Solo traveling

I have taken several of Ricks tours as a solo traveler. Everyone has been very welcoming. You will not be at a loss for people to dine with. Pay the supplement and get your own room. Best of Eastern France was one of my favorites. Keep on travelin'

I have been traveling solo for my last 2 tours (not RS) and at no point did I have to eat alone if I did not want to. There were always other solos and the couples were always glad to have another person join them.

I’ve traveled on at least twenty RS tours (solo) and another dozen or more with other companies or groups. Early in my travels on the RS tours I met some incredible people (both couples & solo travelers who are now long term friends) who were quite inspiring and made touring solo a joy. Tour members have been great at being welcoming and teaming together. Yes, there will be a time or two that you might dine alone but that’s usually an exception.

Book the single supplement! You’ll not regret the opportunity to relax and enjoy your trip without the added task of adapting to a new roommate each trip.

The only time I had an opportunity to feel awkward occurred on my first tour. It was during the optional moonlight (think romantic) gondola cruise in Venice. I hunkered down and enjoyed it.

On our most recent Rick Steves tour there were 2 or 3 solo female travelers and 3 sets of ladies; (friends, sisters) traveling together. They all seemed to merge together in different variations; but were certainly included with the couples as well. You can never assume on a tour that you'll have people who will include you; but truthfully Rick Steves tours attracts very friendly folks. But, you probably already know that since you've taken 2 tours.

I do think it's brave to get out of your comfort zone, but in a way that isn't too risky! I'd definitely spend the money for the single traveler. I wouldn't want to share with someone I don't know. That would a no for me!

I did mention to the two friends who left their husbands at home; who were traveling together; that nobody traveling with their husbands were going to say it out loud, but these two friends seemed to be having the most fun of all! They replied, "don't you know it!" Hopefully you'll find that type of attitude on your tour! So there is also something to be said to be traveling with a friend. My first experience traveling with a friend 40 years ago was a bust, so I'd be very particular about traveling with a like minded/similar travel expectations friend. A friend, even one who is very dear to you, but not suitably matched in travel attitude, can really be a bummer.

I've also been daydreaming about doing a solo trip. I'm so inspired by reading people's solo trip reports. Although in my case, I think my husband would be jealous and a little mad at me. Haha.

Also, I don't see in your post where you said you wanted to do a RS tour solo specifically. Are you thinking about doing all planning and traveling solo?

The secret of solo travel on a group tour is to take initiative and let people know you are interested in joining others for dinner on free days if that is important to you. It can take practice to get comfortable traveling solo when you are used to traveling as a couple, but everyone starts somewhere and you will find it isn’t hard, just different. My personal opinion is that everyone should travel solo occasionally so that it doesn’t seem an insurmountable hurdle on that sad day when it becomes the only option.

Go for it! You never know until you try it, but a group tour is a great way to start. If it does not turn out as fun as you hoped, then next time you can recruit a friend. Maybe one of the shorter city tours would be one to try first.
Just curious: do you think your husband would prefer traveling independently? Is it the group experience or the travel experience that does not suit him?

I've done 5 RS tours solo, similar experiences to those listed above. I've also done solo tours with other companies in other parts of the world and had fine experiences as well. There are tour companies that cater to solo travelers, though some are age based (younger crowd and older crowd). Many options but you do have to research. I've also traveled solo without a tour and enjoyed that experience too, though being in charge of all the logistics by yourself is more of a challenge especially for a first solo trip.

If you're worried about dining alone then being on a group tour will alleviate some of that discomfort. However almost all tours have meals without the group so you will be faced with eating alone unless it's an all inclusive affair. I personally don't always enjoy a sit down meal solo, but there are many ways to address that issue - grab a grocery store picnic or take away meal, or sign up for a food tour (my favorite way to eat).

Another happy solo traveler here! I've done 12 Rick tours, 8 of which were solo as well as 13 Road Scholar tours and now 2 Mark Seymour tours (small group, former Rick Steves tour guide) with 6 more in the next 2 years,lolol!! I honestly would suggest going alone instead of trying to talk someone in to going with you. You may find that you don't want anyone along, lolol...yep, my middle name is NOT compromise!

I agree with getting a single supplement. I also agree with not waiting for others to ask you to join them, go out of your comfort zone and ask others what their plans are. Unless it's some kind of romantic anniversary dinner I'm sure you'd be welcomed!

To me, ANY tour with these 3 companies is great for a solo traveler. Road Scholar is easiest as they will meet you at the airport if you book airfare with them. If you are choosing a tour that starts in a city that's pretty easy to get to for Rick's tours if you are not confident about train travel in Europe.

What locations sound good to you?

I am a solo traveler. If you've never traveled solo a group tour may very well be the way to go when traveling solo for the first time, but do consider these thoughts --

How well do you know yourself, and where do you fall between introversion and extroversion? Do you need to socialize or feel like you get your energy being with or socializing with others or do you really crave time away from socializing? If you lean to extroversion, are you a shy extrovert and hope others make introductions & invitations first? Are you comfortable with long periods of solitude? When you are with a group can there be periods of silence or must the silence be broken by conversations? No correct answers, just some things about travel to think about.

I myself am a hard-core militant solo traveler and the thing I've discovered about myself is that I do like the one day small group tours and food tours. That's comfortable and enjoyable.

My wife no longer takes many Europe trips, but I still enjoy them. In the last few years I've been going solo before and after group tours, spending time in the cities where the tours begin and end, as well as elsewhere. I do all right on my own but it's nice to be part of a group some of the time, with logistics taken care of, a good professional guide, and interesting people enjoying themselves. I agree about putting yourself out there, for example for free dinners. I've never had to eat alone on a tour unless I wanted to. On my own, it probably helps not to be a dedicated foodie -- I try to eat reasonably fast, which can be a challenge with dinner in Europe, but my Kindle keeps me entertained. I also agree about paying the single supplement, it's nice to have my own room.

I don't have enough tour experience to know what companies are especially attractive or unattractive for solos, but the two I've used, Rick Steves and Road Scholar, have been fine. I like combining the group experience and being on my own, with time to explore more fully what interests me most. Give it a try, what's the worst that can happen?

Solo traveler here. I've been traveling independently, but did take an RS tour and have one scheduled for next year. Thoughts:
A. Solo: traveling with a friend will not give you the thrill of traveling on your own...particularly the self-satisfaction of successfully moving out of your comfort zone. It's how we grow. Also, I've heard traveling with friends can ruin one's vacation. I, too, am as Pam said:

yep, my middle name is NOT compromise!

1. Eating: I'll preface this with I'm not a foodie. The RS tour is a nice compromise at having some nice meals with other people. It was just enough. Sometimes informally groups formed to go out to dinner as well. However, I always like to have some nights that I do take out or a grocery store run to relax back in my room by myself to recharge. When traveling solo without a tour, my main meal is really a solid breakfast, and then a decent lunch. Supper in my room or a terrace with a view.

2. Also, re: Comfort Zone. I see friends who never do anything outside their comfort zone and, IMO, their world is just getting smaller. I'm not in this life for that, shrinkage, maybe they are.

I think you'll have a great time!

I’ve taken 2 RS tours. The first one was Best of Paris and I joined as a solo. The second one was Best of England, and although I had my own room, I was travelling with my brother and SIL.

I have to say, that although I enjoyed the England tour with family, I didn’t have to get out of my comfort zone. In Paris, I met more people and shared new experiences, which was delightful. It was easy travelling with family, but it was a blast travelling solo and interacting with new like minded people.

I am going on the Berlin, Prague, and Vienna tour in September and I will be solo. There are 6 solo travellers on this tour. Of course, some of them might be attached to couples, but I look it as an opportunity to get to know 27 new people.

I haven't been on a RS tour, but I love traveling solo. I get to stay in the museum as long as I want, go on tours that interest me, take my time with photos, go eat where I want, and plan my day the way I want it to be.

I find myself traveling solo much more often as a matter of course, and preference. I rarely take organized tours, because to me they embody some of the same issues that make me turn to traveling on my own. Specifically, they are on a schedule and have a set itinerary, and I'm quite comfortable without those. In fact, it's the unscheduled places and events that make, for me, a more rewarding trip.

When I'm with a group I often find I cannot linger on things that catch my attention, I can't just sit and enjoy myself with a snack and watch the world go by without caring about a timetable, and I can't just go off chasing something that looks interesting.

I was on an organized trip to WWI battlefields earlier this year and had to make plans to return to the area just to spend time in places I did not have time to study or investigate. And last week, while showing family around Heidelberg, I couldn't break free to hit the used bookstores I can spend hours in.

It's great when you can get like-minded friends and go somewhere, but that's different than traveling solo in an organized party.

Love the responses from solo travelers. Especially VAP " hard core militant solo traveler "
I've been traveling alone for more than 20 years now. When my husband was still alive he never objected to my solo travel to places he had no interest in,which for him included Europe, my main interest.
Now a widow at 72 years, doing as much solo travel as my I can while I can.
Solo travel for me is freedom to eat,sleep,change plans etc.
I've meet fascinating people along the way;in my experience people are more inclined to interact with me, but I am not interested in extending an acquaintance beyond a nice conversation or a walk.

I am a solo traveler as well. I was doing European travel completely solo but one year decided to try a RS Barcelona Madrid tour, thinking it’s only a week I’ll see if I like it and I also scheduled a week in Madrid after the tour finished. It turned into a great experience and I’ve kept to that template ever since through 7 more tours, travel with group, 1 week or more on my own.

I have done 1 tour with my husband, Greece, and he really liked it but doing many more is just not what he’ll want in the future. We travel together a lot in the states, pulling a travel trailer here and there. So travel time away while he does other things works great for us.

Now that I’ve turned 74 I feel the clock ticking. I’m hale and hearty now but you never know for how long. My most heartfelt advice would be: Don’t wait! Stop debating, get out there!

I am 66 and travel solo on most trips. Like your husband, my wife no longer has the urge to travel as much as I wish to travel. I actually enjoy 2 or 3 weeks on my own and, since I plan all of my own travel, the flexibility to change itinerary and plans. If I am in need of a little conversation I find a bar or restaurant full of American tourists (e.g. Hofbrau in Munich) or take an English-speaking tour at a museum or city walk.

May I suggest you search the internet for some solo senior tour groups. I did some searching a couple of years ago before I decided to go solo and on-my-own. Frankly, I don't know wihich focus on single vs solo.

I’ve never taken an organised tour and have travelled solo for years.
My husband hates flying and is a homebody; it’s torture for him to go on a big trip!
I have a close friend in the UK, and she and I meet up in Europe every year, usually Italy.
We are both 70.
However, I get there a few days before her, and also stay a few days afterward.
I then can get over jet lag at the beginning and at the end: have silence after we have talked non stop!
I have other traveling friends who I would not even consider going on a trip with though I love them dearly.
I have been many places totally solo, including Italy, France, Iceland, Denmark, the UK, Belgium, Sri Lanka……
The key for me is to plan, plan, plan; and always have a Plan B and even a Plan C for forks in the roads.
Be aware and all will be well!
Maybe take a tour on your own, then after the tour spend a few days alone.

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm in the same boat. I am in the process of planning and taking a 20 day solo trip in Ireland.
One thing I did prior to deciding if I wanted to travel alone was I took a solo trip close to home. I live in Oregon and I made a solo road trip down to Yosemite via the Pacific Coast Highway. I found that I could have fun by myself.
I would say go for it. If you don't like it oh well. There are a lot of things I wouldn't do a second time but if you don't do it a first time how do you ever get to do it a second tiem.

@mbosteder - I think your idea of doing a solo trip near home is a good one. Traveling close to home is how I decided to dip my toes in on a group tour. I go to Yellowstone yearly and back in 2009 I decided I might be interested in Road Scholar trips. I signed up for one to Yellowstone figuring if I didn't like it I could easily go out on my own each day as I'd have my car. I had a fabulous time and learned so much from the instructor that I was hooked on the educational tour experience. BTW, I count Rick's tours as educational as well as Mark Seymour's tours.

So...aewaltman....what tour have we convinced you to sign up for, hahaha!!!

BTW, I find the group dynamic is more solid on a longer tour. I have done tours ranging from a Best of Paris tour in 7 days to the 21 Day Best of Europe. By far the 21 day group bonded and enjoyed one another more than the 7-day tour. That may not be the same for all departures but it was for me.

Wise words, mbosteder. Go for it is the message. Also a trial run on your own is a good idea too. Once I decided going to Paris by myself was completely doable, I went to NYC by myself. This was as much to get my husband used to the idea as it was for me but it helped both of us. This was 18-19 years ago. I’m still happy I made the leap.

One thing I did prior to deciding if I wanted to travel alone was I took a solo trip close to home. I live in Oregon and I made a solo road trip down to Yosemite via the Pacific Coast Highway. I found that I could have fun by myself.

This right here is valuable advice. Take a solo trip to gain the experience and see how you enjoy it.

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I have to say I was really touched by all the great ideas and thoughtful responses from all of you! It gave me a lot to think about and consider. Most importantly, I identified with the thread that it's important to get out of your comfort zone a bit and grab the moment as life is short and there are so many wonderful things to see and explore! So.... I have booked the tour to Croatia in September 2025! I did purchase the single supplement as suggested and am so excited!!! Thank you again everyone! What a nice group of people you all are!

Well done, ae! Well done. You won’t regret it.

That’s great!
I hope you will arrange to arrive in Croatia a couple of days before your tour starts, to get over jet lag and get your bearings.
And….to pat yourself on the back for “stepping out”!
Be sure to report back after you come home.
Now……tune in to our many great packing threads here…….!! :)

Hi, I am glad to hear that you signed up for the Croatia tour! I did the Slovenia/Croatia tour last year and enjoyed it very much! Here’s my details, if they’re helpful for you:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/june-2023-trip-report-14-day-rs-best-of-the-adriatic-tour

I am a very new widow who traveled solo to Europe multiple times if my husband didn’t want to go that year. I always wear my money belt under my clothes when traveling solo with my passport, credit cards, ATM cards and any large Euro bills. The day’s money goes into my crossbody purse. And ApplePay on your phone is very helpful! This is for piece of mind to not be worrying about money issues during the trip.

I definitely recommend arriving a couple of days early, so you are over jet lag and can fully enjoy your tour. On my trip report, you can see I also stayed a night at Leiden near Amsterdam on the way home to make flight connections easier.

Share any further questions. We are all here to help! : )

I'm married, but right now my husband is out of town for a few weeks, and I'm hitting the road in 1 hour to go to Wrangell St. Elias National Park, about a 7 hour drive from here. I'm going solo, so a little nervous, but excited. I used to travel solo before I married, but it's been a long time. I agree with others, go without the husband and practice on a trip close to home. You might find, you love it!

Always a good idea for a woman to travel without the husband. Sadly I have been unable to persuade my wife of this.

This post is a joke, I should make clear.

Something you might enjoy is catching up with your husband with a FaceTime video or similar free connections each day. Even in the smaller towns, I usually have had a good enough wifi signal to have a fun conversation in the morning or evening.

I'm happy you signed up for Croatia 2025 as well! Yes, do watch the packing threads and do read Jean's trip report from last year!

I always arrive a few days ahead as well...now here is another suggestion. Sometimes when I am in a new place, as an introvert, I have had some issues with making myself leave the hotel the first morning. I first started booking something with a timed entry mid-morning that I knew I didn't want to miss. Now I can just go with having an itinerary for the day and I'm good to go.

Consider Jean's coming-back-home strategy as well. Sometimes from smaller European cities you'll have to take a horribly early flight from your location to get to a hub for a flight back to the US. Jean's idea stopping somewhere near your departure hub works really well to position yourself for your onward travel AND helps alleviate some stress!