Solo Travel in Scandinavia for Aging Adults: How to Explore Safely and Independently

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Solo Travel in Scandinavia for Aging Adults: How to Explore Safely and Independently

Scandinavia represents an exciting, engaging holiday destination if you’re around retirement age and want to see some of the world’s greatest sights. You can spend the day hiking fjords or cycling along the Kattegattleden, while your evenings will be packed with tranquil relaxation in cities like Copenhagen. Learn more about solo travel in Scandinavia for aging adults: How to explore safely and independently.

Scandinavia is very accessible, too. Sweden is regularly recognized as the world’s most accessible country, and cities like Stockholm and Oslo offer plenty of public transport to get you from A to B.

The region is safe for older adults, too. According to the UN, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have some of the world’s lowest crime rates and are ranked highly on the happiness scale. These promising stats can be a source of comfort if you’re a solo traveler looking to blaze your own trail.

Solo Travel in Scandinavia for Aging Adults: How to Explore Safely and Independently
solo travel is much easier if you settle on a destination that is right for you and your needs. Sunset in Trondheim. Photo: Bernart Wood/Visit Norway.

Senior-Friendly Destinations

Solo travel can be deeply empowering if you’re entering later life and want to take yourself on a few memorable journeys. Heading out by yourself can be intimidating, but it is a great way to broaden your horizons, increase your skill set, and bolster your confidence. That said, solo travel is much easier if you settle on a destination that is right for you and your needs.

When looking for a holiday destination, you must account for factors like your activity level, interests, and budget. For example, if you want to tour some visually impressive fjords but don’t quite have the fitness to hike all day, you may want to use Oslo ferries. Tickets are relatively cheap and give you a chance to island hop while in the area.

As you begin to narrow your search down, be sure to research local personal safety laws. You may, for example, be allowed to carry a weapon for self-defense in your country of origin, but weapons like pepper spray are illegal without a license in countries like Sweden. Similarly, Denmark bans the use of extendable batons. Fortunately, cultural norms mean that it is very unlikely that you’d ever need to make use of any such personal safety device.

First Aid Tips

Scandinavia offers a wide range of holiday destinations that can be tailored to your needs and interests. However, if you’re visiting the region, you likely want to make use of the incredible outdoor sights on offer. Snowshoeing in Lapland, dog sledding in Finland, and canoeing the Gudenåen in Denmark can really add to your experience while abroad.

However, all adventures come at a risk. While you’ll always be supported when out on an excursion, there is still a chance you could roll an ankle or cut yourself on an exposed rock. As such, it may be worth sharpening your first aid skills and life hacks. Before your trip, make sure to:

  • Learn how to create heating pads from hand towels and laundry;
  • Use antiperspirant to reduce the itchiness of bug bites;
  • Apply coconut oil to toothaches;
  • Use duct tape to decrease chafing.

These first-aid solutions can help you handle minor injuries while you wait to visit a healthcare professional. If you do end up spraining an ankle or breaking a finger, you’ll be glad to learn that the Scandinavian region boasts some of the world’s best public healthcare at reasonable rates.

Solo Travel in Scandinavia for Aging Adults: How to Explore Safely and Independently
Scandinavian public transport is the standard by which many other countries and municipalities judge their buses, trains, and trams. Here tram in Sweden. Photo: Indormasjonsverige.se

Public Transport

Scandinavian public transport is the standard by which many other countries and municipalities judge their buses, trains, and trams. Neighboring Nordic cities like Helsinki offer a monthly pass that grants you access to all public transport routes for just €60/month, meaning you won’t have to break the bank on Uber rides and taxi cabs.

Many expats in Scandinavia attest to the effectiveness of public transport, too. Similarly, people who move to countries like Denmark find that the roads are in excellent condition and that it’s relatively easy to get around under your own power. This is good news, as the cost of living in nations like Denmark can be high.

You’ll also be able to connect to the rest of the continent. Eurorail is the best way to get around Europe, and you can find affordable packages that help you journey from the northern reaches of Norway to Southern Spain, all on the same trip.

Solo Travel in Scandinavia for Aging Adults: How to Explore Safely and Independently
Disability touring. Photo: Visit Norway.

Touring With a Disability

If you live with a disability, you may need to make some subtle changes to your itinerary. Fortunately, however, the Scandinavian region is far more accessible than most holiday destinations and offers plenty of accommodations due to a universal design approach that will account for your needs. You can tour Scandinavian regions while living with a disability by:

  • Planning Ahead: Research accommodation in the area, as many hotels offer specialized services that could be helpful if you have a mobility disability.
  • Make Arrangements: Airline partners and hotel concierges will be happy to accommodate your needs — but you will need to let them know what you’re looking for, first. For example, train operators in Denmark will help you get on/off trains, while rental agencies can offer you access to cars with mobility accommodations.
  • Activities: Thanks to heightened awareness of disabilities, anyone can hike, kayak, ski, or cycle in Scandinavia. There are plenty of adaptive tools on offer, and you’re sure to find activities that you once thought would be off-limits.

Solo Travel in Scandinavia for Aging Adults: How to Explore Safely and Independently – Conclusion

Scandinavia is the perfect destination for your next big adventure. You can hike, kayak, and ski around the region’s natural parks, or you can take it slow in any of the capital cities. Just be sure to plan your trip first, as you’ll likely find that Scandinavia offers more than you can hope to do on a single trip.

Solo Travel in Scandinavia for Aging Adults: How to Explore Safely and Independently
Ainsley Lawrence

Solo Travel in Scandinavia for Aging Adults: How to Explore Safely and Independently, written dedicatedly for Daily Scandinavian by Ainsley Lawrence. Ainsley is a regular contributor to Daily Scandinavian. She is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. Ainsley is interested in better living. through technology and education. She is frequently lost in a good book.

Feature image (on top) © Ophélie Authier/Unsplash

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