Finding the Best Tour for an International Solo Traveler

The Rick Steves 14-day Best of Europe Tour fits your requirements to a T, although it is considerably over your stated budget of $3000. The tour is over $4000, not including air fare, plus another several hundred dollars if you want to guarantee having a single room. There are still some openings during the first half of June. You can find information on this tour right on this web site under “Our Tours” then “Europe”. Many of us participating in this RS travel forum have found RS Tours to be truly excellent and a good value for the money you invest. Good luck!

I read somewhere that the final payment must be done at their office. If that's the case then I don't think I'll be able to join the tour you've suggested, right? I can only pay for the entirely of the amount using my international credit card.

Of course you can use your credit card and you can pay online. Unsure how you ever got that idea....

I’ve only ever taken one tour, and it was a Ruck Steves Tour. I enjoyed it so much, I’ve signed up for another one this summer. There are, however other tour companies. I think that you get good value with Rick Steves Tours. I paid only a few hundred dollars beyond the tour costs for some of the meals that weren’t included. Everything else was already paid for and I learned a great deal from the guide.

I did pay for the single supplement and was glad that I did.

I’ve taken several solo tours through Trafalgar and Globus. Everything was organized and I enjoyed the tours very much. I found other tour members very friendly and inclusive and this was nice as a solo traveler. I would check out their websites. ( always wanted to take a Rick Steve’s tour, but a little too much for my budget. Maybe someday! )

Also look at Cosmos Tours. They are the younger sibling of Globus.

It is unfortunate you don't feel you could still pursue your original plan. Europe is a good location to experience solo independent travel as many speak english...particularly those in the tourist trade. Perhaps, despite friend not being able to go with you, he might support you prepping to do this on your own. You have several months to watch some YouTube on handling trains in each country, or getting a visual understanding of where you want to be. Every city has day tours you can join for some guided activities. Sometimes starting with a short weekend trip on your own near home takes the same sort of prep, but less threatening. You can see just how many skills you already possess and helps boost confidence.
The big challenge of tours is the single supplement. If okay with taking a room mate, consider G Adventures or Intrepid. They are considered adventure tours but hsve various levels of comfort, exertion levels, and price points.
Good luck

If you decide that between the single supplement (or rooming with a stranger) and the timing of a tour to meet your dates that a tour won't work just know that traveling solo in Europe is very easy and can be really rewarding. The first time I did it I was pretty nervous - both about how things would work out logistically and whether I'd be lonely. Turned out I loved it. Despite being a married mother of three with a professional career, that trip was the first time in my life I really felt like a 'grown up'. And despite loving traveling with my husband, my sister-in-law, friends - I truly enjoy solo travel as well. I speak, or at least email, with my family daily so I don't feel out of touch. There are many threads here, and on other travel forums (fodors has a lot), about the joys of solo travel. Your trip is only two weeks long (good amount of time for a first solo trip) and it doesn't sound like you have a very complicated itinerary or too many stops. If you are considering a tour then the hotels must be cancelable so you might even want to simplify it more (you don't say how many stops between Paris and Munich). Sometimes when I travel alone I like to spend several days at each stop, kind of get to know the hotel staff and the routines (although that's not really necessary, just might make you more comfortable). Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi,

I don't know if anyone mentioned this tour group to look into https://www.contiki.com/us/en

Conditional: Exclusively for travelers between 18-35 years. It may fit your budget and most of the countries you're interested in.

We really like Gate 1 Travel. A trip on Globus in 1990 kept my husband from taking any more tours for 25 years-the tour director did not like Americans. I don't think most GAS tours will start in Paris but you can fly from there to the trip's starting point.

The RS GAS tour starts in Trier, which would be an easy train trip from Paris. But the cost is outside your budget, which I would guess any trip to those three countries would be. I would be suspicious of any tour that was under $3000 for this itinerary.

For two weeks, with a $3000 budget, you will most likely be limited to the 'big bus' tours - Globus, Cosmos, Trafalgar, etc. Small group tours or custom individual tours will be much more expensive. The best way to see those places on that kind of budget is to travel solo. It's easy to travel in Europe on your own. I'm an older female and I travel solo for weeks at a time throughout Europe keeping within that type of budget. For many people, traveling with a companion is more enjoyable and traveling on your own isn't for everyone but sometimes you have to try it and you may find out that you like it. If you have planner's block, like some people do, there are still travel agents available that can help you map out a route, book hotels and transportation, etc but that will cost a bit but may still bring you in under your budget. But it's easy enough to do on your own with help from forums like this.

Thank you all very much for the great replies. I'll do my research now regarding these options you have provided to decide on the best one so thanks again!

Stan, I was going to put forth that very suggestion (even with the same caveats!) but you beat me to it. alsanea21, check out the tour scrapbooks on this site. You could start the tour in Paris with extra days as suggested. Other than the cost, this Germany-Austria-Switzerland tour fits all your criteria to a T and you do say this: " (I can spend a little bit more if it's needed or worth it)." I have been on this tour and believe me, it is definitely worth the investment. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by must accept an international credit card though. I assume that means you would not be using an American issued master card, VISA, American Express, etc.? You could call the Tour Office and ask them any questions you might have. They are a wonderfully knowledgeable and helpful staff. Here's the phone number (PDT) 1-425-608-4220.

You haven’t said your age range - but be aware some Tours skew old and some skew young .

I’d also warn you about Globus - thy rush around and you don’t get central hotels . My MIL came home exhausted !

I’d simplify my plans and go solo - ( and have as a middle aged woman ) , but if you can’t afford a good tour ( like RS) ten just be careful booking the cheaper tours .

Oh yeah and my nephew took a Contiki tour about 8 yrs ago , had fun , but said he was constantly nickel and dimed so the initial cheap price of the tour was misleading

You may want to look at the Explore! and Exodus tour company websites. They get good reviews. Also Go Ahead tours may have an itinerary that fits your plans.

What about combining a shorter (cheaper) RS tour and some solo travel? I recently took the Best of Paris tour and had a fabulous time. RS guides do a great job of helping travelers become more independent. So I would predict that by the end of the tour, you would feel much more confident in tackling the rest of your trip solo.

After reading everything here and on other traveling forums, I've decided to try my hand at solo traveling after all. I won't know for sure if this is the best decision until I go these and experience it myself I guess. Thanks again everyone for your replies and very helpful feedback.

Congratulations. Though it is true you won't know if you like it until you get there, it is good to try. You will come back having learned a lot about yourself and seen great new things. Perhaps book a walking or Hop on hop off bus trip when you arrive in a city. It will give you a feel of the city and some points of reference.
For help with European train travel, check out the website seat61.com he has great details on the different trains, how to buy tickets, videos. He's the tops for this.
Rick steves has a free audio guide app.
Whatsapp is free text and video calls over wifi.
Have a great time.

Great news! Don't forget to look into walking tours/pub crawls or other organized activities. It's a great way to meet people without feeling too out of place.

Also, don't worry if you get homesick or lonely. It happened to me and isn't something that most solo travelers write about. When I felt homesick, I either wrote an email to friends/family about my vacation and then went out an explored the city. One morning, I even stayed in bed a bit longer and watched European TV. It is a learning experience but it can make you stronger when you realize that you handled challenges on your own.

Good for you! I do most of my trips solo and always have great experiences!

After reading everything here and on other traveling forums, I've
decided to try my hand at solo traveling after all. I won't know for
sure if this is the best decision until I go these and experience it
myself I guess. Thanks again everyone for your replies and very
helpful feedback.

I'm glad you made that decision. I've been traveling on my own through Europe since I was in my 20s. I am very excited for you!

Have such a wonderful time that your friend/partner cannot wait to return to Europe [or somewhere in the world] to share the experience with you!

@ alsanea21...Bravo !! My compliments on your decision to do solo traveling in Europe. If "they" can do it, so can you. Or ask yourself, why can't I?

My first time traveling solo was at 21, and I still do it almost exclusively in Europe unless I am with family members. Most of my post-retirement trips have been alone. No problems going alone from place to place, etc.

Bottom line...leave the comfort zone.

Hi alsanea,

Feel confident in your decision. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

My two trips to Rome were planned with the same person. Things changed, but I was determined to go (travel and hotel arrangements already made.) I had so much fun, met lovely people, a few became my overseas friends :)

Aside from seeing the Roman attractions, some other adventures were happenstance -- those are some of the best memories.

My second trip to Rome, circumstances beyond the other person's control changed, and again, I went solo. They were going for only a few days same as the first time, so I'd have the remainder of the two weeks to myself anyway.

The second time was even better for many reasons! (I get excited retelling my adventures that it ends up being a novel, lol!) Then my "editor" steps in.

Two weeks flew by. Hung out with friends, revisited some attractions; particularly St. Peter's (a number of times.) Again, by chance, lovely memories made.

I don't regret anything. In fact, I think? I am a bit spoiled now. Free to wander, free to chat as long as I wanted, free to return to places I most admired. If I didn't return a few times to St. Peter's, and been at the right time, right place chatting with a woman in the outside gift store, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to attend a special invite to the celebration Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe, officiated by Pope Francis. It was so moving and beautiful.

Traveling with family and friends can be wonderful for many different reasons. Traveling solo? -- A whole different ballgame.

Hi. Just would like to throw in another option. Try a MyWay tour by Rick Steves.

The MyWay Alpine seems like it might be a good fit. If you must start in Paris (and do not want to or cannot travel onto another gateway location like Munich), consider the MyWay Europe. Alpine would be closest to your price point with Europe a bit more with the single supplement (a must for me). Myself, I would opt to visit Munich a day or so before tour and then end in Paris - might not work for you.

I have taken the MyWay Alpine and will probably do it again. With these tours, you get the best of both worlds: someone reliable to take the burden of lodging and transportation off you and the freedom to spend your time in each location however you choose.

Yes, there is a lot to be said for experiencing the thrill of making all your own decisions and finding out you can indeed do this solo, but you know, sometimes, that can be a little stressful. Sometimes, I have been happy to succumb to a vacation - one where stresses are alleviated a little and opportunity for enjoyment maximized.

Having taken 10 RS tours, I attest to the quality of the organization and to being able to pay with your credit card. If you wish to speak with someone there (and sometimes conversations are useful) give them a phone call.

Oh, another shorter option is the RS Munich, Salzburg, Vienna tour. Time and cost is right - just have to factor in the Paris aspect.

Happy to elaborate on anything I have touched on here. Enjoy.