I love solo travel. Travelling alone happened to me naturally when I wanted to go somewhere but didn’t have anyone to go with, so I just booked a trip. I love the freedom that solo travel provides, but sometimes there are things that you just can’t do alone. Group travel can give you the opportunity to visit destinations you don’t feel comfortable going to alone and offers many other benefits too. If you’re trying to decide if it’s better to travel alone or with a tour group, let’s break it down and compare solo travel vs group travel to see which is best for you!
Which is Better, Solo Travel or Group Travel?
The “best” option between solo travel and group tours depends entirely on your preferences, personality, and the type of experience you seek.
Solo travel offers total freedom and flexibility. You get to set your own itinerary, make spontaneous decisions, and immerse yourself fully in your surroundings without having to compromise with anyone else’s preferences.
It’s an excellent way to challenge yourself, gain independence, and discover more about yourself as you navigate through new environments.
On the other hand, group tours can be fantastic for those who prefer the convenience of having logistics taken care of, enjoy the company of like-minded travellers, and want to benefit from the guidance of experienced tour leaders.
Group tours often provide access to exclusive experiences, local insights, and a built-in social network, which can improve your travel experience and give you a deeper understanding of your destination.
Ultimately, the choice between solo travel and group tours boils down to your personal preferences, budget, and the type of experience you’re seeking, as well as how far you want to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Any kind of solo travel is still an adventure, and no matter how you do it I’m sure you will have an amazing time!
To help you decide which is best, I’ve summarized my favourite things about solo travel and group travel, as well as the downsides of both. After this, you’ll be able to choose what works for you!
The Benefits of Solo Travel
There are lots of advantages of solo travel vs travelling with friends or family, and I have a whole separate article about that, but when it comes to solo travel vs group travel, there are other things to consider.
Freedom
One of the key benefits of solo travel is the freedom to be able to choose exactly what you want to do, when you want to do it and how. You get to decide and you can plan your perfect adventure.
For a once in a lifetime trip, do you really want to be told when to get up, when to get on the bus, where to go, and exactly what to do, without the opportunity to do your own thing?
Flexibility
As you’re the one calling the shots, you can decide if you want to change your plans and spend more or less time in a place. There’s no set itinerary and you can adapt as much as you like. I loved meeting other travellers in hostels and getting tips from them about unique experiences I hadn’t planned, or joining them on a day trip somewhere at the drop of a hat.
Control of Your Budget
Joining an organized tour is not cheap. But then of course you are paying for all the extra benefits that come with someone else making all of the arrangements – the amount of time you save during the planning part of your trip is huge!
But if you are travelling solo, you can set your own budget for accommodation, food and activities, whether you decide to splurge on a luxury hotel or save money eating street food then that’s up to you!
Benefits of Group Travel
Joining a small group tour can offer several benefits compared to travelling solo. Here are some advantages of choosing a small group tour – as long as you choose a group that matches your interests!
Ready-Made Friends
Travelling with a group gives you the chance to connect with like-minded people who share your interests. When travelling alone it’s not always easy to meet new people but you will have a set of ready-made friends on a trip, and while you might not be best buds with everyone you certainly won’t be lonely!
Safety and Security
Group tours come with a tour guide or leader who is knowledgeable about the destination and can help you navigate unfamiliar places. They can help in an emergency, and you have a built-in support network of your fellow travellers. While there is nothing “dangerous” about solo travel, sometimes it’s nice to have company – especially in places where you don’t feel as confident to go alone.
Local Expertise
Tour guides are one of the best things about group travel! They are usually locals or at least know the destination very well, so can provide valuable insights and information about the culture, history, and customs of the destination.
They’ll take you to places you may never have found on your own, and having someone who speaks the local language can help you to have a more authentic experience – as long as you choose your tour company wisely and don’t go for the mass tourism options.
No Planning Stress
I hate travel planning, and having someone else arrange everything is such a time saver, and you don’t have to worry about anything once you’ve booked. Group tours and the guides handle logistics such as transportation, accommodations, and itinerary planning.
This frees you from the stress of organizing every detail, meaning you can just sit back to relax and enjoy the journey.
Cost Savings
In some cases, group tours can actually be cost-effective, as they often have negotiated group rates for accommodations, activities, and transportation. This can help you save money compared to planning a solo trip, especially in more unusual destinations where it’s hard to make arrangements for one person.
Cultural exchange
As well as visiting a new destination, travelling with a diverse group of people allows for more cultural exchange and you have the chance to learn from one another’s backgrounds and experiences.
I love meeting people from all over the world and spending time with them on a group tour is a great way to connect and make friends for future travels to their home countries too!
Choosing a Group Travel Company
While group tours offer many advantages, it’s essential to choose a tour that matches your interests and travel style. Think about factors like group size, itinerary, budget, and the level of independence you want when deciding whether to travel with a group or go solo.
I usually find that the larger the group, the less enjoyable and authentic the travel experience is, with transport on large coaches instead of small mini-buses, following a tour guide who is waving an umbrella in case you lose sight of them among the hundreds of other tourists all doing the same thing. While smaller groups can cost more, they are usually well worth it for the more personalised experience.
Some group tour companies also give you plenty of free time to explore as you as you like so you can have a mix of group activities and solo exploration. As a solo traveller, it’s also important for me to travel with other solos too – I don’t want to be a third wheel with a bunch of couples, or stuck with a family of screaming kids.
The age range of other people on the tour is becoming more important to me now too – I am not looking for a party bus for 18-30s where there is a pub crawl every night and I’m old enough to be everyone’s mother. No shade on anyone who is looking for that, just make sure you choose a tour that suits your style. That’s one thing that attracted me to Flash Pack as their trips are designed for solo travellers in their 30s and 40s – just like me!
Which is Best for You – Solo Travel or Group Travel?
I hope that has helped you to think about the pros and cons of solo travel vs group travel. Some people love one or the other, and some people enjoy both options, alternating between solo adventures and group tours depending on the destination and their mood.
It’s all about finding what works best for you and your travel style.
For my first solo adventure I spent the summer working in the USA and joined a group trip to travel up the East Coast of the US, as a 19-year-old I wasn’t ready to do all that by myself but I learned a lot and had a blast!
Now I love solo travelling, but for my first big trip to South America I decided to join a group tour to Machu Picchu which is something I knew I couldn’t do alone. I loved exploring with a group for my first time in Peru, and then that gave me the confidence to continue my travels on my own.
There are other destinations like India and Egypt that I would love to visit but I don’t feel confident going alone, so I think joining a tour group to visit these incredible countries is the best option for me, even as an experienced solo traveller.