Can You Still Meet Potential Partners on Vacations After 40?

You’re relatively likely to meet a potential partner, and even a long-term one, while vacationing at any age, but being over 40 puts you at a unique advantage. By their 40s, most people know themselves better, have clearer priorities, and act confidently in social situations. Travel naturally creates opportunities for meeting new people, whether it’s through guided tours, group excursions, or simply striking up conversations in shared spaces like hotels or cafes. Singles in their 40s and beyond travel specifically to connect with others.

Additionally, vacations allow you to meet people outside your social and professional circle, which can be refreshing. With the rise of solo travel groups, adventure retreats, and even dating apps tailored for travelers, it’s easier than ever to find like-minded individuals who share your passions. Whether it’s bonding over wine tasting, hiking, art, or history, travel naturally sparks genuine conversations and common ground. Meeting someone while exploring a new destination can also create a sense of shared adventure.

The stats on first marriages at midlife

Choosing compatible partners after 40 is getting easier, if stats on first marriages are any indicator. The number of people tying the knot after 40 for the first time has increased by a surprising 45% for men and 75% for women since 1990. The number of men and women between 40 and 59 entering a first marriage quadrupled from 1990 to 2019, increasing from 3% to 12% among men and from 2% to 9% among women. Some well-known predictors of first marriage as young adults operated for forming a first marriage in midlife.

Will it last beyond the vacation?

If they’re paying attention to you and vice versa, it’s a good sign that you and the person you met on vacation already have a meaningful connection. They remembered your favorite dish after a single order or went back to buy you the special souvenir they knew you wanted. They’re taking note of how you feel and what you want. Obviously, you would return their thoughtful gestures.

You’re planning to meet after the vacation is over, and you enjoy each other’s company very much. While many vacation romances revolve around flirting and hookups, mature singles are typically looking for more. Being able to talk all night or simply being with someone without doing anything special reveals the possibility of a serious relationship. Silence doesn’t feel awkward with them. Chances are you’ll be great together after the vacation if being around them lights you up.

Goodbyes are hard, but especially with them. Instead of moving on, you feel a heavy ache, and you don’t want to leave. Maybe you shouldn’t.

FAQ

Can I meet someone while traveling without using a dating app?

One way to do that is by attending local events, like fairs and concerts. You’ll be surrounded by new people and experience your destination more fully. Choose a hotel with a nice common area where you can have a drink, relax, and mingle. Happy hour at your hotel is also a way to meet someone special. You don’t have to leave the hotel, and if the conversation gets boring, you can just go up to your room.

You’ll get happy hour deals even if you don’t get a date.

How do I find a travel companion on a solo trip?

A companion isn’t necessarily contrary to solo travel, although some solo travelers feel that way. Solo trips are booming in 2025 and projected to increase by 9.1% a year until 2030. The UK has seen a 42% increase in solo trip bookings in the last two years.

A recent survey showed that 66% of travelers took solo trips for the freedom, 39% to experience new cultures, and 25% for the adventure. That said, balancing adventure and safety is crucial, and camping or hiking solo is nerve-racking. You can meet a travel companion through a relative or friend, or ask your tour operator to connect you with another solo traveler.