group travel pros and cons

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.

solo traveler walking down a street in Japan

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!

Pros and Cons of Group Tours vs Solo Travel

Travelling as part of a group tour allows you to open up and connect with new people or friends. Our daily routine is adjacent and comfortable, especially when hanging out with the same group of people or friends. But is it for everyone? There are pros and cons of group tours versus travelling solo. This article will help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of group travel so you can make the best choice.

Pros and cons of group tours | Quick links

Why should you even consider group travel.

When you travel in groups of friends, you leave all your objectives at home. Everyone accepts the fact that you’re in this together. Suddenly, a new friendship has blossomed to the point where it feels like years when really, it’s just been a few many weeks or months!

You also create this sense of friendship with people you would never expect; plus, you always have someone there to get that impertinent install pic. Travel is no exception. For all the ups and downs, Group travelling binds and brings people together within the experience in fantastic trip ways. Furthermore, having a fellow traveller there to pick you up when times are tough can be helpful.

This often is only the case when you’re travelling solo if you’re lucky enough to have met some like-minded people on your travels. However, not everything is all sunshine and rainbows; you will find out all the pros and cons of group travel below.

This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to buy anything from them. This is at no extra cost to you and In doing so you help to keep this site running, so thank you in advance.

Advantages of Group Travel

There are several advantages of group travel versus going solo, which is listed below.

1) Saving Money

One of the key advantages of group travel is that travelling solo can be costly. One of the major pros of group tours is that group travelling is generally inexpensive. You can get group rates on the following:

Accommodation . You’ve probably seen brochures that say single, double, triple, and so on. The price goes down for each Traveller sharing a room, making it much more affordable.
Partner rates for specific modes of transportation (particularly Car and Taxi)
Group people rates into attractions (amusement parks, museums, etc.)

There are tons of other things you can break costs on. If you can decrease your expenses, you’ll have extra money to spend, see and do more.

The biggest pro of group travelling is that you can cover a longer distance quickly since transport is pre-arranged. There are several advantages of group travel versus going solo, which is listed below.

“Oh, I so wish my Travelling trip could be more Costly,” Said no-one, ever.

Pros and Cons of Group Tours - group of travellers looking happy outside a lime green and turquoise cabin

Here’s the simple fact of the problem – group tours are more inexpensive because of a small economic principle called ‘buying power’. Group travel companies have a lot of clout with arrangement and activity providers because they bring plenty of travellers their way.

As such, they can arrange nicely discounted rates that you’d never be able to get by yourself. The same goes for restaurants, tourist attractions, Travelling destinations and more. When you travel with a group, you’re going to save a lot of money.

2) You create life-long friendships

Group travel introduces you to some of the best kinds of visitors. Most travellers you meet on group tours will have similar interests, giving you the ultimate reason to connect.

For all the ups and downs you will experience on tour, anything you go through while group travelling will make you stronger and complete. Everyone will have good and poor days, and it’s comforting knowing you have someone to talk to about it.

Living in the New generation age can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we can now book Great Summer holidays online or order food without having to rise off the couch, but on the other hand, we’re more remote than ever before. In fact, many countries have classified isolation as a severe public health problem.

So, while getting on a coach with a group of unknown people to go on an adventure can seem outlandish, it’s a great way to meet new people or travellers you would not necessarily encounter throughout your life. Who knows? You might go home with a bunch of new comrades from worldwide.

3) Tour Guide

With every Trip comes a journey guide! Someone to organise your tour to maximise safety, take heed of all the boring bits and ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Someone else having this responsibility is one of the advantages of group travel as it gives you valuable time to focus on the important parts, like yourself!

Pros and Cons of Group Tours - image of a group tour guide with a hand on his hip as the other points to a full moon against the dark sky

The Best guide will be your dance partner, teacher, friends, family and shoulder to cry on. Your group guide often makes the tour unique and goes the extra mile. Someone you can ask all the questions you want and has an inside understanding of the area you are in, maximising your trip experience. A Trip guide is the best way to enjoy an organised journey. When you travel to a place unknown, you might need people who already know about the Destination. This provides a safer and more secure trip, and there is a lesser chance of getting tricked by locals.

During group travelling, everything is well-organised with safety measures. If you ever get lost or feel lonely, your journey guide always has your back. Also, you will get additional information about a destination you might not know during a solo tour.

4) There is safety in numbers

The journey alone can be discouraging. Many people feel the pull of last-minute solo trips but don’t feel safe going on holiday alone – mostly single holidays abroad.

The younger generation is taking longer to get married, so even though they are starting to travel the world, they may not always have a confidant handy to take along. In cases like these, group travelling is ideal. You simply book your spot, get in the car with a bunch of other friends and enjoy the safety of numbers while you tour.

Have you ever caught that old saying? It’s especially true when travelling to unknown destinations. Every town, city or state in every country has problems, even small ones. When you Tour with a companion or within a group, you have someone to watch your back.

Do you remember when you were small, and your parents or teachers implemented the buddy system? There’s a reason for that, and it doesn’t only apply to children. The security of travelling as a group and looking out for each other is excellent for first-time travellers.

Disadvantages of Group Travel

While there are advantages of group travel, there are also disadvantages, which may make you think twice.

1) Less freedom

One of the disadvantages of group travel is that you’re on a compressed schedule at all times. The time you spend travelling on a group tour is mapped out from start to finish. It’s often a tight squeeze fitting in everything you’ve signed up for. It can be both a blessing and a malediction, especially when you fall in love with an unquestionable city and wish you had an extra day or two.

If you value personal privacy, group travel may not be for you. There could be a minimal chance of having time to yourself when you’re within a group travelling, especially if you’re sharing a rent a car or staying in a hostel. The more of you there are, the more wants and desires to consider.

Pros and Cons of Group Tours - group discussing something while one person sits on the floor looking on

Who wins? Travelling in a group is a definite exercise in compromise and understanding. You can’t do everything you want to do all of the time. This reality can be hard to swallow when you have particular ideas in mind for your Destination trip’.

Thus, it can be helpful to start defining things as ‘our Destination trip’ rather than ‘my Destination trip’ and to know that even if it wasn’t your first choice, whatever you end up doing is likely to be a fantastic trip.

2) You may dislike someone in the group

In larger tour groups, it’s almost unavoidable there will be someone you don’t see eye to eye with at times. If this happens, it can make things difficult, uncomfortable, and un-enjoyable. If you’re lucky, there can be another resolution: to stay or go, but being forced to make this choice is one of the disadvantages of group travel. Remember, if someone you’re travelling with hurts your trip, you could always make the daunting call to go your separate ways.

Pros and Cons of Group Tours - Two travellers walk together through a very leafy jungle lodge

If possible, spend an extended period in your Travelling group before you go to the destination. If you’re planning on travelling with many of your mates, take an extended vacation somewhere closer to home first. This experience will test the waters, expose any possible friction and clarify absolutely whether this is the best group to go with to your end travel destination.

However, you might be able to connect online in advance to get an idea of the kinds of people you’ll be with and who you might want to spend your time with. I cannot highlight the importance of getting on with the people you’re travelling with. If there’s anything you can do to ensure you’re the best match before you go, it won’t be wasted time.

3) Decisions get more complicated

One of the reasons to weigh up the pros and cons of group tours is that decisions can get complex. More travellers and more opinions equal more complicated accountability. Make sure you make your beliefs and voice heard. All too often, someone with a big personality takes charge of the situation, and before you know it, a conclusion has been made for you. As important as it is to be a Group player and make an agreement, sometimes you need to stick to your guns and, if needs be, do your own thing.

Pros and Cons of Group Tours - a group of travellers looking away from the camera towards a sign that advertises an extreme sport

It’s unavoidable that disagreements happen in groups. You’re tired, and things get demanding. It’s a great experience, but you spend a lot of time and money with each other. This closeness is a perfect recipe for disagreement to happen.

Again, getting some personal space can be hugely helpful in protecting from disagreement! If they happen, try clearing the air as quickly as possible. There’s nothing worse than travelling with a group of people where the airspace feels tense and toxic.

As I mentioned, the conclusion to travel to a destination solo or in a group is a very personal one. Knowing how you operate is a helpful starting point for making the final call. So think about the disadvantages of group travel and the advantages of making the right choice.

Pros and Cons of Group Tours | Author Bio:

Hello, I am Manish Ambaliya from Ridetransferdirect.com . I have started writing articles on topics like car rental, trip planning, travelling and so on. I believe that sharing is caring and that’s the reason I am writing something new every day.

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You learn things from a tour guide that you might not learn on your own if you were visiting sites.

Such a great list of pros and cons! And I cannot agree more to taking a closer trip somewhere with the group of people you plan on traveling with. It’s so important to know that your traveling styles are the same! I lost a lifelong friend because turns out we wanted different things from our trip.

Sounds like group touring is the one, I wanted to go solo as none of my mates are into travelling they just want to party all the time, so by booking these group tours it will help me not be alone and also do the travelling I wanted !! Thank you Kerry your words here and inspirational and so helpful… will let u know how it goes once we can travel again.

I’ve traveled solo, with friends, and as part of a tour and I completely agree with your pros and cons. If it’s my first time in a country, I really enjoy group tours because they make me feel so much more comfortable learning the social norms and can get you to see top sights so easily. But nothing beats the independence of getting to set your own itinerary!

My wife and I traveled a bit with friends when we were in college. But we soon discovered that the lack of flexibility outweights all possible advantages for us, so we always travel by ourselves. Also, we like to experience new things and get into the local culture. With our groups, people tended to stick to what they know and the desire to experience something new was greatly diminished. Our groups just kept to themselves and degraded to a sighseeing trip and not an immersive adventure.

Hi Rudy, I’ve found that when I’ve travelled with friends too. I used to always travel solo but I’ve found organised group travel really fun. There’s always some more adventurous travellers in the group that you can explore with, or choose to do your own thing 🙂 best of both worlds

Such a great list of pros and cons! For some trips group tours were the best thing, met so many nice people. For others, as you said, there are people that can make the trip worse.

And I cannot agree more to taking a closer trip somewhere with the group of people you plan on traveling with. It’s so important to know that your traveling styles are the same! I lost a lifelong friend because turns out we wanted different things from our trip.

This is a good list of pros and cons – I ca totally see why tours can work well (I tend to use them when things are tough to organise myself- like when we visited mongolia.) I always had a blast meeting other people on the tour…but I wouldn’t want to go in a big group (the ones I’ve enjoyed were 6-8 people.)

I guess the main con I have seen is more for day-trip like tours. I have never seen such bad behaviour as those kinds of day trips – with people barging each other out the way to get their photos *shudder.* I have to admit, I’ll avoid that kind of thing as much as I can.

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The Perks (and Pitfalls) of Traveling With Friends

By CNT Editors

Image may contain Human Person Nature Outdoors Mountain Wood Ice Water and Mountain Range

Choose your friends wisely—especially those you travel with. Because really, what good is that destination you've been dreaming about half your life if the people you go with cramp your travel style? We're talking those who would rather sleep until noon than make that once-a-morning tour to the Vatican before the afternoon rush hits. Or the ones who make you do that Mexico City food tour solo because they heard about a mugging that maybe occurred, a decade ago, in that same suburb. And don't even get us started on money (just split the darn bill evenly, people). But a good group also means you and your closest will build experiences to reflect on for years to come. After all, the only thing more spectacular than stumbling upon that 300-year-old sake bar in off-the-beaten path Kyoto is having the right company to enjoy it. (And who wants to drink alone, anyway?) Plus it can actually be a logistical godsend once you start traveling with your kids.

The More, the Merrier

"I never ask myself 'Should I travel with friends?' It’s always 'Which friends would I travel well with?' I don’t ask a vegan pal to check out Peter Luger Steakhouse with me, or a new mom to go to a concert that starts at 10 p.m. On a Wednesday. Why would I go on a vacation with a friend who doesn’t travel like I do? It’s important to know yourself—and I like go-go-go urban holidays where we explore a big city on foot, check out two to three museums in a day, and spend money on food and drink like we may never come back. Or an outdoorsy vacation—say, a four-day hike in the Southern Alps of New Zealand —but staying overnight in lodges rather than tents. That’s specific! Luckily, my husband travels like I do, and we always nominate a 'dictator' for the day to make our plans. It’s worked for over a decade." —Laura Redman

"When I was single, I never much liked traveling with friends—they tended to be slow dressers, slow walkers, slow eaters…basically, I like to move at a clip and do what I want to do without having to please or placate anyone else. Kids changed all that . Kids require pleasing and placating. And talk about slowing you down! But once they were out of strollers and able to walk, talk, and socialize, I discovered that it was often so much easier and more enjoyable to travel with friends and their kids. (Assuming the kids get along alright.) We’ve gone on beach vacations to Hawaii and Cape Cod with other families, toured cities like Nashville and New Orleans , and even traveled a ten-day circuit around Israel . Parents can take turns bringing younger kids to playgrounds or children’s museums while everyone else can shop, have a relaxed lunch, or visit their umpteenth historical site; older kids can watch younger kids in a pool or park while the parents drink wine and talk politics or read books and do their grown-up things. Bottom line, when you travel together, kids have more fun—and the grownups have way more fun, too." —Alex Postman

"I am very pro-group trips with one big caveat: you’ve got to choose your group wisely. Make sure you set financial expectations up front and do not, I repeat, do not overbook yourselves. I’ve had some of the best trips with eight friends in Nashville and in Santiago , Chile with three, because we gave each other space and time to do exactly what we wanted, even if that meant breaking off from the group and going alone. The other major personality trait I look for? Adventurous. I’m pretty practical when it comes to trips, so having someone who pushes me out of my comfort zone is a must. The best travel buddies are often your personality (but not priority) foils." —Meredith Carey

Leave the Friends at Home

"I think big group trips are generally a terrible idea. They’re a breeding ground for resentment, because the way one person chooses to spend his or her money and time rarely aligns perfectly with one other person, let alone four or five. And there is nothing worse than weird money-related discomfort . Using an app like Splitwise , which lets everyone input any group-related expenses and settle up at the end of a trip, can mitigate stress, but it always ends up being kind of exhausting. And even if you agree upon all costs in advance, the discrepancy between what Jessica defines as a 'normal' amount of money to spend in a day (or on an Airbnb, or on round of drinks, or on groceries) will probably be way more than what Betty is okay with and a few notches down from what Bartholomew is willing to shill out. Count me out unless everyone has their own personal space, their own form of transportation, and no activities that are considered required. (Please check in on me in a few years when I hit my peak Bachelorette Weekend Era. I may not survive.)" —Andrea Whittle

"My philosophy is simple: I vacation with a group, but I travel by myself. That's because vacations—which I define as those beachy , lazy, blissfully-do-nothing-on-an-island-somewhere trips that we all need from time to time—require very little negotiating once you hit the ground. It's tan, drink, repeat. Period. And should someone chose to forego our fourth afternoon in a row of margaritas by the pool in order to stroll the beach below, I can live with that. Travel, on the other hand, is what I do to properly experience a place, which can require NASA-like precision in terms of planning where to be and eat and what to see, with that right amount of time left over for impromptu exploration. It's a hard balance to strike. Everyone seems to have their own formula for what works. And everyone has different priorities once on the ground. I don't want to have to compromise with people when we only have 36 hours in Berlin and they want to drink their way through Neukölln but I want to do Checkpoint Charlie before dinner in Kreutzberg . Nor do I want to miss that superb bowl of pho ca from a Hanoi hole-in-the-wall because they don't like fish. Maybe I am selfish. And I'm okay with that if it means I get to access a new place all on my terms. So friends, I love you dearly. But I'll see you when I'm back." —Erin Florio

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"When you’re single, traveling with friends is fantastic. You drink, explore, drink some more, and do whatever the hell you want, whenever you want to do it. Even after I got married I still loved traveling with friends. Sure, splitting the checks and being on someone else’s schedule was sort of a pain, but I didn’t mind. We were on vacation! Now that I have an almost two year old, I’m over it. I’m still, admittedly, settling into a groove of traveling with my own kid—I wish my son understood that on vacation, you sleep past 7 a.m. But throw in another couple and their kid(s) and my anxiety is through the roof. Friends of mine, please don’t take this personally: I love your kids , I really do. But days are long with kids. Very long. And I don’t want to spend mine making or cleaning up after endless breakfasts, snack times, lunches, and dinners. Recently, the three of us took a trip with our friends (whom my husband and I have traveled with before) and their two-year-old twins (whom we haven’t traveled with before). All four adults quickly realized we were in over our heads. It was like we were running a daycare. We couldn’t sync nap schedules, so the afternoons were a total wash. And when we weren’t making them meals, we were planning trips to the farmers market or grocery store to make sure we were prepared for the next. We were exhausted. We needed a vacation from our vacation. As a working mother, I see my child 15 hours at most Monday through Friday. I want to hang out with him on weekends or vacation. It’s hard for me to muster up the energy to play Legos with your kids. Or find their sweatshirt for the fourth time. Or wait out a tantrum. Maybe I’ll change my mind. Maybe it gets easier as toddlers grow into kids. But for now, I’m off the group trips . As far as vacations go, we’re a party of three." —Lauren DeCarlo

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The Pros and Cons of Group Travel

July 19, 2022 // by Gwen Engler // 2 Comments

Considering a multi-day guided tour but not sure if it’s worth it? Check out my list of the pros and cons of group travel, below!

One of the best jobs I ever had was working as a tour director for a major cruise line in Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory . For three years, I spent the summer guiding busloads of guests on six- to twelve-day, 1,000+-mile adventures between Anchorage and Skagway .

Along the way, I took care of almost every need my guests could have had: I arranged hotel rooms, took care of customs paperwork, made reservations, hauled luggage, booked excursions, solved problems, answered questions, and overall made sure that their vacation was running as smoothly as possible. I even served meals at lunch stops, handled medical emergencies, and told the occasional groaner joke over the motorcoach’s sound system.

And. I. Loved. It.

Seven female tour directors smiling in uniform

Even though I watched hundreds of guests have a fantastic time on guided tours, I also know that group travel isn’t for everyone. Today, I want to share with you the pros and cons of group travel based on my own personal experience, as well as firsthand accounts from many friends still in the industry. I hope that this guide helps you decide whether a guided tour is right for you.

(PS: Weighing your vacation options? I also have examined the pros and cons of cruising , all-inclusive resorts , and Airbnb !)

Pro: Group tours are low-stress. (Almost) everything is handled for you.

If you want to see and do a lot on vacation without the work of planning and executing the trip, group travel might be perfect for you! When you book a group tour, the itinerary is already taken care of, so there’s no need to do extensive research, find hotels, book tours, and/or figure out your own transportation. You basically just show up and enjoy the ride!

Additionally, guided tours frequently take care of a lot of the work while you’re on vacation, as well. Many tours handle your luggage; my guests never needed to pull their suitcases any further than into and out of their hotel room doors. I also handled customs at our border crossings, taking care of all the paperwork up front so that they just had to show their passports when we left or entered the United States. I distributed room keys at each hotel (no need to check in or out!), organized meals, and made sure hotels and restaurants were aware of allergies, mobility issues, special occasions, and other special needs.

Plus, if something goes wrong, you have a tour director, driver, and/or other company representative there to help handle it. Whether confronted with lost luggage, illness, or wildfires ravaging the state , my guests knew that I was doing everything I could to help.

Con: There is little opportunity to customize your trip or be spontaneous.

The downside to the entire trip being pre-planned is that there is usually little room for customization or the spontaneity that makes travel so enjoyable. Most tours offer some free time, optional excursions, and upgrades, but overall you are at the mercy of a predetermined schedule. And most of those schedules are pretty jam-packed!

If you’re the kind of person who likes to travel at your own pace and make decisions as you go, group travel probably isn’t for you. Likewise, if there is something that you really want to see or do along your tour route, make absolutely certain that you will have the opportunity and enough time to do it before committing to a group tour.

The end of the malecon in Vieques, with palm trees, azure water, and white concrete railing

Pro: Group travel can be more economical than doing it all yourself.

If you’ve ever booked a room from a wedding hotel block, you’ve probably noticed that group rates can be pretty fantastic. Because tour companies can negotiate with hotels, excursion providers, and airlines, they often can secure price breaks that could save you money compared to booking everything yourself. You also take care of most vacation expenses in one fell swoop, which can be a tremendous help when it comes to figuring out your budget and expenses.

Just remember that there may be additional costs above and beyond your tour price. Check the fine print to see which meals are or are not included, and be prepared to pay extra for additional excursions, services, and gratuities. (That last one can take people by surprise with how much is recommended. My company suggested $4 per person, per day, so many couples were tipping me $100 or more after a tour, in addition to tips for drivers, rail guides, excursion guides, and other service professionals along the way.)

Con: They can be exhausting.

As I mentioned above, tour schedules can be grueling. You’re trying to fit in as much as possible, which often involves long days on the road, early mornings, and quickly bouncing from one place to another.

When I worked as a tour director, it wasn’t unusual for our group to be on the go from early in the morning (between 6:00 – 7:00 AM) until dinnertime (between 4:00 – 6:00 PM). Occasionally, we would have a dinner show or other evening engagement that would extend the day even further. They were long days – full of great things, but certainly exhausting if you stacked one right after another.

If you have a choice, I suggest choosing a tour that includes some “down” days or multiple nights in the same place to cut down on fatigue. My guests who took nine days to travel between Anchorage and Skagway were infinitely less exhausted than those who did it in six.

Pro: You get to meet new people who become your "family" for the week.

One of my absolute favorite parts of being a tour director was how, almost without fail, each group of strangers ended up becoming a bit of a family by the time the tour ended. Spending so much time together, especially when that time involves experiencing incredible new sights and activities, tends to bond people in a really special way. Guests who were strangers a week earlier cried saying their goodbyes when a tour ended, and I received Christmas cards for years after I stopped tour directing. I still tear up thinking about one of my favorite guests, Mr. Carley, and his beautiful piano playing that enchanted his fellow tour members in the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks.

Traveling with a great group can enhance the experience for anyone, but the “family” atmosphere is one reason why tours are especially great for solo travelers!

Con: You can get stuck with a lousy group.

On the flip side, you’re completely at the mercy of your fellow travelers actually being people you’d like to be around. Fortunately, I believe that serious conflicts within tour groups are rare, but every now and again you’ll have a person, couple, or group within the group that can negatively impact everyone else’s experience. (While hundreds of other names and faces have disappeared into the ether of time, I can still remember the full name and every facial feature of the worst guest I ever had. But that’s a story for another time.)

Thankfully, a skilled tour director can help mitigate this situation, and you’ll likely have plenty of other people on the tour who don’t grate on your nerves. But it is a risk, and there’s no getting away once the tour begins.

Pro: Your tour guide(s), driver(s), and other experts will give you lots of historical, cultural, and other details.

When I was younger, I rarely bothered to hire guides or invest in anything other than my trusty guidebook and the occasional historical site’s audio tour. Now, however, I travel differently and really see the value that expert narration and tour services bring. I can’t imagine visiting a place like the Colosseum in Rome without having someone around to interpret it for me.

Most guided group tours include plenty of opportunities to learn about the places you’re visiting. When it’s from your bus driver’s narration, a guide’s demonstrations at a place of interest, or through conversation with your tour director, you’ll gain a much better appreciation of the places and cultures you’re experiencing. Unless you’re the type to do extensive research and reading before and during the trip, it’s likely more than you would get on your own.

Con: You may stick to the more "touristy" places and miss out on some hidden gems.

Many tour itineraries focus on the most famous and popular places at any given destination. It makes sense; those are the places most people would be looking to visit, or at least the ones that would be most recognizable and attractive to folks considering travel.

While this means that you’ll definitely hit the highlights you’re probably looking to see, it also could mean that you spend most of your time at popular sites (and with the accompanying crowds) and don’t stray far from the beaten path.

Pro: ... but not always! You may discover new places you might not have found otherwise.

On the flip side, if the tour company is local to your destination or has good local connections, they may feature some great off-the-beaten-path restaurants and attractions. You can also do your research and choose tours to less popular places. For example, I led or participated in tours that went out into the eastern parts of Alaska , the Yukon , and north to the Arctic Ocean on Alaska’s Dalton Highway . Few of my guests would have had the opportunity – or possibly even the inclination – to visit such places without a tour.

A guided tour also gives you access to people who know the area well, including hotel staff, drivers, and guides. They can point you in the direction of hidden gems and make recommendations to help you find those out-of-the-way spots.

Con: There's no hiding you're a tourist.

This may not bother some people, but it’s hard to blend in with the locals when you’re traveling in a big group. You’ll disembark a bus or a train car en masse , spend a lot of time walking behind a guide like so many ducklings, and descend upon restaurants and gift shops in a big wave. For some, that’s not a problem – your accent, language, or fashion choices are bound to give you away eventually, anyway – but others would rather stay as inconspicuous as possible.

Guided or group tours can be an excellent way to travel, but they’re not for the best for everyone or every location! I hope that this list of the pros and cons of group travel has helped you decide whether a tour is right for you. And if you’ve already traveled in this way, I’d love to hear YOUR pros and cons in the comments!

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Reader Interactions

July 19, 2022 at 11:19 AM

Those are some great points to know ahead of time for group travel! I didn’t think about the fact that you are tied to a more definitive itinerary and time schedule – or you’re going to miss the bus!

July 19, 2022 at 3:47 PM

Thank you! There’s definitely a schedule to keep, and you run the risk of angering that “family” if you’re constantly the one(s) who keep everyone waiting!

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SOLO TRAVEL , SOLO TRAVEL ADVICE

Solo travel vs group travel: the pros and cons.

Over the past 30 or so years I have travelled in many different ways.

I have worked abroad, travelled with a partner, with an elderly parent, with a friend or with a group of friends and travelled alone. In recent years, on over a dozen occasions, I have eschewed solo travel for group travel on an organised tour .

Each of these styles of travel has its pros and cons, and it is impossible to state definitively which is the best. As with most things in life, it’s all about what’s right for you, based on your experiences and your personal preferences and priorities.

But wouldn’t it be better if you could make that decision armed with more information?

Whether you are planning to travel alone for the first time , or are a veteran solo traveller, make the right choice for you. Here are the key advantages and disadvantages of group travel and solo travel.

image looking up at a group of people and interior dome of mosque

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

IN THIS ARTICLE

Solo Travel vs Group Travel: What are the Differences?

Let’s start by taking a look at what I mean by solo travel and group travel.

What is solo travel?

In this context, solo travel is meant in its purest form. Not only do you travel alone, but you are also responsible for planning and organising your trip.

You can either plan your itinerary in advance or make it up as you go along.

What is group travel?

Group travel refers to an organised, multi-day trip that you share with other travellers who have booked the same trip. Some of these people will be single travellers whilst others will be travelling with partners or friends.

Group sizes range between half a dozen and 50 people.

Unlike solo travel, the tour operator takes care of all of the arrangements on the group’s behalf. These include transportation, accommodation and most activities. Meals may also be included, depending on the group tour that you book.

You will pay for most, if not all, of your trip upfront.

Solo Travel vs Group Travel: My Experiences

My experience as a solo traveller.

I first jumped on the solo travel stagecoach way back in 1989 with an extended trip to the Middle East. After a spell picking lots of apples on a kibbutz in Northern Israel, I tentatively spread my wings a little further and went over the border into Egypt.

A well-worn cliché, I know, but over 30 years and many more countries later, I have never looked back.

My experience with group tours

I confess that I was more than a little bit wary about joining my first group tour.

The turning point came in 2004 when I was planning my first trip to India . Driven by a desire to see as much as possible in a short time frame, I started to look at group travel for the first time.

My first group tour was with the now-defunct Bales Worldwide to India’s Golden Triangle. This was affordable luxury travel with a comfortable air-conditioned coach to whisk us from one 5-star hotel to the next.

Subsequent group tours have been more modest, largely travelling with Explore and Exodus Travels and, for the most part, great experiences.

a group tour with people posing in sri lanka

The Advantages of Group Tours

1. it takes the pain out of organising.

I know that some people love planning a trip, and this first stage may be an important part of the overall experience. But for others, it can be an utter pain and a time suck.

Let someone else do the hard work for you and just show up at the airport for your flight.

2. It can be time-efficient

When I was working in a 9 to 5 job, this was the greatest advantage of group travel for me.

As your transport and transfers are taken care of, you can hit the ground running. You don’t need to spend time arranging transport from A to B. Also, group tour itineraries are smart about how they use transport from one hotel to the next by including sights en route.

In a nutshell, you get to cover larger distances and see more things, in a shorter space of time. This can be invaluable if you have limited time to explore an area.

Tour groups can also queue jump at attractions as they get their own entrances. Some even offer earlier entrances to beat the crowds.

3. Your itinerary will be assembled by those in the know

Tour companies employ country or area experts to advise on itineraries and then usually source the tours from operators in that country. Therefore, you can be reasonably confident that the ‘must-see’ sights will be included.

Of course, this means that you will be treading the same well-worn path as others and there may be little opportunity to veer off the tourist trail. But let’s face it: would you visit Barcelona and not see La Sagrada Família , or leave Guatemala before exploring the delights of Antigua?

4. You will get valuable information about the country, its people and its culture

Tour leaders can be a deep mine of information.

Increasingly, group tours are led by locals who will be able to provide the cultural insight that you won’t be able to get from a guidebook or the web.

Tour leaders vary in their quality.

Some are excellent and give you just enough information at just the right time. With others, there is the danger of information overload, but at least you will be well-informed.

5. The tour operator will sort things out if things go wrong

This is especially important when it comes to complex itineraries .

A solo trip to Argentina involved five domestic flights over 16 days. If one of these flights had been cancelled, my arrangements would have collapsed like a house of cards.

By way of a more recent example, the coronavirus pandemic forced me to curtail my Japan itinerary . With my home flight cancelled and precious few alternative options available, seeking a way out of the country resulted in a few more grey hairs, whilst also teaching me some valuable travel lessons!

Contrast this with a small tour group I chatted to at the airport. Whilst they also had to cut short their holiday, the tour operator took care of all of the arrangements for them.

I confess that I was more than a little bit envious.

Also if you are unlucky enough to fall ill whilst away, your tour leader should be able to assist.

>>> TAKE A LOOK AT GROUP TOURS FROM EXPLORE WORLDWIDE HERE

6. It may save you money

I say ‘may’ because this is pro of group travel is a little contentious.

Tour operators get exclusive group discounts on room rates that will not be available to you as an independent traveller. But perhaps more importantly, single occupancy of a room is often available for a reasonable supplement.

And to save more cash, many companies will pair you up with a suitable roommate if you don’t mind sharing . This can be a bit of a lottery though.

Group tour operators are waking up to the fact that solo travellers are a growing and potentially lucrative market. As a response, many are offering single supplements for a modest price or have abolished this on selected tours.

7. You will have ready-made travelling companions

Loneliness on the road and not being able to share the moment are two of the biggest drawbacks to solo travel . But in a group, you get instant companionship when you travel .

It’s a peculiar thing. Bonds form quickly and often more intensively than in ‘real-life’, and those you have known for only a matter of a few weeks can feel like old friends.

Saying goodbye at the end of the group tour can be a real wrench, and a type of separation anxiety can contribute to post-travel depression . However, on the flip side, some of these relationships can persist once back on home soil.

Group dynamics are always interesting.

I have had fantastic groups where everyone bonded and there was no one you wouldn’t want to sit next to at dinner (always a good yardstick for me). Conversely, I have been on a few group tours where one or more individuals have made it difficult for others at times.

The makeup of your group is beyond anyone’s control. Just make sure that pain-in-the-neck isn’t you.

hikers who are part of a group travel for singles standing on stone steps against a deep blue sky

8. There’s safety in numbers

If you are anxious about your personal safety when travelling alone , the security of a group tour may be the answer for you. In addition to the support of the tour leader, the group members do tend to look out for each other.

9. Independent travel may not be a viable option

The visa conditions of a few countries stipulate that you must be escorted at all times. Therefore, unless a private guided tour is a viable option, a group tour may be the only way forward.

For example, I visited Libya and Iran on a group tour for this reason.

woman posing in front of sandstone bridge in iran

Another reason for considering a group tour is if the country’s tourism infrastructure is immature. This shouldn’t stop you from visiting the country independently, but this may be more challenging on the ground and incur more expense.

10. You will not be as reliant on limited language skills

This isn’t a deal-breaker. I have travelled around South America with very little Spanish and through the Middle East with only five words of Arabic.

However, at times, this was challenging.

If you are anxious that your limited language skills will be a barrier to having a great trip then it is worth considering a group tour.

So, those are ten good reasons for travelling as a group. But now let’s look at the disadvantages of group travel.

The Disadvantages of Group Travel

1. you cannot choose when and where you travel.

Although group tour operators offer time-efficient, tried & tested itineraries they may not necessarily tick all the boxes for you.

The travel dates and timespan may also not be a good fit. Or you might want to spend more time in one location and skip one stop completely.

The beauty of solo travel is that you are in complete control of when and where you travel.

2. You lose freedom and independence

Some people love a strict itinerary, and an exacting schedule does force you into an early start each day (sometimes a very early start). However, this isn’t for everyone.

Travelling independently, you can choose to have a lie-in or a lazy day if you wish. Or perhaps you fancy a few days without a fixed agenda?

No problem. You can just go where your mood takes you.

Or, if like me, maybe you want to spend longer capturing images of places you have visited? No need to rush those holiday photographs. You have the freedom to wait for exactly the right moment.

Maybe this is when the light is right or when that pesky tour group has moved out of shot.

3. You cannot move at your own pace

Make no mistake; tour groups can move slowly. Much like a convoy of trucks, they are only as fast as the slowest member. That can be frustrating when you just want to get a move on.

a group tour on a camel train in the desert

However, it can work the opposite way.

Maybe you want to slowly absorb what you are seeing and the group is racing ahead? It can be frustrating to arrive at a place that you have long wanted to visit, only to be told that you have half an hour to take a look at it

4. You cannot choose your accommodation

With most tour groups you have no control over the choice of hotel. Also, many don’t reveal where you will be staying until just before departure.

On escorted tour trips I have stayed in ‘city centre’ hotels that were miles from the main attractions and in mosquito-ridden fleapits.

My days of staying in grungy hotels are behind me and, as a flashpacker , I now look for a decent bed to sleep in. Although I have stayed in some fabulous hotels with tour groups – take a bow Sri Lanka – this is not a guarantee.

5. It may cost more

Hang about, you are thinking. Didn’t I just say that a tour group can save you money?

Well, it depends on the circumstances.

It would be naïve to think that the cost of a tour leader and local guides, as well as operational profit, isn’t built into the cost of a group tour. Therefore, group tours can work out to be more expensive.

My advice is to compare how much it would cost you to follow a similar itinerary independently.

6. You sacrifice privacy and the opportunity to be alone

If you value your own space, you may struggle with group travel.

Examine the schedule. If it is a packed one, then opportunities for solitude and reflection will be limited.

7. You may have to put up with difficult travelling companions

Group travel requires tolerance, and when you travel with a group there may be someone who you wouldn’t choose to spend time with under different circumstances. At best this can make things awkward, at worst it makes the experience an unenjoyable one.

8. You may not be able to get under the skin of a country

There is nothing like navigating around a country to allow you to get to know it. Also, solo travel forces you to talk to locals more than you would on a group tour.

Reflecting on places I have been to on a group tour, I feel that whilst the tour leader fed us lots of information, my understanding of the country and its people was relatively superficial.

9. You lose the opportunity for self-determination

For me, self-determination is one of the most important reasons for solo travel .

Navigating unfamiliar cultures in unfamiliar territories is a real confidence booster. This sense of achievement can be a transformative process, not only at the time but spilling over into other areas of your life on your return home.

Stepping out of your comfort zone can force you to do things you might never have contemplated.

Be inspired to book your first solo trip with these motivational quotes about solo travel or these fabulous books about travelling alone .

Choosing a Group Tour

Group travel is a thriving market.

Multiple operators offer an enormous and evolving range of tours that cater to a range of travel styles and budgets. Ultimately, which group tour operator you go with t will depend on your personal preferences and priorities.

But to help you decide what might be the right group tour for you, let’s take a look at the factors that you should consider, and I’ll also share my favourite small group travel companies.

There are many questions to ask before booking a small group tour . Here are some of the most important considerations.

Cost Decide on a budget and stick to it. Check if everything is included in the baseline price and if the quality of accommodation and transport is in keeping with this force.

Group size Do you really want to be part of a coach-load of 50 people?

I look for a group size of between eight and 16 people. Fewer than eight people and the impact of a difficult person in the group is magnified. More than 18 or so and it becomes unwieldy and more difficult to get to know people.

Group demographics Is the group tour aimed at those in their 20s or towards older people or retirees? I am a single traveller in my 50s and whilst I like to meet people of all ages when I am away, I have to grudgingly accept that I am likely to find more common ground with those of a similar vintage.

Standard of accommodation My days of staying in tents and hostels are behind me. Been there, got the t-shirt. Nowadays, I am looking for more comfortable accommodation. This comes with a higher price tag attached but so be it.

Use of local guides Trust me; your tour guide can make or break a trip. In my experience, local guides are the best.

a group of travellers by a desert in peru

Availability of a single room On a group tour, you can avoid paying a single supplement by sharing a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex. If this isn’t for you, choose a company that will offer single rooms for a small premium.

The Best Group Travel Companies

From personal experience, two of the best small group tour companies are Explore and Exodus Travels . I have travelled with them around a dozen times.

Both of these operators sell thoughtful and well-balanced itineraries across the globe. They cater to similar markets and some of their itineraries are also strikingly similar.

>>> FIND OUT WHAT OTHER TRAVELLERS ARE SAYING ABOUT EXPLORE HERE AND ABOUT EXODUS HERE

EXPLORE WORLDWIDE: KEY FACTS

Established in 1981
Group size: 6 – 20 people. The average group size is 12.
Age demographics: Explore’s group tours attract travellers of all ages. On those that I have joined, ages ranged from 30- somethings to those in their 60s.
Local guide on all tours
Commitment to sustainable travel and having a positive impact on local communities. The company’s main focus is climate change.
Trips are classified by pace: full-on, moderate, relaxed
Accommodation graded as simple, comfortable or premium

EXODUS TRAVELS: KEY FACTS

Established in 1974
Group size: 6 – 20 people
Age demographics: Exodus’s group tours attract travellers of all ages. Like Explore, the age range of fellow travellers was from 30 to 60+.
Commitment to sustainable travel and having a positive impact on local communities
Premium holidays allow you to discover the world from a more comfortable base each evening
Online departure lounge forum to get to know fellow travellers before leaving home

Is it Better to Travel Alone or in a Group?

Group tours vs solo travel? Which is right for you?

Solo travel trends suggest that the popularity of group tours is on the rise but are they right for you?

As you can see there is no easy answer and there are pros and cons to each travel style.

The important thing is to just take the plunge. Whether you decide to go it alone or join a group tour, don’t let fear hold you back.

I will leave you with a final thought. Over the years a mix-and-match approach has worked extremely well for me.

What do I mean by this? Well, I book a group tour to anchor the trip and then travel independently on either side of this.

So perhaps you don’t need to make a definitive choice after all?

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

2 thoughts on “ Solo Travel vs Group Travel: The Pros and Cons ”

Wonderful to read your comparison between the two.. I’m addicted to group travel… I get a buzz out of not knowing who I’ll spend time with and more often than not meet like minded travel pals. Have only had one poor experience with an undesirable… but the tour was delightful.

I’m not so brave to go totes solo… I’d probably be lazy and not adventure much further than my hotel room!!! However… I must try it… I’m brave enough… this will go on my bucket list.

For now my preference is with new found acquaintances… have holidayed on over 15 worldwide tours now. Amalfi here I come.

Great article, thank you x

Ahh … you’re welcome Janee! And thanks for sharing your views. I agree there is that delicious wave of anticipation when you meet your group for the first time (and I love trying to identify potential group members on the outbound flight). It is a lottery but, like you, most of my experiences have been very positive.

Enjoy Amalfi and may your companions be as fabulous as the food and scenery.

And thanks for the sub!

Comments are closed.

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

Published: September 6, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

Solo Travel Experiences

Young man hipster traveling with backpack and hat

Many people cannot imagine their lives without regular vacations. We all enjoy traveling to explore the world and learn about other cultures. Whether to travel alone or in a group is an important decision to make while planning a vacation. This decision is often influenced by one’s preferences, destination, budget, and more.

According to Statista, the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 boosted people’s desire to go solo, as after being in lockdown for many weeks, the appetite for exploring the world significantly increased. Nevertheless, setting on a journey with other people has its own advantages. What’s also important to know is that both traveling alone and with someone have their drawbacks worth paying attention to.

Without further ado, in this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of solo and group trips.

What is Solo Travel?

Solo travel refers to traveling without the company of another person, such as friends or members of a tour group. You are responsible for your trip research, planning, and booking. In other words, solo travelers are independent travelers.

What is Group Travel?

Group travel allows you to journey with a company of individuals, usually consisting of 2 people or more. Since many people are involved, all of them are in charge of planning and organizing everything, from transport, housing, meals, and activities. You will have no independent preparations other than getting to the departure location and getting a visa. This is perfect for those who have never traveled before and want other people to be by their side.

Pros of Solo Travel

1. random experiences.

When people journey alone, they often have no defined itinerary. Since they don’t have timetables, they can easily experience adventures they never imagined. Even if you don’t want to explore the most famous attractions, you can easily choose to visit other parts of the cities or countries you go to as a solo tourist. This also means that solo travelers can easily explore off-the-beaten-path areas and start up conversations with kind locals who may be able to help them explore deep details about the places they visit.

2. Control Over Your Schedules

Solo travelers are not limited by any itinerary when exploring the world. They have complete control over their schedules, so they can freely explore uncharted territory. In addition, solo travelers can visit any place and spend as much time there as they want. They are not required to follow the rest of their party’s lead. Furthermore, no one hurries them up when they are exploring their favorite tourist attractions.

3. It Gets Easier to Make New Friends

If you didn’t find any people who could set on a journey with you or just didn’t want to, interacting with locals or just those you meet along the way is a must if you want to make friends. But why is it easier when you are alone? First of all, no one will distract you. You can approach anyone and ask them something without the fear of leaving those who came with you alone. Second of all, no one will be scared to approach you if you are by yourself.

Just remember that it’s very dangerous to trust just anyone. You never know what people have on their minds. You can easily get scammed or worse. To avoid this, a series of actions must be taken before making new friends. One of the effective ways to learn more about other people is to use people search websites. Nuwber , for example, provides information about those who reside in the US. All you need to know is your acquaintance’s full name, phone number, or address, and Nuwber will find you all the relevant details about this person.

Cons of Solo Travel

1. increased cost of traveling.

It is vital to realize that solo travelers often suffer increased costs. As a consequence of this, they have a greater propensity to spend more money than group travelers. Group travelers, on the other hand, can easily reduce costs by compromising privacy and the quality of their voyage experience.

2. Inability to Share Excitement and Lack of Help

Unfortunately, solo travelers seldom enjoy the nicest vacations. To begin with, they do not get to completely appreciate the joy of exploring the globe since there is rarely anyone to share the experiences with. This means that most of those who are setting on a journey alone lack emotional connection, an important aspect of any trip. Furthermore, people who venture out alone may have difficulty getting aid in emergencies.

3. Language Barriers

When you are alone on your journey, the language barrier can become a serious problem. Even though Google Translate can help you, some locals ignore those who don’t bother to learn the language. But just because you go to a certain country, it doesn’t mean that you need to learn the whole language. Some common phrases would be enough. On the other hand, if you take a friend who knows at least something, it will be easier.

Pros of Group Travel

1. guaranteed travel companions.

When you journey with people, you reduce your chances of feeling lonely during your trip. As a member of a trip group, you will have a guaranteed company to share your traveling experiences with. And since each traveler has unique experiences, group travelers will enjoy sharing their opinions with others.

2. Lower Travel Costs

One of the primary advantages of traveling in a large group is saving money. It is common practice for group members traveling together to a new area to split the cost of expenses such as airfare and lodging among themselves. When setting on a journey with a smaller group, you should expect to stay in shared homes and drive rental cars. Also, if you journey in a group, you can easily acquire a discount, making your vacation less expensive.

3. Improved Security

Many individuals are reluctant to move alone because they fear for their safety. Individuals traveling in groups may share the burden of finding housing and figuring out how to move about. Moreover, traveling in a group will ensure that you are always supported and rescued if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Cons of Group Travel

1. travelers are often required to compromise.

On group travel, however, everybody’s personal needs cannot be entirely fulfilled. Almost every trip that brings together a diverse group of individuals is usually well-organized and planned. As a result, you must stick to the timetable made for you and keep a careful eye on the time. In such situations, you won’t have much time to go sightseeing or relax at your own pace.

Also, a group trip is unsuitable if you do not want to be woken simultaneously every day and compelled to follow the same course. Generally, a group voyage requires participants to make a sacrifice to ensure the comfort of everyone in the group.

2. Lack of Privacy

Those sensitive to intrusions into their personal space may find group trips difficult. If you plan to tour the globe with somebody else, you can forget about having some alone time and enjoying your privacy.

Because they must continuously be in the company of others, people on group voyages have less personal space than they would on solo trips. Many individuals, however, would struggle to function without their daily dose of privacy. If you meet this description, you should generally avoid group tours.

Both solitary and group trip options have unique advantages and disadvantages. If you want your trips to go off without a hitch, you should find a happy medium between group and solo travel. Doing so would give you the freedom to choose your preferred means of transportation and accommodation options. Also, you won’t have to worry about being stranded with a huge voyage group of unfamiliar people, allowing you more freedom to plan and enjoy random experiences during your trip. Ultimately, choosing between solo and group trips depends on your preferences, destination, budget, and more.

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The Pros & Cons of Group Travel

'I've never done a group trip before...is it really for me?'

I was talking to a new member of our community of travellers here at Wheel & Anchor recently and our conversation took a fascinating turn as we got into the subject of group travel and who it's really for.

No question - it's not for everyone. Many travellers fit the independent adventurer mold and want to do all of the planning and free-wheeling exploring on their own (I've done a lot of that myself, and it can be fun!).

But just because you've never travelled with a group before doesn't mean it 'isn't for you' - it very well may be something you love but didn't know it yet! Sometimes it's just a matter of going on the right kind of trip with the right kind of people.

Appreciating that going on your first group trip is a bit of a leap of faith, I made a short video this week discussing some of the pros and cons of group travel:

There are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to travel — and one of them is whether it’s smarter to travel with a group, with a partner, or with yourself. Group travel has its merits, which make it a very attractive option for many prospective vacationers — even for first-timers.

Group travel pros! Wheel & Anchor exploring Egypt, January 2019.

Group travel pros! Wheel & Anchor exploring Egypt, January 2020

What is group travel?

In the context of commercial tourism, group travel often involves a group of strangers coming together on a common trip itinerary via one tour company. It’s an excellent way to network, manage costs, and still experience what the world has to offer.

Nothing in life is perfect, however, and group travel comes with its own benefits and drawbacks. Here are some common pros and cons of group travel:

What are the pros of group travel?

No planning, just enjoying With group travel, you can just lay back and go with the flow. Touring with like-minded people is a great way to live in the moment, as you won’t have to worry about the nitty-gritty. There’ll be more discovery of what a country has to offer in terms of food, culture, and experiences, and none of figuring out how much to tip and which areas are senior-friendly.

Reputable tour companies have the ability to provide a memorable experience for all sorts of people. At Wheel & Anchor, for instance, we put a premium on bringing together travellers with similar tastes. This way, all of our trips are memorable all throughout.

Experiences you might not be able to have alone Solo travel is in many ways as therapeutic as advertised, but many trips simply can’t be done alone. Some things just are much better shared. With group travel, you’ll be able to share a meal, ask a groupmate for a photo against a scenic landscape, and more.

Safety in numbers Not every city is postcard perfect. You can always run into trouble, such as pickpockets, poorly disciplined drivers, and the like. Many travellers sometimes run the risk of having an encounter with unsavory elements such as those listed above, but being part of a bigger group may help lower that risk.

Travelling with a group means you’ll have extra sets of eyes and ears watching your back, helping to protect yourself and your belongings. Needless to say, that is also something your travel companions will expect of you. Being in big groups also makes it harder for attackers to corner one prey and harm or mug them.

People to talk to and make experiences with The most successful group tour companies are those that are led by charismatic and knowledgeable guides who are able to gather a group of strangers and create a memorable and enjoyable experience for them. A sense of togetherness is often fostered among members of these kinds of tour groups, and it’s also a great way to make new acquaintances and even develop friendships.

It pays if your tour company primarily caters to certain demographics, as it will give you the best chance to be grouped with persons of similar tastes and characteristics.

Rely on expert advice Reputable group tour companies like Wheel & Anchor are passionate about your overall experience. We’ve gone lengths to ensure that we know each tour location and itinerary like the back of our hands. This expert perspective sets our group trips above the crowd.

Expert advice pays off when it matters the most. From keeping with the local customs to finding lesser-known gems off the beaten path, our seasoned travel guides and tour developers will make sure that your trip is enjoyable, safe, and one of a kind.

What are the cons of group travel?

Less flexibility with schedules Tours are usually predefined long before the actual trip, so don’t expect a lot of leeway in terms of departure times, destinations, and the like. Tour companies often reserve the right to make changes midway, particularly for safety reasons, but the vacationers themselves rarely get to decide on those changes. This is how tour prices are kept competitive.

Many regular tours don’t allow free time Unsurprisingly, many group tours rely heavily on tourist traps for their activity lineups. Many tour companies try to cram as many of these target destinations into an itinerary so that their customers can experience as much a country has to offer as they can. The problem with this is that between distance, traffic, and many other variables in between, there’s rarely any free time left for tourists to have to themselves.

Here at Wheel & Anchor, we intentionally plan our trips with balance in mind — which is why our tours always have room for “me” time.

Consider your own personality and interests when deciding on travelling with a group, but also, don’t forget to check on the tour provider’s reputation and track record. For instance, Wheel & Anchor is known for the quality and level of curation of the experiences we provide.

We also limit our tour group sizes, moderately pace our itineraries, and make sure that our guides have intimate knowledge of the destinations. Why not try one of our shorter weekend tours in Panama and the Azores to see what it’s all about?

Wheel & Anchor is a community of people with a passion for travel. Build relationships and experience the world with our list of unforgettable experiences. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest inspirational travel tales and don’t forget to check out our upcoming tours . Sign up today .

Gordon Dreger

Founder, Wheel & Anchor

Gordon Dreger is the founder of Wheel & Anchor and has been in the travel industry for over 30 years. Travel is a self-expression for him, and there is nothing he likes more than talking about travel and sharing all of the joys of it with others.

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Group Travel: The Pros and Cons

By david porter , january 9, 2013 02:13 pm.

When I think of group travel, the first thing that comes to my mind is a busload of silver-haired matriarchs headed to Branson, Missouri. You know, crowded buses, truckstop restroom breaks, and quite likely a fair amount of snoring. Furthermore, the idea that this baby boomer traveler would consider any form of group travel for an international trip was simply out of the question. I'm far too independent, would prefer to have my own schedule, I love to experience world history when traveling, and I have little patience for some of the drama that I envisioned might happen when you throw a bunch of people together overseas. Therefore, when Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) called to see if we might like to experience one of their new Connections journeys, my immediate response was, "no thanks". However, Carol fought back by reminding me that A&K is quite likely the world's foremost luxury travel tour provider, had a new program that offered a fair amount of free time, and would save her literally months of planning, I easily succumbed to her batting eyelashes. (Full disclosure: Abercrombie & Kent graciously covered our travel costs in this case.) Having recently returned from a week in Spain with A&K, I thought I might share with you the pros and cons of group travel from our first group travel experience:

Group Travel: The Pros

For those of you who detest planning what to do, where to go, where to eat, and where to stay, then group travel offers you little or no planning .
When traveling internationally, a whole host of intricacies come into play as you consider language barriers, currency exchange, directions, local customs, or even something as simple as reading a menu. With a travel director in charge, international travel challenges are removed .
A good group travel company will get you to the best sites, have you staying in the best hotels, bypassing long lines, eating at the best restaurants, with the knowledge of a local and leaving you with enjoyment instead of stress.
Single travelers are likely to greatly enjoy the benefits of group travel. It will remove a great deal of the fear and stress that single travelers often experience.
You'll make some new life-long friends .

Group Travel: The Cons

For some of you, starting out promptly at 8:30 in the morning might not be your cup of tea. Generally speaking, with group travel, you are going to live by a fairly rigid, fixed schedule . Making changes with large groups of people is very difficult and therefore not likely. Therefore, spontaneity is a foreign language with this type of travel.
Some group travel companies have quite large groups . I don't know about you, but I have no interest in traveling in a pack of 60 people. Nope. Not going to do it.
With group travel, you're very likely to spend some time in a bus . It's the most practical way to move a group of people around tourist attractions. However, long distances might be covered by train or even an airplane. I get motion sickness, so I was quick to stake my territory in the front seat of the bus to prevent any problems.
Your group may contain a drama queen who is constantly disrupting your travel experience.
The trip doesn't live up to the travel brochure and your hotel has bed bugs, the food in the scheduled restaurants is horrible, you can never hear your travel guide because there are 40 people all vying to get close enough to hear, and to top it off, your luggage has been lost for three days.

Thankfully, our first experience was absolutely delightful. We enjoyed fantastic luxury hotels, ate were the locals prefer to eat, never stood in a line, enjoyed unbelievably qualified tour guides, traveled in a small group of 12 people, had generally 3-4 hours of free time each day (and a local guide to help us decide what to do), never had to give a moments thought about the logistics of getting from point A to point B, and quite literally had more opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture at a price that I would have been hard pressed to duplicate on my own. Now, I realize that not all group travel companies are equal. You certainly need to do your homework and look for the recommendations of folks who have used the company before. However, having said that, and while not willing to give up on my independent travel, I'm quite certain that we'll consider another international group travel experience in the future. Our first experience was simply brilliant, as one of our new British friends was quite fond of saying. How about you? Have you any group travel experience? Would you consider group travel? David and Carol Porter are contributors on the AARP blog, blog regularly at theroamingboomers.com and keep us updated on their travels via their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The Pros and Cons of Group Travel

In recent years, group travel has completely modernized to satiate the desires of this generation. No longer do you have to sit in giant tour buses or wade through crowds at touristy attractions. Now, certain travel companies will bring together a small group of like-minded travelers and curate itineraries that will guarantee authentic, immersive experiences .

I’ve done a couple of group tours myself. I went to Cuba with Coast to Costa (see above) and Colombia (Cartagena and Medellín) with El Camino (see below). As someone who’s introverted and likes to plan to things out myself, I was unsure about group travel initially, but overall, both turned out to be fantastic experiences.

Are you considering group travel? Let’s talk about tradeoffs.

All logistics are taken care of

No longer will you have to spend countless hours researching the things to do or places to eat at. It’s all taken care of! If you’re generally busy or don’t like planning things, then group travel could be a good option for you.

I personally liked that I didn’t have to figure out how to get a visa to Cuba, especially with unpredictable political policies and a limited set of authorized travel types.

You’ll experience the best thanks to insider connections

The travel companies’ insider connections allowed for more intimate experiences that I couldn’t have planned myself. Some of my favorite memories include eating a pig roast at a Cuban family’s home in Trinidad and walking through Comuna 13 in Medellín with the brother of Chota, a renowned graffiti artist. These unique experiences are all thanks to travel companies’ connections to the locals themselves.

You’ll make new travel buddies

It can be lonely if you travel solo. Some things (like learning salsa and champeta!) are more fun with other people. While I traveled to Cuba and Colombia with a friend, I enjoyed connecting with the other people in my travel groups. I actually became friends with my roommate in Cuba — in fact, I even visited her a few months ago!

Of course, traveling with other people also means safety in numbers, especially for women who want to be out at night.

It’s expensive

At least for Latin America, expect to shell out close to $2500- $3000 (including the flight). Most of the trips I’ve planned myself have costed about half of that amount. This type of travel isn’t really an option for budget travelers. However, these travel companies work really hard to give you the best experience. I personally also like supporting small businesses.

You may not click with everyone

To be honest, I felt out of place during one of my first nights in Havana. After dinner, a large group of people started smoking, which later became chain smoking. I was the only who didn’t smoke, and it made me feel pretty uncomfortable. Later on, I realized that no one really cared that I didn’t smoke or drink. Eventually, I was able to enjoy the others’ company and have fun while staying clean.

Because the travel groups consist of at least a dozen people, the reality is that you won’t be friends with everyone, but that’s okay. At the very least, put yourself out there and be accepting of each other’s differences.

It’s easy to become passive

Because group travel companies take care of all the logistics, it’s puts less onus on the traveler to know where they’re at or to learn the local language. To be honest, it’s hard for me to put together travel tips for Cartagena and Medellín since I didn’t have to plan anything!

I encourage you to stay engaged . Soak in the history. Learn a few basic greetings. You are not simply on vacation — you are experiencing a different way of life among the people themselves.

I’ve only traveled with Coast to Costa and El Camino , but I’m sure there are plenty of other small group travel companies. If you can afford it, group travel can be a worthwhile experience. However, I don’t think you completely lose out if you plan things out yourself; you’ll just need time to research and will have a different type of experience navigating the country.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about my experiences, feel free to contact me !

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Group Travel vs. Solo Travel: Their Pros and Cons

There are plenty of decisions to make when it comes to traveling, but one of the biggest is solo travel vs group traveling.

There are plenty of decisions to make when it comes to traveling, but one of the biggest is solo travel vs group traveling. Which is better, and what are the pros and cons of both? The simple part is picking your destination , duration, and spending budget since those things are a lot less constrained, but if you are not sure whether it’s a better idea to travel by yourself or with a group, this is where this blog comes in. The decision is a hard one to make, especially for a first-time traveler. Read on to learn more!

Pros of Group Travel

One of the main things travelers mention is that loneliness is something solo travelers have to deal with. Being in a group does not entirely protect you from feeling lonely while abroad, but it is definitely more of a challenge when you’re alone. When you travel with a group, you gain a sense of companionship. Experiencing group travel, whether with a group of people you haven’t met before or friends you have known for years, is special in a unique way. Despite any ups and downs, group travel can help bind and bring people together within the experience in incredible ways. When you travel as a group, you also tend to spend less money. When you’re in a group, you can then divide up luggage to split weight for flights, support each other during tough times, and divvy up travel gear to save time for each other.

The Pros of Solo Travel

There are many pros to solo travel, many of which can lead to you being satisfied and fulfilled with your decision. When you solo travel, you have complete freedom and independence. You want to climb a mountain on the horizon? You can do it. Want to eat the delicious looking street food? Nobody is stopping you. Want to take a subway to a particular part of a city? You have the freedom to. You decide what to do and what not to do. There are also time benefits to traveling alone. You don’t have to worry about following a schedule to see or do certain things. Decision-making is a lot easier. You also have the ability to develop as a person when you travel solo. There is something about taking care of yourself, being outside of your comfort zone, and having nobody to figure things out for you, it forces you to develop and grow as a person.

Traveling alone is unlike anything, and we recommend you try it out at least once!

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Solo Travel VS Group Travel: Pros and Cons To Choose The Best

When it comes to traveling, we all have different things that we’re looking for. For some, it’s about meeting and touring new places with like-minded people. The thought of eating alone in a restaurant probably terrifies some travelers — but, for others, it’s all about getting away from their daily routine.

Others still are looking for both culture and company, or even just a place where they can be truly alone and let loose. Let’s look at the pros and cons of solo travel vs group travel .

Table of Contents

Solo Travel VS Group Travel

Solo travel , as the name suggests involves traveling alone at your own pace, while group travel involves traveling with friends, family, or in groups arranged by a travel agency. Traveling solo and traveling in a group each has its pros and cons. Traveling improves our perspectives and experiences of the world around us. We all have different things we are looking for on our adventure; some people want to get away from their daily life and routine, and others want culture and to be with others like them.

Many people, however, simply want to find a place where they can truly let go and be themselves. The adventure doesn’t have to be traveling from place to place; it can be found in a new city or even in the person sitting next to you on an airplane or train.

Everyone looks for a different experience when they travel so traveling solo and traveling in a group each have their pros and cons.Related Read: Benefits Of Solo Travel

Solo Traveling

The world is your oyster

You get to set the pace at which you want to travel and decide the budget and places you want to see and stay at. The world becomes your oyster and you get to decide which places catch your fancy and which sights bore you to death. You are the one calling all the shots, and if you are like me who likes waking up late, you won’t have to wake up when it’s still dark outside.

Great chance at self-discovery

You get to discover yourself. It might sound like a cliché at first used in a million movies and soppy self-help books. But everything about this statement is true. Solo traveling is a great way to discover yourself and become at peace with yourself.

Solo traveling tests help you reflect on your life and see yourself in a new light. You get to test your strengths and overcome your weaknesses while traveling solo. Your planning, finances, punctuality, and ability to handle pressure are all put to the test.

Befriend other solo travelers

You end up meeting cool and interesting people during your solo adventures. Meeting other travelers thus becomes a huge part of the appeal of traveling alone for some people. Many single travelers seem to end up in the same places, so you’ll have the opportunity to meet individuals who share your passions.

You can accompany them for some fun conversations to not become a complete loner, then go back to your room.

You might feel lonely

If you’re an extrovert who hates the idea of being alone, solo travel can be challenging. You might start overthinking and get anxious about the idea of traveling. You might start feeling homesick, and traveling might start feeling more like a chore than an adventure.

There will be many days where you will spend all day alone and return to your hotel room and sleep alone. So be aware.

Safety can be a challenge

Safety becomes a concern when traveling alone. Independent travelers are more likely to be the victims of muggings, pickpocketing, attacks, and other crimes since they seem to appear more defenseless. Getting hurt, sick, and lost are all scary situations that no one wants to experience.

That’s where the monitoring apps come in handy. XNSPY is one such app that has a geolocation tracking feature which makes it a great option. The app’s remote tracking option allows users to view the real-time location of their loved ones.

So if you are on a solo adventure through the lush fields of Dover or the deep mountains of Iceland, it is to become lost while taking in the beautiful view. Your loved ones can utilize the XNSPY’s cell phone tracker without installing it on the target phone and know your exact location.

They will also be able to track your location history in all of the places and check the time and date stamps for each location remotely. This tracking app for smartphones can be a lifesaver when you are in a remote area and feel your safety may be in danger.

Group Travel

Group Travel is Cheaper

Traveling in a group can be economical as most agencies design special discounts for group trips. Most tourist resorts and hotels offer special discounts as part of a large traveling group. Even basic things like sharing a room become cheaper. Not to mention you get to split the bill when you order the local delicacies.

You have someone to share the experience with

When you travel with other people, you always have someone to share your good times with. For many people, this is the most enjoyable aspect of traveling. There is always someone to keep you occupied in activities. You get to share a hearty laugh, exchange tales, and create new memories.

Do you need someone to photograph you in front of a monument? Or perhaps you need someone to assist you in translating the menu? Or someone to hold your phone and wallet while you take a dip in the lake. These are just a few of the advantages of traveling with great company.

It’s safer to travel as a group.

You feel safe when traveling together as a group. It’s not just a psychological relief but a fact. You are less likely to become a victim of mugging or pickpocketing when you’re not traveling alone.

No alone time

You might not get much alone time when you travel in a group . It becomes quite an uncomfortable situation if you are someone like me who likes their privacy. You might get nagged into joining the group for a game of beach volleyball or a strenuous hike when you only want to chill by the hotel pool.

You might not get along with everyone

If you don’t get along with someone in the group, traveling with them won’t make you best friends overnight. Everyone involved may feel awkward and uncomfortable as a result. You have to travel to know someone. And this can be both good and bad.

Clash of interests

Not everyone shares the same interests and passions. It is true when in a group as well. Having to force yourself to partake in group activities can be tiresome. Your pals want to visit the local museum, but you prefer to see the ocean view next to the cliffs. It can be challenging in a group, and both parties need to compromise.

Traveling can be a joyous experience and be enjoyed as a group or as a solo mission. You need to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each before you pack your bags. This guide can be essential when planning your next vacation and should please both the lone wolf and group travelers .

Last Updated on October 23, 2023

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3 thoughts on “ Solo Travel VS Group Travel: Pros and Cons To Choose The Best ”

My vote is for solo traveling. Gives me liberty of doing things at my own pace.

When I was solo traveling, that’s how I met my husband, which gave me liberty to stay longer in a place to develop our relationship

Traveling solo seems to be fun and challenging. This can turn your life to endless fun, excitement, and extraordinary pleasure… I would love to travel solo…

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Advantages & Disadvantages of Solo Travel Vs Group Travel

What you can expect from this article...

1 Solo Travel Vs Group Travel
2.1 Advantages of Group Travel
2.2 Disadvantages of Group Travel
3.1 Things worth discussing with a potential travel partner
3.2 Advantages of travelling with a friend
3.3 Disadvantages of travelling with a friend
4.1 Advantages of Solo Travel
4.2 Disadvantages of Solo Travel
5.1 Advantages of travel as a couple
5.2 Disadvantages of travel as a couple

Solo Travel Vs Group Travel

Having been bitten by the travel bug aged just 17, I have sampled all forms of travel over the last 14 years – travel alone, with a partner, friends. I’ve worked aboard, volunteered, even holidayed with my parents and taken several group tours.

Each style of travel allows for completely different experiences, each has its pros and cons. So if you are umming and ahhing over how to travel, I hope this guide will help you make the all-important choice between Solo travel vs Group travel !

** Pssst, this article may contain affiliate links. If you have no idea what this means, click here and everything will be explained!**

Group Travel – Adventure Tour Companies

– Best for maximizing how much you see in a short time and making lots of friends!

These days there are so many companies catering for group travel. You can choose your travel style or even which age range you would like to travel with.

Companies like Dragoman (overlanding participation travel in a truck with a mixture of camping and hotels) or Gadventures or Intrepid (where you stay in hotels and travel by a mixture of local transport and private minibus) are becoming an increasingly popular way to travel.

Whilst writing this post, I’m actually on a Dragoman tour through South America. It suited me this time as I wished to cram a lot into a short period of time and my Spanish skills are minimal. There are certainly advantages of group travel.

But on other occasions when I have more time to spare, I will travel alone or with friends. I personally like to mix it up!

I’ve enjoyed my Dragoman tour but I have to admit, G Adventures and Intrepid are still my favourite companies to travel with!

Read this article to see how they G Adventures and Intrepid compare to each other!

Or if you want more options, read about my opinions on the best travel adventure companies for single travellers where I compare 6 companies and different styles of travel from overlanding to small group tours.

Advantages of Group Travel

Super easy to make new friends
Easy to navigate your way around without knowing much of the local language (although it’s still nice to learn some!)
For me, the best advantage of group travel is that you can cover a larger distance in a shorter amount of time since transport is pre-arranged.
You will be taken to the best spots by people who are in the know!
Security of travelling as a group and looking out for each other. It’s great for nervous travellers or first-time travellers.
More people to travel with so if one person is getting on your nerves, you can go and chat to someone else for a bit!

Disadvantages of Group Travel

Travelling with a group of people, you are likely to find someone you don’t get on with! Group travel requires tolerance.
Possibly the biggest disadvantage of group travel is that you are restricted by a schedule and can’t choose to stay somewhere longer to explore more.
It can be tricky to get photos of views without lots of people in them! However, this can be got around with a little patience!
There’s a risk you will be sharing a room with someone you don’t get on with or who snores! Bring earplugs just in case!
It usually costs more to take an organised tour.

Why not check what trips G Adventures and Intrepid have to offer?!

Travel with Friends

– Best for company and flexibility.

Travelling with a friend or travelling with another couple can be amazing. It can also be awful. PICK YOUR FRIEND OR FRIENDS WISELY!

Just because you are besties back home does not mean that will translate when you travel together. Travelling together is like living together – you see the good, the bad and the ugly! Your friend may be the most fun ever when you go out for a few cocktails but will she be as fun on a 12-hour bus journey in 40-degree heat?!

I have travelled with friends before and had both good and bad experiences. The first time I travelled I went with a friend with whom I had a lot of fun back home! She was laid back and we had a similar sense of humour so I figured we were perfect travel partners.

Turns out travel in a 3rd world country wasn’t for her and when I found our travel disasters funny, it just added to her frustrations.

Backpacking is not for everyone and she found out the hard way. It put a bit of stress on our friendship and when we got back home, our busy lives took us in different directions.

I still regret how we drifted but it taught me an important travel lesson to be careful who you travel with. Don’t ruin a great friendship by travelling with someone who’s style of travel is completely different to yours!

On the other hand, I’ve had friendships strengthen by travel. You get to know someone on a completely different level when you spend every waking moment together forming memories to last a lifetime. I even ended up moving in with a friend after travelling together!

Another friend I met travelling, I have since met up with a few times both in Wales and Holland.

Things worth discussing with a potential travel partner

Are you expecting 5 * accommodation or are you happy roughing it? What does roughing it actually mean to you?

How do you deal with things when they go wrong?
Are you messy or super tidy?
Do you have similar budgets?
Do you want to visit the same places?
Do you prefer slow or fast travel?
Do you like to eat local food or food you are more familiar with?
How much are you willing to compromise if your answers above are different?

Advantages of travelling with a friend

Guaranteed company
Someone to share the memories (and photos) with.
Security of travelling with someone.
Share costs eg hotel rooms.

Disadvantages of travelling with a friend

Potential to damage friendships if it doesn’t go well.
May have different travel goals – you will need to compromise!

Solo Travel

– Best for slow travel and doing it YOUR way

“The man who goes alone can start today, but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.” Henry David Thoreau

Travelling alone is the most controversial, the most nerve-racking but also possibly the most rewarding.

In truth, you will rarely be alone unless you want to be. It’s easy to meet other travellers especially if you are staying in hostels and you can choose to travel with people heading the same direction but if it all gets too much, it’s easy to split and go your own way.

There are also lots of tools and resources available these days to help bring travellers together, so being alone is not necessary. Examples being apps like Meetup where you can join groups of people with similar interests to you (especially locals) or www.backpackr.org – a website where you can message and meet other backpackers in the area.

Advantages of Solo Travel

The most important advantage of solo travel is that it’s completely YOUR trip. No need to compromise. Go where you want to, stay as long as you like, eat where you fancy. Be alone when you want to be or meet new people to hang out with, it’s your choice!
You will make so many new friends from all over the world!
A greater sense of achievement when you navigate your way through a foreign country mastering a new language and trying not to get lost!
You will learn a lot about yourself especially what you are capable of.

Disadvantages of Solo Travel

Less secure with no one to watch your back.
Can be more expensive without someone to share costs with.
Difficult to meet people if you choose to stay in hotels rather than hostels.
The main disadvantage of solo travel for most people is that it can get lonely if you are shy and find it difficult to make friends.

Check out these top tips for solo travel !

Travel with a partner / Couple Travel

– Best for sharing the special memories

Just like travelling with a friend , this can really test your relationship. You are likely to emerge stronger than ever or alternatively, the cracks may start to show. However, better to find out now than years down the track right?!

I’ve had some brilliant trips with partners in the past and those special moments such as gorgeous sunsets, are that much more special sharing it with a partner.

Advantages of travel as a couple

Someone to share those special moments with.
Cost saving eg a double hotel room.
Someone to share the memories with
It tests a relationship and gives you a good indication of whether you can go the distance!

Disadvantages of travel as a couple

If it doesn’t work out, you may feel awkward reflecting on the trip or looking back through photos with a new partner.
If the relationship breaks down, it will be much harder being away from home.
Travelling may put additional stress on your relationship.

So whichever style of travel you choose, there will be advantages and disadvantages of solo travel and group travel, and highs and lows regardless of who you travel with.

Don’t let fear put you off travelling alone, you will make friends and you will have an amazing time! Spend time thinking about solo travel vs group travel and think about what type of travel is best for you and don’t forget to choose travel buddies wisely!

And if you do choose to go the route of booking a group tour, then definitely check out this company and this company – they are my favourites and I’ve travelled with them 10 times!

What is your preferred style of travel? Have you had any travel buddy disasters? Have you tried a group tour? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

And if you can spend a moment to pin this to your Pinterest board or share on social media, I’ll be eternally grateful!

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Best group travel companies for single travellers you will love, powerful quotes about travelling with friends – perfect for instagram captions, how to deal with the travelling blues – don’t let them ruin your trip, this post has 6 comments.

Great blog! i have spend most of her time in traveling i have remember that last time i have travel with in group and enjoy lot of beautiful places in Europe. Allover Thanks for share this blog.

solo traveling is definitely nourishing for the soul, however its way too fun when you travel in groups. Back in my bachelor days me and my friends used to go for wine tours each year, and always got vacation rentals at The Wine Stay since we find their services to be the best. Even now, we still go out with our families and kids each year and those trips are something to look forward to.

Solo travel has it own journey but when you talking about group it always won! I like your thoughts

Yes solo and group travel definitely both have their advantages

Thanks for shear amazing post.

Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

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Group Travel vs. Solo Travel: Pros and Cons

Coliving , Digital Nomad Tips / October 12, 2018 by Jessica Buck

Group Travel, Flight during Golden Hour, Photo by Nils Nedel on Unsplash

To be honest, there are stigmas prominent all through the spectrum of travel, and everyone has an opinion on what you should do on your trip that you paid and planned for 🙂 One of the biggest, or most prominent questions asked when beginning your research for an upcoming trip, adventure or life changing event is, should you choose group travel (whether you know them beforehand or not), or is going solo the better route?

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While there are pros and cons to each, it ultimately depends on what you’re most comfortable with… basically, what can your personality hold? How open are you to being placed in an unknown atmosphere and just striking up conversation with a stranger? Let’s discuss.

Solo Travel Means Waiting for No One

Having said that, a solid pro to traveling solo is the fact that it’s all about you, all the time (LOL). If you wake up one morning and want to hop on a bus to a neighbouring town and check out the scene for the day, you can do that. But the point is that you don’t have to discuss this with anyone. There’s no need to make sure they want to also go on this impromptu excursion and anything else you may want to do when you get there. The itinerary includes one person: you. It’s also pretty freeing to be completely out of your comfort zone and opening yourself up 100% to the adventure that awaits you.

Group Travel, Self Pace, Motorbike, Photo by Đằng Nguyễn on Unsplash

Solo Travel Means Self Pace, and Self Pace Is a Happy Place to Be…

The nicest part about traveling alone is being able to choose the pace of your time abroad. Being able to make a last minute decision to stay longer in one city, even though you had previously planned to be in a completely different country by this time. Or vice versa, not loving where you are at the moment and deciding to book a ticket somewhere new, or familiar. It definitely eases a lot of stress and tension that naturally builds up when trying to accommodate for 2+.

Solo Travel Means Endless, Authentic Life Experiences…

Embrace the growth that comes with going out on your own and making it happen, without anybody else’s say or input. Being alone in unfamiliar spaces can be so beneficial because you are constantly surrounding yourself with experiences that accelerate your inner growth. Having to figure things out on your own, get from point A to point B and conquering hard obstacles is the most crash course way to growing tf up mentally, emotionally and spiritually. When you don’t have someone tangibly there to get you out of a pickle, who can you rely on? YOURSELF. And you are a strong, independent traveler who majored in “finding a way or making one” from the University of Life.

When you look at it like that, it’s easy to wonder whether it’s worth having this debate at all. Personal growth is so so important and a solo travelling experience will definitely give you that. But sharing your travelling experience has a different kind of power. It comes out in the mundane really; something as simple as having a coffee takes on a whole different meaning…

Group Travel Means Family Dinners Are a Thing and They Are Amazing…

If food is your life then you know already that cooking for one is nearly impossible. You either cook entirely too much and the leftovers will never get completely eaten, or you cook too little and you’re still hungry (and a hungry traveler is not a happy traveler ).

When you live/travel with people, you get to indulge in the talents of others; it’s where the inner chefs come out to play. WiFi Tribe was in Jamaica last year around the US Thanksgiving holiday and we had an epic potluck, with food cooked by people from all over the world, just to accommodate the few Americans in search of some familiar traditions away from home.

Group Travel, family dinners, Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

Group Travel Means You Always Have a Guaranteed Buddy

If you have the extreme pleasure to one day travel with WiFi Tribe 😉 (SHAMELESS plug), you’ll find that everybody clicks almost immediately. For the next month (or two or three or four) months, you’ve got this amazing group of people to try new things with, go on adventures, take cute pictures for I nstagram , eat food you’ve never tried before.

At any given moment, there is someone you can talk to, share memes with, grab a drink or just explore the city/town you’re currently in. It won’t always be a large group (though that always is a guaranteed a good time), but there’s always an exploration buddy ready to paint the town red.

Group Travel Means New Friends!

Picture yourself booking a one-way flight across the world, knocking on the door of your new living quarters for the month and being greeted by another remote worker from the other side of the world, new to the scene as well. Hello, instant friends!

Coliving is the perfect way to meet people just like you, sorta like you, or completely different from you. It’s personalities all across the spectrum, vibing together while seeking out the best eats and adventures this location has to offer, while also buckling down when work needs to happen, and even collaborating with other professionals when the opportunity presents itself.

It’s learning to live with others who may have very different habits and living styles as you, like The Real World, without the cameras. It’s immediate and continuous fun and exploration, creating memories with people that are put into your life for a reason, and stay there because that’s what WiFi Tribe does, they bring people together and then the friendship just moulds…and sticks.

Regardless if you decide to travel solo or do the coliving , group travel thing, the most important thing to remember is to be open to the experience, however that pans out. The most amazing thing about traveling is being able to take yourself out of your comfort zone, both willingly and unwillingly, and making the most out of what surrounds you.

The best experiences happen when you least expect them, or when you’re going with the flow (with safety in mind), open to having those moments where years and years down the line, you’re still raving that you’ll “never forget that one time in Spain…” Meet people, eat lots of food, explore highly recommended places, stumbleupon hidden gems, and overall just have memorable experiences. But you just have to go out and DO IT.

About Jessica Buck

Jessica is a freelance copywriter and OG member of WiFi Tribe. While she is based in Los Angeles, she has been traveling throughout Latin America for over a year, with plans to tackle SE Asia this coming fall after some US explorations set for summer 2k18. She is the principle blogger for WiFi Tribe, but also writes for a few ecommerce companies and non profit organisations based in the US. Aside from work, Jessica has awesome hair (obvi) and is a future NY Times Bestselling Author... as soon as she finishes writing her first novel (it'll be worth the wait, I promise). You can keep up with her via her Instagram if you want to see some cool pix and funny memes :)

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Solo Travel vs Group Travel – The Pros and Cons You Need to Know

20 May, 2022
londonbackpackers

Do you prefer to travel alone or with someone? Sometimes it makes no difference, right? In either case, travel is a soul-healing experience! However, today at London Backpackers, our budget hostels in North London, we’d like to shed some light on these two options to assist you in planning your next trip.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone to new places? And what about in a group?

Let’s Start With A Definition

When discussing solo travel in tourism, we can also refer to them as Fully Independent Travellers, also known as FITs. They’re the adventurers who leave their homes alone, even if they later join a group of strangers. They’re in charge of organising their trip, making decisions, and creating an itinerary.

Do you prefer to travel alone or in a group?

So, group travel is that option in which you travel with several people on a pre-arranged tour. In this case, you don’t make any decisions, and you don’t have to plan anything. On the contrary, you pay a tour guide to plan the itinerary. While this option is very comfortable, it tends to limit the traveller’s freedom.

Which One Is The Best Fit For You?

While each trip is different, there’re several factors to consider when determining which option is best for you. All trips have the following six key elements in common:

Going abroad alone is always less expensive than travelling in a group, even if you must pay the single supplement. When you join an organised group tour, you must bear the cost of having someone plan your trip for you. That convenience comes at a cost.

Independence

Travelling alone gives you more freedom and flexibility because you aren’t bound by schedules. In travel groups, however, you’re dependent on what is planned and must adapt to it.

Ability to Meet People

Travelling in a group, on the other hand, allows you to always be in the company of other people, even allowing you to make new friends. When travelling alone, your chances of meeting new people are limited… although there’s always the option of joining a group of travellers or other solo travellers during the trip.

A guide will always be a source of support when travelling in a group. It’s an excellent way to deal with difficulties such as orienting yourself in a new location, dealing with a different language, and planning your trip as efficiently as possible. These difficulties are magnified when travelling alone.

When travelling alone, you’re solely responsible for your own safety (health, scams, accidents, and so on), and travel insurance is almost always recommended. Instead, on a group trip, the group organisers are in charge of mitigating all of these risks. The guide will ensure that the entire journey is completed safely.

This is perhaps the most subjective factor of all. How do you assess the quality of a trip? Travelling alone can be more self-satisfying, whereas travelling in a group can be more enriching due to the guide’s knowledge. It’s up to you to decide how you will measure the quality of a trip.

THE PROS AND CONS

Directly from our central hostel in London, we’ll use the magnifying glass now to see what the benefits and drawbacks of travelling alone versus in a group are.

Pros of Solo Traveller/Tours

• You make the decisions When travelling alone, you have more power. You get to choose how, when, and where you want to do things.

• You boost your self-esteem Travelling alone boosts one’s self-esteem. Getting out of your comfort zone on your own is a challenge that will force you to mature as a person.

• You get to know the local culture better According to solo travellers, the immersion capacity is greater when travelling alone. You can pay more attention to your surroundings if there’re no distractions.

• You make new friends When you travel alone, you have more opportunities to meet new people. You’ll be able to connect with locals more easily, as well as other solo travellers who are willing to share a day trip with you.

Read the list of essential tips for solo backpackers created by our backpackers hostel in North London to help you when travelling alone.

Cons of Solo Traveller/Tours

• Address safety risks When you travel alone, your safety is entirely dependent on you. It’s strongly advised to purchase travel insurance (in case of accidents, illness, etc.).

• Spend money on a single supplement Most companies require you to pay a single supplement. When you book a room, for example, you may be charged the full price for two people and won’t be able to split the bill with anyone.

Note: Some businesses have adjusted their prices to accommodate solo travellers.

• You have no one to share your experiences with You won’t have anyone to share your trip’s experiences with. However, if you’re a solo traveller, remember that you aren’t alone: you’ll be your best travel companion.

• You must handle all the planning yourself It’s up to you to plan your own vacation. You’ll be responsible for all aspects of the itinerary, including reservations and anything else that may be required.

Pros of Group Traveller/Tours

• Cost-sharing When travelling with someone else, you can split the cost of room and board. You can even participate in activities where minimum numbers are required for tours to run.

• Organisers oversee everything Sit back and relax. Organisers will be in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly. Besides, you’ll always have the guide available to help you with whatever you need.

• You can go to risky destinations When visiting places like North Korea, Egypt, or Sudan, the company of local tour guides will make you feel safer, and in many cases it’s even mandatory. This type of trip is easier to organise in a group setting, whereas solo travellers face more challenges.

• You’ll be more secure You’ll feel more at ease and calm knowing that both the guide and the organisers are concerned about your safety and avoiding potentially hazardous situations.

Are you planning a trip to the capital? Take a look at our guide on things to do in London as a group , designed by our youth hostel in London .

Cons of Group Traveller/Tours

• On a tight schedule The organisation will set the schedule for the trip, and you must adhere to it.

• Bound to others If you want to spend an extra day in a certain city of the trip, it won’t be possible. You’ll have to work around the itinerary.

• Everything is already organised Some travellers are frustrated because they’re unable to organise anything within the group trip. Everything will be determined by the tour organisers’ plans.

• Depending on the atmosphere of the group It’s critical that harmony and good vibes reign within the group of travellers, or the experience will be marred by unpleasant moments.

Do you need some inspiration? We share with you what to do in London as a group from our UK hostels.

Have you decided how you’ll travel the next time? Hostels in London are a popular choice for anyone travelling alone or in a group. You can enjoy all the amenities you’ll need on your trip for a lower price, including free Wi-Fi, cleaning and even games and a TV room to relax in.

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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!

organized group travel tour guide to hvar hula hula go pro croatia

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!

organized group tour as a solo travler - pros and cons

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.

organized tour or solo travel? how to decide

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!

Going abroad? Here's an in-depth guide on how to decide whether to book an organized tour or plan your own travel.

Privacy Overview

Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, solo travel vs group travel: pros and cons.

Last Updated on February 20, 2024 by Talita

Traveling is an irreplaceable part of the lives of many people. Almost every person adores exploring the world, visiting new places, and meeting new people. Moreover, according to Forbes , travel impacts mental health positively. Nevertheless, the ways people travel are very dissimilar.

For instance, some people adore all-inclusive tours when they need to tackle zero problems. Other types of travelers do not build any plans and routes to enjoy discovering new places.

Nevertheless, the major difference between tourists is their desire to explore the world alone or in a group of like-minded people. In the post below, we will take a deeper dive and discover the benefits and drawbacks of solo and group tours.

Group Travel Advantages and Disadvantages

In a nutshell, traveling by group is ideal for a company of friends. Also, it’s a great pick for inexperienced tourists who are afraid to tackle unpredictable challenges in different countries.

A group tour can help avoid many problems and make a trip more interesting. However, some drawbacks may turn a trip into a nightmare if you like freedom on trips. So, let’s take a deeper dive and learn as much as possible about all the pros and cons of traveling with a group of other tourists .

Table of Contents

3 Wrapping Up
4 Planning your next trip?

Pro: Guaranteed Company

When traveling with other people, you will never feel lonely. Having a group trip, you will always spend time with other people. You will always be surrounded by people you travel with and will share your emotions and have conversations with other people. Since all tourists have different traveling experiences, you will plan an ideal trip that will need you to tackle zero problems.

Con: Need to Compromise

Unfortunately, group trips leave no space for personal wants. Usually, every trip that gathers many different people is well-planned and scheduled. Therefore, you will be required to follow plans and always monitor your time. As a result, you will have limited time to explore particular places or have rest.

Also, you will need to compromise on your desire to spend time with your group. Therefore, if you don’t want to wake up at a particular time every day and explore well-known paths only, a group trip will turn into a nightmare for you.

Pro: Reduced Cost of Traveling

One of the primary benefits of group trips is saving money . When exploring a new area with other people, you will share transportation and living expenses. If you travel with a small company, you will likely live in shared apartments and move around using a rented vehicle.

If your group is large, you will pay for transportation and living in bulk. In any case, you will reduce your expenses or get a discount that can make a trip more affordable.

Con: Lack of Privacy

Those who value privacy when traveling and don’t like sharing their personal space with others should be aware of group trips. When exploring the world with other people, you won’t be able to get rid of a company and spend time alone.

Since group trips need people to stay gathered, eat together, and share hotel rooms, people lack privacy. Some travelers adore spending time being surrounded by other people. However, many people can hardly live without a daily dose of privacy. If you’re one of them, it’s recommended not to consider group trips.

Pro: Security

Many people are afraid to travel alone because they are concerned about security. However, when traveling with a group of other tourists, there is no need to carry about most problems. In most cases, group travel helps people get rid of anxiety because they share responsibility and apartments and transport. Furthermore, a company of other travelers can help find solutions to any possible problems.

Moreover, if a company plans a trip, the chance of experiencing any problems is drastically low. For instance, if you adore exploring the Scariest Climbing Slopes in the World , it’s vital to travel with others. A companion will always back you up and help rescue you if you get into trouble.

Solo Travel Advantages and Disadvantages

A lot of people adore exploring the world alone. They are not afraid to grab a backpack and start exploring the world alone. When they travel without any company, they have unlimited freedom and can do whatever they want. However, solo trips may dim bright emotions that people experience, spending time abroad with a friend or a soulmate.

Pro: Random Experience and New People

In most cases, those who travel alone don’t build plans. They also don’t create schedules, so solo travelers are open to unpredicted adventures. In case you don’t want to explore the most popular tourist attractions, you have a chance to explore the different sides of the countries you visit.

For instance, by exploring places not listed in brochures for travelers, solo tourists can find unique places and meet local people who will help discover a new place deeply. However, the risk of getting into trouble is higher in such a case. You can get lost, cheated, or experience issues due to the language barrier.

Con: Increased Cost of Traveling

It’s vital to remember that the price of traveling is higher for solo tourists. Indeed, those who explore the world alone can save by living in dorms and using local public transport in other countries.

However, in such a case, they will be required to compromise on privacy and the quality of their accommodation . Moreover, solo tourists need to pay more for hotel rooms and transportation to travel comfortably. Consequently, solo travelers spend more on their trips, on average.

Pro: Unique Trails and Personal Schedule

Tourists who explore the world alone are not required to follow any schedules. They are free to explore new trails at their own pace. In case you appreciate complete freedom, you will benefit from traveling alone.

Solo tourists can go wherever they want and spend limitless time in new places. They don’t need to follow their group. Also, they are not bothered by other people and are not forced to avoid any places they want to visit.

Con: Inability to Share Excitement and Lack of Help

Unfortunately, those who travel alone can hardly have the best trips. For starters, alone travelers cannot share the excitement of new places they reach. Furthermore, they cannot talk to other people and discuss the new views they observe.

Therefore, many solo tourists run video blogs to share their emotions with their subscribers. Emotion sharing is an important aspect of traveling that most solo travelers lack. Besides, those who travel alone may experience problems getting help when they get into trouble.

Wrapping Up

Both of the options are not ideal and include advantages and drawbacks. However, if you want your trip to be perfect, you need to get a perfect blend of group and solo travel. It’s recommended to have a trip with your soulmate or best friend. In such a case, you will be able to travel the way you both like.

You won’t be required to follow a group of other tourists and will be able to enhance your trips with a large number of random experiences. Besides, you will always have a great time together in a new place.

Planning your next trip?

Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets.

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

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Next stop….The DMZ, South Korea

Oct 4, 2021

Pros & Cons of Group vs Independent Travel

Updated: Mar 7, 2023

As many of us know, traveling can be a daunting task, from planning your destination to the actives to even where you will get your next meal. When people ask me the best way to ease the nerves of finding the best place to grab a bit to eat or lay your head, I always suggest group travel. That being said, group travel may not be for everyone. Therefore, this week we are going to weigh out group travel v. independent travel.

Group: When you are traveling with a group, you will have a set itinerary that ensures structure and punctuality to hit multiple stops on your list. This is wonderful when you have an action-packed list of destinations. Group travel can also expose you to sites you did not realize you would find interesting until you stopped to enjoy the area with the rest of your group.

Independent: When you are traveling as an individual, you’ll find that your itinerary is more flexible, so you can plan to spend more time in one area if you know it will interest you, and less time in another that you can cover in 15 minutes. It also lets you go at your own pace if you have had a tiring day the previous day and would like to take it easy the next day.

Group: As a member of the group, you will often meet new people and form amazing lasting friendships. I’ve traveled in groups as a solo traveler and groups with companions, and the social aspect of the travel is a fond memory. I am still connected to some of the people that I went on group tours with. Traveling with other people creates a unique shared experience and memories that will not compare to those in different situations. My favorite travel stories always mention who was in the story first, not the activity we did.

Independent: There are important times for independent travel where you want to be intimate with your travel companion, from celebratory trips to honeymoons or even your first trip traveling with someone. It is important to understand the situation and your desires. Travel is a special thing to share with a loved one or friend, and this is something that should be understood and accounted for when planning travel.

Group: Price is often a breaking point for travel, and when traveling with a group, that price can be drastically reduced because you are splitting the cost over several people. When you travel in a group, you do not need to book your transportation or accommodation as the group will receive a discount on prices. That being said, you may not always receive the cheapest airfare because you will need to book airfare around the booked travel dates.

Independent: When traveling as an individual, it gives you a bit more flexibility over the cost because you can decide when the perfect time to travel is with low airfare and low hotel costs. It also lets you determine which activities you’d like to participate in and pay for and avoid those you would rather skip. While traveling as an individual affords you these opportunities, there are still missed discounts on large group hotel rentals, bus fare discounts, and other options that would improve the overall price of a trip.

When planning travel, it is important to consider all options, when deciding between a group or a planned individual trip. We can work out what opportunities are best for you and your needs and wants. This is a brief overview of my pros and cons list when I am planning trips for myself and deciding if I want to tackle the trip independently or as part of a group. Schedule a consultation to learn more about the different styles of travel and what will work best for you.

Travel Tips

'Gig-Tripping' Is The Latest Travel Trend You'll Probably Want To Try

Senior Reporter, HuffPost Life

“Travel dupes.” “Hush trips.” “Slow travel.” The list of buzzy new terms and trends in the travel industry is ever expanding. Lately another new concept is circulating the tourism media-sphere: gig-tripping.

As we approach summer 2024 and peak travel season picks up, expect to see more globetrotters reveal themselves as gig-trippers. But what exactly is gig-tripping and how does it work?

Below, travel experts break down the benefits and downsides of this trend.

What is gig-tripping?

“Gig-tripping is a new trend that sees fans planning travel ― often internationally ― around the tour stops of their favorite artists,” said Lisa Chen , CEO of ToursByLocals. “This might be because they can’t get tickets for their home show, to save money, or simply to combine their love of travel and music into one adventure.”

Although the concept of traveling around the country or world to see a musical act is hardly new, the gig-tripping experience is different from more familiar iterations ― like the Deadhead subculture of living on the road to watch the Grateful Dead perform as many times as possible. Gig-trippers, by contrast, are typically fans who plan a vacation (or workcation) around one or two concerts in a specific location.

“In some cases, it is cheaper to travel to a different location to see a popular artist,” explained Phil Dengler , a co-founder of the travel website The Vacationer. “For example, Taylor Swift tickets are often very expensive in some cities, so you could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars by flying to a city with cheaper prices. I personally flew from Philadelphia to Charleston a few years back to see the Black Keys. Concert prices were much lower in Charleston, and it gave me an excuse to explore the city for a few days.”

Summer promises to bring a slew of gig-tripping Swift fans from the U.S. to Europe, as many found better ticket prices and availability in cities like Lyon, France, and Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

A 2023 survey from the travel platform GetYourGuide showed that 45% of Americans have been inspired to choose a specific travel destination by an event or experience they heard would be happening there, such as a concert. Recent survey data from Skyscanner also found that 60% of Americans were open to traveling abroad to save money on music events, and 44% of U.S. travelers were willing to fly short haul to see their favorite artists.

This interest in music-related tourism is perhaps unsurprising in an age when pop culture travel trends like “set jetting” have taken hold. Chen noted that ToursByLocals has seen a lot of success with tours related to movies or TV shows that were filmed and/or take place in various travel destinations.

“Given the popularity of gig-tripping and continued excitement around the Eras tour internationally, we’ve actually recently launched a selection of London for Swifties Tours with Swift-inspired tours to some of London’s best neighborhoods,” she said.

Thousands of people will travel to different cities to see Taylor Swift in concert this summer.

What are the benefits?

“Gig-tripping has a lot of perks,” said Madison Pietrowski, the director of brand for the U.S. at GetYourGuide. “Not only do you get to see your favorite artist live, but you’ll be immersed in a new city, likely a major tourist destination, and get to visit an iconic venue, like the local sports stadium hosting the concert.”

Indeed, Gelsenkirchen might not have been on many U.S. travelers’ radars before Taylor Swift announced her European tour dates, but this summer, more Americans will be filling the German football club Schalke 04′s impressive stadium.

“The benefits of traveling for a concert are that travelers are expanding their horizons of destinations they’re interested in visiting, whether they’re traveling internationally due to the cost of a domestic show, looking for a specific energy related to the venue or ‘surprise song,’ like we see with Taylor Swift’s Eras tour,” Chen said. “Additionally, travelers are more likely to meet and connect with those with similar interests.”

Fans often organize meet-ups, and local businesses plan events around major concerts, so there are opportunities for out-of-towners to maximize the experience. Many gig-trippers also plan unrelated cultural activities, such as guided tours, local restaurant meals, visits to historic sites and even more off-the-beaten-path opportunities.

“Gig-tripping is essentially traveling for music concerts, but now we’re seeing people turn these trips into full-fledged vacations to get the biggest bang for their buck,” Pietrowski said.

And that’s all on top of the benefit of potentially paying lower prices on concert tickets or getting to see an artist who didn’t schedule a tour stop in your hometown.

What are the downsides?

Despite the excitement and unique opportunities that come with gig-tripping, this approach is not without its challenges.

“One of the downsides to gig-tripping can be the large number of visitors the destination can experience during the time of the concerts,” Pietrowski noted.

As a result, the costs of accommodations and transportation to the area can skyrocket due to demand. The larger crowds, especially in destinations that aren’t accustomed to as many visitors, can be an issue as well.

“If you want to avoid the crowds, search for activities that bring you to major attractions during off-hours, or find small tours or classes with local guides that take you off the beaten path,” Pietrowski suggested.

Consider exploring beyond the immediate surroundings of the concert as well.

“When there is a rush of travelers to one destination for a specific event, the area can become overpopulated, and the destination as a whole can become overlooked, with travelers missing out on the local culture and history, and instead focusing on the specific event and mainstream tourist attractions,” Chen said.

The rise of gig-tripping might also affect unrelated travelers who wanted to visit a specific destination but unknowingly booked their trip during a time when the city would be overrun with an artist’s die-hard fans.

And, of course, gig-tripping is not always the best deal for the fans themselves.

“The downsides include higher overall costs,” Dengler said. “For example, it does not make sense to save a few hundred dollars on tickets if you are dropping thousands of dollars on the flight and accommodation. Before gig-tripping, take the concert price, airfare price and lodging price into consideration. Do the math to see if it really makes financial sense.”

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Global Entry vs. SENTRI: Which One Should You Choose?

Find out which of the Trusted Traveler Programs is better for you.

When entering the United States, either as a foreign national or a U.S. citizen, wait times at the border can be excruciatingly long. If you're a frequent traveler, you can make the process move more quickly by enrolling in one of the five Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) managed by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department of Homeland Security. These programs provide low-risk travelers a streamlined entry into the U.S.

Here, we break down the differences between two of them: Global Entry vs SENTRI. Find out which is best for you.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is one of the five TTPs for expedited entry into the U.S., and it's the most powerful of the group. At most major international airports and some seaports, Global Entry members can use special kiosks to enter the country, rather than wait in the long line to be inspected by a border agent. If you're deciding between Global Entry and SENTRI, it's worth noting that Global Entry also provides access to SENTRI lanes at the U.S.–Mexico border if you register your vehicle with CBP. Global Entry memberships are valid for five years.

Who is eligible for Global Entry?

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are eligible for Global Entry, as are citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

Related: Yes, Your Kid Needs Their Own Global Entry Membership — How to Apply

How can I apply for Global Entry?

Create a TTP account online , fill out an application, and pay the nonrefundable $100 fee (many travel credit cards offer an automatic credit once every five years). Once you are conditionally approved, you must schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center, bringing with you a passport and a second form of identification, as well as your permanent resident card (if applicable). You can also do a walk-in interview upon arrival at an airport with a center, pending availability. The application processing time is four to six months at the time of publishing.

How can I get SENTRI benefits with Global Entry?

You must register your vehicle with CBP if you intend to use the SENTRI lanes at land border crossings from Mexico into the U.S. and NEXUS lanes at land border crossings from Canada into the U.S. (You cannot use Global Entry to enter Canada via NEXUS lanes.) If you register your vehicle during your initial Global Entry application, there is no application fee. But if you add a vehicle to an existing Global Entry membership, you must pay $42. You will have to schedule an appointment at a SENTRI Enrollment Center to have your vehicle inspected by CBP.

What are the pros and cons of Global Entry?

It provides expedited entry into the U.S. by air, land, and sea.
Global Entry is not limited to U.S. citizens; lawful permanent residents, as well as citizens of certain other countries, are eligible, too.
Many credit cards cover the application fee as a perk.
It includes TSA PreCheck .
Global Entry requires an in-person interview, and appointments can be difficult to get.
CPB charges an extra $42 application fee to register your vehicle for SENTRI lane access if you do so after your initial Global Entry application.

What is SENTRI?

Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is one of the five TTPs for expedited entry into the U.S. It is specifically designed for land border crossings from Mexico into the U.S. for both pedestrians and vehicles, but it can also be used to cross from Canada into the U.S. by land.

"The program offers a streamlined solution for those crossing the border, simplifying the customs process and reducing wait times upon arrival," a spokesperson for Corporate Traveler , the flagship SME division of Flight Centre Travel Group, tells Travel + Leisure . "SENTRI greatly enhances the experience for those traveling along the borders as members are not regularly subjected to normal customs and immigration questioning."

SENTRI is also beneficial to Mexican nationals who would like to apply for Global Entry. "Mexican citizens and residents cannot apply for Global Entry outright. However, it is possible to submit a SENTRI application," Riker Pasterkiewicz , a travel advisor with Fora Travel, tells T+L. "After their SENTRI application is approved, they can apply for Global Entry once they have passed a risk assessment test that the Mexican government conducts."

Who is eligible for SENTRI?

All nationalities are eligible for SENTRI, which is a key difference from Global Entry.

How can I apply for SENTRI?

Register on the TTP website , complete an application online, and pay the nonrefundable fee of $122.25. Once you are conditionally approved, you will have to schedule an interview at a SENTRI Enrollment Center. Bring with you a form of identification, a permanent resident card (if applicable), your vehicle registration, and evidence of automobile insurance valid in the U.S.

At the time of publication, SENTRI processing takes 10 to 12 months. "SENTRI often has a longer processing time because immigration tends to be much more of an issue at land borders," says the Corporate Traveler spokesperson. "There are also fewer SENTRI enrollment centers, and they are all located near the southern border."

Kristin Winkaffe Jaffe, founder of Winkaffe Global Travel , notes that the processing time is longer than Global Entry because SENTRI requires approvals by both the U.S. and Mexico. "It's a joint effort to keep things secure, so naturally, it's going to take a bit more time to get through all the hoops," she says.

How can I get Global Entry benefits with SENTRI?

If you have SENTRI and are also eligible for Global Entry (i.e., a U.S. citizen or resident, or a citizen of one of the other eligible nations), you can use the Global Entry kiosks at airports without any special registration.

What are the pros and cons of SENTRI?

It provides expedited vehicle and pedestrian entry into the U.S. from Mexico and Canada.
Any nationality is eligible for SENTRI.
It includes access to NEXUS lanes when entering the U.S. from Canada by land.
It includes access to Global Entry kiosks at airports for eligible parties.
It includes TSA PreCheck for eligible parties.
SENTRI wait times are nearly three times as long as Global Entry.
Credit cards do not cover the cost of SENTRI, which is the highest among the five TTPs.
If you're driving across the border, everyone in your car needs a SENTRI membership.
You must carry your SENTRI card with you to use the appropriate lane.
It only includes travel by air if you are eligible for Global Entry.
It does not include travel by sea.

Should I get Global Entry or SENTRI?

If you're eligible for Global Entry, it's a better choice than SENTRI. "Generally speaking, there are no use cases for U.S. residents and citizens where applying for SENTRI would benefit them over Global Entry," says Pasterkiewicz. Global Entry is cheaper than SENTRI ($100 versus $122.25), has a processing time up to twice as fast, and includes travel by air, land, and sea — including access to SENTRI lanes once your vehicle is registered.

But if you're not eligible for Global Entry, and you frequently travel between the U.S. and Mexico and/or Canada by land, SENTRI is the right program for you. Additionally, if you are a Mexican national or resident, you can use your SENTRI membership as a qualification for your Global Entry application.

The TTP website also has a helpful tool that suggests which program is best for you based on your citizenship and travel habits.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure .

Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Travel Insurance

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WAS Discovery Travel Insurance Review: Features, Pros and Cons

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 9:08am

Reviewed By

The Discovery Plan from WAS Travel Insurance could be a good choice for Aussies looking for a no-frills travel insurance policy. However, it only offers a number of standard features of comprehensive policies as optional add-ons and that can make the policy much more expensive than first meets the eye. Regardless, its unlimited medical cover, high age limit of 99 years, and positive customer reviews makes it a viable option for those in the market for a medically focused, no-frills travel insurance policy.

Related: Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers for Australian

Unlimited medical
Generous dental of $2,000
High age limit
Luggage and cancellation cover not automatic
Children not included
More expensive than competitors

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About WAS Travel Insurance

What does was travel insurance cover, does was travel insurance cover me for covid, was pricing comparison, was customer service, the bottom line.

Featured Partners

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Wise And Silent Travel Insurance, known as WAS, is a Brisbane-based travel insurance company that offers “tailored coverage” to its customers. This tailoring differs from the standard comprehensive travel insurance policies on the market, which usually have a set minimum for standard inclusions for policies, such as lost luggage cover and cancellations.

WAS Travel Insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, an Australian insurance company based in Newcastle. While WAS isn’t listed on ProductReview, it has scored a 4.7 star review on TrustPilot from an albeit small number of 39 customer reviews.

Customers highlighted WAS’ staff communication, the ease of applying for coverage, and a “smooth and efficient” claims process.

WAS offers two types of plans, Covid Essentials and Discovery Plan. For the purpose of this review, we analysed the comprehensive option, the Discovery Plan.

As stated, WAS Travel Insurance works a little differently to most travel insurers. Its comprehensive policy is known as the ‘Discovery Plan’, which is available to those aged up to 99 years old and includes unlimited medical in its base cover.

For families travelling together, it’s important to note that children can be added to the policy at a lower rate, but they are not included within a parent/guardians policy as is the industry norm.

Once you start to add to the base cover, WAS Travel Insurance becomes even more complex, with only a handful of medical outcomes covered as standard and far more classified as optional.

For example, credit card fraud is not covered as a standard inclusion; instead, unauthorised use of credit cards can be covered as part of luggage and personal effects, should the policyholder choose to take out this optional extra. Personal liability is not covered automatically, but needs to be selected for coverage up to $2.5 million.

Any trip cancellations are only covered up to the amount chosen by the customer (ranging from $1,000 to $40,000 per customer) and travel delays are covered as optional extras, up to $2,000 per customer. Delays are reimbursed at a rate of $50 per six hours, which is below the industry standard of $200 for every six hours, however no excess applies to these claims. (For missed flight connections, these are only covered should the policyholder choose to add travel interruption cover to their plan.

Rental vehicle excess is also an optional add-on, with the maximum cover of $6,000 for those looking to hire a car during their holiday. In many policies this is covered as standard and does not require the traveller to add it as an optional extra.

Lost Luggage

When it comes to lost luggage, those with WAS Discovery Travel Insurance will need to choose it as an add-on as they are not automatically covered. The lowest option is $1000, while the highest is $10,000 (per traveller).

WAS will only cover an individual item to a limit of $1,000.

WAS Travel Insurance include unlimited medical cover within its comprehensive policy, which extends to additional expenses such as transportation to a medical facility or, in the necessary event, back to Australia.

There is also cover for a medical companion to stay with you during treatment and/or necessary medical-related travel, even if they themselves are not listed on your policy.

Certain pre-existing conditions are also covered if they meet the necessary criteria. The 44 automatically covered conditions include anxiety and depression, diabetes, sleep apnoea and many more.

Other conditions outside of the pre-existing conditions list will not be covered by WAS Travel Insurance.

Covid-19 is included in the unlimited medical cover, which is explained in further depth below.

Is Dental Cover Included?

Dental cover is included in the WAS Travel Insurance Discovery Plan, but not under the unlimited medical expenses. Instead, there is up to $2,000 covered for emergency dental treatment, which is more generous than most insurance policies, which generally top put at $1,000.

Yes, WAS Travel Insurance includes Covid-19 medical expenses within its unlimited medical coverage. It also includes cancellations related to Covid-19, however, that is dependent on how much cancellation cover the policyholder requests.

Related: Travel Insurance And Covid: Are You Covered?

What About Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is covered by WAS Travel Insurance there are unexpected serious complications of pregnancy occuring:

Up to the 24th week of pregnancy if you’re pregnant with a single child; or
Up to the 19th week of pregnancy if you’re pregnant with twins or multiple children.

The exclusions include childbirth; the healthcare of a newborn child; pregnancies with existing complications; or pregnancies in which the person has previously had complications with previous pregnancies.

What About Sports and Activities?

WAS covers a range of sports and activities, however, rather than specifying what is covered, it provides a list of the excluded activities being:

Snow sports;
Motorcycle or moped riding;
Racing (except on foot);
Polo playing;
Mountain climbing requiring the use of equipment such as pick-axes, anchors, bolts, crampons, carabiners, lead or top-rope anchoring or other specialist equipment;
Motor sport or motor racing (including training or practice);
Running with the bulls;
Professional sports (including training or practice);
Parachuting, hang-gliding or paragliding; or
Scuba diving, unless you hold an open water diving certificate or diving with a qualified diving instructor

However, policyholders can choose to add additional adventure packs—snow, motor and cruise—which will then cover them for those sports.

WAS Travel Insurance prides itself on offering budget-friendly insurance policies to Australians; however, the cost of a policy with WAS isn’t as clear cut as many others—largely due to the many different inclusions that one needs to opt-in to.

Forbes Advisor Australia has run quotes against two of our top picks of travel insurance providers for Australians— Travel Insurance Direct and Allianz Travel Insurance —to compare the prices of WAS Travel Insurance when opting-in for a level of cover similar to what these two competitors offer automatically.

As Bali is a top destination for many Aussies, the data below is based on a 28-year-old Australian travelling to Indonesia for a week.

Related: A Guide To Travel Insurance For Bali

This analysis does not include other additional costs that would need to be considered, including sports cover, children travelling, pre-existing medical conditions and so on.

As you can see from the table above, opting in for the same level of cover that is offered as standard by competitors makes the WAS Travel Insurance policy the most expensive of the three.

It’s important to note that policy prices for travel insurance will change for a range of factors, including age, destination, length of trip and any specific needs required by the traveller. The above data is to be used as a guide only.

From the limited reviews online, WAS’ customer service staff members have been hailed as being “very patient and helpful”, with their knowledge “making the experience [of submitting a claim] much less stressful”.

WAS can be contacted by phone or email, with different email addresses and phone numbers unique to the service required (emergency assistance, claims, or general enquiries). The full list can be found online here .

Customers can also submit a form online to be emailed back, and are able to submit claims online or over the phone.

WAS may be a risky choice for some customers who choose to opt-out of the optional extra cover for the sake of saving money and end up being under-insured. Some travellers may not realise the importance of personal liability insurance and fail to select it, which could land them in hot water if an accident was to occur overseas. As a comparison, most other insurers include personal liability insurance as standard in their comprehensive policy: Travel Insurance Direct offers $2.5 million in personal liability, while Allianz offers $5 million—with caveats around snow and adventure packs.

Nevertheless, WAS may be attractive to budget travellers who are happy with a no-frills policy, but want to ensure they’re covered for the basics of medical and dental.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is was travel insurance good.

WAS Travel Insurance did not make Forbes Advisor Australia’s top picks for comprehensive travel insurance , but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good option for Aussies looking for international cover. The comprehensive policy offered by WAS is a build-your-own type of plan, meaning it is tailored to the customer individually in terms of cancellation cover, luggage cover, rental car excess and more.

It may be suitable for budget-conscious travellers looking for a no-frills policy that is focused on medical and dental. However, it’s worth noting that when compared to other insurers on the market, WAS ended up being more expensive once the add-ons were included in the quote.

From 38 customer reviews on TrustPilot, WAS received a rating of 4.7 stars.

What policies does WAS Travel Insurance offer?

WAS Travel Insurance offers two policies: Covid Essentials and Discovery. The Discovery Plan is what would be considered its ‘comprehensive’ offering, considering it allows customers to tailor the plan to suit their needs.

How much does WAS Travel Insurance cost?

The cost of WAS Travel Insurance—like any travel insurance provider—is dependent on many factors: your age, your destination, the length of your trip, and any personal requirements such as higher lost luggage cover for specific equipment or items, whether or not you need cover for certain sports and activities, any pre-existing conditions you need covered, and more.

From a quote Forbes Advisor Australia ran of a 28-year-old going to Bali for one week, paying an excess of $250 and opting in to $2000 of cancellation cover, $10,000 of lost luggage cover, and rental car excess, the total WAS quote came to $141.80, which was higher than competitors.

Related: How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

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I also have examined the pros and cons of cruising, all-inclusive resorts, and Airbnb !) Pro: Group tours are low-stress. (Almost) everything is handled for you. If you want to see and do a lot on vacation without the work of planning and executing the trip, group travel might be perfect for you! When you book a group tour, the itinerary is ...
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It definitely eases a lot of stress and tension that naturally builds up when trying to accommodate for 2+. Solo Travel Means Endless, Authentic Life Experiences…. Embrace the growth that comes with going out on your own and making it happen, without anybody else's say or input. Being alone in unfamiliar spaces can be so beneficial because ...
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