In a survey of over 2,000 UK adults aged 55 and over, Legal & General revealed the Wanderlust dreams of retirees across the UK – including those who are planning and have already travelled in retirement.
Key findings from the survey include:
- Italy is the most popular country for 53% of Welsh residents to visit during retirement, with Spain the second most popular country (47%).
- 49% of retirees who plan to travel during retirement hope to improve their mental well-being by doing so.
- A long weekend in the UK is the most popular (28%) type of trip Welsh residents plan to take in retirement.
When surveyed about the types of trips retirees plan to take, short staycations were the most popular, with 49% of 75-year-olds and over having already been on such a UK weekend break since reaching retirement age.
The findings also revealed 34% of people dream of long weekend city breaks in Europe, while 32% of 55-64-year-olds would like to go on a world tour during retirement. Even among those aged 75+, 3% have already embarked on a world tour and 15% still hope to do so, showing that retirement dreams persist regardless of age.
Spain is the most popular destination for all ages, with 46% of those surveyed choosing to visit the country. Italy is the second most popular destination, with 41% favouring it for their retirement travels.
Spain was also the most popular choice across the UK, except for Wales, where 53% of respondents favoured Italy.
Retirees are getting their USA travel in earlier, with 33% of 55–64-year-olds having the USA as their top pick. However, this number drops to 24% for those over 75, likely due to the demands of long-haul flights. 
How to prepare for retirement travel
The overall cost was the biggest factor for 61% of UK adults when choosing a travel destination. Financial preparation is crucial to achieve retirement travel dreams, with 62% of 55 year-olds and over setting money aside to fund their plans. Despite this, 21% of respondents admitted they had not made any financial preparations, either for past trips or future plans.
The survey highlights that a significant portion of retirees recognise the importance of budgeting to fully enjoy their travels. For instance, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s (PLSA) Retirement Living Standards suggests that couples need a combined £43,100 annually for a moderate retirement lifestyle, which includes budget for both a 14-night holiday abroad and a UK-based long weekend.
Men were generally more diligent about considering their travel finances, with a higher percentage (62%) carefully planning than women, of whom 56% carefully considered their finances in retirement.
More than a quarter (28%) of respondents claim they’re “easy-going” travellers, while 25% stated they were planners. More men (30%) consider themselves “easy-going” than women (26%), when it comes to planning their retirement travels. Whereas women (18%) are more likely than men (13%) to say they are great at finding travel deals and staying within their budget.
Wales had 31% of residents identifying as planners, the highest of all UK regions. In contrast, Northern Ireland had the highest number of budgeters, with 27% of recipients identifying as budget savvy.
What UK adults want out of retirement travel
Rest and recovery are top priorities for many, but with notable gender differences. Specifically, 58% of women planning on travelling during retirement prioritise relaxation during holidays compared to 47% of men. Moreover, 39% of women focus on their mental wellbeing compared to only 29% of men.
The survey also uncovered location-based differences, with 60% of Birmingham residents prioritising relaxation, compared to a lower 54% in London.