From printing every boarding pass to packing weeks in advance, these eight classic habits reveal you’re definitely traveling with a boomer.
Traveling with family can be a joy, but it also comes with its quirks—especially when your travel buddy is a boomer.
Boomers bring a mix of experience, practicality, and, let’s be honest, some very specific habits to the journey.
They’ve been through decades of vacations, road trips, and airport lines, so they’ve developed their own unique ways of doing things.
Sometimes these behaviors are endearing.
Other times, they can be a little… challenging.
Whether it’s their approach to packing, navigating airports, or planning every minute of the itinerary, boomers have certain travel tendencies that are instantly recognizable.
If you’ve noticed any of these on your own trips, chances are, you’ve been traveling with a boomer.
Here are eight classic habits that show up every time.
1. Packing way too early (and way too much)
Boomers don’t just pack the night before—they start days, sometimes even weeks, in advance.
The spare bedroom becomes a staging area, with neatly folded stacks of clothes and travel-sized toiletries lined up like soldiers.
They’ll make lists, check them twice, and then somehow still bring “just in case” items that never get used.
Packing cubes? Already labeled.
Extra shoes? Packed and ready, even if the itinerary only calls for sandals.
While younger travelers might throw things into a bag at the last minute, boomers take pride in their methodical approach.
The result is often an overstuffed suitcase that requires sitting on to zip shut.
It’s equal parts impressive and mildly stressful to witness.
2. Printing everything, even in the digital age
Boarding passes, hotel confirmations, rental car details—if it can be printed, it will be printed.
Boomers love having physical copies of every important document, neatly tucked into a folder or envelope.
Even if you have everything on your phone, they don’t quite trust technology to come through when it matters most.
“Just in case the app doesn’t work” becomes the rallying cry.
While this habit can feel outdated, it’s hard to argue when a dead phone battery leaves you stranded and your boomer travel buddy saves the day with a printout.
There’s a certain comfort in holding a tangible piece of paper, especially when traveling through unfamiliar places.
Digital boarding pass?
Sure.
But the printed version is never far behind.
3. Getting to the airport ridiculously early
You think arriving two hours before a flight is enough.
Your boomer companion?
They want to be there three or even four hours ahead of time.
Traffic, security lines, gate changes—they’ve seen it all and refuse to risk a last-minute scramble.
This often means a lot of sitting around at the gate while everyone else is still at home drinking coffee.
Boomers see this as part of the experience.
They’d rather be bored at the airport than anxious in the car.
And yes, they’ll probably comment on how “no one else plans ahead anymore” while you’re waiting with them.
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4. Over-planning every minute of the itinerary
Spontaneity is not usually a boomer’s strong suit when it comes to travel.
They love a good itinerary, often complete with time slots and backup options.
Every museum, restaurant, and landmark is mapped out before you even board the plane.
While this level of organization can be helpful, it sometimes leaves little room for flexibility.
If you suggest wandering aimlessly or just seeing where the day takes you, expect a slightly panicked look in response.
To them, a trip without a plan feels like chaos waiting to happen.
The upside?
You’ll probably see every top attraction in record time.
The downside?
You might need a vacation after the vacation.
5. Carrying snacks for the entire group
Boomers are prepared for hunger emergencies at all times.
Granola bars, mixed nuts, hard candies—they’ve got it all stashed in a travel pouch or side pocket.
It’s a habit left over from years of traveling with kids, when keeping everyone fed was a survival tactic.
Even now, they can’t quite shake it.
They’ll hand you a snack before you even realize you’re hungry.
While it might seem unnecessary at first, there’s something comforting about knowing your boomer travel buddy has provisions.
Airplane delays? No problem.
They’ve got enough snacks to hold you over until the next meal.
6. Taking way too many photos of everything
For boomers, travel isn’t just about experiencing the moment—it’s about documenting it thoroughly.
Every meal, every sign, every scenic overlook becomes a photo opportunity.
They don’t just take one photo; they take ten, just to be safe.
And yes, they’ll probably ask a stranger to take a group picture, followed by a second one “just in case.”
Scrolling through their camera roll later feels like reliving the entire trip in slow motion.
While the constant picture-taking can get a little overwhelming, it comes from a place of love.
Boomers want to preserve every memory, partly for themselves and partly to share with friends and family back home.
It’s their way of making the trip last forever.
7. Asking strangers for directions instead of using maps
Even in the age of smartphones, some boomers still prefer the human touch when navigating a new place.
Why consult Google Maps when you can ask the hotel concierge, a shop owner, or a random passerby?
This habit often leads to charming conversations and sometimes, surprisingly good local recommendations.
It also occasionally results in getting hopelessly lost.
Younger travelers might roll their eyes and quietly check their phones while their boomer companion chats with a stranger.
But for boomers, travel is as much about connection as it is about getting from point A to point B.
It’s a reminder that not everything has to be digital—or efficient.
Sometimes, the detour is the adventure.
8. Talking about how “different things used to be”
At some point on the trip, a boomer will inevitably bring up how travel used to be “back in the day.”
They’ll reminisce about when airline tickets came with actual paper stubs and meals were included in the price.
Or they’ll comment on how much cheaper everything was decades ago.
These reflections are part nostalgia, part disbelief at how much the world has changed.
While it can be fun to hear these stories, it can also feel like a subtle critique of modern travel habits.
You’ll nod along politely while scrolling through your phone, knowing this conversation is just part of the experience.
For boomers, sharing these memories is a way of connecting past and present.
It’s their reminder that travel has always been special, even as the details evolve.
Final thoughts: embracing the quirks of boomer travel
Traveling with a boomer may require patience, but it also brings a unique kind of joy.
Their habits might seem old-fashioned, but they come from years of experience and a desire to make the journey as smooth as possible.
While you might tease them about their printouts or overly early airport arrivals, you’ll also appreciate their preparedness when things go sideways.
These differences highlight the beauty of traveling across generations.
Every quirk is part of the story you’ll laugh about later.
And in the end, those habits are part of what makes family trips unforgettable.
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