAP machine, mobility scooter, or walker, confirm airline and hotel policies ahead of time.

3. Consider Travel Insurance

  • Medical emergencies, flight delays, or cancellations can be more stressful with health concerns.
  • Choose a policy that covers pre-existing conditions, emergency evacuation, and accessible accommodations.

4. Talk to Your Doctor

  • Especially if you have chronic health conditions, a pre-travel checkup is wise.
  • Ask about medications for motion sickness, altitude sickness, or jet lag.
  • Request a letter if you’ll be traveling with syringes, oxygen, or prescription medications.
Packing Tips for Comfort and Convenience


1. Bring Comfort Essentials

  • Compression socks to reduce leg swelling during flights
  • Neck pillows and lumbar support for long journeys
  • Loose-fitting, breathable clothing and comfortable walking shoes
  • Medications in a carry-on, along with a copy of your prescriptions

2. Consider Travel Aids

  • A foldable cane or walker if stability is a concern
  • A seatbelt extender for air travel (available from airlines, but bringing your own offers peace of mind)
  • Cooling towels, snack packs, and hydration tablets to stay comfortable in hot climates

3. Don’t Overpack

  • If you tire easily, a light suitcase with spinner wheels is essential.
  • Pack outfits that mix and match easily to reduce weight.
Air Travel: Making Flying Less Stressful


1. Book Smart

  • Choose aisle seats for easier mobility — or bulkhead or exit rows for more legroom (check rules for who can sit in exit rows).
  • Some airlines allow you to purchase an extra seat at a discounted rate for added comfort.
  • Call the airline to request early boarding or mobility assistance at the airport.

2. Know Your Rights

  • In the U.S., the Air Carrier Access Act protects travelers with disabilities. You have the right to assistance, accessible seating, and bringing medical devices onboard.
  • You can request a wheelchair at check-in or even ahead of time online.

3. Plan for Security

  • TSA Cares offers pre-travel assistance for people with medical conditions or disabilities. You can request help through security screening.
Hotel and Accommodations Tips


1. Call Ahead

  • Ask for ground floor rooms, elevators, or ADA-compliant rooms.
  • Confirm bed height, shower accessibility, and if there’s space for mobility aids or equipment.
  • Request extra pillows or a recliner, which can make a big difference in sleep comfort for people with joint issues or breathing concerns.

2. Avoid Surprise Steps

  • Even “accessible” listings online can be vague. Ask detailed questions: Are there steps into the building? Grab bars in the bathroom? Wide enough doorways?

3. Use Booking Filters

  • Sites like Booking.com and Airbnb now allow you to filter for “wheelchair accessible” or “step-free access” features.
During Your Trip: Staying Safe and Enjoying the Journey


1. Pace Yourself

  • Plan an extra day for rest at the beginning or middle of the trip.
  • Schedule downtime between activities. You’re on vacation, not a race!
  • Use apps to find nearby benches, elevators, and bathrooms.

2. Stay Hydrated and Nourished

  • Bring a refillable water bottle, especially in hot climates.
  • Carry healthy snacks to avoid blood sugar dips or long gaps between meals.

3. Be Open to Help

  • Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance, whether it’s a bellhop, guide, or taxi driver.
  • Many attractions offer scooter or wheelchair rentals — even some airports or amusement parks!

4. Stay Mobile — Within Reason

  • Use public transportation over long walks when available.
  • Use walking poles or a cane for added support during tours or hikes.
  • Don’t skip excursions you want to do — just ask about their pace and terrain first.
Real Talk: Travel Confidence at Any Age or Size

There’s no one “right” way to travel. Whether you move at a slower pace or need a bit more space, you deserve to explore, relax, and enjoy new places just like anyone else. Don’t let outdated assumptions about age, size, or ability hold you back from seeing the world.

Quick Checklist for Elderly & Obese Travelers

  • Doctor’s note + medications in carry-on
  • Compression socks + comfortable shoes
  • TSA Cares or airline mobility assistance request
  • Travel insurance with medical coverage
  • List of accessible activities and attractions
  • Daily rest time built into itinerary
  • Light luggage with spinner wheels
  • Favorite snacks, water bottle, and neck pillow
  • Confidence and a sense of humor

If You’re This Big You Need Two Seats

Jason Lifestyle, Travel

Let’s just say it: airplane seats were not designed with big bodies in mind. Or long legs. Or hips wider than a salad plate. Or, frankly, basic human dignity. They’re tiny. They’re rigid. They’re often suspiciously damp from the previous flight. And if you, like me, have a body that takes up extra space, you’ve probably had that moment boarding a plane.

You know the one.

You’re walking down the narrow aisle, carry-on grazing elbows, making eye contact with strangers who are silently praying, please don’t sit next to me, please don’t sit next to me. And then you reach your row, wedge yourself in with all the grace of a forklift, and begin the complex art of strategic squish — elbows tucked, thighs clenched, armrest diplomacy in full swing.

And that’s when it hits you: Maybe I should’ve just bought two seats.

Because you’re “too much.” But because… space is real. And so is courtesy. And sometimes, buying two airplane seats isn’t about self-punishment — it’s about peace and comfort. Yours and the stranger beside you who just wants to enjoy their pretzels in a bubble of personal space.

There’s a strange freedom in thinking about it that way. Like, what if we flipped the narrative? Instead of viewing it as a tax on our bodies, we treat it as an upgrade. Two seats = double tray tables. Double elbow room. The ability to cross your legs without accidentally committing a federal offense. It’s not “I’m too big for one seat.” It’s “one seat is too small for anyone, and I have the receipts to prove it.”

Of course, not everyone can afford two seats. Airlines aren’t exactly handing out coupons for being a human in a fat body. And the policies are confusing — some carriers let you request a second seat at a discount or refund it if the flight isn’t full, but most leave you guessing until the moment you’re being handed a seat belt extender and a side-eye.

Seat Belt Extender

Still, there’s something empowering about making that call for yourself. Choosing comfort over contortion. Buying a second seat doesn’t make you less worthy. It makes you practical. And thoughtful. And maybe even a little luxurious.

Because let’s face it — if the choice is between hours of anxious shrinking or stretching out with your Kindle and some peace of mind, I know which one I’m picking. (Hint: it has two seat belts and a little tray just for my snacks.)

In the end, flying while fat isn’t a moral issue. It’s a logistics issue. And sometimes, the kindest thing you can do — for yourself and for the stranger next to you — is to just claim the space you need. Without guilt. Without apology. Maybe even with a little extra legroom.