group tour or solo travel

Best Tour Companies for Singles

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Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

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A recent study showed that the solo travel industry is projected to experience a significant influx in the upcoming years. Whether you want to experience a solo adventure, see the world at your own convenience, or hope to meet new people along the way, there’s always something worthwhile about traveling by yourself. 

Luckily, there are plenty of travel companies that cater to solo travelers to make planning stress-free. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best companies for every budget and travel preference to support your wanderlust—including our top picks for women-only and solo parent travel.

8 Best Tour Companies for Singles of 2024

• Best Experience: Exodus Travels
• Best for Ages 35-50: El Camino Travel
• Best Sustainable: G Adventures
• Best for True Solo Travel: Black Tomato
• Best for Ages 25-39: For The Love of Travel
• Best for 50+: Overseas Adventure Travel Rates
• Best Female: Wild Women Expeditions
• Best for Solo Parent Travel: Intrepid Travel

Best Experience : Exodus Travels

Courtesy of Exodus Travels

Traveling solo on an Exodus Travels group trip means access to self-guided and guided excursions around the world for every type of traveler. Choose a walking wine holiday in Portugal or explore Egypt via cruise boat and sleeper train, for example. Additionally, its Exodus Edits collection offers shorter itineraries of up to five days and is geared towards travelers in their 30s and 40s—though they’re ideal for anyone looking for more vigorous activity such as ziplining and surfing in Costa Rica or sampling street eats and beach hopping in Sicily. 

There is no single supplement fee when you room with a fellow traveler, and chances are you may end up with your own room anyway. Booking a travel itinerary with UK-based Exodus Travels includes a full refund should the company need to cancel your trip and a complimentary trip transfer to another tour or different person up to 21 days before the scheduled trip. Plus, travelers who book their third or more trips with Exodus receive a 5 percent discount on their next booking.

What’s more, the company works to curate trips that align with a number of United Nations sustainable development goals including goals for responsible consumption and production, empowering local communities, and climate action considerations. Exodus Travels (founded in 1974) was awarded Best Operator in National Geographic Traveller’s sixth annual Reader Awards in 2021.

Best for Ages 35-50 : El Camino Travel

Courtesy of Encounter Travel

According to El Camino Travel ’s founder, Katalina Mayorga, elder millennials are their strongest customer base. That means if you were born between 1980 and 1985 approximately, you’ll find yourself among curious, like-minded solo travelers looking to immerse themselves in destinations like Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, and the Eastern European nation of Georgia. Some trips even add a professional photographer to capture shareable shots so you can remain in the moment.

All of El Camino’s guided, small group trips max out at 12 participants. They’re also curated with an ethos of preserving and protecting local culture, the environment, and communities. For example, some of their partners include the Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville in Tobago and La Sierra Artist Residency in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Best Sustainable : G Adventures

Courtesy of Intrepid Travel

G Adventures is particularly known for its sustainable, responsible ethos. The company works with small, locally-owned hotels and operators to ensure your travel dollars benefit the community you’re visiting; outlines policies around child and animal welfare practices; aims to reduce single-use plastics, and works to ensure experiences taking place in Indigenous communities align with community goals.

Founded in 1990, G Adventures specializes in small group adventure tours to a host of destinations from Asia to South America and Africa to the Arctic. Nearly half of the travelers on every trip are flying solo, and there’s no single supplement if you choose to bunk with a same-sex roommate. Or, select your own room for a fee. 

A Chief Experience Officer leads each group tour and itineraries are searchable by travel style. For example, find wellness-centric trips like nine days of daily yoga, visits to Hindu temples, and partake in traditional healing ceremonies in Bali. Or travel with their partner, National Geographic, for an exclusive guided tour of South Africa’s Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and a visit to Soweto township in Johannesburg, the home of Nelson Mandela. 

G Adventures partnered with hostel booking service Hostelworld in 2021 to launch its Roamies itineraries. Its combination of backpacking and organized travel itineraries includes countries like Albania, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Vietnam. The trips are marketed to 18- to 35-year-olds, though like-minded individuals keen on budget travel and communal environments may enjoy these trips, too.

Best for True Solo Travel : Black Tomato

Courtesy of G Adventures

Black Tomato specializes in bespoke luxury travel experiences. For those interested in traversing around the world solo and willing to pay a premium for tailored itineraries, its adventurous or culturally immersive experiences may just be your ticket.

Your travels might look like hiking and biking in Patagonia, embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage through Bhutan and India, chasing glaciers and geysers in Iceland, or learning to cook Georgia and Armenia’s local dishes or Japan’s regional cuisine.

In 2017, Black Tomato launched its Get Lost adventure travel experience. With the support of a dedicated team, and without prior knowledge of where they're headed, Get Lost participants will find their way home from an undisclosed location. The location is selected based on a pre-travel questionnaire about which environment clients would like to immerse themselves in. Then, they show up at the airport and the adventure begins.

Best for Ages 25-39 : For The Love of Travel

Courtesy of Contiki

With 80 percent of individuals traveling with For The Love of Travel jet -setting solo, each trip is packed with opportunities to meet fellow Millennial and Gen Z travel enthusiasts. For example, within your small “crew” of up to 14 people, make new friends doing snow sports and unwinding in saunas in Lapland or devouring tacos and sipping mezcal in Mexico City. Trips range from four to nine days, including weekends in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain wilderness or an extended weekend in Costa Rica where you’ll hike through rainforests, relax in hammocks, and hike, bike, or surf.

According to company feedback, the average FTLOT traveler is 30 years old and interested in meeting new people while traveling . The company bills itself as a mid-range travel company, where “​​we might stay in a more basic hotel for a couple of nights so we can include a Michelin-worthy meal and a private catamaran ride.” 

In 2022, FTLOT plans to offer at least 10 new itineraries including to Belize, Turkey, and Spain’s Basque Country. And for those with the flexibility, the company launched Sojrn in 2021 featuring month-long, themed stays in destinations like Cape Town—focused on biodiversity—and a fashion-oriented stay in Paris.

FTLOT requires an initial deposit and allows installment payments if not paid in full.

Best for 50+ : Overseas Adventure Travel Rates

Courtesy Flash Pack

Overseas Adventure Travel is primarily aimed at American travelers aged 50 and over. It offers guided itineraries to worldwide destinations, including Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and the South Pacific, with trips ranked by activity level and accompanied by a list of physical requirements to help select an itinerary that is best suited for you. For example, their Japan and South Korea itinerary advise that participants be able to carry their own luggage as the selected hotels do not have porter service.

Some of Overseas Adventure Travel’s most popular trips include 17 days of wending the Adriatic from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina (think a walking tour in Dubrovnik, sampling traditional Bosnian food in Sarajevo, and exploring the countryside near Zagreb). On another popular trip, you spend 15 days traveling through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, ending in Helsinki, Finland. All trips offer pre-and post-itinerary extensions, and either waive the single supplement entirely or offer a discount on a private room.

The company offers a free Roommate Matching Program which helps you find a like-minded, same-sex roommate. If they can’t find a match, your single supplement is deducted. Small group sizes typically average 13 travelers.

Overseas Adventure Travel won the Solo Travel Award for Best Tour in 2017 and 2018, thanks in large part to its policy of offering a limited number of single spaces for each itinerary.

Best Female : Wild Women Expeditions

Courtesy of Overseas Adventure Travel

It began as an all-women, Canada-based canoe tripping company in 1991, and Wild Women Expeditions is perfect for boundary-pushing women who want to travel independently and enjoy the safety and support of an organized tour. The company also prioritizes hiring female tour leaders and on-the-ground guides. It offers outdoor adventures for women of all ages and identities and with a range of physical abilities (“whether your greatest skill is tracking a storm or talking up a storm, summiting mountains or summoning courage, keeping your kayak in line or coloring outside the lines,” as the company describes).

The company travels to 31 destinations around the world like Egypt, Tanzania, and the Azores islands. Itineraries are typically adventure-based and are filtered on their website by activity, with options ranging from sailing to cycling and horse riding. Imagine yourself sea kayaking and snorkeling in the Galapagos or scaling glaciers in Alaska. 

Most guests are solo travelers and there’s no single supplement to worry about as accommodation is typically in a shared room or cabin. Though if privacy is a priority, you can usually snag your own room for a nominal extra fee. Group sizes are kept small and social with between six and 14 women, depending on the itinerary you choose. The average group size is eight. 

Wild Women Expeditions also takes care to curate trips that avoid or minimize the disturbance of wildlife; supports environmental education and advocacy projects; and partners with social justice and women’s rights organizations.

Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best women-only adventure travel companies .

Best for Solo Parent Travel : Intrepid Travel

Courtesy of Wild Women Expeditions

Intrepid ’s family-themed holidays welcome adults traveling with children, including solo parents looking to travel with their kids without the stress of planning and coordinating a trip. Since each family’s travel needs and preferences are different, every itinerary includes an “essential trip information” section where Intrepid outlines whether the trip would be a good fit for you and your kids, as well as a physical rating from least to more strenuous activities. 

For example, an itinerary through part of the Amazon Jungle in Peru advises the jungle can be very hot and humid, and that the weather can be unpredictable in the Andes. On the other hand, an 11-day trip to Borneo island in Southeast Asia lists a minimum age of 5 and outlines a range of accommodations from hotels to guesthouses and jungle camps; on a few occasions, travel times between destinations range between four to five hours. Trips to Costa Rica, Tanzania, China, and Morocco are also listed.

Individuals under 17 years typically receive a 10 percent discount, and the company requires that adults have at least one child under 18 years traveling with them. As part of Intrepid’s commitment to responsible travel, itineraries support initiatives surrounding sustainability and conservation, climate education, and preservation of Indigenous culture.  

Mathieu Young / Getty Images

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Solo Travel Vs Group Travel: Pros and Cons

By: Author Zachary Friedman

Posted on Last updated: January 22, 2024

Categories Solo Travel

Home » Travel » Solo Travel » Solo Travel Vs Group Travel: Pros and Cons

When planning a trip, one of the more important decisions you have to make is whether you’re going to travel alone or with a group. This choice depends on a number of factors including personal preferences, where you’re traveling, your budget, and more. There is no right or wrong way to travel. This guide lists the pros and cons of solo travel vs group travel to help you decide which type of travel is best for your trip. We’ll cover costs, the social aspect, safety, freedom, difficulty, and more.

I’ve been solo traveling for the past 12 years to over 65 countries. I’ve also taken a few group tours and traveled with friends. In this guide, I’ll share my experience with solo traveling and group traveling.

I’ve also made this YouTube video to outline the pros and cons of solo travel.

Key Takeaways

– Solo travel gives you more freedom and independence. You can set your own pace and your own budget. You don’t need to find a travel partner. It’s easier to meet people while you travel alone. Solo travel is also adventurous. It builds character. – Group travel is safer. It’s also easier because you don’t need to plan everything yourself. It’s also less lonely. You’ll always have the group around. You’ll also have a tour guide to keep you on track. You can see more in less time. – Solo travel is the better choice for those who value independence, introverts, those seeking solitude, those who value flexibility and spontaneity, adventure seekers, those looking for cultural immersion, those on a tight budget, and digital nomads. – Group travel is better for social travelers, first time travelers, those with mobility issues, those who value convenience, those concerned with safety, and those who only have a limited amount of time to see everything.

Table of Contents

Solo Travel Pros

Solo travel cons.

• Group Travel Pros
• Group Travel Cons

1. Solo travel gives you complete freedom and independence

When you travel alone, you are in complete control of your trip. There is no one there telling you where to go, when to go, or what to do. You don’t have to take anyone else’s preferences into consideration when choosing a restaurant, hotel, or itinerary. You have absolute freedom and independence.

For example, maybe you fall in love with a particular city and want to extend your stay. You can do that. Maybe you spot some interesting street food that you want to try. You can go try it. Maybe you don’t like museums. Then skip the museum and go to the beach instead.

There are no compromises in solo travel. You can be spontaneous. It’s your vacation. You make your own schedule. This feeling of absolute freedom is one of the best parts of solo travel.

2. You get to spend time alone

Introverts will love this point. While solo traveling, you don’t have to talk to anyone or interact with anyone if you don’t want to. You can sightsee and eat by yourself. During your downtime or while in transit, you can think, read, listen to music, or write. This allows you to really take in your destination and unwind. As an added bonus, you really get to know yourself when you spend so much time alone.

3. You can travel at a faster or slower pace

As a solo traveler, you can see more in less time. The reason is that you don’t have to wait around for other people. For example, every time I travel with friends, I end up wasting time waiting for somebody to get ready. There is always a slow packer in the group. If one person gets sick, everyone has to wait until they get better. The more people in the group, the more slowdowns you’ll experience. This adds up to a lot of wasted time that could have been used for traveling and seeing the sites.

You can also slow travel when you’re alone. For example, maybe you really enjoy a particular city and want to spend a month getting to know it better. You can do this. For example, I spent a month exploring Mexico City alone last year. Maybe you’re just tired and you want to move more slowly. You can do this if you’re by yourself. On a group tour, you must maintain the pace of the group.

4. You can stick to your own budget

We all like to spend our money on different things. Maybe you prefer to spend money on nice meals than a fancy hotel room. Maybe you’d rather take a bus than fly to save yourself $100. You can also hunt for bargains and discounts. While solo traveling, you control exactly how you spend your money.

When you’re on a group tour, everything is already paid for upfront. You can’t adjust your spending as you go. When you’re traveling with a group of friends, you may feel peer pressure to spend more money. For example, maybe your friends want to eat at a fancy restaurant but you just want to eat street food. Of course, you don’t have to go with them but you may feel pressured to.

5. You don’t have to worry about finding a travel partner or having your travel partner flake out

If you don’t want to book a tour, finding someone to travel with is not easy. This is particularly true if you enjoy traveling to off the beaten path destinations. After all, how many of your friends really want to travel across Africa by bus ? Your travel buddy also needs to have the money to travel, similar interests, and a personality that you can get along with for weeks or months on end. Finding a suitable person to travel with can be a challenge.

If you do manage to find a travel buddy, there is a good chance that they’ll flake out on you before your trip begins. Some travelers end up not going on their trip simply because they couldn’t find someone to travel with. Solo travelers don’t have to worry about this. Of course, this point only applies if you’re traveling with friends. If you book a group tour, you don’t have to worry about this point.

6. You get to meet a wide variety of people

Every time you check into a hostel you meet a new group of interesting travelers from all over the world. Just walk into the kitchen or common area and chat some people up and chances are, you’ll have some new friends. You’ll also meet people while in transit, on day tours, and while out and about sightseeing.

As an added benefit, as a solo traveler, you’re also much easier for others to approach than a group. You may receive invitations to go sightseeing, go out to a bar, or even travel with others. Locals often approach you and strike up a conversation. While solo traveling, you’re rarely alone.

Group travelers, on the other hand, tend to stick to their group. They don’t meet as many people because they already have each other. When you’re on an organized tour, you’re pretty much stuck with the tour group.

If you’re worried about not being able to make friends during your trip, check out my guide: 19 Ways to Meet People While Traveling. 

7. Solo travel builds character, teaches you about yourself, and helps you develop as a person

Personally, I’m not a fan of the ‘travel to find yourself’ meme. Having said that, solo travel can absolutely make you a better person.

When you travel alone, there will be hardships to deal with. For example, you may have to deal with a language barrier and navigate bureaucracy. You may be discriminated against. You might even fall victim to a crime. During your trip, you will experience loneliness, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and confusion. This is all part of the journey. These experiences build character. The way you deal with these feelings and situations can tell you a lot about yourself. You’ll also be better prepared to deal with similar situations back home.

When you solo travel, you become more independent, more adaptable, more confident, more courageous, more patient, and more accepting of others. These are all positive traits that make you a better all around person.

8. It’s easier to meet locals while solo traveling

One of the most rewarding parts of solo travel is making local friends. Chatting with locals is a great way to experience the culture and get to know the country better. For example, locals can recommend you different restaurants to try, cities to visit, and foods to try. They can show you the non-touristy sides of your destination and give you a local perspective of current events. If you’re lucky, you might even get invited into their home.

While solo traveling, you meet locals when going about your day to day life. For example, when you take public transportation, eat in a restaurant, shop in a market, or just walk down the street, you could make an interesting local friend. Because a single person is much less intimidating to approach and talk to than a group, local people are more likely to chat you up if you are alone. My favorite way to meet locals is through online dating. Couchsurfing is another great way to meet locals while traveling alone.

On a group tour, you’re kind of isolated with your tour group. The only locals you meet will be those working in the tourism industry. When you’re traveling with a group of friends, you’re less likely to be approached by locals.

9. Solo travel feels like an accomplishment

Solo travel is a personal challenge. During your trip, you’ll have to deal with adversities such as a language barrier, loneliness, getting lost, going outside of your comfort zone, dealing with new situations, etc. Something as simple as learning how to navigate a new public transportation system or ordering a meal in a foreign language feels like an accomplishment.

After crossing a continent by yourself, you’ll feel proud and accomplished. You will know what you are really capable of. You don’t get that feeling when you take a group tour because all of the difficult parts of traveling are handled for you.

10. You’re not stuck with the same people

If you grow tired of one of your new travel buddies or you don’t get along with someone at the hostel, you can just leave. Move to a different dorm, hostel, or go on to the next city. You never have to see or talk to that person again.

This isn’t an option when you’re traveling with a group tour or friends. You’re stuck with the annoying individual until the trip is over.

11. Random and unique experiences

Solo travel allows you to be spontaneous. You never know what kind of interesting opportunity will present itself. For example, while visiting the Omo Valley, I spent an afternoon with a woman from the Hamar tribe in Dimeka, Ethiopia. We spent the day walking around town, drinking, and eating. We didn’t share any language in common. In Addis Ababa, I spent a day hanging out with an Ethiopian con man. He explained his scams and introduced me to his girlfriend, who lived in the slums. I wouldn’t have had these wacky experiences if I was traveling on a tour.

Group tours are much more predictable. Every day is pre-planned. You don’t have time to stray too far from the group.

12. You can travel with others if you want

The whole trip doesn’t have to be done alone. If you meet a group of people and really hit it off, you can travel together for a while. You can even change your itinerary if necessary. If a friend wants to meet up somewhere along your journey, you can travel together for a time. It’s up to you how social you want to be. Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely. For example, while traveling in Kenya, I met an Irish guy at the hostel. We ended up spending the next three months traveling to Cape Town together.

13. Solo travel is more adventurous

You have only yourself to rely on. If things turn south, it’s up to you to remedy the situation. Sometimes you feel like a pioneer or explorer when you’re out in the middle of nowhere all alone. It’s exciting. 

For example, when traveling across Malawi, the police detained the bus I was riding because they suspected it was carrying some kind of contraband. I ended up having to find a place to stay in the town of Mzuzu, Malawi in the middle of the night. I ended up staying in a nice hostel and spending an interesting day exploring the town before catching a bus the next night. This experience wouldn’t have happened if I was traveling on a group tour.

1. Solo travel is lonely

While solo traveling, you can be surrounded by other people and still feel lonely. This loneliness can make you depressed, homesick, isolated, and sometimes anxious. When you get feeling down, you have to be able to pick yourself back up.

Traveling by yourself gets lonely at times. There is no avoiding it. During your trip, you may spend days on end without having a conversation with another person. You will spend countless hours on busses, trains, and walking around without speaking a single word. Sometimes you’ll check into a hostel and not meet anyone. You will eat alone and sightsee alone. This is just part of the solo travel experience.

The best way to deal with this feeling of loneliness is to find someone to talk to. If you’re a naturally social person, this is easy. There are friendly people everywhere. If you’re socially anxious, striking up a conversation can be a challenge.

To meet people while traveling, you can stay in a social hostel, use social media and online dating, go to a bar or club, join a day tour or walking tour, go couchsurfing, take a class, or volunteer. You can also call your friends and family back home.

2. Solo travel is more expensive

When you travel alone, you have to cover the full cost of hotel rooms, taxi rides, food, or tours by yourself. You can’t split costs with friends or take advantage of group discounts. As a result, solo travel ends up costing more than group travel.

The price difference depends on where you’re traveling. Some destinations are more suited to solo travel than others. For example, in Central America and Southeast Asia, there are hostels, shared busses, and street food. You can solo travel cheaply. On the other end of the spectrum, much of Africa is expensive to solo travel because there are few hostels. You must spend most nights in overpriced hotels. Costs add up when you have no one to split the room with.

There are always ways to cut costs when solo traveling. You can walk, hitchhike, or take shared busses instead of taking taxis or Ubers. Camping and couchsurfing are excellent ways to reduce your accommodation cost. If you adopt a minimalist lifestyle, you can travel with shockingly little money.

3. Solo travel is more dangerous

A single person is more likely to fall victim to a crime than a group. The risk of getting mugged, drugged, assaulted, scammed, or victimized in some way is higher when you travel alone simply because you are an easier target for criminals. After all, it’s much easier to trick or overpower an individual than a group of people.

When you travel alone, you also don’t have anyone you trust to help you out if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. For example, if you get sick, injured, or arrested, you don’t have any friends to take care of you or call your emergency contact. You’re pretty much on your own.

Of course, if you take some basic safety precautions, solo travel is a perfectly safe way to travel. Read up on the travel advisories of the country you’re visiting. Avoid wandering into sketchy neighborhoods after dark. Don’t carry valuables or dress too flashy. There is no need to be paranoid about safety while solo traveling if you’re cautious.

For more info, check out my guide Is Solo Travel Safe: Avoiding Crime, Scams, and Injury While Traveling Alone.

4. You have to eat alone and cook for one

Having to eat alone is one of the most difficult parts of solo travel. Probably because eating is such a social activity. When you’re eating your meal, you’ll feel lonely and homesick at times. It’s easy to feel self-conscious sitting in a restaurant alone. When you travel solo, you’ll have to get used to this feeling. You will eat alone regularly.

If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll probably want to cook some of your own meals. Unfortunately, it’s hard to motivate yourself to cook when you’re alone. Buying ingredients and cooking is a time-consuming and annoying little job. It’s tempting to forget about cooking and just eat something quick. This is less healthy and oftentimes more expensive.

5. You have to plan and arrange everything by yourself

Planning an international trip takes quite a bit of work. You must create a budget, plan a route, arrange visas, research transportation, book accommodation, research activities, and more. A complicated trip can take weeks or months to plan. When you’re in the country, you’ll have to research and book hotels, find restaurants, and figure out the public transport system. This takes quite a bit of time.

Some aspects of travel are tedious and annoying to deal with. For example, when you travel alone, you must research transport schedules and book tickets, navigate unfamiliar cities, negotiate prices, and more. You must take care of everything related to the trip by yourself. These little jobs get exhausting after a while.

When you travel in a group tour, you have a guide to take care of all of the planning and most of the annoying little jobs. When you travel with friends, you can delegate tasks so everyone has less work to do.

6. The friendships you make don’t last long

You will meet plenty of new people while traveling alone. It’s easy to form quick friendships with other solo travelers as well as locals. After spending a few days in a hostel, you may feel like you’ve known your new friends for years.

The problem is that these quick friendships fade quickly. After you move on to the next hostel, you’ll meet a new group of people and quickly forget about your previous travel buddies. When you return home and get back to your regular schedule, the friendships you formed during your trip will fade further.

7. Solo travel doesn’t suit all personality types

While solo traveling, you’ll spend many hours alone with your own thoughts. There’s no getting away from it. Sometimes there just isn’t anyone around to talk to. This is often the case while in transit. Sometimes you’ll check into a hostel and find the other guests to be unfriendly. If you’re an extrovert and you’re not used to being alone, this can be a challenge. For some, it can even be frightening to spend so much time alone with your thoughts.

8. You have to rely on yourself for everything

Coming to the realization that you are completely alone in a foreign country, can be anxiety-inducing. If you fall ill, get injured, get robbed, run out of money, lose your passport, or get arrested, you’re on your own to deal with it. There is nobody there to help you out.

In addition, you have to research, plan, and book everything by yourself. This realization can feel overwhelming and scary. In fact, some people may not be competent enough to solo travel. On the first day of my first solo trip, I wondered if I was in over my head. Luckily, I figured things out.

9. You’re more likely to get scammed

Scammers tend to target solo travelers. The reason is that it’s easier for them to trick an individual than a group of people. A fast-talking con man can approach you and swindle you out of some money. There are some elaborate scams out there. You can’t catch them all. Maybe you’re tired and you’re not thinking straight. For example, a scammer sold me a fake bus ticket in Ethiopia. That cost me $10.

For more info, check out my guide to 19 Common Travel Scams.

10. You’re more likely to get pickpocketed

Pickpockets often target solo travelers. The reason is that it’s easier for them to distract an individual than a group. After all, you only have one set of eyes to keep track of all of your belongings. A pickpocket can distract you while their accomplice steals your wallet, phone, or camera.

For some tips, check out my guide: How to Avoid Getting Pickpocketed While Traveling.

I’ve been pickpocketed twice in my travels. Once in Tanzania and once in Tijuana. In both cases, the pickpocket took my phone. Miraculously, I was able to get it back both times.

11. There is no one to share your excitement or suffering with

Humans are very social. Sometimes we want to experience the beauty of a destination or the absurdity of a situation with another person. While traveling alone, there is no one to share your comments or thoughts with. You have to keep your amazement to yourself. This makes the experience feel a bit less special. Visiting a major destination with a good friend makes it feel more memorable.

Sometimes you want someone else to commiserate with. Enduring an unpleasant experience is much easier if there is someone there to share the suffering with. For example, some of my lowest points while traveling have been during long night bus journeys. The loneliness becomes excruciating. While traveling with a friend, the same long bus journey becomes fun. You can joke around and chat to pass the time.

12. Sometimes you’ll feel like the third wheel

When going out with a group of other travelers from the hostel, you may be the odd one out as a solo traveler. This may happen when you spend time with a couple or group of friends. Hanging out with people who share a common language that you don’t speak can also be awkward. If they start speaking among themselves in their language, you’re left out of the conversation. The good thing is, if you’re not having a good time, you can just go off on your own or find another group of people to socialize with.

13. Solo travel can limit be limiting

There are some places that you might not want to travel alone. For example, you may not feel comfortable traveling too far off the beaten path by yourself out of fear of getting lost or stranded. You may choose to limit yourself to the tourist trail instead to be safe. I felt a bit nervous while visiting the Omo Valley alone because I was so far from a hospital and embassy. If something went wrong, I may have been in trouble. Some solo travelers may not feel comfortable going out drinking alone or visiting certain neighborhoods alone out of fear of getting drugged or robbed. With a group, you may not have these fears.

There may be some activities that you don’t want to do alone. This is often the case in romantic destinations. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to go for a gondola ride in Venice by yourself. You wouldn’t want to go to a romantic restaurant alone. You may not want to go hiking alone for safety reasons.

14. Sometimes you feel awkward

Going to a bar or restaurant alone takes some getting used to. Some tourist sites are best experienced with a friend. Even after solo traveling for years, I still don’t enjoy going out for a drink alone. I also hate taking selfies but do so anyway on occasion if there is no one around to take a photo for me. It can be an awkward and embarrassing experience sometimes.

15. You have to carry and keep track of all of your gear by yourself

When you travel alone, you must carry everything you need for your trip in your backpack or suitcase by yourself. There is no one else to help you carry gear. In addition, you have to keep an eye on your gear at all times to make sure it doesn’t get stolen. You cannot leave your gear unattended while you go grab a coffee.

When you travel with a group, you can share some items among the group. This way, everyone carries less weight. There are also more eyes to watch everyone’s gear.

16. People feel sorry for you

Occasionally, someone will ask you where your friends or family are. They may ask why you’re alone. Many people just don’t understand solo travel. In these cases, people may pity you or think you’re weird. To me, this gets kind of frustrating and depressing. Some people just can’t get through their heads that I’m traveling alone by choice. 

17. You have to take selfies

When you travel alone, it’s difficult to get a decent picture of yourself. Much of the time, your only option is to take a selfie. Unfortunately, selfies are often low quality and kind of cheesy. It’s hard to get a good shot of yourself.

Another problem is that some solo travelers feel self-conscious when taking selfies. Particularly when everyone around has a friend to take pictures of them. It can feel kind of embarrassing and awkward to take selfies.

There are some solutions. You can ask a stranger to snap a photo of you. You can also pack a tripod and use your camera’s timer to take photos of yourself. Still, your photos won’t be as good as if you had a friend helping you get the best angle.

Pros of Group Travel

1. You develop a close bond with your travel group

When you travel with friends, you’ll grow closer to them. Even if you’ve known them for years. Overcoming hardships, navigating unusual situations, and viewing incredible sites together strengthens friendships. For the rest of your lives, you will share memories of your travel experiences together. You’ll always have an interesting travel story to reminisce about.

When you travel on a group tour, you spend the entire duration of your tour with your tour group. During that time, you will bond with your new friends. It’s not uncommon for lifelong friendships to form.

When you travel alone, it is difficult to form a strong bond with anyone you meet because you’re moving around so frequently.

2. Meeting people

When you take an organized group tour, you are guaranteed a built-in group of people to hang out with, travel with, explore with, and get to know for the duration of your trip. You never have to be alone. Organized tours also introduce you to like-minded people from around the world that you otherwise would never have met. You’ll meet a different type of travelers than you would meet when traveling alone.

Organized tours are also an excellent choice for shy travelers because they make it easy to meet people. You’re guaranteed to make friends with some of the people in your group because you are forced to spend so much time around them. It’s easy to strike up a conversation with someone you’re traveling with because everyone shares the same interest in the destination country.

3. Group travel can be cheaper

You can split the cost of hotel rooms, taxi and Uber rides, food, and tours with your friends. For example, if a taxi ride from the airport to your hostel costs $15, it only costs you $5 if you split it with two friends. If you want to hire a tour guide to show you around a site, you can split the cost with your friends. When you travel alone, you can’t split costs with anyone.

4. You can split work up amongst the group

Travel involves a number of annoying and tedious little tasks. Examples include looking up train schedules, negotiating the price of a taxi, cooking, and buying bus tickets. When you travel with a group, you can divide these little jobs among your group members. If one person gets sick and needs a break, the other group members can continue planning the trip. When you travel alone, you have to take care of all aspects of the trip by yourself.

5. Group travel is safer

As the saying goes, there is safety in numbers. When you travel in a group, you are far less likely to fall victim to crimes like mugging or assault. A criminal can’t overpower a group as easily as an individual. For this reason, bad guys are far less likely to target a group of travelers.

In addition, you’re less likely to get lost when you’re with a group because there are multiple minds navigating. If you get injured or fall ill, your group members can help you get to a hospital and call your emergency contact for you. When you’re on an organized group tour, the guide will make sure you only visit safe destinations. When you’re alone, you’re on your own.

6. The tour guide

Every organized group tour has a guide. The guide is usually a local with a deep knowledge of the region and training in hospitality. They can teach you about the sites you’re seeing, make sure you stay safe, translate the local language, help you navigate the culture, assist with immigration, and smooth out any bumps. The guide can also be your friend. A good guide can really make a group tour.

7. Sometimes you have no choice but to travel in a group

There are a handful of countries that prohibit independent travel. If you want to visit, you are required to be on a tour. Sometimes this requirement depends on your nationality. A few examples of countries with this requirement include North Korea, Iran, Bhutan, Turkmenistan, and Tibet.

In some cases, it’s simply easier to travel in a group. For example, many travelers choose to travel Africa on an overland tour instead of independently.

8. You can carry less gear

For some items, you only need one to share between the group. For example, you could get away with carrying only one water filter, tent, camp stove, and a bag of food for the whole group. Each person can carry part of the load. Everyone carries less weight as a result. When you travel solo, you have to carry everything by yourself.

9. It’s easier because there is no research and planning required

When you book a group tour, the tour company takes care of all researching, planning, reservations, and logistics for you. You don’t have to worry about reading hotel and restaurant reviews, making bookings, or looking at transport schedules. You pay one fee then you can relax and enjoy your trip. It’s easier. The guide can help you navigate the language barrier if there is one.

10. No wasted time

Most people have a limited amount of time to travel. Usually 1-2 weeks. When you take an organized tour, the company sets the pace and makes sure that time is utilized wisely. There is a rigid itinerary that the tour sticks to. You will visit all of the major attractions and a few hidden gems. You won’t miss any major sites when you take an organized tour.

When you travel alone, it’s easy to get lazy and miss out on some sites. You also have to waste time taking care of boring tasks like finding a restaurant or researching a bus schedule.

11. Someone is always there to help you out

If you catch malaria or sprain your ankle, your friends are there to take you to the hospital or carry your backpack for you. If your debit card gets stolen and you run out of money, your group members can lend you some cash so you’re not stranded. It is comforting to know that someone you trust is there and willing to help you out if you need it. You don’t have to rely on yourself for everything.

12. Falling victim to a scam is less likely

Scammers don’t approach groups as often. The reason is that it’s more difficult to trick a group of people than an individual. Chances are, someone will identify the scam before it takes place because are multiple minds analyzing everything. Of course, a group can still get conned. There are some shockingly elaborate scams out there.

13. Theft is less likel y

It is also harder for pickpockets to steal from a group because there are multiple sets of eyes watching everyone’s gear. You can also ask your group members to keep an eye on your gear while you go to the bathroom or into a shop.

14. Someone is always there to experience the moment with you

When traveling with friends, you always have someone there to share the beauty or misery with. Sometimes you just want to complain about the situation or comment on your surroundings. Sometimes you want someone to appreciate a site with. If you’re all alone, you don’t get to do this. Some destinations are best experienced with friends by your side.

15. You can travel further into the middle of nowhere

When you’re alone, you have to consider how you will get back to civilization in the event of an unexpected accident or event. When you have friends with you, someone can go for help if the worst happens. For example, imagine if you fell while hiking and broke a leg. If your friend is there, they can carry you or find help. You may not feel comfortable wandering as far by yourself. 

16. No Experience Required

You don’t need any skills or travel experience to travel in a group. The guide takes care of all of the difficult parts of the trip for you and helps you stay safe. You can travel wherever you want. Also, some people just aren’t suited for solo travel.

For some destinations, you may need some travel experience if you want to visit alone. For example, most people wouldn’t feel comfortable traveling to Nigeria or Afghanistan on their first solo trip.

17. You’ll get better travel photos

When you travel with a group, there is always someone there to take pictures for you. You don’t have to bother with selfies. You can also take group pictures. It’s fun to look at pictures with your new friends together. At the end of the trip, you can swap photos with your group members. If you’re lucky, you’ll get some awesome candid shots of yourself as well.

Cons of Group Travel

1. You have to make compromises

When you travel with a group, you can’t always get your way and do what you want to do. For example, maybe your travel group wants to go to the beach and you want to go to a museum. Maybe one person wants to eat at a fancy restaurant and you want to eat street food. Everyone has their own preferences.

When disagreements occur, you must negotiate and compromise with your group members. You don’t get to do what you want all of the time. When you travel with a group, it’s not your trip. It’s the group’s trip. This can be difficult to accept.

When solo traveling, there is no compromise. You make all of your own decisions and do whatever you want.

2. You have less freedom and independence when traveling in a group

When you travel on an organized group tour, the itinerary is already set. You don’t get to choose which hotel you stay at, which restaurant you eat at, when you wake up, or when you go to sleep. You follow the pre-planned itinerary. There is very little freedom or independence.

When you travel with a group of friends, you have a bit more freedom but you still must follow the group. If all of your friends want to fly to your next destination but you want to take the train, you’re out of luck. You could go off on your own but then you’re not really traveling with a group.

When you travel alone, you have absolute freedom to control every aspect of your trip. You can be as spontaneous as you wish.

3. There will be arguments and disagreements

Traveling in a group can be a real test of your patience and relationships. Disagreements and arguments will happen. it’s inevitable. Even if you’re traveling with your best friends.

Arguments are common for a number of reasons. First, travel gets stressful. For example, maybe you’re running late for a flight. Some people become snappy when they get stressed. Travel is also exhausting. For example, you may get a poor night of sleep while taking a night bus across a country. Some people get cranky and argumentative when they’re tired. While traveling, you are also forced to spend a great deal of time in close proximity to your group members. Sometimes different personalities don’t mix well.

All of this makes for a perfect environment for disagreements and arguments to happen. A tense atmosphere is uncomfortable for everyone in the group. If arguments aren’t resolved and the relationship between your group members turns toxic it could ruin the trip. Friendships can even end.

If you get in an argument with one of your group members, try to distance yourself from them for a while. Give yourself and your group some space and let things cool down if possible. Don’t be afraid to apologize if you made a mistake.

4. It can be difficult to make decisions

When you travel with a group, you have to take everyone’s preferences into consideration and make sure everyone is content with every decision. The more people in the group, the more difficult it becomes to make a decision. Everyone has an opinion. You can’t make everyone happy.

One problem that can arise is that one group member takes the role of the leader. This is often the group member with the strongest personality. This person may try to take over the trip and make your decisions for you.

If this happens, you must make sure that your voice is heard. Speak up and tell the group what you want to do. This can be difficult if you’re a passive perosn. If you take the leadership role, you must listen to your group members and consider their desires. You need to be a team player, listen, and sometimes compromise.

5. You may dislike your group members

When you travel on an organized group tour, you don’t get to choose who you’re traveling with. You won’t know who is in your group until you meet everyone when the tour starts. An average-sized group tour has 10-20 people. It is highly likely that you won’t get along with at least one of them.

There are plenty of reasons why you may not get along. For example, maybe one of your group members is always complaining. Maybe someone is rude to the locals. Maybe you have nothing in common with your group members. Whatever the case, traveling with someone you don’t like can be awkward and annoying. It could even ruin your trip. This is a major risk of booking yourself on a group tour.

There are a couple of ways to reduce your chance of getting stuck in a bad group. First, you can book yourself on a small tour. The fewer people there are, the less likely that there will be an annoying member. You can also book yourself on a tour that fits your age and personality. For example, if you’re young and active, book yourself on a tour that is designed for backpackers. Don’t book yourself on a tour for retirees.

Of course, you could also find that you don’t get along with your group if you’re traveling with friends. Some people behave differently when abroad. Some people just don’t travel well. In this case, you could go off on your own.

6. No privacy or alone time

When you travel with a group, chances are you’ll be sharing hotel rooms, eating together, and taking the same transport as your group members. You don’t get any privacy or time to yourself. Spending so much time in such close proximity to your group can be a challenge. Particularly for travelers who are more introverted.

When you’re traveling with friends, you can usually split up from your group for some time. Maybe you spend a day exploring by yourself then meet up with your group for dinner. When you’re on an organized group tour, you may not have this luxury. Generally, the itinerary is so tight that you’re with your group for the entire duration of the tour.

7. Meeting other travelers is harder

When traveling in a group, you tend to stick to your group. There is less incentive to socialize. You’re not lonely. You already have friends and don’t need to make new ones. When on an organized group tour, you’re staying in hotels instead of hostels so you’ll have fewer opportunities to meet other travelers. Other travelers are also less likely to approach you or invite you out for meals, sightseeing, or activities because it is intimidating to approach a group. As a result, you’ll meet fewer people. You may miss out on a new friendship or relationship.

8. Finding a group to travel with can be a challenge

It’s not that easy to find a group of people to travel with. Friends often flake out at the last minute. Many people don’t have enough money. Some have different interests. If you decide that absolutely have to travel with a group, you may end up not going at all. Finding a suitable person to travel with is a challenge. 

Of course, if you really want to travel with a group but you don’t have any friends that want to go, you can always book yourself on a tour.

9. You don’t get to explore an area in detail

Most group tours just hit the main sites. You might only stay in a city for 1-3 days before moving on to the next destination. You miss out on the smaller tourist sites. The tours move at a fast pace as well. You don’t have any time to stop and smell the roses. You’ll encounter the same problem when traveling with friends. Chances are, they’ll want to keep moving.

When you travel alone, you can spend as much time as you want in each city or country. If you fall in love with on place, you can spend a month there and explore it in detail.

10. Group travel can be more expensive

When you travel on a group tour, you are paying the tour agency to plan the trip for you. They take care of all logistics, bookings, and maybe even visas. You are also paying for a guide for the duration of the tour. Both of these costs are baked into the price of the trip. At the end of the trip, you’ll also be expected to give the guide a tip if they provided a good service.

Prices are also locked in. You are paying for all of your food, accommodation, transportation, and activities at the time of booking. You can’t eat street food or stay in a cheaper hotel to save money because you have already paid for everything when you booked.

When you travel alone, you can cut corners, bargain hunt, and adjust your budget as you go. If you’re frugal, solo travel can be cheaper than group travel.

11. Your group can slow you down or rush you

With more people, more problems come up. For example, someone could get food poisoning on a travel day. That means you lose a day waiting for them to get better. Someone could have their phone pickpocketed. That means you have to spend time going shopping for a new one. While traveling in a group, it seems like there is always a crisis. This slows everyone down .

Your group can also rush you. For example, maybe you’re a not a morning person but your group likes to start the day early. You may feel rushed. Maybe you like to spend 6 hours in museums but your group rushes through in an hour. You’ll feel like you missed out.

12. Group travel is less adventurous

When your friends are around, it just doesn’t feel like an adventure. It’s just too familiar. There is always someone there to rely on and talk to. It feels more like you’re just hanging out. You don’t have to deal with the loneliness or struggles of solo travel. As a result, you won’t really grow as a person or learn as much.

13. Meeting local people is more difficult

When you travel on an organized group tour, you probably won’t meet many locals. The locals that you do meet will be those who work in the tourism industry. The reason is that group tours tend to stick to touristy areas that regular locals avoid. You stay in hotels and eat in restaurants that are frequented by tourists. When you travel from one destination to the next, you’ll sit next to a group member or take private transport. You are somewhat isolated from regular locals when you travel on a group tour.

Local people may also be less likely to approach you to chat when you’re traveling in a group. It can be intimidating to approach a group of foreigners.

When you travel alone, you encounter locals while in transit, while eating, and while out walking around. Solo travelers are also much easier to approach. You also have the freedom to seek out local friends.

My Experience

I have been traveling, off and on, for the past 10 years. The vast majority of this time has been spent solo traveling. I prefer it for a number of reasons. First, solo travel just better suits my personality. As an introvert, I prefer to spend most of my time alone. When I want to socialize, I can always meet some fellow travelers in the hostel. I also value having the freedom to do what I want without compromise.

On the few occasions that I have traveled with a group, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Group travel is great in small bursts. For a short trip, I may even prefer group travel. After a while, I inevitably grow tired of my travel buddies. That’s just what happens if you spend too much time in such close proximity to another person.

In my experience, the first 2 weeks of each solo trip can be a bit rough. It takes time to get into the solo travel mindset. Living in close quarters in hostels, spending long hours on buses, and navigating unfamiliar places alone takes some getting used to.

During this time, I sometimes think to myself, why do I do this? After that rough couple of weeks ends, I’m back into the swing of things and don’t want to travel any other way. The absolute freedom of solo travel is addictive.

Final Thoughts

Solo travel certainly isn’t for everyone. It’s lonely, more difficult to plan, and slightly riskier. With that said, it’s definitely something that everyone should try at least once. It’s one of those things that you just never know whether or not you’ll like unless you give it a try. After my first solo trip, I was hooked.

Having said that, sometimes group travel is the better choice. A short trip with friends can be an excellent bonding experience. Group tours are a great way to visit difficult or dangerous destinations safely and easily. Group travel is also a bit safer and less stressful. Even if you’re a hardcore solo traveler, consider giving a group tour a try.

In the end, this decision comes down to personal choice. There is no best way to travel. Hopefully, this guide helps you decide which style of travel is best for your next trip.

Where do you stand on the solo travel vs group travel debate? Share your experience in the comments below!

More from Where the Road Forks

• ls Solo travel Safe? Avoiding Crime, Scams, and Injury While Traveling Alone
• Solo Travel Tips: Save Money, Stay Safe, and Make Friends While Traveling Alone
• How to Plan a Round the World Trip
• How to Provide Proof of Onward Travel: 8 Options Including the Fake Ticket Method
• Summer Travel Tips: Beat the Heat, Avoid Crowds, and Save Money
• Am I Too Old for Hostels?
• How to Make an Accurate Budget for Long Term Travel

Zachary Friedman is an accomplished travel writer and professional blogger. Since 2011, he has traveled to 66 countries and 6 continents. He founded ‘Where The Road Forks’ in 2017 to provide readers with information and insights based on his travel and outdoor recreation experience and expertise. Zachary is also an avid cyclist and hiker. Living as a digital nomad, Zachary balances his professional life with his passions for hiking, camping, cycling, and worldwide exploration. For a deeper dive into his journey and background, visit the About page. For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through the Contact page. You can also follow him on Facebook.

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Wednesday 28th of September 2022

T love this. I enjoy solo traveling due to its flexibility. You can enjoy anywhere you choose for as long you want. However, I sometimes dabble into group travel because this enables us to split the cost of travel.

jasonlikestotravel

Saturday 13th of July 2019

Great read. I agree everyone should at least try traveling solo to see if it's for them. I'd probably also agree that I prefer solo travel although there are pros to having company.

wheretheroadforks

Yeah, there are definitely benefits to having company. Particularly during a long bus or train ride. Overall, I really enjoy traveling alone.

Solo Travel vs Group Travel: Why Alone is Better 8/10 Times

In my 28 years of life, I’ve spent 2 years travelling alone, 1 year vacationing with family, 6 months with tour groups, another 6 months on couples getaways and 3 months holidaying with friends. 

And after all that time spent on the road, I have a decisive answer to the question: is it better to travel alone or with someone?

Below, I compare solo travel vs group travel vs travelling with someone (i.e. family or friends). You can judge which style of travel is best for you based on your personality.

Nomadic Yak has 100s of tips if it’s your first time travelling solo !

• Is it Better to Travel Alone or in a Group?

Solo Travel vs Group Travel vs Travel With Friends

• More Solo Travel Tips

Is it Better to Travel Alon e or in a Group ?

When it comes to solo travel vs group travel vs travelling with someone, I recommend that 8/10 people should travel alone (or travel alone at least once in their lifetime).

It is better to travel alone if you are adventurous and independent. Solo travellers have total freedom when planning their itinerary and budget. They also have more opportunities to make new friends, immerse themselves in authentic cultural experiences and develop self-confidence.

It is better to travel with a tour group if you are hesitant about travelling alone for the first time or visiting a potentially dangerous destination. Organised tours make it easy for solo travellers to plan and budget for their trip – all you have to do is choose a destination and find a tour that takes your interest. 

It is better to travel with someone (i.e. family or friends) if you are concerned about your health, safety or social skills. Whilst you won’t get to enjoy many of the benefits that come with travelling alone or joining a tour group as a solo traveller, you will get to make fond memories and build stronger relationships with your family or friends.

Related Article

The battle between solo travel vs group travel vs travel with friends can be broken down into 10 categories. 

Looking over these categories, you can decide whether it is better to travel alone or with someone.

Flexibility and freedom

Winner: Solo travel

Travelling alone provides you with the freedom to set your own itinerary and the flexibility to make spontaneous decisions. 

Travelling with a tour group means you will have a set itinerary and dates that you must stick to. However, you may have some free days to do some exploring alone.

Travelling with friends or family means you have to compromise with them when creating an itinerary and choosing your accommodation, activities, eateries, etc. This can be difficult if you have different budgets or interests.

My experience: I find it better to travel alone because I’ll often befriend other travellers and want to travel with them. Together, we’ll decide to stick around town for another day, head in the same direction or go our separate ways.

Self-discovery and personal growth

Travelling alone forces you to be independent and overcome challenges on your own. You become more socially skilled and self-confident having to meet new people each day. Solo travel also gives you time and space to think about your life (e.g. your career, relationships, etc.)

Travelling with a tour group gives you some independence. You still have the challenge of befriending people on the tour. And you can find some alone time each evening for reflection or journaling.

Travelling with someone (friends or family) means that you can rely on others to help you. This may be better if you have fear and anxiety about travelling alone . However, you won’t experience as much personal growth because you will be less independent.

My experience: During my first solo trip in South East Asia, I had to make new friends every day, got lost on my first night in Bangkok, had my phone stolen in Phuket and had my motorbike tyre pop three times in rural Vietnam. But these challenges brought me out of my shell and made me more self-confident!

Worried that solo travel will be awkward? See the tips in my article, is travelling alone weird ?

Immersion and authenticity

Solo travel is the most adventurous form of travel. Because you do not have to worry about the safety or interests of others, you can stray away from tourist traps. This allows you to have more genuine interactions with locals and enjoy authentic cultural experiences. 

Organised tours can be touristy or adventurous. If you want to join a tour, try to book one that takes you beyond the popular tourist traps to remote villages and sights. Also, try to find a tour that benefits the local community and gets them involved in tourism (I have found that  G Adventures does an excellent job of this).

Travelling with friends or family often means that you stick to comfortable and crowded tourist traps. You have fewer interactions with the locals and the cultural experience is less authentic.

My experience: When I travel alone, I have friendly interactions with the local people almost every day. Although I may not speak their language, they’ll often invite me to visit their homes, meet their families and dine with them. This has happened all over the world, in places like Vietnam, Morocco and Spain.

Safety and support

Winner: Group travel

Travelling alone involves taking risks. You should take extra precautions and follow these solo travel safety tips . For more information on the dangers of solo travel, see my article: Is it safe to travel alone ?

Joining a tour group is safer than travelling alone. If you choose an accredited tour company, you will travel under the protection of a professional guide. The guide is responsible for your safety and should only let you partake in safe activities.

Travelling with someone (friends or family) is also safer than travelling alone. You have people around you to help, comfort and support you if something goes wrong. However, no form of travel is perfectly safe. Even group travel comes with dangers.

My experience: After years of travelling alone, I feel confident in taking responsibility for my own safety. Solo travel means I do not have to worry about the safety of others. But if I am visiting a particularly dangerous destination, I will still travel with a tour group.

Friendships and romance

Travelling alone forces you to interact with strangers. You will befriend many like-minded travellers who are looking to meet people as well. You quickly become socially confident and a master at making new friends. And along the way, you may even encounter a few romantic partners (and enjoy more sex than the average person ).

Travelling with a tour group means you only have to befriend the people on your tour. You don’t need to befriend new people each day.

Travelling with someone familiar means that you don’t have to leave your social bubble. Most of the time, you’ll only interact with your family or friends and won’t bother to meet new people.

My experience: I was nervous about having to make new friends during my first solo trip. But I didn’t need to be – it was dead easy because everyone shares travel as a common interest. To break the ice, simply ask about people’s travel plans. I share 12 more tips in my guide to solo travel for introverts .

Blossom into a social butterfly with my 9-Step Guide to Making 100s of Friends While Travelling Alone !

Solo travel allows you to determine your own budget. You can plan your whole trip around how much you want to spend. And you can extend your trip by reducing your daily travel costs.

An organised tour will have a fixed cost and you will pay for the trip upfront. This is good if you have a budget in mind. However, be aware of added costs (e.g. optional day trips and private room surcharges).

Travelling with friends means you will have to compromise on your budget. You have to make a group decision on how much you spend. This may mean that you end up spending more or less than you wanted to.

My experience: When I travel alone, I like to travel as cheaply as possible and avoid the hidden costs of solo travel . I stay in comfortable but affordable hostels, take the train or coach because it is cost-effective and avoid fancy restaurants. This means I can travel longer for less.

Attractions and sightseeing

When you travel alone, you can choose which attractions you visit, when you visit and for how long you visit. You also have the option of visiting by yourself, joining a day tour or getting together some of your travel buddies from the hostel.

Travelling with a tour group means that you will only visit the attractions laid out on the itinerary. You will not have much say over how long you get to spend at each attraction. However, some tours may provide you with free time during which you can explore as you like.

Travelling with someone (friends or family) means that you have to compromise with others regarding which attractions you visit and when. You’ll likely end up paying for attractions that you don’t necessarily want to visit.

My experience: When I travel alone, I will often go sightseeing with some new buddies I have just met in the hostel. This gives us something to bond over and we often return with a few funny stories. Other times, if no one else is interested in tagging along, I’ll visit the attraction myself and do it at my own pace.

Planning and organising

Solo travel means that you will have to plan the trip by yourself. This is beneficial because you can tailor your trip to your interests and budget. However, it can take a few days of work.

An organised tour makes trip planning easy. All you have to do is pick a destination, choose a reputable tour, pack your bags and buy your flights. 

Travelling with friends means that you share the burden of planning (although, one person is often left to do it all by themselves). You will have to compromise when making decisions on accommodation, attractions, transport, etc. This can make it difficult if everyone has different interests and budgets.

My experience: I find it easier and more enjoyable to plan my own trips. Solo travel saves me from having to send countless messages and bank transfers to my friends or family. However, I will join a group tour if travelling to a dangerous or difficult destination.

Solo travel isn’t always exciting. But is solo travel boring ?

Travelling alone means you have flexibility when choosing your accommodation. You can either enjoy the privacy of a single room or give up your privacy in favour of a more affordable shared room (e.g. a hostel dorm).

Travelling with a tour group means that you will have almost no choice concerning accommodation. You will likely have to share a room with another group member. However, provide the option of paying a surcharge for a single private room.

Travelling with someone often means that you will share a room with your family or friends. You have little privacy. You’ll almost always be with someone during your trip.

My experience: When I travel alone, I split my time between dorms and private rooms in hostels. I will stay in a dorm if I’m wanting to save money or meet new people. I will stay in a private room if I’ve already spent a few days in a dorm and need some time alone.

Worried that solo travel is lonely? See my 30 tips on how to travel alone and not be lonely !

Winner: Tie

Solo travel is an adventure. You return home with exciting tales and stories that your family and friends weren’t there to experience. They are special to you and you alone.

Travelling in a tour group means that you will share your memories with a new group of friends. Although you will all go your separate ways after the tour, you will likely stay in touch and may even travel together again.

Travelling with friends or family allows you to create lifelong memories. You will be telling these stories around the dinner table for years to come.

My experience: I have fond memories of travelling alone, travelling in tour groups and travelling with my family and friends. Each is special in its own way.

Related Post

Summary: Is it Better to Travel Alone or With Someone?

Solo travel is better if you are adventurous and willing to challenge yourself. You can set your own itinerary and budget, make new friends and enjoy authentic cultural experiences.

Group tours are great if you want to travel alone but are still hesitant. You can choose a set itinerary that interests you, make new friends and enjoy the safety of a professional guide and other group members.

Travelling with someone else (family or friends) is better if you are concerned about the risks and challenges that come with travelling alone. You will have someone else with you to look out for your safety, emotional needs and health.

Still not sure what to do? Consider all the advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone .

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Solo travel

Solo travel vs group tours – how to choose.

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

So you’ve taken the first step – you’ve decided to travel. Congrats! If no one is available to go with you, you’re probably wondering about the pros and cons of solo travel vs group tours.

What do I mean by these terms? Group travel: This usually refers to travelling in an organised tour with a guide, other travellers and a set itinerary and schedule that you’ll have seen before booking. Solo travel : While travelling independently, you’ll likely travel between destinations alone. What you do there is up to you. You’ll make up your own schedule in advance or as you go along.

For a deep dive into solo travel, check out: – 10 benefits of solo travel – The honest pros and cons of solo travel – The downsides of travelling solo and how to deal – How to take solo travel photos

So, let’s answer the question, is it better to travel solo or in a group?

Read next: the best places to travel solo for women

Group travel vs solo travel – my story

My first big trip aged 19 was with a gap year company and, at that age, it was perfect for me. I wouldn’t have had the experience, the understanding nor the confidence to go it alone. The cons of solo travel would have outweighed the pros for me at this stage.

While I now prefer travelling by myself and have plenty of solo female travel tips to share, I recognise the advantages of group tours. Some people travel on them exclusively.  Let’s run through the pros and cons of group tours vs solo travel to help you make an educated decision…

Group tour WIN – instant friends

An undeniable benefit of group tours compared to solo travel is you automatically have a bunch of like-minded friends. While there are plenty of ways to meet people travelling solo , you have to work that bit harder and often the people you meet are headed off in different directions by the time you’ve bonded. There’s always that odd occasion you stay in an empty dorm or just don’t click with anyone. I enjoy time to myself but it’s not for everyone.

Some of the best friends I’ve made travelling were through group tours. I’ve taken three: a 10-day trek of the Great Wall of China in 2012, an eight-day tour of Cambodia in 2015, and a 40-day tour of East and South Africa with G Adventures in 2017. I made lasting friends each time and can’t compare the relationships to friendly but fleeting hostel companionships. Don’t get me wrong, you could meet your soulmate or future best friend in a hostel but the opportunities are increased in a tour. You get past the pleasantries and have so many shared experiences that it would be impossible not to bond.

Solo travel WIN – cost

I won’t beat around the bush here: independent travel is almost always much cheaper! There are group tours you’ll need to sell a kidney to join. I’d never have made it on my Africa trip if I hadn’t been able to save up whilst living with family.

The tour I took in Cambodia with Busabout cost £500 for eight days and only included accommodation and bus travel. When travelling independently in the same region, eight day’s accommodation and bus journeys never set me back more than £100 (granted the tour included hotels rather than hostels but this wasn’t something I necessarily needed). And that Cambodia tour was a budget one; higher-end trips will be vastly more expensive! For those travelling on a budget , solo travel beats group tours and lets you travel for longer.

Group tour WIN – security

Travelling independently is better value in terms of cold hard cash, but the advantage of group tours provide a different kind of value: security and comfort. For locations where safety is an issue, a tour can be a valuable investment. Making it through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia by bus might have been a challenging experience alone (especially for a solo female traveller ) but thanks to my tour leader and organisation of the company, I’ve never felt safer or more relaxed.

I’m not a nervous traveller and most destinations don’t phase me. But if you’ve never travelled independently or at all, the unknown is understandably daunting. Organised group travel beat solo travel for new, hesitant travellers. You travel with a guide on private transport and follow their advice on what to eat and where to wander. Not only does it feel more secure, but it can put your mind (and the minds’ of your loved ones) at rest.

Read next: is it safe to travel solo as a woman?

Solo travel WIN – control

I like to spend days wandering a city while travelling alone. I love getting to know the people and culture. I could spend hours reading, writing, drinking coffee and watching the world go by. For independence and control, you can’t beat solo travel! On a tour, you’ll arrive and leave a city or region at the mercy of your schedule, regardless of how much you like or dislike that place. Time is restricted and sometimes you don’t catch all a city’s highlights let alone its hidden gems. I’ve definitely wished I could stay longer in a place but not had any control over the group itinerary. 

Group tour WIN – ease and convenience

Travelling solo means making decisions, navigating yourself and booking accommodation and transport. While I like being in control of my plans, sometimes it gets tiring especially when it’s hot, you can’t speak the language and you’re carrying all your possessions. Organised tours are better than solo travel for taking away that stress. It’s fun to know you’ll be doing something exciting the next day and you don’t have to sort it out. When things go wrong on a tour, someone’s got you. We arrived at a flooded campsite in Botswana and G Adventures paid to upgrade us to $100 rooms. I’d have had to splash out from my own pocket if I’d been travelling solo which wouldn’t have been ideal.

Solo travel WIN – being able to ditch people

Solo travel means never getting stuck with people you don’t like. You can bond with people in hostels but if the mood changes, you can move on and spend time alone or meet new people instead. While they can introduce you to kindred spirits, a disadvantage of groups tours vs solo travel is they can lumber you with annoying sorts. This can apply to your tour guide too; the quality of your leader can make or break a trip.  Many people take tours as they worry they won’t make friends travelling alone otherwise which, for me, is a solo travel myth . Keep in mind that it’s really easy to meet people travelling independently and easier to shake annoying people compared to a tour!

Group tour WIN – pay off for your trip in advance

Paying your trip off before you travel is good if you like to keep track of your finances. Setting off for Africa on my tour, I knew I didn’t need to worry about accommodation, food or travel for the entire 40-day trip. If you’ve never budgeted for travelling before, a tour is a good way to ease you in.

Solo travel WIN – no hidden costs

When travelling solo, you can budget your own way. There’s no pressure to pay for things unless you want to. However, group tours are expensive to start with, and you might also experience hidden costs or feel pressured to pay for extras. On the first day of my tour in Cambodia, we were presented with a list of add-ons that almost everyone signed up for. Many of the things were boat cruises or cocktail classes which weren’t essentials yet I’d have been sat around by myself otherwise whilst the rest of the group bonded, so I felt the pressure to join in and cough up. Our tour then journeyed to Siem Reap but didn’t include the Angkor Wat temples, the main sight in Cambodia, meaning we still had lots of pay for.

Then, there are tips. The recommended amount per person for our two tour guides over the 40-day Africa trip was $300. As you can imagine, this really ate into my budget. While it’s great to support locals, ask yourself if you need to be travelling with a guided tour.

Solo travel vs group tour – cultural immersion

This is something I’ve thought about a lot. Occasionally during group tours I’ve felt rushed on a tight itinerary and not had the chance to meet locals and explore a city by myself: things I think help you get to know a place. Am I qualified to say I really know the Cambodian people, their ethics and customs, after a flying eight days in country, with barely a night per place? I’d say probably not. On the flip side, as a backpacker you’re often restricted to tourist activities and places that can be reached by public transport. Taking a group tour that employs local staff and has links with local businesses and sustainable enterprises can give you a better insight into the destination while also supporting local livelihoods. For example, during my gap year in Ecuador, we were based in a remote rainforest village. Never in a million years would I have found myself there as a backpacker since there was no public transport, tourist infrastructure or English spoken. Similarly, on my G Adventures tour of Africa, we were taken to a small village in Malawi where we cooked dinner with the locals. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without G Adventure’s local links and connections.

Best group tour companies

If this comparison of group travel and solo travel has made you want to take a tour, check out: G Adventures: After my adventure of a lifetime across East and Southern Africa, of course I would recommend G! Their tours are adventurous and culturally immersive. There’s no age limit but the YOLO camping-style tours are for 18-39-year-olds (the average age on mine was late 20s-early 30s). They focus on responsible travel and supporting local communities. No solo surcharge. Browse G Adventure tours here . Contiki: These tours for 18-35-year-olds are social, fun and party-focused. The average age is 19-23 . They’re great for island-hopping in Croatia, Thailand etc. Contiki reviews suggest 50% of guests are solo travellers. No solo surcharge. Intrepid travel : These are similar to G Adventures – adventurous, off-the-beaten-track tours. Group sizes tend to be smaller than G Adventures and I’ve heard the quality of the guides can be better as they don’t subcontract to other companies. Better yet, they carbon offset all their tours. They have 18-29 tours as well as ‘all ages’ tours (Note this means if you’re 30-39 like me, you can’t join the ‘young’ tours like you can with G). There are some solo surcharges; check the individual tour. Check out this comparison of G Adventures and Intrepid Travel .

How to get the best out of a group tour?

If you’ve decided to take a group tour rather than travel solo, here’s how to get the best out of it! It sounds obvious, but read, read, read. Check out reviews online. Talk to tour consultants. Find out exactly what you’re signing up for before booking. On my camping tour of Africa, there were members of the group who didn’t realise we’d be camping and showed up with giant suitcases and no sleeping bag. How they didn’t realise I just don’t understand!

Questions to ask before taking a tour:

• Will you be in a hotel, hostel or a tent? 
• Are you going to be cooking your own meals and mucking in with the washing up or being served dinner in a restaurant each night? 
• Will it be local or Western food? I love trying the local cuisine so would be disappointed with a tour that served things I could eat at home.
• Will you be spending time mainly in cities or rural locations?
• How much time will you spend in each destination?

How to get the best out of solo travel

Be open-minded and embrace the trials and tribulations. Get ready to adapt, be flexible and understand you may change a little as a person! Tips for solo travel :

• For a social trip, stay in hostels with shared dorms and social areas
• Be friendly and approachable. Don’t sit in a hostel common room with a book or glued to your phone!
• Take walking tours, cooking classes etc to meet people
• Send a copy of your travel itinerary to loved ones back home for security
• Identify your ‘happy spaces’ and activities to cheer you up if you’re feeling low
• Set aside enough time to do admin activities like booking flights and accommodation 
• Download apps for security like Uber, social apps like Meetup, and navigation apps like Wave and Maps.me

Solo travel vs group travel – compromises

In two minds? If you can’t decide between group travel and solo travel, why not consider…

Hop-on-hop-offs

If a fast schedule seems like a disadvantage of group tours, these can be a good option. South Africa’s Baz Bus and New Zealand’s Kiwi Experience both allow you to make up your schedule as you go along. They pick up and drop off at recommended hostels so you’ve got a high level of security but the freedom to do what you like and spend as long as you want (depending on what kind of ticket you’ve purchased). You’ll likely make friends on the buses but won’t necessarily see the same people all along the route if they spend more or less time in the stops than you. Hop-on-hop-offs are more expensive than local transport but way cheaper than full tours.

Short introductory tours

Another compromise if you can’t decide between group travel or solo travel is taking a short introductory tour in a country or continent to ease you in. Alternatively, start alone and have one booked as a break: my eight-day Cambodia was a nice respite from a backpacking trip and allowed me to let someone else do the planning for a bit.

Find a travel buddy

If none of your existing friends or family travel are available, consider finding a travel buddy. There are plenty of websites and apps to do this. Check out my guide to picking the right travel buddy so you don’t end up with a nightmare traveller!

I’ve always found this a good way to make friends, learn about the country and ease into the culture. I did this in the Philippines, setting up social media channels for a hostel in exchange for board and food. It provided security and social opportunities without the fast pace and costs of a tour. I would recommend:

• Workaway – browse more than 50,000 cultural exchange opportunities. Registration costs $49 a year but you can get 3 months free with my sign up link .
• Worldpackers – with over 3.2 million hosts and travellers (62% travelling solo) signed up, this is another fantastic platform for volunteer opportunities. It costs $49 a year or $39 with my discount link .

Read next: is Workaway better than Worldpackers or vice versa?

Solo travel vs group tours – the verdict

Let’s run through what we learnt to wrap up! Group tours PRO: No hassle or self-organisation CON: No control / can feel rushed PRO: Instant friends CON: Getting stuck with people PRO: Security CON: Higher cost Solo travel PRO: Full control of plans CON: Can be lonely / harder to meet people PRO: Cheaper  CON: Less security if something goes wrong PRO: Don’t get stuck with people

I’m definitely poorer for having taken some of the tours I have, but the memories, experiences and friendships have been worth the money. The convenience and security of group tours helped build my confidence until I became a confident traveller. Nowadays, I prefer solo travel for the freedom and control it brings. My general rule nowadays is that I’ll take a tour somewhere I feel I couldn’t visit alone, but not in safer places to travel solo (like Southeast Asia , Europe or Australia). Bottom line: travel’s always a good idea. You’ve just got to work out what’s important to you and where you compromise in doing it. You’ll have the time of your life whether you take a group tour or travel solo!

Thanks for reading my solo travel vs group travel comparison!

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• How to take solo travel photos
• Why coming home is the hardest part of any trip
• The best solo female travel destinations
• Why to travel solo
• How to pick a travel buddy
• 8 solo travel challenges and how to overcome them
• Is technology ruining travel?

Guides to solo female travel in Asia :

• What to know about solo travel in Vietnam
• Solo travelling in Bali as a woman
• How to travel alone in Malaysia
• Thailand solo travel guide
• How to stay safe as a solo traveller in India

Guides to solo travel in Europe :

• How to make the most of a solo trip to Lisbon
• A girl’s guide to solo Croatia travel
• Solo female travel in Albania
• Guide to solo Romania travel

Guides to solo travel in the Americas:

• A solo female travellers guide to NY
• How to take a solo Guatemala trip
• Solo travel in Belize
• Cuba solo travel guide
• Mexico solo travel guide

See you next time for more adventures,

For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

Ps. Liked this comparison of solo travel vs group tours? Pin this for later!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

3 thoughts on “ Solo Travel Vs Group Tours – How To Choose! ”

It’s awesome that your article talked about traveling in a group and on your own and its main differences. My girlfriend and I want to travel for next year’s vacation, so we think your guide will help us choose the best option for us. We appreciate your insight on how traveling in a group comes with high-security levels when it comes to visiting unknown locations.

Hey Eli, thanks for commenting and glad the article helped. Enjoy your trip!

We loved that you described group and solo travel and how they come with different costs and safety benefits. My fiance and I are excited to plan our honeymoon, and we decided we want to travel next year, so we’ll read your article right away. We’re grateful for your insight on how traveling in groups comes with higher security levels.

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How to Plan Traveling Alone vs Booking a Group Tour: Pros and Cons

Posted on Last updated: June 9, 2022

Before heading abroad, many young people these days are trying to weigh their options of doing an organized group tour as a solo traveler, or figuring out how to plan traveling alone. In this post, I will weight the pros and cons of tours and solo travel to help you decide!

There’s a lot to take into account- the amount of effort you are or aren’t willing to put into planning your solo travels out, how much money you want to spend, how much partying you want to do, how long you want to spend in each place, how early you want to wake up each morning, and how tied you want to be to a strict schedule.

I have traveled alone on tours and alone by myself in different continents and can confirm they both have their benefits and costs, but which one is right for you? This lengthy list of pro’s and con’s of each travel method should help you decide!

What to Consider When Travelling Alone on Group Tours

For the sake of this article, I am referring to group tours as organized group travel (usually by bus) where there is a specified length, itinerary, and core group of people throughout. It is common for solo travelers to book group tours all over the world!

All the qualities I’m going to list aren’t constant across all tours but are definitely things you’re going to want to think about before you go. Some destinations are better for tours, such Croatia sailing . Read about the Best Group Tours and Companies on the Planet .

Top Recommended Group Tour Companies for Solo Travelers

For younger solo travelers (under 40ish) looking for tour groups, check out Topdeck , Stoke Travel , Contiki , Life Before Work , Koda Sail , EF Ultimate Break , Busabout , Wind Collective , Intrepid Travel Youth Tours , and more.

This list includes some larger companies and some smaller and more boutique ones. Choose what’s best for you or message me on Instagram if you have any questions or need advice!

Booking Group Tours for Solo Travelers

For starters, booking group trips for solo travelers is TOTALLY normal! If this is what you are worried about, don’t be. I have both been a tour guide and a solo traveler passenger on group tours and can confirm that there are usually plenty of solo travelers and that they are often integral parts of the larger group very quickly.

Many group tours have bonding activities to help everyone get to know each other, and by the end, you will feel like one happy family. Most tour groups welcome solo travelers and many guides will put extra effort into making sure you feel included. Of course, this depends on how social you are and the group you get, but generally, it works out well.

On Tours, You Spend Less Time in Each Place

It’s not surprising that tours spend very little time in each destination (1 or 2 days, and 3 at most), which makes it tough slash impossible to really cover everything . Add in a hangover from hell some mornings and there’s no way you’ll get through all the obligatory cultural activities that you really should see in each place.

I always like to think of tours as an introduction to a certain country, area, or continent, where you’ll get to see a large number of places very quickly. This will orient you to the area and enable you to decide which places you liked, didn’t like, and want to go back to someday. This is a good way to look at it if you’re traveling for the first time and don’t know where to start.

On a Group Tour, You Put Minimal to Zero Effort in Planning and Transportation

People pay more for tours because, well… they don’t have to do jack squat. Forget the googling, train ticket buying, airline perusing, and missed busses (well you can still miss the bus on a tour :P) that come with traveling on your own – tours have it all sorted for you from start to finish, even many meals!

Get on the bus when your tour guide says so, meet in the common room when they say so, sign up for optionals when they pass the sheet around, grab a room key and a bed in the hostel they take you to.

Depending on the tour company, you can usually trust that you will be staying in adequate accommodation and that you will have optimal optionals to do. Hell, you can read the trip notes to see all the plans and possible inclusions beforehand, but in my experience no one really does that anyway… it’s all about the trust in the tour company!

On a Group Tour, You’re Stuck with the Same Group The Entire Time (of 10-50 people)

Your tour group can be completely awesome or can ruin your experience, and it’s just a risk you’ll have to take. If you get an awesome group that clicks, it could be the best time of your life with new best friends.

If you get a cliquey group that does’t get along, it might be hard to get everyone to have fun together. Most groups end up somewhere right in the middle, with a few party starters/group clowns that get everyone else going, and a few quiet ones that may be brought out of their shell.

In smaller trips (like the ones I lead) of 7 days, group isn’t as much of an issue. But getting into longer trips of 30-50 days, the group can make or break the tour. And again, you can’t really control this, it’s just the luck of the draw. The reality of tours is that each and every person in the group comes expecting something a bit different, and you can never satisfy everyone – all you can do as a passenger is try and prepare yourself for what it will be like.

You Might End Up Partying Too Much on Group Tours as a Solo Traveler

This is just a sad (or awesome) reality in the world of tours, depending on what you’re looking for… especially in Europe (but true everywhere really). Tours do have a small stigma of being party-centered, and there will always be a few people on your tour who are just there for the party. Nearly all companies will include both nightlife and culture/history into their tours, and it’s up to you as the passenger to balance the two.

It’s a true test of willpower when the entire group has decided to go out, say, before a 9am walking tour or a 6am bus time. You’ll have to learn to rally with a hangover, resist the urge to go out (and loads of peer pressure) at least sometimes, or if you want both, how to put your body through the true test of long-term bending 😛

You Aren’t Really Solo on a Group Trip

Maybe you are traveling alone, but as soon as you join a tour you are alone no longer! Everyone may have been separate when they got on the bus, but now you’re one big group.

Sure, it’s a bit harder meeting everyone if you’re solo, but soon everyone will know each other well enough and forget who actually came with who. On tours, the ‘solo’ part of your solo travel doesn’t last too long.

History is Included + Tour Guide

With group tours, you often don’t have to seek out walking tours, museums, or history because your tour guide will know basically everything. Tour guides will be your sensei of all things, and it’s a great asset to have someone to help out all the time.

Tour guides often organize walking tours or visits to historical monuments/museums, and give the history spiel of a place on the bus before arriving. Just make sure you’re awake! I feel that people on tours often tend to zone out during the historical and cultural bits, which is a big shame because you are missing out on a big part of your travels by doing so.

Get Your Entire Itinerary, Packing List, Optionals & Inclusions Beforehand

Group tours will give you ALL the info before you go: what you’re doing, where you’re going and how, and what to bring. The tour company does all the research on cool things to do, places to eat, and things to bring for you, so you don’t have to do much preparation or planning at all. This can be a good or bad thing!

…. But Sometimes You Forget How to Think

The fact that everythin g is done for you just furthers the whole ‘minimal effort’ thing to a point where sometimes passengers can hardly function as human beings on their own on tour without their tour guide (sorry, that must be the tour guide in me coming out… but it’s all too true! :P).

It’s kindof like at certain points passengers forget how to think for themselves after relying too fully on their guide to tell them everything. When, in fact, they could have looked up their trip notes, listened to the tour guide the first time when they mentioned all the timings, or maybe done a tiny smidge of research on their destinations or activities just so they were a bit more prepared.

If you were traveling alone, you might know a bit more about your plans, wouldn’t you?! But then again, that’s why some people pay for tours. I have literally had people ask me what time it is when they had their phone in their hand… among many other stupid things.

How to Plan Traveling Alone + Pros and Cons of Solo Travel

Because I’m writing this for a younger age group of more budget travelers, I am assuming you will be mostly staying in hostels, budget hotels, and cheaper rentals throughout your travels. Hostels are one of the best places to get travel information, from the people who work there or fellow travelers alike!

B&B’s and apartments make it a bit more difficult to get access to travel advice and info (although the privacy is seriously appreciated sometimes, I know), but it’s nothing a trip to the nearest travel agency can’t help.

You Do ALL the Planning When Traveling Solo

This is a part some people love, but some people hate. If you travel on your own, you have to seek out and book each and every hostel/hotel, activity, train, bus, and flight all by yourself.

It may sound daunting, but there are an incredible amount of resources that help you do all these things. For some reason, planning my travel is one of my favorite things to do. It’s so exciting and I often feel better when in control of my own destinations.

Resources for Planning Solo Travel

Hostelworld is the only site I use to book my hostels – it has everything you could possibly need. Photos, descriptions, ratings, reviews from real travelers with bio’s, maps, and more, for not only hostels but hotels, b&b’s, apartments, and hotels. I always think it’s better to pay a bit more to stay in city centers so you’re closer to all the action.

Skyscanner is also the only site I use to book my flights – it expertly compares fares from over 30 sites to find you the cheapest one. See the blue bar up a bit on the right? Try it for yourself and see how they compare fares!

GOOGLE – Seriously guys, google everything. Gotta get from Barcelona to Rome? Google “Barcelona to Rome” and check your train, ferry, plane or bus options come up on different websites. Want to know where to eat in Lima? Google that, and see what comes up!

One piece of advice I can give regarding googling is to be a bit selective on which links you read – often advertisements, TripAdvisor, and tourism boards come up first, which could be useful, but sometimes I like digging a bit deeper off the first page to find personal blog posts from locals and travelers.

Busses – Busses are the cheapest way to get around most places, and the systems are different everywhere. Try Megabus, Flixbus, National Express, or Eurolines in Europe, and Greyhound in the USA.

Australia has different bus lines in each state (google 😉 ), and in Southeast Asia you book everything through local travel agencies who always take care of you. Stay tuned for my travels through the remaining continents!

Trains – Trains are also usually a good bet, especially in Europe. There are lots of resources to learn about Eurail and possible rail passes to save money.

So this of course takes a good amount of effort and requires you to be on top of your plans and educated about how to get from A to B. But, this is exactly the travel experience a lot of people value, and it makes you feel much more accomplished than blindly allowing a tour bus to take you wherever it goes that day!

Hostels will always help you out with the best options in that city, and are the best resource for info you could ask for. To read my best tips & hacks for backpacking in Europe, click here! 

Stay However Long You Want When Traveling Solo

Depending on how much you want to see during the time you have allotted for your travels, planning your own routes allows you to stay as long as you would like in each place. Some people plan out the entirety of their travels before they go, which is awesome, and some (like me) prefer to plan it as they go.

Arrive in one place with two nights booked, see what you think, and extend if you are feeling it and book your next place if not. Ask your hostel the best places to go from there, or the best ways to get where you want to go, or, again, google it 🙂 Hostels can usually book transportation for you as well.

Option to Meet + Travel With New Friends

Oftentimes while solo traveling, you meet a group of people you really get along with. Another awesome thing about traveling in a more freestyle way is that you can choose to join a group of friends on a whim if you would like to.

Even if they’re going the opposite direction or to places you didn’t initially see yourself going, sometimes things like this can fall together beautifully if you meet the right crew. This is something that is of course not possible on an organized tour – you’d have to hope for a good group!!

You May Run the Risk of Things Selling Out/Getting Stuck

If you are booking travel as you go, you always run the risk of the popular hostels, busses, trains, etc selling out before you book them. This happens a lot during peak seasons, holidays, or major events/festivals. If the transportation you want is sold out, you might get stuck somewhere unintentionally.

To avoid this, make sure to book any events or holidays (Running of the Bulls, Chiang Mai Lantern Fest, Australia Day, La Tomatina, Oktoberfest, you get the point) far enough in advance that you can be sure you’ll get a spot in your accommodation/transportation.

Solo Travel Entices You to Come out of Your Shell

Traveling truly alone is a fantastic learning experience and encourages you to find things within yourself that you may not have known you had. Everything is up to you, including interactions.

Want to go out at night or socialize a bit? Well, you’d better not be afraid to walk right up to a group in the common room and introduce yourself! Especially if you want to be social while traveling alone, you must come out of your shell a bit, and do this each time you arrive in a new place. It’s a great way to force yourself to step out of your comfort zone.

Traveling Alone Requires Extra Effort to Get Culture & History

This one is debatable, but it is definitely true that it’s harder to learn about the history & culture of a destination when you are traveling on your own vs. on a group tour, because, well, tours give you all the info you need as you are going.

Picture yourself on a tour bus, looking out the window while arriving into your next town, with your tour guide on the mic at the front going on and on about the battle that occurred here in 1587. Have you zoned out yet? Just make sure you are aware when this is happening or it defeats the purpose!

If you are traveling on your own, you may need to put a bit more effort in to ask about walking tours or sign yourself up for cultural activities while you are there. It’s pretty obligatory to go to religious sites, famous museums, etc in each new town.

There’s Always the Option to do Day Tours

If you are planning your own travel, you can always sign up for day tours in the destinations you visit. This is true nearly everywhere – do a day tour to Tuscany while in Florence, a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef while in Cairns, a day tour to Stonehenge while in London, a day (or a few) to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.

This is a great way to get a little bit of organization into your life and be able to let others take care of your travel for you, for once! In fact, it is much better to do an organized day tour for certain activities/destinations than to try and navigate them yourself, because day tours often include multiple points of interest all in one.

Just because you’re planning your own doesn’t mean you can’t hand the reigns to someone else once in a while!

Well, aspiring travelers, I hope this has given you some more insight about how to plan traveling alone or whether you;r prefer to join a group tour… or a nice little mixture of both! Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions or concerns… and of course, Pin this post if you liked it!

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A Guide to Group Tours for Solo Travellers

Group tours can be a fantastic way to travel. Most of the trip is organised for you and there is little you have to worry about. Group travel is especially good for first time solo travellers or those who are a little bit nervous. In this post, I’ve shared all you need to know about group tours including the pros and cons of a group trip.

I love group travel. My shortest group trip so far has been four days, and my longest two months. Some of my favourite travel experiences are thanks to travelling with a group. I’ve met people I consider my closest friends and I still speak to them on a daily basis.

Having said that, group travel does have its disadvantages. Now I’m a more experienced traveller, I’m finding I do less and less group tours. In fact, I now only really do them when visiting countries that would be difficult to do as a solo traveller (such as my two months in Africa).

Group tours are a great way to travel for many reasons (more on that below), but they’re not always right for everyone’s situation. When planning your trip, it can be hard to know whether to do it solo or travel as a group.

Having done over ten group tours as well travelling solo to over thirty countries, I feel I’m in a good position to write about the pros and cons of group travel, and help you decide on what’s best for your situation. I was also a tour leader in New Zealand, leading 17-day trips around the country.

I hope you find this guide on group tours useful.

Table of Contents

What are group tours?

A group tour is when you sign-up for a multi-day trip in a country. Once you’ve signed up, the company handles most things. This includes accommodation, transport, the itinerary and sometimes even activities, meals and airport transfers. All you have to do is turn up and have a good time. Any extra activities done in your free time will be at an extra cost.

The size of group tours can vary from country to country, but most group trips tend to be between 12-18 people. You don’t need to be a solo traveller to join a tour, but most of those who join group tours are solo travellers.

It’s possible to build group tours around larger trips. For example, you may be spending a month in Australia. You could do the East Coast by yourself, then join a group tour to explore other areas.

Group tours are particularly good for exploring off the beaten path places with little infrastructure. Places I’d love to visit where I am considering a group tour include Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan.

Solo travellers on group tours

Most group tour companies will say that at least 60% of their customers are solo travellers (if not higher). In my experience, this is certainly true. Most of the group tours I’ve done (and been in charge of) have consisted of solo travellers. For example, on my group trip in Costa Rica every single customer was a solo traveller.

Of course, this isn’t always the case and can’t be guaranteed. If you’re unsure, most companies are willing to tell you about the demographics of those booked on to the tour to help you decide.

The pros of group tours

There are so many pros to group travel. Of course, solo travel is amazing as well. It’s an entirely individual choice. Sometimes it’s nice to do a bit of both, sometimes it’s nice to do one or the other.

Here are the advantages of group travel.

You meet like-minded people

One of the best things about travel is the people you meet. Turns out, group tours are an amazing way to easily meet like-minded travellers.

Most people have joined a group tour because they love travel and want to see more of the world. No matter what background you’re from or what you do for a living, everyone is there because they love to travel. It’s a wonderful experience. I’ve met some of my closest friends through group travel.

Meeting like-minded people is one reason why group travel is so good for solo travellers.

Everything is organised for you

In most cases, everything will be organised for you. This means you don’t have to worry about accommodation, transport or your itinerary. This can vary between operators, so it’s important to check what you need to plan yourself.

Even on the trip, guides will normally organise group meals or at least share some recommendations for food. Perhaps you’re just too busy to plan every single detail or maybe you just don’t want to, either way – there is minimal planning involved.

You don’t have to travel alone

Travelling to a unfamiliar country and exploring by yourself isn’t for everyone. But, sometimes we have no one to go with. This is why group tours are so fantastic for solo travellers.

Visitors get to explore a country they’ve always dreamed of visiting without the fear of being alone. While I’m all for solo travel, it isn’t for everyone and it’s fair enough if people want to join a group tour.

Experience local life

Most tour companies want you to meet locals and experience local living. This means you’ll have a local guide, stay in homestays or locally owned accommodation, get off the beaten track and try some delicious local food.

Of course, all of this is possible without being on a group tour, but when travelling alone it’s easy to stick to the backpacking route which is often less focussed on local living. In Africa, our G Adventures trip took us so far off the beaten path. We camped at a local village in Malawi and visited a local project aimed at helping women get into the workforce.

Companies such as Intrepid and G Adventures have a strong focus on sustainable travel and staying local is one of the best ways to do this.

Get off the beaten path

This is normally my main reason for choosing a group tour. I’m more than happy to travel solo, but I know I’ll more than likely stick to the major tourist route.

Group tours take you off the beaten track without you even having to think about things like how the hell you’re going to get there and where you’re going to stay.

You see so much

One of the best part about group travel is seeing a lot of the country in a short amount of time. It’s amazing how much you see on these tours. For example, on just a 14-day tour in New Zealand it’s possible to see many of the highlights, including Milford Sound , Hobbiton, Rotorua, Queenstown, Tekapo and Mount Cook .

The tour operators constantly run these tours and know what they’re doing. Group travel is a great way to fit a lot in when you have a short amount of time.

You have a local guide

One of the most reassuring parts of group tours is knowing you have someone there for you all the time. In my experience, guides are willing to go above and beyond to make sure you have the best experience.

They have extensive knowledge of the local area, so if something goes wrong, they will sort it. Having worked as a guide in New Zealand for five months, I know the main priority of a guide’s job is to make sure everyone has the time of their life.

Travel is more accessible

I truly believe group tours make travel more accessible. Perhaps you want to go to a country that’s a little less well-trodden, maybe you want to do a hiking trip where you need a guide, or maybe you just simply don’t want to be alone.

Whatever your reason for travelling with a group, it makes travel a lot more accessible.

The cons of group tours

I love group tours and travelling with a group. However, I’d be lying if I said it was all positive. Travelling with a group does have some disadvantages and isn’t for everone.

Here are a few cons of group travel.

The itinerary is fixed

Group tours have a set itinerary and this can’t be changed. You won’t have any flexibility to stay in a destination longer and skip somewhere else. The itinerary is the itinerary, and that’s that.

In my experience, companies are excellent at giving you ample free time at some stops on the itinerary. For example, you may have a free day in a city to do what you want.

However, it’s so important to research an itinerary and make sure you’re happy with it. Otherwise, you might find the trip isn’t what you want it to be.

There’s a set schedule

Group tours have an itinerary and to a certain element, also a fixed schedule. If your tour guide says you’re leaving at 6am, you’re leaving at 6am. It’s tough luck if you don’t want to. When I was leading tours in New Zealand, so many people would complain about the early mornings. Unfortunately, this is part of group travel.

It’s worth pointing out that group tours can be very tiring. You’re visiting a lot of places in a short amount of time which is great, but it can take its toll.

Group tours can be expensive

Group tours can often be more expensive than planning the trip yourself. Not only are you paying for everything on the itinerary, but you’re also paying for the service of having everything organised and a tour guide.

In my opinion, group tours are worth the money if you are nervous about travelling alone, or when you simply don’t want to plan it yourself. There are some fantastic deals out there. I’d suggest booking your group tours during sales such as Black Friday for the best deals.

You might not like everyone in the group

While group travel is great for making friends, you don’t actually get to choose who else is in your group. It’s possible that you might not like someone else in your group and unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about it.

In my experience, it’s rare that you won’t get on with anyone on the trip. Group tours tend to bring like-minded travellers together. However, I’d certainly be lying if I said I’d always loved everyone I met on a group tour.

You have to compromise

Part of the beauty of solo travel is being able to do what you want to do. When you’re with a group, this isn’t always the case.

Sometimes, a guide may give the group options which you need to decide on as a group. It might be something as trivial as where to eat for dinner, or what time to meet for an excursion. Sometimes you’ll have to compromise and go with what the group wants to do.

When to choose group travel

Choosing to travel with a group is an entirely personal thing. For some people, group travel will never be a consideration. For others, group travel is a way they can confidently enjoy exploring a new place without having to worry about going solo or planning every element.

For solo travellers or first time travellers, group tours are a great way to meet people. They’re also fantastic for relieving some of the stress and nerves that can come with solo travel. Everything is organised for you and you know if something goes wrong, it’s not your problem to sort.

Here are some reasons why you might choose to travel with a group:

• You don’t want to travel solo. Solo travel isn’t for everyone and that’s fine. But, what if you really want to visit somewhere and have no one to go with? This is where group tours are a great option. You get to see these amazing places with like-minded people.
• There’s little planning involved. Tour companies do most, if not all, of the planning. This is very helpful, especially in some countries which take a lot of preparation. If you’re too busy to plan a trip or simply want someone else to do it for you, group tours are a great option.
• You can travel with like-minded people. My favourite thing about all my group trips has been the people I’ve met. I don’t think I can name a single tour I’ve done where there’s not at least one person I still speak to. It’s a great way to meet people and you’re all there for the same reason – you love travel and want to explore unknown places.

• It’s not doable alone. Sometimes we travel with groups because we have no choice. For example, there are certain hikes in national parks where you’re legally required to have a guide. I chose to do my Guatemala hiking trip with a group as there is no way I could have co-ordinated climbing five volcanoes all around the country by myself. It also wouldn’t have been safe.
• It’s (sometimes) cheaper . This isn’t always the case, but sometimes you can find good deals. There are some amazing deals for countries such as India and Sri Lanka. I honestly think they are worth the money.

I’m personally somewhere in the middle when it comes to group travel. Group tours have a time and place for me. If it’s somewhere that would be difficult to get around alone (such as Mongolia) or a hiking trip somewhere, I’d be more than happy to join a group tour. On the other hand, I love solo travel and having the flexibility to explore destinations at my own pace.

What to look for in a group tour

Choosing a tour can be a daunting task. Once you’ve chosen your desired location, start researching what tours are available in said country so you can decide which is best for you.

Here are some things I look for when choosing a group tour as a solo traveller:

• How many people will be on the tour? My worst nightmare would be getting shoved on a coach with 100 people and carted around. That’s not what travel is to me. The tour information should say how many people will be on the tour. For small group tours, this is normally 12-18 people.
• Does the tour visit everywhere I want to go? Always check that the tour includes any place you *really* want to visit. I’ve looked at tours that skip things I want to do, so there’s no point booking them.
• How long is the tour? Make sure the tour fits into your time frame and is for a length of time you’re comfortable with. The shortest tour I’ve done is 4 days, and the longest is 2 months (!). I’m quite relaxed when it comes to spending time with the same people, but I know there are some who need their space after a week, so make sure it’s something you can manage if you’re considering a longer tour.
• Is it good value for money? The cost of tours really varies. Sometimes I find an amazing deal and it’s a no-brainer, other times I’m left stunned at how expensive it is. If you’re really torn on whether to travel with a group, money could be the deciding factor. This of course depends on why you’re booking the group trip – if you’re booking it because you don’t want to travel solo or plan it yourself, higher costs might not be an issue.

• Do they support the local economy? This is a big one for me and one I’m still very much educating myself about. It’s very important for me that a company puts my money back into the local economy. If this is something important to you, I’d suggest watching ‘The Last Tourist’ which looks at sustainable tourism. It was produced by G Adventures. It’s an important watch for any traveller in my opinion.
• Is the tour within my ability and does it have suitable activities? It’s *SO* important to fully read the itinerary and know what you’re getting yourself into. It sounds obvious but I’ve been on hiking tours where members of the group didn’t want to hike, and spent the whole week complaining they had to (despite choosing to join a hiking tour). Be sure to read the itinerary and make sure it’s what you want to do.
• Is there free time? One thing that sometimes frustrates me about group travel is how busy it is. This is great as it means you are seeing loads in a short amount of time, but I think it’s also important to have some time to do other things, or just relax. When looking for a tour now, I like to make sure there are some optional activities or time where I can choose what I want to do.

Which group tour companies to choose

There are an endless list of tour companies out there to choose from. It’s important to do your research and make sure the tour suits your needs and your values.

Here are some of my favourite tour companies I would recommend:

• G Adventures : this is who I’ve travelled the most with and I’d highly recommend them. Not every trip I’ve done with them has been seamless, but they are always striving to give you the best local experience which is what travel is about for me. The guides (or CEOs as G call them) on all my trips have been incredible. The company always hire locally and support local projects and businesses which you will learn more about on your chosen tour. G Adventures is very good when it comes to solo travellers.

• Intrepid : Intrepid is very similar to G Adventures but I’d argue they perhaps target a slightly older demographic. They do offer a few tours for under 30s, but it’s not the biggest selection compared to G Adventures. What I love about Intrepid is their commitment to sustainable tourism. They’re constantly looking at ways to better support local communities as well as protecting the places they’re visiting. If sustainable travel is important to you, this is one to look at. They’re the leader at this within the travel industry.
• Intro Travel : Intro is fantastic for younger travellers. They run tours all over the world including Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. This is who I worked for in New Zealand.
• Much Better Adventures : this company focus on active adventures (although you can find a selection of tours). Generally, they offer unique active experiences around the world. If you want to explore your adventurous side, this is likely the tour company for you. I’ve travelled with them twice – in Guatemala and Slovakia – and thoroughly enjoyed both trips. I can definitely see myself travelling with them again in the future. They hire local guides/organisations to give you the best local experience.

There are a few others to choose from which target a slightly younger audience and have a different style, but they offer affordable tours and if it suits you, go for it.

• Contiki : they offer group tours all around the world. I’ve never travelled with them but word is it’s a bit of a party vibe, but if this suits you then why not?
• TruTravels : Tru offer tours around Europe, Asia and Latin America. They’re owned by G Adventures and target a younger crowd. These trips focus a little less on the local experience, but they still have some great tour selections.   

It’s always worth looking at other companies that may only exist in one or two countries. They generally can’t compete with the beasts I’ve mentioned above, so take some time to research the smaller companies too who might only operate in their own country.

Summary: are group tours good for solo travellers?

Group tours are a fantastic option for solo travellers. Group travel brings like-minded people together and allows them to explore parts of the world they may not see otherwise. Having said that, it’s not for everyone and it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before booking.

Here are some of myu sol

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Solo Tours, Travel & Vacations

• Travel styles
• Solo travel

Got the urge for adventure, but no one to do it with? Over 50% of travelers on our trips are traveling solo.

This is why traveling as part of our small group tours has its perks. We’ve got expert local leaders who can't wait to show you around, ready-made friends who are itching to explore (just like you), and optional single supplements if you want a room all to yourself. All you have to do is turn up with a smile and a passport: we’ll handle the rest.

Our most popular group trips for solo travelers

All our group trips are perfectly suited to those of you traveling solo, but here are a few favorites as rated by our previous solo travelers.

Beautiful Bali

9 days from 974.

Travel to Bali and experience this oasis off the coast of Indonesia. Bali's Ubud, Mt...

Best of Morocco

15 days from 1212.

Discover the best of Morocco on an action-packed trip exploring Marrakech, Fes, the...

Everest Base Camp Trek

15 days from 1396.

Embark on the trek of a lifetime to Everest Base Camp on this tour. Fly into Lukla and...

Explore Jordan

8 days from 1141.

Travel to Jordan and tour Amman, Madaba and the inspiring desert landscape of Wadi Rum....

Turkey Uncovered

14 days from 1513.

Discover the best of Turkey on a 14-day trip exploring Istanbul, Gallipoli, Fethiye,...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

Group trips for solo travelers by region

South Africa

The perks of solo travel on a group tour

A local leader

When you’re all by yourself, it’s easy to fall into the typical tourist traps. You wander within a few blocks of your hotel, see a few of the big sights and that’s about it. But solo travel on a group tour isn’t like that. Each of our trips has an expert local leader who knows every backstreet bar, cool tapas joint and hidden gallery. They’ll give you tips for your free time exploring, and introduce you to locals.

Ready-made friendships

Go solo, but not alone. That’s our motto. The average Intrepid Travel trip has about ten people on it – people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world. It’s like a hostel dorm room that travels with you (minus the smell and the weird naked guy). You’ve got ready-made friends for a karaoke session in Vietnam, a  canoeing adventure in New Zealand  or a  chat over chai  at the breakfast table. For a solo traveler, it’s a nice perk to have.

Logistics and convenience

We’ve spent the better part of 30 years honing our itineraries, getting rid of the dodgy hotels and keeping the good ones, picking the best restaurants to visit, and organizing public transport and all the other logistics of travel so you don’t have to worry. Traveling alone can often be a) confusing and b) complicated. But with us, all you need is a good attitude – we’ll take care of the rest.

Our leaders know the areas of town to avoid after dark. They know how to haggle at markets, avoid pickpockets and scammers and generally have a good time without anything going wrong. And don’t forget, when you're a single traveler on a group tour, you’re in a group! You’ll have a bunch of new friends to watch your back (and your stuff). It’s all the flexibility and freedom of independent travel but without the risks.

Solo travel FAQs

Will i have my own room.

It’s completely up to you. On our trips rooming is organized on a twin-share basis and we pair up solo travelers with another traveler of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. But if you'd like your own room, an individual room is available on the majority of our trips (it’s just a small extra charge). Just mention this to our  customer service team  when booking your trip and they'll arrange it for you.

As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please  contact us  so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

On a small selection of itineraries, some accommodations are booked on an open-gender, multi-share basis (for example on a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam). In those instances, it will clearly be stated in our Essential Trip Information prior to booking and traveling.

How does group time work?

Whether you’re traveling solo or with a partner, our trips have a set itinerary. But within that, there’s time set aside for your own exploration (if you want to – no pressure). The amount of free time depends on the travel style - you can ask your guide for a few tips then head out alone, or hang out with the group and see where the day takes you.

Do I have to pay for an individual room?

Not if you don’t want to. If you’re happy to bunk with a traveler of the same gender, paired up as per the gender marker on each of their passports, there’s nothing extra to pay on the vast majority of our trips. If you want your own room, just mention it to our customer service team when booking and they can organize an individual room for a small charge.

As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please  contact us  so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

I'm new to group travel, what will my group be like?

Intrepid travelers are connected more by attitude than age. They’re a friendly, open-minded and curious bunch, and a lot of them elect to travel alone (so no third-wheeling, we promise). Our trips attract a mix of genders and ages generally ranging from 25 to 65. It’s hard to know exactly who you’ll meet, but you can be assured you'll be a part of the fun.

Is it cheaper to travel in a group?

On average, solo travel on a group tour is way more cost-effective than heading out on your own as you're splitting the costs. We can also guarantee a lot more inclusions and extras than you’d usually get for your money.

Can I tailor the trip to me?

We have a range of trip styles – Basix, Original, Comfort and Premium – that offer different levels of flexibility and free time. Lots of our travelers choose to travel on their own, so it’s common for people to want different things from their experience. Be sure to chat with your leader ; they can recommend places to explore during your free time or things to try after the trip has finished. 

Tips for solo travelers

Embrace local 

It pays to learn a little bit of the local language wherever you go and you should always consider the country’s dress code when picking out what to wear. In many places, you maybe be expected to dress modestly and cover up exposed skin so consider packing a sarong or light scarf to cover exposed shoulders, along with a long skirt or trousers. Whether you agree with it or not, it’s respectful (and smart) to follow the local style.

When you’re out and about being all adventure-y, just keep an eye on the sunset. Try to avoid catching public transport after dark when you’re on your own, especially if you’re carrying your suitcase/backpack/fancy camera/map (it kind of screams ‘tourist’). Travelling with a  group  is a smart move for any traveller; it’s always good to have people around who’ve got your back.

Social media may be the doom of mankind and rational thought as we know it, but it can be useful, even as a safety tool. Your friends and family are now privy to a minute-by-minute update of your whereabouts, regardless of where you are in the world. Before you leave home, give your friends/family a social media heads-up: ‘If I don’t post a sunset selfie for five days straight, get in touch and see if I’m okay.’

Our solo travel safety guide

Share your itinerary.

Good advice for us all, but particularly for people traveling solo. Make copies of your itinerary, contact details, passport, and travel insurance, then email them to yourself and to one or two friends/family at home. Check in on social media when you can so people can keep track of where you are. 

Remember the little things

If you’re arriving late in a city by yourself, book a hotel with a front desk or concierge service (many hotels also offer private transfers that don’t cost the earth from the airport or train station). If you're traveling with us, we can help you organize an  arrival transfer.  Read your maps  before  you head out for a walk (you can use a map app on your smartphone – or take screenshots of where you’re going if you don’t want to use up your precious data). If you need to check your map when you’re out and about, duck into a shop or café to do it. Leave the blingy jewelry, wedding rings, and designer clothes at home, and aim to dress as the locals do – hit up the local markets if you haven’t packed the right outfits. Aim to keep track of travel times, so you’re not caught out after dark.

Roam if you want to

Most mobile/cell providers now offer travel passes to help manage your international roaming costs (which, let’s face it, are expensive!). For a few dollars a day, you’ll have access to data, which means you can log into your apps (like Skype, email, and WhatsApp) when you’re out of WiFi zones and quickly get in touch with someone – a friend at home, someone in your group, or the police – if you need to. It might also be worth checking out the local cell/mobile providers as these can be quite cost-effective. 

Fare's fair

Solo travelers are way more likely to be ‘taken for a ride’ at the airport by unscrupulous taxi drivers, so do your research before you arrive. Make sure you get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – if you’re not sure where to go, just head to the information desk for help. Touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and promise cheaper rates, but can often be dodgy. When you get to the cab rank, ask the driver to use the meter or request a cost estimate  before  you hop in the car – if it’s way higher than it should be, pick another vehicle. A lot of airports have train stations attached as well, so consider public transport if you want to save a dollar or two.

Stick together

It’s one of the advantages of traveling solo on a group tour: safety in numbers. The big, 50-person bus groups stand out on the road, but a small  Intrepid group  of eight or nine people, with a local leader showing the way – including areas to avoid and getting around safely – won’t draw much attention. Plus, it’s a great way to see parts of the world you may feel uncomfortable exploring on your own. If you want to do things on your own, consider a  day tour  to familiarise yourself with a city and get to know the local way of life. 

Trust your instincts

Solo travel is all about confidence. If you’re relaxed and self-assured on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. When you meet new people, don’t assume they’re all out to get you, but be sensible too and trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Remember: the popular tourist areas are often the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a juicier target for pickpockets and scammers. Just use your common sense; half of travel safety is simply being aware of your surroundings.

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Solo Travel vs Group Travel: The Pros And Cons

Michela Solo Female Travel Tours 1

Advantages and disadvantages of Solo vs Group Travel

Any travel has pros and cons. As a solo travel advocate, I can draft a long list of benefits for travelling alone as a woman. However, there are also disadvantages, but these vary depending on the circumstances and level of individual experience.

So I’d instead say that pros and cons can change if you dig deeper into a specific situation; you will see that advantages can turn into disadvantages too, and vice-versa. To explain this a bit better, these are crucial things to consider when deciding to travel by yourself or join an organised group tour.

Pros and Cons of Solo Travel

Here are the 5 main benefits for travelling solo as female traveller.

Cost of Travel

You can evaluate all this from different perspectives. Depending on the level of expertise and experience you have as a solo traveller, the pros and cons can significantly impact your decision to go alone or with a group.

The disadvantages of travelling alone

If you take a closer look at each point, you will see room for a more in-depth investigation. There are disadvantages of travelling alone that pop up only in specific situations, whereas some advantages may be more prominent in others.

Here they are:

Keeping the cost of accommodation down

Missing out on adventures.

If you like hiking and being active in the outdoors, being on your own can be rewarding, as long as you know what you are doing and where you are going! Forests and Mountains can be quite tricky because environments are different. Overseas trips can be challenging; that’s where a group can be a good idea if you want to explore new places without worrying too much. I

Lack of Confidence

Not feeling safe, group travel pros.

Here are five significant benefits of taking guided group tours.

• A tour creates a ready-made group of fellow travellers —no need f to look for a companion.
• Going on a tour is safer than going alone. In a group, everyone takes care of each other, and you will feel safe.
• A guided tour is the fastest way to learn about a place and the local community.
• An organised trip uncovers many things about places that you will not quickly find out on your own.
• It’s an opportunity to socialise, improve social skills and make new friends, and become a better team-player.

If you are starting to dive into the solo travel world and are unsure of what you can and want to see and do, here is a list of everyday situations and tour ideas that you can consider for your travels.

The disadvantages of Group Travel

As much as group travel may sound simpler to you, it does have drawbacks. And it does require proper evaluation all the time.

Locking in your Time

Higher cost of travel, not meeting the expectations., lack of authenticity, travel companions versus solo travel tours.

People travel for many different reasons . Travel can change you, your mind and your values, as well as your approach to others. While there are advantages and disadvantages to travelling alone as a woman , the best is to find your way and mould different ways of travel into your style.

No matter what your solo travel style is and how you prefer to explore the world, at some stage, you may not know where to travel alone, are likely to start looking for a travel companion and wanting to join a small group of like-minded travellers.

And there is nothing wrong with it. On the contrary, choosing to go on guided tours and finding travel companions can do wonders. It can become an incentive to travel more alone, spark up new ideas and adventures. It finally contributes to creating and perfecting your travel style and balance too.

But, hey, I know, it’s not easy to find travel companions that share your values and travel with the same purpose. There are way too many things that must fit to make it work.

Here, you can read more on how to choose the best guided tours .

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First published in 2018, last updated in Jan 2023

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Ryan Biddulph August 15, 2018 @ 7:43 pm

Nice breakdown Michela. Big fan of couples travel with wifey. We’ve freedom as we’re usually onboard with the same idea yet avoid the yolk of group travel. Going solo for a few trips and also, when my wife sticks around the house, does open me up to more meeting and greeting. Solo travelers are more approachable for whatever reason, making for more chats.

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Solo Travel vs. Group Travel: Pros and Cons

• September 4, 2023

Are you torn between embarking on a solo adventure or joining a group tour for your next trip? Both options have their merits and drawbacks, and the choice ultimately depends on your preferences and travel goals. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of solo travel and group travel, helping you make an informed decision for your next journey.

The Freedom of Solo Travel

Solo travel offers a unique experience that empowers you to explore the world on your terms. Here are some of the key advantages:

Unmatched Independence

Solo travelers have the freedom to plan their itineraries, make spontaneous decisions, and explore at their own pace. You’re not beholden to anyone else’s preferences or schedules.

Self-Discovery

Traveling alone can be a transformative experience. It encourages self-discovery, self-reliance, and personal growth as you navigate unfamiliar territories and cultures on your own.

Flexibility

With solo travel, you have the flexibility to change plans on a whim. If you want to extend your stay in a charming village or skip a touristy destination, it’s entirely up to you.

Group Travel: The Power of Togetherness

Group travel has its own set of advantages that make it a compelling choice for many. Let’s explore the benefits:

Built-In Companionship

Traveling with a group means you’ll have companions to share experiences with, which can be especially comforting in unfamiliar places. It’s a great way to bond with others and create lasting memories.

Guided Expertise

Group tours often come with knowledgeable guides who provide insights, historical context, and local expertise, enhancing your understanding of the destinations you visit.

Safety in Numbers

Traveling in a group can offer an added layer of security, particularly in regions where safety concerns might be a factor. You’ll have a support system in case of emergencies.

Why Solo Travel Might Be Right for You

Here are some scenarios where solo travel could be the perfect choice:

Seeking Personal Growth

If you’re looking to challenge yourself, boost your self-confidence, and embark on a journey of self-discovery, solo travel is an excellent option.

Pursuing Unique Experiences

When your travel goals involve off-the-beaten-path destinations or niche interests, solo travel allows you to tailor your itinerary precisely to your preferences.

Embracing Spontaneity

For those who relish the freedom to follow their instincts and explore without constraints, solo travel offers the ultimate spontaneity.

Why Group Travel Might Be Right for You

Social connection.

Here are some scenarios where group travel could be the ideal choice:

If you thrive on interaction and enjoy sharing your travel experiences with others, group travel provides a ready-made community of fellow adventurers.

Simplified Planning

For travelers who prefer a hassle-free experience with logistics taken care of, group tours offer convenience and peace of mind.

Safety and Comfort

If you’re visiting a destination with safety concerns or language barriers and want the assurance of an organized support system, group travel can provide added comfort.

Ultimately, the decision between solo travel and group travel hinges on your personality, interests, and the type of experience you seek. Consider your travel goals, your comfort level with independence, and your desire for social interaction when making your choice. Whether you choose to explore solo or with a group, remember that the world is full of incredible experiences waiting for you to discover.

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Solo Travel vs Group Travel: Which One is Right for You?

Traveling is one of the greatest pleasures of life especially for those who’ve been bitten by the bug of wanderlust. Traveling brings great joy and wonderful memories, but how you travel is one of the biggest considerations in how much fun you have, both while planning and while actually traveling.

There are two common types of traveling: solo travel and group travel. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and which you choose will have a big impact on your travels. Before we launch into some of the considerations you should make when deciding how to travel, we want to just go in depth a bit more on what each of these methods entails.

Solo travel doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going alone. Solo travel means you’re choosing to create the plans, make connections and reservation, and coordinate all the aspects of your travel yourself. This could be done with a friend or partner , or you could even be going alone, or with a guide on a private tour.

Group travel is an easier option where you find a pre-arranged tour with a group of people – often who are strangers to you – and you pay the guide of the tour to make all the arrangements. When traveling as a group, you don’t get to make any of the decision for where you go and what you’ll do, which can be restrictive to travelers who like to choose for themselves.

However, it’s very simple. No planning necessary. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most important factors to help you make an informed decision when the time comes for you to make a choice.

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Which Should You Choose? Solo Travel vs Group Travel

There are a number of things to consider when making a decision of whether to go on a solo trip or a group trip. There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, every trip has different factors that will play into the decision.

That’s why we think it’s a good idea to consider these 7 things to determine which is best for you.

This is perhaps the most important thing that will determine the quality of your trip. Group tours are often more expensive than solo trips because of the inclusion of a planner and guide. You have to pay for the service of having someone plan for you. So a luxury group trip will cost significantly more than a luxury solo trip.

A solo traveler can make a large number of impromptu decisions to save costs which are predetermined in group travels, such as the choice of a less expensive hotel, getting a cheaper meal, or using the less expensive option for transportation. 

Group travel does not allow you to adjust the cost. It comes with a set cost. However, you will know the full cost of the journey (minus incidentals) before you travel. For someone who doesn’t like surprises, or the chance of unforeseen expenses, group travel is more certain.

Often discounts are available for group travelers but, in general, a solo traveler has a better chance of saving money.

2. Independence

The independence which comes from traveling solo is unmatched. Solo travel provides you with a wide-range of experience which won’t be compromised by someone else’s schedule. Only solo travelers can decide to leave a place early or spend more time in one part of the trip.

I’ve been on many group tours and the biggest annoyance tends to be that you can’t make your own schedule and you’re at the mercy of everyone else on the group trip. If someone arrives late back to the bus, you all must wait for them.

If you want to stay longer at a particular destination, that’s not going to be possible. If you’re the type of person who needs to have autonomy or flexibility and doesn’t want to go along with the herd, then a group trip will not be ideal for you.

3. Ability to Meet People

In contrast to independence, traveling with other people can greatly enhance the joy of traveling. It also allows you the opportunity to get outside your comfort zone, try new things, and meet new people.

On a group trip I took to China, I met some really great people who I ended up spending the whole trip getting to know. We became fast friends and even kept in touch after the trip was over.

Both group travel and solo travel give you a chance to make new friends and expand your own viewpoint on the world, however these are likely going to approached in different ways.

On a group trip, you will have the companionship of all the people in the group. This will give you a chance to make friends with people you’re traveling with. It also gives you someone to experience things with when you don’t have a traveling partner.

For those who wouldn’t otherwise have anyone to travel with, and don’t think they’d enjoy traveling alone, it’s a great way to feel comfortable and have more fun. 

Solo travel, on the other hand, gives you a chance to meet people from a great number of different backgrounds, speaking different languages and having a diverse view on things in life, as long as you’re willing to put in the effort to talk to locals and other travelers around you.

On the other hand, a solo trip can provide you solitude and a time for self-reflection when you need it, whereas this is hardly possible in group travels.

We’ve found that destinations where we don’t know the language or aren’t able to do a lot of research in advance are more difficult to enjoy without a guide. One important reason why group travels are popular is because of the ease they offer in traveling whereas solo travel is challenging in many regards.

A solo traveler has to research every tiny detail of the trip from scratch and if anything goes wrong during the trip then he has to take responsibility and make alternate plans. If it’s a destination you don’t know, you also have to find the good stuff, which can be difficult without a guide.

In group travel, though, the traveler has no management tasks as someone else is making all the reservations and taking care of everything. All the traveler needs to do is show up. If something goes wrong, the organizers will take care of it.

One of the biggest concerns while traveling in foreign lands is that of your personal safety . Even though most places are generally safe to travel alone with the proper precautions, there are still a large number of things one has to be mindful of. When traveling alone, you take all of the responsibility for your own safety.

You need to know what areas you shouldn’t be walking alone in, you need to know the area’s travel scams , and you need to plan ahead for any accidents or health issues that might occur. Travel insurance is very important.

Safety is generally not a major concern when traveling in a group because plans have been enacted to mitigate against risk and tour guides are prepared. Your safety is greatly in the hands of the group organizers.

Read also: How to Stay Safe While on Vacation

It is very hard to define the quality of a journey, as there are no tangible parameters to judge this. However, it has been seen that solo travels give you a greater feeling of satisfaction, whereas traveling in a group is generally a rushed experience.

You can make your solo journey richer by exploring things in detail, whereas group trips have to follow schedules. There may be activities you want to take part in, but they’re not included in the trip. Having the time and ability to follow through on things that interest you the most is the number one reason to choose a solo trip.

However, group travels usually have tour guides with them who have extensive knowledge of things and they can explain more in a short time which you’d find in a much longer time on your own. They can also take you to places which you may have missed because of incomplete research.

You can weigh all these factors against each other and see which things are more important to you as compared to others and based on those parameters you can decide which is the right way of traveling for you: solo travel vs group travel.

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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

15 thoughts on “ Solo Travel vs Group Travel: Which One is Right for You? ”

Great roundup of solo vs group travel. Personally, I prefer to travel alone or with maximum 3 other people. While you definitely point to some benefits of group travel (safety, guide, companionship) I’d always be afraid that the others in my group would have priorities that are very different from my own while traveling.

I like a little bit of both! If I was traveling solo, I would only want it to be for a week max. Great read, thanks for sharing.

I enjoy traveling solo because I only have myself to worry about. I can do what I want, when I want without worry about another person waiting for me. That said, I love traveling with my loved ones! Or to even have someone to help me with documenting a trip can make a big difference. (so many cameras)

I prefer solo travel, but it can be lonely at times. I am very good at making new connections when traveling, but sometimes I get so focused on what I’m doing that I miss out on those opportunities. I can be a bit of a control freak, so traveling with friends who are not experienced travelers is a bit frustrating for me.

Great pros and cons of both – I personally like a little bit of a mix. I love solo travel, though sometimes it’s fun to mix it up for a bit and join a group. Generally I prefer to travel alone, though it’s always nice to create shared memories sometimes 🙂

I love both and don’t think I could choose a favourite! I love being alone but I also love sharing my experiences with other people!

This is a great post. It’s a really hard question to answer. I really try to do a combination of both. Finding the right group to travel with is so important. You can end up hating your closest friends at the end of a long trip!

I like some group travel like an African Safari but for cities, I would rather solo or travel with just one other person. I am very anti-planning and so I tend to have no plan.

I never thought I’d like solo travel but I’ve grown to LOVE it. I’m still not convinced group travel is for me but I love traveling with at least one friend. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

There are a lot of variables here, including the country destination and the personality of each individual. Some people are comfortable traveling solo but only in large cities where there is more than enough to do and plenty of other travelers to meet in addition to the locals. They might be less inclined to go wandering by themselves around undeveloped rural areas. In those cases, a carefully-chosen small and responsible group tour provider may be the way to go.

Very good points, Deborah. Whenever I’ve been to smaller places by myself, I try to find a few group activities to participate in. It’s always good to remember that you can go there alone, but don’t have to spend all your time alone. I’ve fuond that Viator tours are a great way to add group activities to a solo itinerary.

If you want to spend some time with you and meet new people to add more to your life-experience, join solo trips without making a minute delay. I am sure you will cherish all those moments life-long which you spend with them.

I still remember my solo trip to Garhwal, which is one of the best experience in my life and indeed, unforgettable too.

That’s great, Kim!

I loved your blogging style and the way you shared it with us. Also, the images are stunning!

My fiance and I want to travel for our honeymoon, so we’re interested in visiting a place where none of us have traveled before. It’s interesting to know how group travel helps you get to know other cities and cultures easier with the help of a professional tour guide, so we’ll keep this in mind when we choose our destination and traveling style. We’re grateful for your advice on group and solo travel and their main organizational differences.

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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For independent explorers who don’t want to miss out on these amazing destinations, book your hotel stay for a great rate with SmarterTravel Hotels .

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Traveling Alone, in Groups

Group tour companies are accommodating more and more solo travelers, who are looking for company — and someone else to handle the complexities of traveling during the pandemic.

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By Debra Kamin

After Sheila Katz’s husband died of a degenerative nervous system disorder in April, she knew she had to get away. But her husband had been her travel partner, and without him, she was hesitant to travel alone. The pandemic’s ever-shifting travel regulations were intimidating as well. So Ms. Katz, 45, did something she’d never done before: She joined a group tour.

“I wanted to not be totally alone, but also to be able to do my own thing when I wanted,” she said. So in July, she joined a group of 17 fully vaccinated travelers heading to Belize with EF Go Ahead Tours , making friends as she snorkeled, visited Mayan ruins and took chocolate- and tortilla-making classes.

Solo travelers like Ms. Katz are joining guided tours at unprecedented rates, say tour organizers, with some companies reporting single bookings up 300 percent over those from couples, families or clusters of friends. The majority of these lone travelers have never taken a group trip before. After years of planning their own trips and traveling solo or with a partner, the pandemic — with its months of isolation and its Byzantine travel rules for testing, masks and vaccination — has pushed them to change their ways.

Ms. Katz, a sociology professor at the University of Houston, had just endured the tenure-review process while also navigating her grief. She was exhausted, and had no interest in parsing border regulations or stressing out about potential exposure to the coronavirus. For her trip to Belize, everyone in the group had to be vaccinated, which lifted a proverbial weight from her shoulders.

“Had it not been a pandemic, I probably would have just gone to lie on a Caribbean beach for seven days,” she said.

‘Even solo travelers want to travel with people sometimes’

The National Tour Association, a professional organization for tour operators, said the group travel industry as a whole has yet to recover from the pandemic’s blow to its business. “Half of our tour operators don’t expect their company to outperform 2019 metrics until 2023,” said Bob Rouse, N.T.A.’s vice president of communication.

But even before the pandemic, group travel was gaining a foothold among two key demographics: women and millennials. Travel companies catering specifically to women have increased by 230 percent over the past six years, while a flurry of new travel start-ups, including AvantStay and TRIPS by the Culture Trip , have grown by marketing toward those born after 1980.

Women’s interest in group travel is perhaps most notable. Katalina Mayorga, the chief executive of El Camino Travel , which offers small group tours for women, says that sales for the fourth quarter of 2021 are 200 percent higher than the same period in 2019, and 65 percent of those booking are doing so as solo travelers. Contiki ’s customers skew 60 percent female. Allison Scola, founder of Experience Sicily , says solo women on her tours now make up 66 percent of guests, while at Indus Travels , 80 percent of customers booking spots on tours for solo travelers are now women. Ninety percent of Indus’s customers this year are booking for the first time.

“Even solo travelers want to travel with people sometimes, especially people who they have something in common with,” said Amanda Black, the founder of The Solo Female Traveler Network , where women can book individual tickets for group trips across the globe. Ms. Black, 35, restarted her tours in May after shutting down at the start of the pandemic, and said bookings have been steadily climbing.

After months of isolation, it seems, many women miss socializing.

“I live alone, so, it’s been a lot of alone time,” said Jes Maxfield, 34, a client service manager in Boston who booked a trip to Greece with FTLO Travel in August. The group included eight women and one man, and the man broke his foot on the second day and had to fly home. By the end of the trip, a sisterhood had emerged. “It was really nice to meet so many similar, like-minded women, and to share a beautiful place with them,” she said.

The idea of safety in numbers also plays a part. “To hike through the woods by myself isn’t exactly the safest thing to do,” said Emily Cardona, 36, a New Yorker who took outdoor group trips over the past 18 months with Outer There , a New York City-based tour company. The trips were a refuge, she said, from the stress of her two jobs as a senior care manager and mental health therapist.

The millennial connection

“It’s almost as if the difficulties of traveling during the pandemic have helped millennials get over the idea that group tours aren’t cool,” said Tara Cappel, the founder and chief executive of FTLO Travel , where bookings for 2022 are up 225 percent over 2019. FTLO caters to 20- and 30-somethings, and first-time customers — many of them joining solo — now comprise 82 percent of those bookings; 75 percent of travelers booking for 2022 are women.

In many cases, the shift to millennial-focused marketing is redefining the idea of what it means to travel on an organized tour in the first place.

“It was really intimate, and we kind of just looked like some friends who were traveling,” said Autumn Lewis, an attorney in Los Angeles who took her first-ever group tour, a trip to Greece run by Tripsha , in July. “It’s not like you’re having an experience where you just follow the guy with the umbrella.”

The pandemic’s solo travel trend is not limited to tour groups. Solo air bookings are up overall, with Orbitz reporting that single round-trip tickets climbed 200 percent over last year this past Labor Day weekend. In years past, it was difficult to parse whether those tickets indicated single leisure travelers or those flying alone on business, but with business travel still sluggish, 2021 is an exception, said Mel Dohmen, senior brand manager for Orbitz.

And while there’s no definitive way to track how many of those solo travelers join up with groups at their destinations, tour operators are reporting major growth in their overseas destinations.

At Devour Tours , which runs culinary walking tours across Europe, 22 percent of bookings this summer were for just one person, which is more than double what it was during the same period in 2019.

Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) , which offers small group tours for travelers age 50 and above, has seen an uptick of 7 percent in the percentage of solo bookings since the beginning of the pandemic. Eighty-five percent of their solo travelers are women.

The new allure of organized travel

“If there’s one thing the pandemic has shown us, it’s that the value of tour operators has increased tenfold,” said Terry Dale, president and chief executive of the United States Tour Operators Association .

Like travel agents, who are also enjoying a resurgence in popularity , much of that value comes when a traveler can delegate the pandemic mental load: Which vaccine card is valid? On which day do I need to take my P.C.R. test?

But after months of isolation, the group tour’s strongest draw may be its most obvious: It comes with a built-in community.

“Women who have been booking tours with us have definitely been doing so because they want someone who can navigate the Covid restrictions. But there are a number of other motivations,” said Meg Jerrard, co-founder of Solo Female Travelers , which runs small group tours for women. Safety is a major concern, she said, and “the stigma of being alone is another key motivator.”

Ms. Katz, the widow in Texas, had expected that for some meals on her tour, people would go off and do their own thing. She was wrong.

“Our tour guides had to go out of their way because we all wanted to have all of our meals together,” she said. “I think we were all just so thankful to not be in our living rooms, staring at the wall.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list .

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Travel Trend: Solo Travelers on Group Tours

Traveling solo within a group may seem contrary, but this segment of the industry is growing in popularity. After much pent-up demand for travel during the pandemic, many travelers are eager to explore the world again, whether they have a travel companion or not. And that’s where solo group travel really shines—offering independence and flexibility, built-in safety and security, expert itinerary planning, and a ready-made group of like-minded explorers.

“They’re going by themselves, but they’re not alone,” explains Matt Berna, president of the Americas at Intrepid Travel , the world’s largest B-Corp-certified adventure travel company, offering over 1,000 small-group itineraries in over 100 countries. Berna shares that Intrepid is no stranger to the solo traveler.

“I’m happy to say that since day one, Intrepid has been really popular with solo travelers,” he says. Today, nearly half of the company’s U.S. travelers are going solo on its trips, and so far this year, Intrepid has seen approximately 2,300 more solo passengers booked in North America than last year, and about 9,000 more globally. Berna says he foresees this growth to continue in years to come.

“We like to talk to solo travelers, particularly because generally when they join a group, they can be a lot more outgoing and open to meeting other people,” Berna says. “We try to stay away from the term ‘single traveler,’ too, because traveling solo doesn’t necessarily mean they’re single. They might have partners back home who couldn’t travel due to work schedules or even just differing interests. Our tours make for a really safe environment for people to go as a sole traveler.”

Berna says destinations like Southeast Asia, Turkey, India, and Nepal tend to attract more solo travelers, as do more active and strenuous trips. “I also think people picked up and perused more personal interests in the pandemic,” he adds, “so what we’re seeing now with our trips, particularly with solo travelers, is they’re not just looking for a region. They’re searching our website for activities first before the destination, and that’s a big switch for consumers.”

For Intrepid Travel, its North American solo travelers are 75% women, and generally skew toward more mature customers, with 64% over the age of 40. But while demographics play a role, Berna says Intrepid finds more value in looking at traveler personas. “Our travelers are considered curious, they’re culturally aware, they consider themselves global citizens, and they are there to listen and learn,” he explains. “I think the solo travel profile very much fits into that, too.”

Traveling solo with a group allows for alone time plus socialization with the group, which could mean the best of both worlds for tour customers. “I think you’re more free to be yourself when you travel solo—and not just to be who you are as a person, but you also have less concerns about your traveling companion,” Berna says. “There’s a real freedom in traveling by yourself in that sense. But with the group organization, of course, you have the security, the safety, and the camaraderie of the group as well.”

On Intrepid tours, flexibility is a key component of itineraries, with free time built in to allow travelers to explore as they wish—whether that’s alone or with newfound tour companions. “I think the biggest misconception is that you’ll be by yourself the whole time, which is absolutely not the case,” Berna says.

When creating itineraries, he adds that Intrepid always has the solo traveler top-of-mind. For example, rooming requirements are an important consideration—making sure there are enough beds for solo travelers. Intrepid doesn’t have a forced single supplement (an added cost for one individual to stay in a hotel room meant for two) but instead matches solo travelers of the same sex to share a room (if all parties consent). “In America, most hotels are double doubles, but a lot of places we stay abroad include home stays and small ships, and we have to consider every configuration so we can provide beds for solo travelers,” Berna says. “We also pay close attention to all the activities and how we cater to those travelers.”

Berna says that beyond the cost-savings to customers and all the logistical perks of joining a group, solo travel is really all about the friendships made along the way. “You might go in alone, but most likely won’t come out as a solo traveler in terms of having those new friendships,” he says. “It is a great environment to meet and interact with other travelers. And just by being open to those encounters and conversations with the right attitude, you’ll have a fantastic time.”

Main Image: Tour in Egypt; Credit: Intrepid Travel

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10 Best Travel Companies for Solo Travel Tours in 2024

These tour companies are a perfect fit for solo travelers in 2024..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Solo travel tours are one of the fastest growing sectors of group travel for all ages. They’re popular with solo travelers because they offer shared adventures that translate into easy camaraderie, and they take the tedious details like hotel bookings and flight reservations out of planning a solo trip. Once the trip starts, you’ll be escorted by expert guides who handle everything from airport transfers and meals to tours and guides, too.

2024’s Best Tour Companies for Solo Travelers

Many tour groups for solo travelers will pair singles with a roommate so you won’t pay a penny extra for traveling alone; others will offer single rooms at a discounted rate so you won’t have to pay the entire dreaded “single supplement.” Some of the best companies even have tours designed specifically for solo travelers. Here are my picks for 2024’s top companies offering solo travel tours.

WORLD’S BEST:  15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours in 2024

1. G Adventures

A popular tour company offering small group tours worldwide, G Adventures  offers a range of itineraries to suit solo travelers. If you’re traveling solo, you will either be paired with another traveler of the same sex for rooming purposes, or in your own room if you pay a single supplement. G Adventures tends to attract likeminded participants, creating a good environment for solo travelers looking to meet new people. Trips support local businesses with a goal of helping communities to better sustain themselves.

MORE TOURS: 10 Best G Adventures Tours to Take in 2024

Travelers under age 35 are drawn to the company’s new Roamies  itineraries, which are immersive small group trips to iconic locations with overnights at some of the world’s finest hostels. The company’s Local Living tours allow you to participate in the rituals of daily life and see what life would be like if you resided in the destination. And its  Jane Goodall wildlife-centric trips  to places like Belize and Madagascar are particularly popular. A large percentage of G Adventure guests are solo female travelers, gravitating to destinations such as Morocco, Costa Rica, Peru, and Jordan.

Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with G Adventures

• Average group size:   12 people.
• Price range:  Moderate.
• What’s included:  Accommodations and some meals.
• What’s not included:   Airfare.
• Primary audience:  Adults ages 30 to 55.
• Destinations:  More than 750 trips in 100 countries on all seven continents.
• How to book: Directly through G Adventures , Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar ; or through a travel agent such as AAA

2. Trafalgar

Guided tour company Trafalgar  operates more than 300 tours across seven continents, with trips that range from culinary adventures to wildlife safaris, and solo travelers represent a significant portion of its customer base. While Trafalgar doesn’t operate specific tours groups for solo travelers, 61% of women on its women’s only tours are traveling solo. Additionally, the company offers you the option to be matched with a roommate on nearly all itineraries or receive single room supplements at reduced rates. On select trips, solo travelers may even enjoy a single room upgrade for free.

MORE TOURS: 10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024

Sought-after destinations for solo travel tours with Trafalgar include Italy, Portugal, and Egypt. Tour directors have least three years of road experience, and many have been with the company for decades. One-of-a-kind travel experiences such as dining with locals and VIP entry to iconic sights sets Trafalgar apart. ( Read our full Trafalgar review here .)

Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with Trafalgar

• Average group size:  40 people.
• What’s included:  Accommodations, daily breakfast, many meals,   luxury coach transportation, Wi-Fi in most countries, airport transfers, and luggage handling.
• What’s not included:  Airfare.
• Primary audience:  Adults over 50.
• Destinations:  All seven continents.
• How to book: Book online with Trafalgar , Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

3. EF Go Ahead Tours

EF Go Ahead Tours  offers tours to fit travelers of every stripe, including solo travel tours to destinations including Peru, Portugal, Thailand, and Egypt.   You’ll get your own room for no extra charge and all of your tour mates will be other solo travelers. EF Go Ahead organizes hotels, meals, activities, and local transportation.

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You’ll be accompanied by a local EF Tour Director who has extensive experience, gently guiding you every step of the way. The tour company partners with a range of local experts, enriching each stop along your journey. Once you’ve booked, you can download the  free mobile app  and connect with fellow travelers before departure. EF Go Ahead Tours also offers a Solo Travel Facebook group, providing access to an online community. ( Read our full EF Go Ahead Tours review here. )

Quick Facts about Group Tours for Solo Travel with EF Go Ahead

• Average group size:   Capped at 38 guests; usually 10 to 22 people.
• What’s included:  Guided tours, meals, accommodations, and transportation during the tour.
• Primary audience:  Adults aged 35+ with a mix of solo, couple, and group travelers.
• Destinations:   87 countries on all seven continents.
• How to book: Directly through EF Go Ahead or through a travel agent such as AAA .

4. Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent ’s luxury escorted tours hit the sweet spot with solo travelers, blending the   experience of vacationing with like-minded travelers with the privacy of retreating to your own accommodations at the end of each day. A Resident Tour Director remains with the group throughout and is assisted by specialized local guides.

ACTIVE OLDER TRAVELERS:   8 Best Senior Travel Tour Companies in 2024

Abercrombie & Kent’s website has a page dedicated to solo travelers, including special offers on single supplements, in some cases discounted by as much as 75%. Safaris in East and Southern Africa are very popular. By definition, safaris are not a solitary experience; guests go on game drives together, drink sundowners around the campfire, and converse about the day’s wildlife sightings over dinner. 

Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with Abercrombie & Kent

• Average group size:   14 people.
• Price range:   Upscale.
• What’s included:  Inter-itinerary flights, accommodations, luggage transfers, meals, mid-journey laundry, activities, and expert guides.
• What’s not included:   Airfare, though a flight concierge is available 24/7 to assist with airline delays.
• Primary audience:  Gen X to Boomers.
• Destinations:  More than 100 countries and on all seven continents.
• How to book: Directly through Abercrombie & Kent or Travelstride ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

5. Wild Frontiers

Trips with British-based  Wild Frontiers  go off the beaten path to destinations such as Guatemala, Jordan, and Pakistan, and it’s especially suited to solo travel tours because approximately 70% of participants are solo travelers. If you’re willing to share a room, it will match you with a fellow traveler of the same sex. If there’s no other single on your tour, you’ll get your own room without paying any supplement. 

TOURS FOR YOUR TWENTIES: 7 Best Group Travel Companies for Young Adults and College Students in 2024

Tours are fully escorted with experienced guides who use their logistical expertise to troubleshoot the potential pitfalls and challenges of deep-dive, international travel. Hotels may not be the most expensive in town but they are characteristic of the destination and create a sense of place. Meals focus on independently owned eateries serving authentic regional specialties. 

Quick Facts about Group Tours for Solo Travel with Wild Frontiers

• Average group size:   12 people.
• What’s included:  All accommodations, meals, transport, and entrance fees.
• Primary audience:  Solo and adventure travelers of all ages.
• Destinations:   Central Asia and the Far East, Europe and the Caucasus, India Subcontinent, Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Pacific, and Sub Saharan Africa.
• How to book: Directly through Wild Frontiers or Tourhub ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

6. Road Scholar

Not-for-profit  Road Scholar  is top option for solo seniors and boomers. Approximately 30% of its trip participants are traveling solo, with 85% identifying as female. Road Scholar trips tend to attract lifelong learners who are keen to plunge beneath the surface, so expect a robust exchange of ideas and plenty of stimulating conversations. 

FOOD AND WINE: 9 Best Companies for Culinary Tours and Food Tours in 2024

Two leaders ensure solo travelers feel included in the broader group. Leaders take care of logistics while local instructors add expertise on a broad range of topics along the way. Some of Road Scholar’s most popular tours for solo travelers include island hopping in Croatia, exploring New Orleans, and culinary adventures in Oaxaca. Road Scholar also has a collection of tours offering single rooms at no additional cost. ( Read our full Road Scholar review here .)

Quick Facts about Solo Traveler Tours with Road Scholar

• Average group size:   22 people.
• Price range:  Moderate.
• What’s included:  Accommodations, most meals, hands-on experiences, gratuities throughout the program, and the Road Scholar Assurance Plan .
• What’s not included:  Travel to and from the program and cancellation insurance.
• Primary audience:  Baby boomers and seniors.
• Destinations:  150 countries and all 50 states,   from Arizona to Zimbabwe.
• How to book: Directly through Road Scholar or Travelstride ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

7. Intrepid Travel

At  Intrepid Travel , more than 50% of its customers are solo travelers. Responsible, experience-rich travel is a mission at this not-for-profit organization. The tour company prioritizes the preservation of indigenous cultures, climate education, and personal connections with locals. Solo travelers may choose a single room for a small extra charge or be paired with another traveler of the same gender.

SUPPORTED TRIPS: 4 Great Tour Companies with Independent Tours in 2024

Intrepid strives for inclusivity, so if you identify as a different gender than what is on your passport, let them know in advance so rooming options may be discussed. Popular solo travel tours with Intrepid include exploring Morocco, trekking in New Zealand, and visiting Bali.  In addition to taking care of the most minute details, your expert local leader also knows all the under-the-radar spots that many tourists miss, and trips tend to offer a bit of free time as well. 

Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with Intrepid

• Average group size: 10 people.
• Price range:  Economical/moderate.
• What’s included:  Accommodations, local transport, and some meals.
• What’s not included:  Airfare and travel insurance.
• Primary audience : Solo travelers and adults ages 25 to 40.
• Destinations : More than 1,000 trips to 100 countries across seven continents
• How to book: Directly through Intrepid , Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

8. REI Adventures

For solo travelers who crave adventure in the great outdoors,  REI Adventures  hits the spot. The power of nature acts as a catalyst for bonding over shared fresh-air experiences, from kayaking to biking. And you won’t be staying at run-of-the-mill hotels, either. Instead, you’ll camp under the stars in comfy tents or sleep at a cozy park lodge. Trips for individuals who identify as  women  are guided by women and are very popular with solo travelers. Trips that cater to those  under 35 years old  attract youthful solos. 

BEFORE YOU GO: 10 Things to Know Before Your First Group Tour

REI Adventures focuses exclusively on American itineraries. Popular trips for solo travelers include hiking in Bryce Canyon, kayaking around the San Juan Islands, and backpacking in Joshua Tree. To keep costs reasonable, REI will pair you with a roommate; if no roommate is available, the company won’t charge you a single supplement fee. If you request private accommodations, you will pay a modest additional fee. REI members receive a discount. 

Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with REI Adventures

• Average group size:   10 people.
• What’s included:  Camping gear, meals, and national park fees.
• What’s not included:   Transportation to the trip starting point.
• Primary audience:  Travelers who love the outdoors.
• Destinations:  Eight states including Wyoming, Alaska, and California.
• How to Bbok: Directly via the REI Adventures website.

9. CIE Tours

Though U.S.-based, CIE Tours  is partly owned by the Irish government’s national transport company. It offers guided group trips to the U.K, Iceland, and Italy, but specializes in Ireland and is recognized as a bona fide expert and a top choice for anyone wanting to explore the Emerald Isle. Unlike most tour companies, which can charge extra when you come alone, CIE actually gives you a discount if you’re traveling solo.

SAYS CHEERS: 9 Best European Wine Tours to Take in 2024

Guided vacations are helmed by personable local tour directors who’ve undergone extensive training as well as annual workshops to keep them up to date. CIE’S guides also garner guest accolades thanks to their wealth of insider knowledge, including tidbits of Celtic lore that enhance the journey. Many have the Irish gift of gab, assuring easy conversations and sense of belonging. ( Read our full CIE Tours review here .)

Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with CIE Tours

• Average group size:   Up to 44 people.
• Price range : Moderate.
• What’s included:  Most meals including daily hot breakfast, all entrance fees to attractions and experiences, all on-tour transportation, free Wi-Fi on coaches and in hotels, baggage handlings, local taxes, and hotel service charges.
• Primary audience:  CIE Tours travelers average between 45 and 70 years old, and are primarily from the U.S. or Canada.
• Destinations:  Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, Italy, and Iceland.
• How to book: Directly through CIE Tours , Travelstride , or TourRadar ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

10. Tauck Tours

Family-owned  Tauck  has been offering guided group vacations for close to a century. It doesn’t match single travelers with roommates, but in an effort to embrace solo travelers, the company has reduced or eliminated single supplements on some of its most popular trips. Trip directors work hard to ensure solo tour guests are integrated into the group dynamic and feel secure throughout the journey. 

ADVENTUROUS WOMEN:   9 Best Women-Only Travel Groups and Tour Operators for 2024

Tauck has longstanding relationships with a network of global partners, assuring every detail of each trip is seamless. And guides are known for their personal touch and are well-versed in local customs and traditions. Meals and hotels are notably top notch. ( Read our full Tauck review here .)

Quick Facts about Solo Traveler Tours with Tauck

• Average group size:   35 people.
• Price range:  Upscale.
• What’s included:  Gratuities, sightseeing and admissions, most meals, airport handling, luggage transfer, and taxes.
• What’s not included:  Airfare and adult beverages.
• Primary audience:  Upscale travelers over age 50.
• Destinations:  Over 100 destinations in more than 70 countries on seven continents.
• How to book: Directly through Tauck , Travelstride , or Tourhub ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

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Solo travel

The best way to travel solo? With us. On our solo tours, you’ll enjoy a private room at no extra cost—and your tourmates will be solo travelers, too. By the time your tour ends, we’re pretty sure your group will feel more like family.

4.7 out of 5 stars

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Adventures (and new friends) await

Been waiting for the perfect travel companion to come along? That’s us—and the friendly, up-for-anything solo travelers you’ll meet on tour.

Whatever your reasons for traveling solo, you’re not alone: More and more travelers—1 in 4, to be precise—are choosing to set out solo. Watch our video to see what going solo’s all about.

Friendship. Flexibility. Full planning support.

These are just a few advantages you’ll enjoy on our solo group tours.

You’ll become part of a close-knit community

Explore alongside other solo travelers who share your curiosity about the world and your craving for meaningful connections.

You can go where and when you want

Fancy seeing Ireland at its lush, summertime best? Or maybe a year-end trip to Egypt’s more your speed. It’s 100% up to you.

You’ll have a room all to yourself ( ahhh )

At the end of each day, you’ll wind down, stretch out, and rest up in your own private room, and it won’t cost you anything extra.

You won’t have to sweat the details

We’ll plan hotels, meals, activities, and transportation . You? Focus on new sights, sounds, and flavors—and friendships taking shape.

We’ll have your back every step of the way

On your trip, you’ll be accompanied by one of our best-in-the-biz Tour Directors. Plus, our global staff will be here to support you 24/7.

Solo travel’s always in season

The beauty of traveling solo? Taking off whenever you want to—summer, winter, or anytime in between. We offer Solo Tours around the world and all year round. So, whenever you’re ready to go, a just-right tour will be, too. Here are just two ways to experience your dream solo escape.

Thailand for Solo Travelers

Escape the chill at home—and avoid Southeast Asia’s rainy season—with a wintertime Thailand tour. Bond with other solo travelers while market-hopping in Bangkok, snorkeling off the coast of Phuket, and more.

Central Europe for Solo Travelers

The best time for a solo sojourn through Central Europe? Summer, when green Alpine trails, sparkling Swiss lakes, and stately palaces from Bavaria to Vienna beckon with full-on fairytale charm.

Your solo adventure starts here

History buff? Outdoor enthusiast? Architecture admirer? We offer Solo Tours for all interests in more than 20 countries, from Austria to Egypt and beyond.

Solo travel made easy

With lots of options—and ways to connect with fellow solo travelers—at your disposal, this is how simple (and fun) solo travel can be.

We offer Solo Tours to Portugal, Peru, Egypt, and beyond. Need help deciding? Chat with us or schedule a call . We’ll help narrow down the choices as we get to know you.

That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour when you sign up for AutoPay —a hassle-free way to make interest-free, monthly payments leading up to your tour.

Once you’ve booked, download our free mobile app and connect with your fellow travelers before tour. You can also check out your itinerary, scope out your hotels, and more.

As a member of this supportive online community , you can swap travel tips and inspo with other solo travelers. (And who knows? You might even meet a new travel pal.)

On tour, you can explore even more in depth during sunset cruises, cooking classes, and other excursion options. Want your trip to last a little longer? Add its extension.

The moment has arrived—and so have you. Meet your group in your arrival destination, and spend the next several days soaking up culture and newfound friendships.

What travelers are saying about their Solo Tours

Even more tours to choose from.

In addition to our solo trips, you can join any of our 200+ group tours as a solo traveler. Check out some of our most popular trips.

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FAQs and benefits of traveling solo with a group

Solo travel can offer you a unique opportunity to challenge yourself, gain independence, and have an adventure. Plus, going on a guided tour as a solo traveler comes with great perks—including, private rooms in handpicked hotels, local experts and a Tour Director to handle all the details, and the company of equally curious travelers to share your journey. Here are a few other compelling reasons to go solo:

• Take the guesswork out of exploring someplace new. Need tickets to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna? Want to dine like a true Italian at a local’s home in Rome? Wondering how to hire a boat to float down the Nile River? Our experts will help you securely and easily navigate a destination you’ve only dreamed about exploring.
• No need to find a travel partner. Perhaps the biggest reason people  travel solo  is not having someone with matching travel interests. Traveling solo opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You get to go where you want, when you want, chasing your dreams without waiting for someone to come along for the ride.
• Enjoy adventures beyond your comfort zone. Traveling solo isn’t just exhilarating, but easy on one of our small-group adventure trips . You’ll find yourself learning and trying new things, from what you do (hands-on activities) to where you’ll go (roads less traveled) to how you'll get around (think outside the bus). All you need to get started is an open mind, a good pair of walking shoes, and a passion for taking the side streets.

Discover more reasons why people choose solo travel  →

Thanks to its mix of culture, history, natural landscapes, and centuries-old culinary traditions, Europe is an ideal destination for travelers who book solo vacation packages. Individual countries and regions of Europe also make great choices when you go solo. For the best solo travel experiences, we recommend the following:

• Greece .  Explore the best of the Greek Islands alongside fellow solo travelers as you hop from Athens to Crete and over to Santorini.
• Portugal .  Sampling Portugal’s signature pastel de nata, a flaky and flavorful custard tart, is much more fun when you have new friends to share in the excitement of taking that first bite.
• Peru .  Make your way from cosmopolitan Lima to historic Cuzco to the sweeping Sacred Valley—and mystical Machu Picchu—alongside fellow solo travelers.
• Central Europe .  Whether you’re excited to see Bavarian castles or sample Swiss chocolate, there’s no better way to tour Switzerland, Germany, and Austria than with like-minded travelers.
• Egypt .  With fellow solo travelers by your side, you’ll decipher hieroglyphics at towering temples, stand in the shadows of the Pyramids of Giza, and take to the Nile by boat.
• Ireland .  Green landscapes and frothy Guinness await solo travelers on the Emerald Isle, where making new friends comes naturally.
• Thailand .  Visit an elephant sanctuary and hop between Thailand’s temples, markets, and islands with fellow solo travelers.
• United States .  You don’t need to go international to go solo. America’s majestic  national parks are a great choice for solo travel tours.
• Japan .  Be dazzled by Japan’s natural beauty, rich history, and distinctive cuisine—and bond with your fellow solo travelers over hands-on activities, such as cooking classes.
• Kenya .  Majestic wildlife, vibrant culture, and warm locals make for the ultimate mix when you join fellow solo travelers on an epic journey across Kenya.
• Spain .  Spain charms from Catalonia to the Costa del Sol with its mix of cosmopolitan, coastal, and cultural treasures on solo travel tours.
• Italy .  Travel solo (but never alone!) as you eat your way through Italy with fellow foodies, while taking in the classic sights and delicious cuisine.

For more inspiration, check out  eight of the best places to travel solo →

Consider your interests, budget, and comfort level in a foreign environment. Depending on factors such as language barriers and cultural differences, some destinations may be better suited for solo travel than others. Research your options and read reviews from other solo travelers. 

For more inspiration, check out  eight of the best places to travel solo  →

Embrace new experiences, be open to meeting new people, and step outside your comfort zone. Take time to reflect on your journey and enjoy the freedom that comes with traveling solo. Remember to take plenty of photos and keep a journal to capture your memories. And take advantage of the Tour Director and local guides who’ll accompany you during your travels. They can recommend places to eat, sights to not miss, and things to do in your free time on tour.

Explore our favorite free-time activities for solo travelers →

Yes, if you’re looking to get out of your comfort zone. There’s free time to explore on your own, so you can be as social as you want. Traveling solo within a group can be a great way to break out of your personal space and meet others who share your passion for exploration. And there’s no easier way to find a new friend than on tour!

Tips for breaking the ice with fellow travelers on a solo tour →

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and connect with fellow travelers; they’re going solo, just like you! Here are a few tips and tools to help you feel confident when you travel solo:

• Check out our Go Ahead Difference page. You’ll discover all the perks of traveling with us, including unrivaled safety and support. Learn more about our Go Ahead Difference .
• Involve your friends back home. Let all your friends know about your travel plans and get their tips and tricks. Have them follow you along on your journey.
• Download our free mobile app . It puts everything you might need for your trip on your phone on one easy-to-navigate platform. Our app has not only the itinerary but also the addresses and contact details you need for your trip. Plus, we even include a list of your  fellow travelers  there. That way, you can connect with them before you leave for the tour and start building friendships you’ll strengthen when you’re finally on the road.
• Join our Facebook page. You’ll find lots of helpful info on our private Solo Travelers Facebook page , including answers to frequently asked questions.

Eight reasons to go guided as a female solo traveler →

The first thing to know is that even though you’ll be traveling solo, you won’t be traveling alone. You’re about to go on a trip with 14–20 people who will be solo, just like you. Plus, you’ll have your expert Tour Director to guide you along the journey. Solo travel is one of the most exciting ways to see the world. When you travel on one of our solo trips, you may not be with a friend you already know, but you’ll join equally curious travel lovers on the adventure of a lifetime. More important things to know before you go:

• Your Tour Director will meet you at the airport when you arrive in your destination
• We curate these tours with solo travel in mind
• Experiences are made for solo travelers to come together as a group
• You’ll make friends whom you could travel with in the future

We specially design our Solo Tours for solo travelers. When you join one of our solo travel groups, you’ll get your own included, private hotel room. Each day, you’ll be able to explore your destination alongside your tourmates, who are solo travelers, too. And you’ll have free time to explore your own interests at your own pace.

You’ll never be alone when you book one of our solo travel packages, even though you’re traveling solo. Our worldwide presence gives solo travelers the safety and security to discover the world with confidence. Here are just a few reasons to travel on our solo guided tours:

• Security of the EF global network
• Assistance from our On-Tour Support Team (they’re on-call 24/7)
• Getting the local’s perspective from your Tour Director and other guides
• Meeting equally curious travelers
• Enjoying the perfect balance of sightseeing tours and time to explore each locale at your leisure

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• DISCLOSURE & PRIVACY POLICY
• United States
• Cook Islands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Accommodation Goals
• Budget And Cost Of Travel
• Foodie Goals
• Packing & Planning
• Travel Inspiration
• Volunteering Abroad
• Working & Studying Abroad
• Other Travel Tips

First Time In Southeast Asia? Group Tour VS Solo Travel For Beginners

Unsure about what is the best way to travel for your first time in Southeast Asia? Find out the main differences between doing a group tour vs solo travel to figure out which is best for you, this ultimate guide has you covered!

Southeast Asia is a great place to explore, whether you are a beginner traveler or this is your first time, it will be a memorable experience. Though, deciding if you want to travel Southeast Asia on a group tour or solo is an important and big decision to make.

Group tours allow you to easily make friends and the majority of planning is done for you before you have even jumped onto a plane. Though, solo travel gives you a lot more freedom to do exactly what you want, when you want. Each option has its benefits as well as limitations which we will discuss so you can decide whether group tour or solo travel is best for first timers in Southeast Asia.

I am someone who has extensively traveled around Southeast Asia. My first visit was as a solo traveler in 2017 and then more recently returning to do a similar route on a group tour with Stray Asia . I have experienced both the difficult and the best parts this corner of the world has to offer.

First Time In South East Asia: Group Tour or Solo Travel?

• Planning and Organizing
• Transportation And Getting Around
• Knowledge and Saftey
• Freedom To Explore
• Border Crossings
• Making Friends

What Is The Best Decision For You?

Planning and Organizing Your Holiday: Group Tour VS Solo Travel

No matter whether you decide to travel Southeast Asia by a group tour or solo travel you will have some amount of planning to do. There is no easy way of getting around this one and for some people (like me) planning is one of the best parts!

On A Group Tour

For those people who don’t like planning or simply just don’t have the time for it, perhaps a group tour would be the best option for you. On a group tour, your itinerary will be pre-planned so you can make sure you are checking out the best destinations a country has to offer. The only things you will need to worry about typically are return flights, visas and travel insurance.

I traveled with Stray Asia on my group tour in Southeast Asia. They offer both freestyle tours (includes transportation, guide, accommodation and activities) as well as freestyle passes (includes transportation, guide and some activities). I did the Mekong freestyle pass and barely needed to plan anything extra throughout our travels. Before beginning the tour we booked our flights to Thailand , organized travel insurance and checked the entry requirements for arriving in Thailand. Once we figured how to get from the airport to our accommodation on Khao San Road it was easy traveling with Stray by our sides.

As A Solo Traveler

I cannot even begin to tell you how much pre-planning I did for my solo Southeast Asia trip. It may have been a little over the top, but I did say I like planning. Apart from the typical flights, travel insurance and visas, there was so much more to organize! Bus tickets, best areas to stay in, how long to stay there, what to do, the list goes on. I spent months working on my itinerary, going into very precise detail. I had 6 months of my life pre-planned on a Word document.

Obviously, you don’t have to and probably shouldn’t plan as in-depth as I did. It is fairly easy to get around Southeast Asia by yourself and unlike many other parts of the world, if you make a mistake with planning it is not going to cost much to book a different option. This is perfect for those extroverted people, not afraid to go with the flow into the unknown (this obviously is not me). Nonetheless, you need to make sure you know the entry requirements into the country (do you need a visa?), a flight booked and travel insurance in case something goes wrong.

Transportation And Getting Around: Group Tour VS Solo Travel

Southeast Asia is large and you will, without a doubt need to take some sort of transportation to get around. Though, whether this means getting around a town, traveling between one city from another or even having to cross borders into a whole new country is dependent on the itinerary.

One major standout bonus for me with group tours is all preorganized transport. I had nothing but positive experiences with the transportation I took on the Mekong Pass with Stray Asia. The whole trip consisted of tuk-tuks, minivans, buses, trains, many boats and even a bamboo train . The drivers were always professional, following the laws and not speeding, something which is often a rarity in Southeast Asia.

We never had any problems with canceled journeys or faulty vehicles, always arriving at our destination with minimal hassles. Lastly, a major bonus is that Stray Asia provides transport right to the door of the recommended accommodation This is often right in the middle of the city, meaning after a long day of traveling, we did not have to go far to a comfortable bed.

Also with Stray Asia we had many awesome rest stops during our travel days. From temples, local wildlife, cave visits and viewpoints, we were able to experience what most would only see as a blur through their window.

Personally, for me, transportation is one of the worst parts of solo travel around Southeast Asia. If something is going to go wrong it likely will have to do with your transportation to another city. Nonetheless, the majority seems to work itself out after a lot of stress. Cockroach infestations, scamming taxi drivers, buses not showing up or broken air conditioning on the minivan (with no opening windows), this is just some of what I have experienced. It could be considered an initiation into the backpacker life, though it is in no way enjoyable.

One of the biggest hassles of transportation in Southeast Asia for a solo traveler is the end of your journey. Unfortunately, 90% of the time you will be dropped off at a bus station/pier/random corner 5 kilometers outside of the main city center. Though don’t worry, there will be tuk-tuk drivers waiting to charge you triple for the small drive and knowing you have no other option you will cave to their demands.

Luckily I have always made it to my final destination at the end of the day. Transportation can be booked through hostels/hotels while you are staying there, through local travel agencies or even online at 12.Go Asia .

Knowledge And Safety: Group Tour VS Solo Travel

To stop your parents from tossing and turning during the night, it is important that you are fully prepared for the travels you have planned. Luckily, nowadays information is at the tips of our fingers with a quick Google search, just make sure you get a local SIM card to keep connected.

The major bonus for being on a group tour is that you will have a travel guide. They are able to speak the language, know how to keep you safe, will advise about scams to watch out for and are extremely knowledgeable about each destination you visit. This ultimately helps you generally have such a carefree and stress-free time as you can enjoy living in the moment.

Our guides on Stray Asia always gave us the option of buying a SIM card when we arrived in a new country which was extremely helpful. Language barriers in Southeast Asia do exist, especially if you are getting off the beaten track as we did on the Mekong Pass. Oftentimes at restaurants, none of the staff would speak English so our travel guide quickly became a waiter. They also provided knowledge that we wouldn’t have otherwise had about a country, sharing with us their personal experiences and stories.

As a solo traveler on the road, you quickly learn to use common sense. Though, this may be a result of getting yourself into a bad situation. I won’t go into details, but yes I have been there and luckily was only scammed $100.00. Though it could have been a lot worse. As an introverted person, I might come off as quiet. Though since that incident I have shouted at my fair share of people trying to scam me. Something that before traveling I would have never done. Traveling solo allowed be to develop a backbone, be a confident woman and trust my instincts.

Make sure you research a destination before arriving, ask at your hostel whether it is safe at night and learn your surrounds in the daytime before venturing around during dark. The one thing I always do before I travel somewhere is Googling “scams in X” this way I know what to watch out for and how to stay safe. Picking up a few words in the local language will also help you throughout the travels and break down the common backpacker stereotypes.

Freedom To Explore: Group Tour VS Solo Travel

Why travel to a place if you are not going to have time to explore it? There are so many incredible places in Southeast Asia you could spend a year here and still not see it all. Though, no matter how long you are traveling for, you will want to get the best out of each destination you visit.

Freedom to explore can sometimes be a bit limited when you are on a group tour in Southeast Asia. Though, this definitely depends on the tour itself. You will want to have to look at different options to see where exactly you want to go, which cities you want to visit, do you want more beaches or nature and what countries are ‘must do’. Also, some people might not be too worried about freedom and instead would prefer a fixed itinerary as they only have limited time to explore.

On my recent tour with Stray Asia, in my opinion, there was a great mixture of freedom and scheduling. Using the Mekong Pass I was able to hop on and hop off the tour at any points along the route. The pass is also valid for a year, ideal for short term and long term travelers . The accommodation was at our discretion as well, in which I would stay at a mixture of the Stray preferred accommodation and my own choices. We hopped off 5 times over the trip in destinations where we wanted to explore the surrounding area or simply wanted to relax. For me, it was an ideal mixture of doing my own thing and a fixed itinerary. There is a wide variety of Stray Asia passes so finding one which will be suitable for you has never been easier.

Surprisingly on my recent trip with Stray Asia, in Laos , we actually got completely off the beaten track which would have been difficult getting to as a solo traveler. Kong Lor Cave was one of these places and it ended up being one of the best things I have ever done.

As a solo traveler in Southeast Asia, you have all the freedom in the world. If you want to travel to the Thai islands you can, or head north to Chiang Mai . That decision is totally up to you. Transportation can easily be booked last minute and unless it is a public holiday there are usually plenty of accommodation options to choose from.

Honestly, the only things that limits your freedom as a solo traveler in Southeast Asia is the maximum length of stay associated with entry into particular countries. On my first trip to South East Asia, I happily spent 5 months traveling around Myanmar, Thailand , Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Border Crossings: Group Tour VS Solo Travel

Border crossings are never fun and can often be a stressful situation. Do you have the right paperwork, money for visas, passport sized photos, the list goes on! There has also not been one border I have crossed in Southeast Asia where it does not take all day to get to my final destination, some even taking multiple days such as between Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang .

One of my favorite things about traveling on a group tour in Southeast Asia is the ease which comes with border crossings. Traveling between two countries is never easy, though being apart of a group tour makes everything easier. With a knowledgeable guide nearby, you will know how to correctly fill out the entry/departure cards, the process and how much exactly to pay to avoid getting scammed.

With Stray Asia, we did two individual border crossings, from Thailand to Laos and from Laos to Cambodia. Our guide Pow had crossed these borders many times and knew the correct procedures. This led to an overall simple and quick experience. He also made sure we paid the correct visa fee to the border officials. Lastly, if anyone in our group had lost their departure cards he was able to get replacements for a few dollars.

Border crossings as a solo traveler in Southeast Asia are never easy. Though, there are things you can do which will make the process less stressful. It is essential that you research the border in advance. Again, knowledge is power, and learning about the possible scams, the processes involved and other travelers experience will allow you to understand what to do and what to expect.

Personally, I have done 3 overland border crossings in Southeast Asia and numerous border crossings where I have arrived at the airport. The airport option is great for travelers in Southeast Asia that are not trying to stick to a budget as depending on your passport, you might be able to get a 30-day visa on arrival. The immigration process is much easier and more professional at airports compared to overland border crossings.

If you are on a budget while solo traveling Southeast Asia, then the overland border crossings might be the best option for you. My main recommendation is to book with a reputable bus company to cross the border with. A personal favorite of mine, which I have done numerous border crossings with, is a bus company called the Giant Ibis. Each bus will have a border attendant onboard which will assist with obtaining visas and answer any questions.

Making Friends: Group Tour VS Solo Travel

Having someone to share all the incredible moments with makes the experience so much better. That is why finding friends when traveling is important and it is amazing all the different types of people you can connect with while traveling. In the end, you will have friends located all around the world.

A group tour is a great way to make friends in Southeast Asia as these are people you will be hanging out with the majority of the day. Everyone is in a similar position and even though there may be a mixture of solo travelers, couples and friends, they are here to learn about a country and explore.

On my group tour with Stray Asia, I had a hop off style pass. This is ideal if you are not vibing with a particular group as you can just hop off, and then hop on the next bus which passes through. Stray honestly had such a wide variety of travelers we were always surprised with the diversity of groups. We even meet some great people and changed our plans so we didn’t end up hopping off and instead spending a little longer on the tour with them. The choice is completely up to you!

As a solo traveler, it can be extremely easy to make friends in Southeast Asia as there will be many other people like you. It is a popular spot for many solo backpackers. Hostels are often your best bet for making friends and many these days offer private rooms as well as dorm rooms. If you are looking for a social hostel check out Hostel World reviews. They have a tab dedicated to ‘sociability’ of each accommodation and reviewer will often mention this aspect as well.

As you can see there are a lot of different variables for you to consider when evaluating whether solo travel or a group tour is best for your first time in Southeast Asia. Though, honestly, if you are looking at something between the two options, from my personal experience, I can recommend Stray Asia’s freestyle passes.

The hop on hop off style tours allow you to be flexible, stay in your own accommodation and do your own thing, but with the content of knowing you have safe transportation and a knowledgeable guide to help get you between destinations. It had been years since I had done a group style tour. Though, after my recent experience with Stray Asia, I would certainly look into doing it again in future destinations I visit.

Any Questions? Let me know in the comments!

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Want more South East Asia Inspiration? Check out…. HOW TO TRAVEL FROM CHIANG MAI TO LUANG PRABANG BEST HOSTELS ON KHAO SAN ROAD ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE WITH ELEPHANT NATURE PARK IN CHIANG MAI, THAILAND A NIGHT AT THE CHIANG MAI SUNDAY MARKETS, THAILAND KHAO SAN ROAD TO SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT TRANSPORT GUIDE TRAVEL FROM KHAO SAN ROAD TO DON MUEANG AIRPORT

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on it and purchase something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. As always all opinions are my own and your support is much appreciated.

Backpackers Wanderlust was a guest on the Mekong Pass with Stray Asia, however, as always, all opinions are my own.

Tasha Amy is a true backpacker at heart and has been discovering the world on a budget since 2015. Based in Gisborne, New Zealand she will spend many months each year traveling overseas as a solo female traveler before coming home and sharing her adventures online with you.

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Jane Goodall Collection

Step deeper into the animal kingdom while respecting all of its inhabitants. Our incredible collection of 20 wildlife-focused tours is endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist.

Roamies by Hostelworld

The thrill of adventure. The awesomeness of hostels. Get ‘em both on these immersive small group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travellers.

Why choose us

As the leader in small group travel for 30 years, we know how to do it right: flexible itineraries, freedom to roam, safety, peace of mind, and locally based guides.

Change the world just by having the time of your life. When you travel with us, you become a force for good by acting responsibly and creating positive impact.

Together with our non-profit partner, Planeterra, we ensure local communities touched by our tours benefit from our visits in as many ways possible.

Trees for Days

Leave your destination even greener than you found it! For every day on tour, we’ll plant a tree in your honour and ensure that our forests get to live their best lives.

Travel resources

Last minute deals.

Looking to have the time of your life in the next 90 days or so? You can save big if you’re ready to book now.

Loyalty discount

Back home from a G Adventures tour? Submit a quick trip evaluation to save 5% on your next tour with us.

Student discount

Got proof that you’re pursuing higher learning? Then we’ve got a travel voucher with your name on it.

All travel deals

New ways to save pop up all the time. Here’s where you’ll find every hot deal in one easy place.

Solo travel

Travel with g, myself and i.

Got an inner urge to get out and explore, but none of your travel buddies can make it happen? Sure, you could hit the road all on your own. But going with a small group gives your solo trip more structure, guidance and safety, letting you get head-to-toe immersed in our world.

Our most popular solo trips

Why travel solo with g adventures, you’re in good hands.

All our trips are led by a Chief Experience Officer, aka CEO. These locally based expert guides are your adventure’s captain, keeping things moving, organized, and as safe as can be.

Easy on the wallet

Why should traveling solo be more expensive? We treat single travelers the same as the rest of the group, which is why we don’t charge single supplements.

Freedom to do you

Your trip is just that – yours. Want to linger at the market or grab a table at that cozy café? Go right ahead. We give your trip structure, but also plenty of free time.

Connection comes standard

With group sizes typically ranging from 12 to 16 people, you’ll have built-in community and connection with equally adventurous travelers from all over the world.

Always female friendly

Traveling solo as a woman can feel risky, but we’re committed to keeping everyone on our trips as safe as possible at all times. From our CEOs to our same-sex roommates, all women can adventure with confidence.

Some privacy, please

Want a room all to yourself? We offer single travelers a "My Own Room" option, meaning you could have a private room (and personal washroom) for your entire trip.

Know before you go

Never traveled solo or gone as part of a group before? We can get you sorted. Check out some of our most frequently asked questions or  get in touch with us any time.

We offer the “My Own Room” option on most of our tours, which guarantees you a room of your own for a modest additional fee. Cost and details of “My Own Room” vary according to the specific trip, so be sure to consult our trip summary pages for full details. On some tours, a single room may not be available at certain overnight stops, depending on the style of accommodation.

Wherever your heart takes you! Just about any place worth exploring is a good spot to venture out on your own.

Our groups often experience a good mix of ages, everything from travellers in their early-20s to those aged 60 and over. We sort all of our trips into Travel Styles, which guarantee that you’ll be travelling with people who share the same interests you do. Over the years, we’ve found that a good range of ages within a group often adds to the experience

On most evenings, your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will organize a group meal. It’s pretty flexible; you can choose to dine with the group or head off and do your own thing. Other nights, your CEO may recommend a few nearby restaurants you can try. Again, you determine whether you want to stick with the group or go it alone.

Most of our trips split pretty evenly down gender lines. We average roughly 60:40 female-to-male, so you’ll never feel outnumbered.

On most G Adventures tours, the ratio of solo travellers to others (couples, friends travelling together, etc) is roughly 40:60. For privacy reasons, we can’t share information about your soon-to-be travelling companions ahead of time. Our tours appeal to a wide cross-section of adventurous people from all over the world united by a desire to experience our planet from a grassroots level. Our tours are conducted in English and tend to attract travellers from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

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Written by: G Adventures , 20 Feb. 2024 12:02 p.m.

Going solo: how to travel the world on your own

See how small group tours pave the way for incredible solo adventures (especially for women!)

Written by: G Adventures , 1 Feb. 2024 01:25 p.m.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

10 of the best group trips for solo travellers

From wild camping in the Sahara and the Lakes to culinary adventures and tours of Europe, these holidays are also a fun way to meet new people

The flavours of Morocco

Intrepid Travel’s Real Food Adventures offers the chance to meet travellers with a similar appetite for delving into local cuisine on trips where culture and adventure come with a substantial side of cooking and eating. The Moroccan itinerary includes sipping mint tea on Casablanca’s corniche, eating a home-cooked feast in the “blue city” of Chefchaouen, exploring Fez medina and camping in the Sahara before finishing up in buzzing Marrakech. More than half of those booking these trips are travelling solo, so it’s easy to bond over cooking classes, tastings and street food trails. From £980, 12 days, various dates, intrepidtravel.com

Packrafting in Croatia

Meet paddleboarding’s adrenaline-fuelled cousin – packrafting . These lightweight, inflatable canoes fold down into a backpack, making it easy to move between land and water, and are forgiving for first-time users. Much Better Adventures’ Croatian packrafting trip is aimed at novices and includes hikes through wild canyons, canoeing rapids and swimming in limpid rivers. Guests stay in hotels or camp in secluded spots in a national park. Groups are of up to eight, with nearly three quarters of participants coming solo. £534, four nights, dates from May-September, muchbetteradventures.com

Learn to wild camp in the Lake District

For would-be outdoor adventurers who find the idea of sleeping in the wilderness daunting, a Wild Camping for Beginners weekend might be the answer. Adventure Solos, which runs outdoor trips for adults, has a two-night wild camping break in the Lake District. It’s led by an expert who gives tips and instruction, and the price includes a bundle of good-quality equipment, including a tent, a sleeping bag, inflatable mat, stove and a head torch, perfect for the next adventure – perhaps with friends made on this trip. £695 for two nights, 19-21 May and 14-16 July, including gear and equipment to keep, adventuresolos.com

Tour Europe’s greatest cities

Hostels are by nature sociable places to stay, but on one of G Adventures’ new Roamies tours guests get to hangout with a ready-made group – and don’t have to deal with itinerary planning. These trips use stylish hostels (such as Generator Rome, pictured) in central locations and are aimed at 18- to 35-year-olds. Its Essential Western Europe itinerary ticks off the big-hitters of Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg and Munich, with a mix of guided walks and free time to explore, and nearly three quarters of travellers come solo. From £1,037, 10 days, staying in shared mixed or female-only dorms, various dates, gadventures.com

Black women’s hiking and hostelling trips across the UK

Black Girls Hike started life in 2019 as an Instagram page set up by Rhiane Fatinikun to find other members of her community to enjoy the great outdoors with. Now, as well as nationwide group hikes, she runs popular multi-activity weekends for black and mixed-race women, attracting mostly solo travellers across a broad age range. Activities include hiking, kayaking, gorge walking, crafts and yoga, and participants stay in youth hostel dorms. £285 for Devon activity weekend on Dartmoor on 5-7 May, or Edale Activity Weekend in the Peak District on 8-10 September, eventbrite.co.uk

Road trip through Portugal

Road trips are best undertaken in groups – sharing the driving and map reading, and choosing the tunes along the way, adds to the fun. WeRoad organises trips with a rough itinerary and a light-touch travel coordinator instead of a formal guide – more like an organised friend who has all the paperwork. The Portugal Beach Life tour is a relaxed road trip from Lisbon to the Algarve, with time to lounge and party as well as hike, see the sights and have a go at surfing. Almost all travellers come alone, and share the driving. Trips are aimed at one of two age groups: 25-35 and 35-49. From £999, nine days, 21 May, weroad.co.uk

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Kayak Scotland’s west coast

Scotland’s wild west coast is dotted with secluded white sand beaches in wild landscapes, promising an array of exciting wildlife encounters. On the Trad Music and Kayaking trip with Slow Adventure, guests could spot seals, eagles and even basking sharks and whales as they paddle. Dining will include some very fresh seafood – langoustines at a seaside shack anyone? – followed by live folk music before falling asleep to the sound of the waves outside the tent. The trip is suitable for novices, and 5% of the fee goes to local conservation projects. From £617, spring and summer, dates tbc, slow-adventure.com

Cycle from London to Paris

Cycling may not be the easiest way to reach the French capital, but it’s the most rewarding. Doing it in a group with operator Adventurous Ewe brings companions with whom to share jokes, aches and pains on the 300 mile-plus journey, and a support crew to transport luggage and fix mechanical problems. There’s a bespoke training programme, and the price covers accommodation, meals, ferry crossing on the way out and Eurostar return. If this is too much of a challenge, shorter cycling options include a two-dayer coast-to-coast across the Lake District. £1,000, five days, departs 19 June, adventurousewe.co.uk

Plunge into Pembrokeshire

Preseli Venture offers the chance to go kayaking, coasteering and hiking along the clifftops of the rugged Pembrokeshire coast before retreating to the comfort of a rural eco-lodge to sip a local brew and stargaze from around a roaring bonfire. The lodge is in a wooded valley near a sandy beach and close to both the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the Celtic cycling trail . It welcomes solo travellers, on both standard group adventure breaks and its “singles adventure” departures, which also include surfing and a boat trip out to spot seals and seabirds around Ramsey Island nature reserve. £795, five days, runs 9 July and 10 September, preseliventure.co.uk

Wine and choucroute in Alsace

Hiking breaks often appeal to solo travellers – around half of Ramblers Walking Holidays’ clients go on their own (and a high percentage are women over 60). Its Wine Villages of the Alsace trip is a week of vineyard and woodland walks on the Sentier Viticole des Grands Crus, passing villages such as Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, with their cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings. It’s a good one for foodies too, with plenty of great Franco-German fare – and good wine, of course. From £1,325, including rail travel, accommodation and some meals (single rooms available for a supplement), various dates in May-Oct, ramblersholidays.co.uk

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Group Trips for Solo Travelers: 100+ Tours & Cruises Await

Zero – 20% max single supplement.

A centralized list of group trips for solo travelers from a variety of travel companies.

Don't bounce around from site to site to see what individual companies are offering solo travelers. See it here, one list, many companies, all offering group trips for solo travelers, tours and cruises, with low or no single supplement.

Go to our All Trips page to see solo travel group tours and cruises by advertiser. Are you interested in advertising trips for solo travelers? Please contact Simon .

Use the filters to find the solo travel group tours or cruise that's right for you.

• Africa  (14) Asia  (12) Australia and South Pacific  (3) Central America and Caribbean  (8) Europe  (78) Middle East  (5) North America  (17) Polar Regions  (15) South America  (9)
• Active  (61) Budget  (11) Bus tour  (18) Cruise  (34) Cycling  (3) Educational/History  (62) Food and/or Wine  (31) Luxury  (20) Self-guide  (1) Self-guided  (0) Seniors  (52) Small Group  (100) Walking/Hiking  (44) Women Only  (9)
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Women’s Retreat in England

Sharing is caring!

See all from Spiral Path Journeys .

Grande Atlantic Crossing Singles

Nov 24: FREE BIZ Class Air, 2 week, luxury crossing with gourmet meals & all tours incl.

See all from Single Travel International .

Visit China on a Cultural Tour

An 11-day China Cultural tour visiting Shanghai, Xi'an (Terracotta soldiers) and Beijing

See all from Travels with Talek .

Amsterdam to Vienna

Visit the most beautiful & historic sites on the Rhine. 15 days. 8/05/24.

See all from CroisiEurope Cruises .

Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks

Utah is home to several stunning national parks, each offering their own unique landscape.

See all from Tours of Distinction, Inc. .

JWP Kingdom of the Sky 2025

Adventure through South Africa and Lesotho, exploring life in the mountains and desert.

See all from Blue Sky Expeditions .

Ancient Sicily

Discover ancient sites and famous wine and cuisine on this two-week tour.

See all from Explore Worldwide .

Thailand: Bangkok To Phuket

Hop between Thailand's temples, markets, and islands with fellow solo travelers.

See all from EF Go Ahead Tours .

Yacht Cruise Costa Rica

-20% Cruise the Costa Rican coast aboard a small yacht. Sailings April 28 – July 14

See all from Yacht Cruise Company – Boutique Cruise Specialist .

Africa Safari and Beach in Kenya

3 nights on safari and 4 nights at the beach – a great win centre combination in Kenya.

See all from Friendship Travel Singles Holidays .

Pilates holidays in Italy

Pilates holidays are suitable for any age/ability! You will leave feeling very renewed.

See all from Flavours Holidays .

JWP Water and Desert 2025

Embark on adventure in Botswana, exploring life on water, in the bush, and in the desert

Portugal for Solo Travelers

Soak in the country’s scenery and sunshine alongside solo travelers.

Lisbon, Seville & Madrid

This tour of Spain & Portugal introduces you to fascinating cities & cultural discoveries.

See all from Cosmos .

Cooking Holidays in Italy

Cooking holidays in Italy are relaxed, fun and hands-on. Enjoy what Italy has to offer!

Leisurely Walking in Spain

Sep 1 – 7, 2024 discover Barcelona and the Costa Brava on beautiful, half-day excursions.

See all from The Blue Walk .

Historic Baltic Republics

Journey through the capitals and countryside of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Eastern Europe to the Black Sea

14 days, NOW starting from $2,995

See all from Overseas Adventure Travel .

Mardi Himal Trek -9 Days

Offers a perfect opportunity for exploring the beautiful Himalayan region of Nepal.

See all from Marvel Treks and Expedition .

9 Days in Morocco (30s & 40s)

Morocco Group Tour For Solos 30s & 40s – Marrakech, Fes & Sahara Desert!

See all from Other Way Round Travel .

Prague, Vienna & Budapest

On this splendid Central Europe tour, you’ll discover the former Habsburg Empire.

Must-See Paris

First time visiting Paris? There's no better way than to come with Paris Personally!

See all from Paris Personally .

To Italy with Love – Sept/Oct 24

Sept 24-Oct 8, 2024. A unique intimate group tour of 4-14 people guided by June Morrocco.

See all from To Italy with Love .

Pleasures of Portugal

Travel through Portugal's highlights in a small group at a relaxing pace.

Peru, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca

Oct 1-12, 2024. Extend the main tour to Lake Titicaca; visit the people of Uros Islands.

See all from Pack A Fork! Unique Cultural & Culinary Adventures .

Yellowstone Adventure

Explore amongst the numerous natural wonders of America's oldest national park.

See all from Active Adventures .

Italian Splendour. Solos Only.

Small group discovery from Rome to the northern lakes with all the major highlights.

See all from Encounter Travel .

Tournament of Roses Parade 2024

Get ready to experience the magic and splendor of this iconic New Year’s Day event.

Venice, Florence & Rome

Mangia your way through Italy with fellow foodies.

Vistas, Vineyards, Kangaroos Tour

Jan 2025 Enjoy gems of the southern coast, combine w/New Zealand NYE'25 for max experience

Antarctic Explorer

A luxurious Antarctic cruise from Ushuaia with flights from Buenos Aires. Save Up To 40%!

See all from Antarctica Cruises .

New Zealand NYE’25 Singles Cruise

Spend New Year down under, combine w/Vistas, Vineyards, Kangaroos Tour for max experience!

Great Rivers of Europe

16 days, starting from $3,695

Highlights of Albania

Journey through the beautiful Albanian Riviera and discover the land of eagles.

See all from Exodus Adventure Travels .

Woman Only Egypt Explorer

Discover Egypt on this 12-day escorted small group woman's only tour for over 50's.

Egypt & Nile River Cruise

Soak in Egypt's iconic ancient sites—and sail along the Nile—with fellow solo travelers.

The Northwest Passage

Explore the best of Greenland & the Canadian Arctic on this ultimate small-ship expedition

See all from Adventure Canada .

Greenland challenge sailing tour

Adventure beyond the Arctic Circle. Explore the wonders of the Arctic on board a yacht

See all from Iceland Challenge Travel .

Ice Challenge in Iceland

3 or 6 days, small group tour. Discover the magic of Icelandic glaciers in an advanced way

Solo explorer. Iceland

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes of Iceland

Saint Lucia Caribbean Luxury – 5*

All-inclusive Caribbean resort incl spa treatment each day. On the beach, upto 30 solos

High Arctic Explorer

Cruise at the foot of icebergs. Seek seabirds, polar bears, and walruses.

Portugal painting OR sightseeing

Paint and improve your art skills OR join a trip with sightseeing included. NEW 2024 dates

May & June 2024

8-day small group guided tour – May 11-18 and June 10-17

See all from Arrivederci Puglia Travel .

Cuba Cultural Tour

See the best of Cuba. 7 cities. Approved for US citizens. 11-days, Low Single Supplement

Kenya Wildlife Safari

Majestic wildlife, vibrant culture, and warm locals make for the ultimate mix.

Singles Holidays

Are you a solo traveller and looking for amazing singles holidays? Come with Flavours

Irish Discovery

Lush landscapes, vibrant cities & historic attractions await on this guided Ireland tour.

Inside Vietnam

Learn about ancient and modern history on this epic journey across Vietnam.

Amazing Oregon

June 22-July 2, 2024, Portland, Columbia River Gorge, Williamette Wine Country & The Coast

Simply Japan

Travel from super-modern cities to villages and temples that remain unchanged from time.

Experience The Authentic France!

Small, private, hosted, guided tours over 10 days: a VIP experience for solo travelers!

See all from Experience (my) France .

Painting holidays in Italy

A unique blend of expert teaching and free time so you can become inspired in Italy!

Colombia All-In (30s & 40s)

Colombia Group Tour for Solos 30s & 40s – Medellin, Cartagena, Bogota & Tayrona !

Gems of the Adriatic

The best small group tour featuring Croatia and Slovenia.

Borneo Highlights. ‘Solos Only’

Its natural beauty leaves visitors in awe, and wildlife like no other.

Greece & The Islands. Solos Only.

Discover the mainland highlights & opt to join the Greek Islands extension tour.

Falklands, S. Georgia, Antarctica

A special subantarctic voyage to witness some of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles.

Hawaiian Vacation Escape

Idyllic islands, a strong Polynesian culture and customized, unique excursions await you.

Best Of Antarctica

A ‘Wildlife Explorer' safari by boutique ship in search of the Antarctic's iconic species.

Explore Greek Islands and more

Fly to Athens and explore Greek Islands with solo group tours each week of summer.

Mighty Five Adventure

Explore the beauty of Utah's Mighty Five National Parks on a 9-day small group adventure.

Paris, Normandy and The Loire

Tour France the perfect way. See the highlights of Paris, the Loire Valley and Normandy.

8 Days in Croatia (30s & 40s)

Croatia Group Tour For Solos 30s & 40s – Split, Hvar & Dubrovnik

Leisurely Walking in Switzerland

A dream vacation exploring the Lucerne and Lauterbrunnen regions by foot, ferry and rail.

Taste of Bordeaux – Amawaterways

From romantic walks to red wine, Bordeaux is the cultural capital of all that!

See all from TourWithOrit .

Douro River valley – Uniworld

The UNESCO-designated Douro Valley runs through Portugal and into Spain.

Choose Your Savings

Save $1,000 on ANY 2024 departure OR Save up to $3,000 on July-October adventures.

Colors of Provence- AmaWaterways

Reserve Colors of Provence by March 31st. no additional supplement!

A Week with the French

An experience for all your senses, spend a very French week in Paris with us!

Central Europe for Solo Travelers

Join fellow solo travelers to see the cities and sites of Alpine Europe.

Newfoundland & Wild Labrador

Hike in Torngat Mountains National Park. Enjoy Inuit culture. Visit Battle Harbour.

Romance of the Rhine & Mosel

16 days, NOW starting from $3,295

Treasures of Peru

October 1-9, 2024: Peru's history, culture, folklore, archaeological sites, fusion cuisine

Language holiday in Italy

You’ll learn outside of the confines of the classroom in a casual, fun atmosphere in Italy

Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise

A pioneering fly-cruise trip skipping the infamous Drake Passage. Now with $1500 credit!

Ireland For Solo Travelers

Join our trip – Ireland for solo travelers, where green landscapes & frothy Guinness await

AmaWaterways -Flavors of Portugal

Reserve select 2024 Europe sailings and pay no additional supplemental fee.

Desert Solo Adventure Awaits 2024

All Female African journey ignites souls, explores wildlife, fosters conservation efforts.

October & November 2024

Discover Puglia with our 8-day guided tour – October 5-12 and November 2-9

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Behold jaw-dropping scenery as you hike, bike, and cruise your way through Patagonia.

Iceland In-Depth

Iceland is still being formed by water, ice, and fire and closer than you believe…

Photography holiday in Italy

Display your creativity whilst exploring stunning regions & expand your photography skills

Music Cities USA

The magic and music of Memphis, Nashville, and the Biltmore Estate.

12 Days in Brazil (30s & 40s)

Brazil Group Tour For Solos 30s & 40s – Sao Paulo, Paraty, Ilha Grande & Rio

India’s Golden Triangle

Enjoy a perfect introduction to the best of northern India.

Italian Riviera and Lake Como

By foot and rail experience off-the-beaten-path Cinque Terre, Portofino, and Lake Como.

Chile & Peru Singles 50+ Cruise

Mar 2025 Boutique cruise plus exclusive flight over the mysterious Nasca Lines in Peru!

Scandinavia Explorer

A 20 day grand tour of the highlights, Sweden, Finland, Norway & Denmark.

Seine River Cruise from Paris

Culinary delights and countryside this river cruise is the perfect way to discover France.

Colours of Morocco ‘Solos Only’

A boutique adventure with all the major highlights captivating the immense diversity.

Rome, Florence & Venice

Your dream of visiting the shining cities of Italy on a budget can come true.

Banff & Jasper Adventure

Explore wild landscapes and indulge your adventurous side on our Banff & Jasper Adventure.

Kenai Fjords Adventure

Experience the wonders of Alaska's wilderness on this 6-day small group adventure.

To Italy with Love: May 2024

May 1-15 & May 15-29 – A unique intimate group of 4-14 people guided by June Morrocco.

Northern Spain Culture & Cuisine

10-day tour visiting iconic cities of northern Spain, cultural experiences

Aegean Islands, Athens & Istanbul

17 days—including 7 nights aboard the 50-passenger M/V Arethusa or M/V Athena

Netherlands, Belgium & France

The best of the Netherlands, Belgium & France in a small group. Time to spoil yourself!

Food and nature challenge Iceland

9 days adventure with small group and private guide. Taste Iceland with us.

Newfoundland Circumnavigation

Witness sublime hospitality. Striking wildlife and scenery. Hike Gros Morne and Red Bay.

Portugal: Walking in Madeira

Explore verdant landscapes on one of the most scenic islands in Portugal.

Cycle the Baltics

Discover the best of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by bike.

Christmas in Paris

A magical Christmas in the City of Light? Join us for an unforgettable experience.

North India. ‘Solos Only’

A 14 day small group tour of Rajasthan and extension option to Varanasi

Grand Tour of the United Kingdom

An experience of a lifetime awaits you on this guided tour of Scotland, Wales & England.

South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey

An epic wildlife expedition visiting Antarctica & South Georgia. Now 20% off + $2K credit!

12-night Walking Tour in Greece

Athens, then Island Hop through Amorgos, Naxos, and Santorini. Explore authentic Greece.

Mallorca Island Sunshine – Spain

A four star hotel on this Spanish Island from only $1495. Culture & History in Palma City.

New Mexico Women’s Retreat 6/2024

Embark on a heart-led journey amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Northern New Mexico.

Danube River Christmas Markets

Get into the Spirit of Christmas on a Danube River cruise & Europe's Christmas Markets.

Amalfi Coast Walking

Walk the ancient stone stairways and limestone cliff paths of Italy's Amalfi Coast.

Barcelona, Madrid & Seville

One week. Three vibrant Spanish cities. Explore alongside fellow solo travelers.

12 Days in Peru (30s & 40s)

Peru Group Tour For Solos 30s & 40s – Lima, Amazon & Machu Picchu !

July and September 2024

8-day small group guided tour – July 2-9 and September 3-10

11 Days in Mexico (30s & 40s)

Mexico Group Tour For Solos 30s & 40s – Mexico City, Oaxaca & Tulum !

Morocco Sahara Odyssey

16 days—from $4395 per person, including airfare

Greenland & Wild Labrador

Cross the Arctic Circle. Hike in Torngat Mountains National Park. Enjoy Inuit cultural.

S. Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula

A classic voyage to the storied South Shetlands Islands and pristine Antarctic Peninsula.

Heart of the Arctic

Explore the coasts of Greenland & South Baffin Island. Encounter famous Inuit art-making.

Walking In Madeira

Walk along ancient footpaths and irrigation channels on this unique volcanic island.

Scandinavia. Solos Only.

Enjoy long days of sunshine; Sweden, Finland, Norway & Denmark small group discovery.

Walk the Cote D’Azur and Villages

May 27-Jun 2: Discover coastal walks, lively markets, and the colorful French Riviera

Malta Unveiled ‘Solos Only’

Captivating Malta! An exclusive small group 7 day tour.

Ultimate South Island Adventure

Experience an unforgettable journey on our signature 14-day New Zealand adventure.

Christmas Tenerife Island Europe

Christmas sunshine. A Canary Island with amazing walks and culture in north of Tenerife.

Uniworld – No supplement!

Book now to save big, with Single Supplements waived on select departures. Click on link!

Greek Islands for Solo Travelers

Explore the best of the Greek Islands alongside fellow solo travelers.

Japan: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji and Kyoto

Get to know Japanese culture—and your fellow travelers—on this immersive tour of Japan.

UNESCO HERITAGE 2024 Cruise

30% off Peloponnese and UNESCO Greek World Heritage sites, Nov 2-9 20% single supplement.

Wonders of Egypt ‘Solos Only’

Sights to behold, a destination like no other. Join a small group tour, solos only.

China Cultural Tour

Discover China. Visit Shanghai, Xi-an (terracotta soldiers), Beijing and Xitang.

Cruise The Romantic Rhine

5 Day sailings. May through August departures. FREE solo supplement or 25% off.

The Best of Greece

On this Greece tour, discover the highlights of historical, mythical, and modern Greece.

New Year’s Eve Singles Cruise

12/27-1/4 RING IN THE NEW YEAR with singles 50+. Leisurely explore the Western Caribbean!

To Italy with Love: Sep 2024

Sept 10 – 24, 2024. A unique intimate group, 4-14 people guided by June Morrocco.

Malta, Italy, Isle of Beauty

French Riviera to the Maltese capital, NO single suppl. on an 11-day Mediterranean cruise.

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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Vacations for solo travelers.

Our  small group tours are ideal for solo travelers who want to really explore, and who want some good company along the way. All of our group tours are suitable for single travelers, no matter your age. In fact, with around 60% of our customers traveling solo on our tours, you're likely to have other solos in your group, so you'll instantly have something in common.  The average group size on our solo trips is just 11, so you'll have the opportunity to meet new friends looking for the same experiences as you are, but not too many to disrupt your trip. And you'll be led by a local  tour leader  with expert knowledge about your destination, who will keep you safe and ensure you have the best experience possible.

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Solo vacations for over 50s

Solo vacations for over 60s

Solo adventure tours

Solo walking tours

Solo cycle tours

Solo travel guide for women

Solo travel guide

Our most popular solo tours

The best of azerbaijan, georgia and armenia.

Historic Baltic Republics

Explore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Highlights of Poland

Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands

A Taste of Georgia - Tbilisi to the Caucasus Mountains

FAQs for solo travelers

First time traveling alone on a group holiday? We've answered the top questions about traveling alone on an Explore tour:

No, there is no extra cost for traveling by yourself on our tours if you’re happy to share with another traveler. If you prefer a room of your own, there’ll be a single room supplement to pay. How much this is depends on the trip.

Yes, we build free time into our itineraries on the majority of our trips. Check the itinerary on the trip page where we detail the plan for each day, including available free time.

Our typical small group is 11 people, plus an Explore leader. Big enough to meet likeminded people, but small enough to get close to the destination you’re visiting. The exact size varies according to the type of trip, the transport and accommodation used and activities included. We rarely have groups that are smaller than five or six people or larger than 16. Usually around half of the travelers in each group are traveling solo.

Included in our trip price is a bed in a twin room, which you would share with another person in your group of the same sex. If you prefer a room of your own, you can choose to pay for our single room option (single supplement). This is available on most of our trips but may not apply to all nights - check the trip itinerary, where we state which nights have single room options. The single supplement cost varies according to the trip – see the trip pages for pricing.

Typically, we leave the evenings free on our tours, so you can enjoy free time to do whatever you choose. Your tour leader will be on hand to recommend local restaurants and things to do, and can organise bookings for you. It's up to you whether you eat with your whole group, in smaller groups or on your own. Some trips have evening activities, for example a meal with locals in a home stay or a sunset boat ride, but often these are optional. Check the trip page for a day-to-day breakdown of included meals and activities.

Of course! People travel alone with us for all sorts of reasons, not just because they're single. So if you're partner isn't able to join you on your trip, or isn't up for traveling, you'll still be in great company.

Yes, our customers' safety is our number one priority, so you'll be safe traveling with us. Being with a group is a sure way to stay safe, and our tour leader will also be with you to watch out for the whole group. As a local, your tour leader will be able to advise you on local customs and etiquette, common phrases and what to look out for. And in the unlikely event that something unexpected should happen before or during your trip, we pride ourselves on our swift and efficient response, so you can be assured that you’ll be well looked-after. Read more in our solo travel guide for women

Want to know more? Check out our solo travel guide . 

What to expect as a solo traveler with Explore

Unforgettable experiences

From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.

Expert tour leaders

Chosen for their great knowledge of your destination and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.

Small groups

Average groups of 11; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.

Responsible at heart

How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, our loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.

Reviews from solo travelers

Average customer rating:

Independent service rating based on

Ready for your solo tour?

Read more about solo travel on our tours

Top 10 trips for solo travelers

10 unusual places to visit as a solo traveller

First solo trip with Explore? Top 7 questions answered

Best solo tours in the UK

Travel Guide for Single Parent Family Holidays

Where to go? Our recommendations by month

Solo Travel Guide: Travelling alone in Europe

Best solo tours in North America

How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel

I 've always considered myself a fiercely independent traveler. I've navigated more than 50 countries on my own, and while I have sometimes booked short excursions, usually for a day, it had never occurred to me to book a group tour. That changed when I decided to take two of my children on a family tour with Intrepid Travel . 

I had planned on spending our winter break in the Middle East but changed my mind at the last minute due to safety concerns . Because of the abrupt change, I knew I wouldn't have time to plan an itinerary, book hotels and arrange transportation before our departure date. However, I didn’t want to let that stop me from having an adventure. I'm glad I took a chance on a group tour because it changed the way I travel. Here's how.

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The trip planning was stress-free

I spent a little time comparing tour companies but quickly honed in on Intrepid. The company offers a variety of itineraries for families at different price points, and a few of my friends had been on its tours and had a good experience. I also liked that Intrepid offers specialized tours for different types of travelers, including family tours . 

At first I planned on an "original" style family tour but upgraded to a "comfort" tour, which included more activities and meals along with upgraded accommodations. Although it cost more, the company's 10-day Morocco Family Holiday tour was still within my budget and looked like a good value. 

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Once I committed to a tour, my planning was essentially done. That was a huge relief. I normally spend hours searching for hotels , figuring out some must-do activities in every location along with some off-the-beaten-track attractions, researching transportation options, and gathering restaurant recommendations. Although I often find it's fun, it’s also time-consuming and can become draining for trips that involve several stops.

Even though a group tour was not exactly what I would have planned on my own, Intrepid's Morocco itinerary was fairly close. I thought giving up some control was well worth the trade-off of not having to do all the planning on my own. Because Intrepid uses local teams based at its tour destinations to plan trips, I also hoped having a local involved would bring me to places I never would have found on my own. 

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Instead of reading hotel reviews and booking entry tickets, I spent the weeks leading up to my family vacation learning more about Moroccan culture. I knew this would enrich my experience more than figuring out all of the details for a trip abroad to run smoothly. I'm usually a mix of excited and stressed in the week or two leading up to a big trip. This time I was mostly excited, and my stress was at a minimum. 

Though I won’t stick exclusively to group tours in the future, this trip taught me to not sweat the small stuff so much. I don’t need to spend so much time finding the perfect hotel or restaurant to have a great trip.

Group trips are fantastic for solo travelers and parents traveling on their own

Before I had a family, I often traveled on my own. Though I enjoyed solo travel , it was lonely at times, even more so when I stopped staying at youth hostels and lost access to the fantastic communities they provide. Now I frequently travel with my two younger children. They are fantastic travel companions, but on longer trips I sometimes find myself longing for adult interaction or an extra pair of hands. Additionally, even though my kids usually get along well, they sometimes get sick of each other in the absence of any other playmates. 

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On my Intrepid trip, I had other adults to talk to throughout the day. That was a refreshing change from my usual experience of going a week or more without speaking to another adult for more than five minutes, usually for transactional matters like checking into a hotel. My kids also quickly made friends with the other children on the trip. Not surprisingly, all of the families on the trip had similar interests and an adventurous spirit. My children and I were the only Americans in the group, and it was interesting learning more about life in New Zealand, Canada and Australia from the other families.

The parents in the group quickly started leaning on one another for support. One mom, also traveling alone with her children, asked me to take one of her daughters on an outing so she could get some one-on-one time with her other child. I asked a different mom to keep an eye on my son while I packed our things for the next day. It was nice not feeling as if I was on my own. 

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This "it takes a village" spirit is something I want to bring with me in my future travels. Although it’s not possible to replicate the experience of traveling with other families, it is possible to seek out connections away from home. For example, on a recent trip, my son wanted to play soccer with local children who lived near our hotel. Instead of rushing him away so we could squeeze in another activity, I let him play. He wound up meeting up with the other kids every night we were there, sharing candy and communicating with an app. The nights playing soccer were a highlight of that trip for him and something I probably would not have let him do before my experience with a group tour.  

I appreciated a slower pace

I have serious FOMO and often pack too much into my days when I travel. When I first reviewed the itinerary, I noted right away that it had downtime and even an entire free afternoon built into the trip. Though I know many people enjoy that balance, I was worried I would feel bored and come away feeling as if I had traveled halfway around the world and missed seeing all there is to do. 

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The reality is it’s impossible to do everything. Trying is exhausting and impossible. There is always something left on the to-do list at the end of the trip. It was refreshing to go into a trip not trying to see an entire country in two weeks and being OK with that from the outset. 

Though there were a couple of other things I would have liked to have squeezed in, I was very happy with the balance of activities and downtime. Other than all-inclusive family vacations and trips to family resorts , I normally don’t schedule time to just relax while I am traveling. It was really nice to have time to read and play UNO with my kids. I also liked that Intrepid had a couple of optional activities for those of us who didn’t want quite as much downtime as others. 

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I do still feel pressure to see and do everything when I travel, but going on a group trip helped me see the value in traveling at a slower pace. Some of my favorite moments from my Intrepid trip happened during scheduled downtime; they gave me and my children time to just enjoy being with one another without the pressures of work and school. It’s a lesson I’ve tried to carry with me as I’ve planned future trips. 

Learning from a local is invaluable 

One reason I chose Intrepid is the company uses all local guides, and most tours use the same guide throughout the trip. It may sound obvious that learning from locals is the best way to get to know a country, but I had underestimated just how valuable traveling with a local guide would be. 

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I learned much about Moroccan culture through our tour guide, who was always willing to answer questions about his life and traditions. He even brought us to his family home to meet his parents and niece, which was a very special experience. Aside from being able to share the history of everywhere we visited, I also liked that our guide warned us about scams to watch out for, shared the tipping culture and gave advice on bargaining. He was also helpful when it came to practical matters like finding an ATM.  

For future trips, I will be more open to taking guided tours with local guides, even if it’s just for a few hours. I will also make it a point to try to talk to more locals, as long as I can do so without bothering them too much. 

Even though it wasn’t what I had originally planned, not only did I have a great experience on my trip with Intrepid, it has also forever changed the way I plan to travel.

How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com .

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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology , we review and select family vacation ideas , family vacation spots , all-inclusive family resorts , and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel