Traveling Solo v. Tour

You are talking about two distinct types of experiences. They don't compare directly and maybe that is why you are feeling a little conflicted. I've done both types of travel and they each have advantages unique to the style.

Solo Travel: Gives you complete freedom with your itinerary and budget. It can cost less depending on your travel choices.
Tour Travel: Gives you a combination of set itinerary and free time, a congenial social group, and experiences that you will not have as a solo traveler. Costs a bit more.

Here is what I am going to suggest. Pick a tour and try one. That is what I did. I wasn't at all sure if tour travel would be for me. I was pleasantly surprised at the value I received for my money. You won't know if you like it or if it is worth the money you invest unless you try it for yourself. The opinion that really matters is your own and it is hard to have a fair opinion without giving it a try at least once.

I find that I am also a social traveler. I enjoy travel experiences a bit more when I share them with others. It is possible to build this into solo travel by taking day tours etc, but the tour experience really helps to set this up.

Another thing you can do is travel solo but take day tours or experiences with others. Often you can meet people that day and maybe meet up with them later but you are still on your own overall.

I’ve done both over years as a solo traveler. I prefer to do it on my own and do tours when I want to be around others. Europe is very easy without a tour. Get the RS guidebook as use it as a reference.

When you use a tour for everything, you don’t have the opportunity to explore and find new things. It’s a personal preference. If travel to China, do a group tour because of language barrier.

I enjoy planning and traveling on my own, however I do plan on taking a RS tour one of these years. Maybe plan your trip and stay at Hostels, they have come along way from the 70s & some offer single occupancy rooms. You may meet like minded folks in the dining/lobby areas of the hostel and join them on an outing or two.

I have done both (travel solo and as part of a tour group). Without a doubt, independent travel can be much less expensive. Group travel can provide benefits that may or may not be a value to you, depending on your situation. A tour does the planning legwork for you, gets you easily and efficiently from place to place, and may expose you to some things (special activities, private guides, etc.) that may not be feasible or economical as a solo travel. I’ve taken a number of RS tours and I have never come home feeling that I wasted my money; however, I have never taken a city tour with RS because I feel that I can visit cities easily on my own for much less money.

That being said, solo travel can be great and there are opportunities for extroverts to meet other people so don’t give up on that. A couple of specific examples I can think of include:
1) When I was younger, I often stayed in hostels. There were many times where I went sightseeing or out to dinner with other solo travelers from around the world who I met at the hostel.
2) I like to cook, so I often look for cooking classes or food tours in the cities I visit. Some of these have led to other social interactions. For example, a friend and I met a solo traveler from the U.S. in a Paris cooking class. We invited her to join us at a restaurant the instructor recommended the following night. Another time, I took an evening cooking class in London. Several of the other participants invited me to join them for a drink after the class ended. Do you have any hobbies or special interests that might lend themselves to a class or meet-up in Europe?
3) I’ve been on a number of walking tours where I have struck up conversations with other participants sharing travel experiences or even gone to lunch with another solo traveler following the tour.
4) While waiting for a Paris restaurant to open, I struck up a conversation with a couple from Thailand. They invited me to join their table for dinner. I’ve had similar experiences in London, Dublin, Copenhagen, and Italy.

These are just a small number of examples. I think my point is that you can have enjoyable social interactions even when traveling solo so don’t let that stop you.

Having done both, I agree with Carol Now Retired. Completely different experience’s. You are MUCH more efficient with your time on a tour!

Before you book any tour, check the average demographics of their travelers. The majority may be similar ages to your parents and grandparents. You need to be aware of this in case that would be a negative factor for you.

My wife and I travel on our own mainly. We did one tour and found it had advantages and disadvantages. The big advantage is everything is arranged for you. No sourcing hotels or tours. We enjoyed that aspect, but found a group to be more challenging. You effectively move at the speed of the slowest person. On at least two occasions the tour was altered to accommodate those people, disappointing some of the group. I get the reason, but it soured us on group travel. Those people misrepresented there physical ability and it had an effect on the group.

We have lately done a self driving tour of New Zealand. We had accommodation, tours and a car arranged for us. It was a good compromise, as we had the expertise of a travel agent arranging accommodation, tours etc and the flexibility to travel independently. This is not the cheapest alternative, but it appealed to us.

Another option is a private tour. Your accommodation costs, travel and airfare etc are going to be virtually the same. What will cost you is a private tour guide. It you have help arranging it, you can have the best of both worlds. Again slightly more expensive.

However, the best advice might be to try a tour and see if it works for you.

Enjoy your trip, however you decidemtomtravel.

I can see the value in a tour but it isn’t for me right now. And I am an extrovert also. My problem with tours is not the money - I am just still stubborn enough to not want to follow someone else’s schedule,

I just spent today touring Petra as a solo traveler and had a day overflowing with people and interaction - local and other tourists. However I am now sitting at dinner by myself - which doesn’t bother me but does some people. Last night’s dinner was full of interesting conversation with the waiter.

You are young enough to still fit with certain hostel situations, which provides a good opportunity for as much interaction as you want and might be something to consider. As well as the occasional group day tour if you are feeling a lack of interaction.

Just thoughts. :)

You could have the best of both worlds by traveling solo and joining local guided tours for sites or experiences that interest you. For example, a day-long guided tour of wineries or d-day beaches and a great way to meet new people.

Following up on Suki's comment, some of the tours that are created for/marketed to a younger clientele tend to be a bit "stripped down" compared to maybe a Rick Steves tour. With a less inclusive tour you get both a lower cost as well as added flexibility. G Adventures is one company that comes to mind.

I'm also female and have gone solo to Europe twice--third time next month! The first time was on a five-day organized tour to Southern Spain and had a marvelous time. We traveled by coach and most on the tour were women. For the second half of that particular trip, I traveled around N. Italy by myself and enjoyed the freedom of setting my own itinerary. Had such a great experience, that on a subsequent trip I returned solo to Italy and again, enjoyed every minute. On that trip, I did schedule two food tours in the evening so I wouldn't be having dinner all alone. This was fantastic as I was able to meet people from all over the world and spent really fun evenings trying a variety of great restaurants. I think you can combine solo travel with shorter tours and group experiences to get the most out of both options! Have a wonderful time!

Have you looked at any of the MY WAY tours Rick offers? They might be a good compromise. I am a solo traveler (now in MN) and am hopefully taking my 8th Rick Steves tour in Sept. I go early and stay after the tour. This time I am going to be in the UK for 4 weeks, but with the tour 14 days. Rick's tours are not like other tours. You have more free time, can go off on your own instead of the planned event as long as you ok it with the tour director. You only eat half your dinners with the group. You can be as social or alone as you want, but you are with a group of very friendly people. Don't forget the no grumps policy. I feel like I have the best of both worlds.

As others have said you can sign up with a tour company while there for different excursions. Also maybe stay in Hostels, they tend to lend themselves to meeting people and doing things with others that you clique with. Even though others may be younger than you I think when you have a shared interest in travel that the age difference will not be a big deal and will actually provide opportunities to adventures you did not think of.
Short story: One time I was was walking solo in San Francisco as a tourist and I wondered into a sketchy neighborhood, walked a bit more and ducked into a Hostel to plan my next move. I asked if I could use the living room to regroup and was given a warm welcome. As I sat down a gentleman with a black umbrella entered and announced the free walking tour was starting and to gather by him if you want to join. I joined, along with 15 young travelers from all over the world, we walked to another Hostel a few blocks away and picked up about 10 more. I had the best time and learned so much. I am 50 but had no problem making conversation with the group.

Yes, I get it! I prefer to travel on my own (solo or with family/friends) va a tour. Tours do have their place but I like the planning and freedom of taking care of things myself.

Day tours are a good idea if you go alone but want to be social. Anything from a 2 hour walking tour or food tour - I love food tours, food and drink encourages socializing more than other types of tours. All the way to a full day trip tour to a different city. Anything like this can help you meet new people.

A lot of great feedback! Thanks, all!

As others have said different styles of trips- and not exactly an equal comparison as on your own you don’t have drivers, guides, and experts leading the way. For the price at least here at RS it’s a great value.

but

It also locks you into a set travel itinerary and fast pace. And you don’t know who will end up being on tour, etc.

Personally I’d split difference and arrange some walking day tours. Food tours, history- whatever interests you. Use the $ saved to pay for these tours. And find places like wine bars, cafes, musical events happening where you can be with others some of whom will also be solo or want to engage in conversation.

Hi, I have been on RS tours as a couple and also by myself. I have planned a lot of independent trips to Europe for my husband & I, and I have also done them as a solo traveler. (Last time he joined me for the last half of the trip.). So I have experience with all types.

I completely agree that I can plan it myself for a lot less money (former engineer so I have all of the spreadsheets!), but there are advantages for both types. We are planning to take the RS Slovenia/Croatia tour next year just because it will be easier, and I will enjoy the camaraderie of the tour group. But when I plan a trip - specifically if it’s one I am traveling solo, it is wonderful to be able to select all of the things that would make it special to me, personally. I love classical music, cooking, biking, festivals, churches, architecture, early morning photography and especially the local festivals. So, my solo trips are filled with those activities. In fact, I force myself to spend more money in the activity category because that’s what I will remember & enjoy the most.

When traveling solo, I schedule some type of group tour activity - a city bike tour, for instance, at least every four days to avoid the chance of becoming lonely. Since you are an extravert, I would recommend you do it every two days. I also talk to other people when I am waiting in line for anything and look for opportunities anytime I hear someone speak English to chat for a few minutes.

You might like a combo tour of one of the shorter tours and then time on your own. That would give you an excellent comparison to help decide your favorite travel style.

We used to say we would never take a tour and have traveled on our own a lot. But now if we are going somewhere and the travel logistics look like a PIA and the itinerary is right then we’ll do a tour. There are pluses and minuses to both ways of travel. I do agree with everyone that we have had experiences on tours that we would never have had on our own.

I have traveled to 78 foreign countries since I left the USA for an overseas job with the Army Corps of Engineers in Saudi Arabia in 1981.

Later, I lived in Germany for four years and did a lot of travel on our own.

I have done bus tours, trips by rain, cruises, river cruises as well as do it your self travel.

Here is what I have found:
1) Do it your self travel requires a lot of planning. You must plan each day's lodging, day tours (or site-seeing) as well as how to travel from city to city. Renting a car or taking the train or bus is best planned in advance. I am 74 and still do some do it yourself travel. However, the old that I get, the more interested I am in going via a tour.
2) Tours are better when trying to cover a lot of territory or when in a third world country where security is not as good. Example, I would never do Egypt on your own.
3) Want to spend a week in London and a week in Paris. Perfect trip for do it yourself. Still, you must plan want you will see, since many places, of interest require advance booking.
4) What tour company. We have done many, but there are budget tour companies that provide a great product. Example, Gate 1 Tours has some fantastic prices for excellent tours.

5) Renting a car in some countries can be more problematic. Many people rent a car in Italy and come home to receive a year later a traffic or parking ticket for an outrageous amount. Example, driving in a bus lane in a city, cost with penalties $250. However, we rented in the UK, drove on the left just fine for four weeks in 2017 and covered South Wales and the English countryside in a rental and loved it.
6) Cruises (ocean or in the Med) are great combined with a do it your self land trip. Cruises are great to visit the Greek Islands and ports that are hard to get to otherwise (example Croatian Coast). The cruise ship provides you lodging, meals and transprortation.
7) River cruises are great, but tend to be expensive. Still, a cruise on the Danube, Rhine, Douro or Rhone are special.

I was going to say there should be a co op or platonic travel matchmaking service... and then I immediately realized there's no way I was the first one that dawned on. Looks like there are a few? I hope this doesn't set of the spam filter, lol... I have zero affiliation with any service or company! Sounds like this one is geared particularly for your (also my-ish) age:

https://www.flashpack.com/us/relationships/single-travel-not-dating/

I turned 39 this month, a day after returning from Italy. I'm traveling with my son soon and he was scouting hostels and told me he found a great one, but they wouldn't allow me because of my age. I really look like a teenage boy with long hair so he was convinced it would be no problem, lol... I had to tell him ID is required. I think 35 was a frequent cutoff, so make the most of it this next year!

https://www.contiki.com/six-two/apps-for-travel-solo-travellers/

My comments deal with only traveling in Europe. Up to now I have never done a tour , be it American Express, RS, Rhodes Scholar, ACIS, etc. I got the travel bug ever since traveling in Europe in 1971 going solo, this very first trip 12 weeks as a college backpacker, am used to traveling alone. It doesn't bother me tracking places down to see, eating alone, even there are certainly moments having another person around helps when the luggage needs to be watched.

Traveling solo helps you to plan, be aware and alert , know yourself, be spontaneous with the itinerary, etc. Basically, you learn what to do and conversely, what not to do. I've only taken city guided tours. HOHO, that sort of thing. I almost always stay in small hotels, 2 star, or Pensionen and the private hostels occasionally, in England, the B&B. No apts or AirBnB....not an option.

Bottom line is you do what you want as part of your travel style.

I travel a great deal and I am a solo traveler. I have done both tours and individual travel.

I am currently on a tour. It will be my last multi-day tour unless I am going somewhere that group travel is necessary. I find that with tours, while they do all the work, and make it easier to get to some places, I have little choice as to the itinerary or hotels. I also like to travel slowly and tours are trying to cram in as much as possible in a short amount of time.

Traveling independently means I have to do more work but I get to choose how I spend my time. I will take one day tours to get to hard to reach places or where having a guide is helpful. It's also a good way to meet other solo travelers.

It really depends on what you are looking for. You pay more for the convenience of a tour but you can save money doing just about the same as any tour is you are willing to do the work.

I have done both solo travel and tours and greatly prefer solo travel. But I am probably the opposite of you in terms of personality. I am an introvert, and meeting people whilst travelling for me is no more than a nice optional extra. I also find that there are lots of times when I find travel companions to be a burden especially when there are differences in our interests. But I have to admit that even for me, having company was one of the nice things about being on a tour.

As I said solo travel is my preference, because it means I get to see and do what I like without having to compromise with any other person about what I want to see. An example of this is that every travel companion I have had, both family and friends likes shopping more than I do. I hate shopping, and when I travel solo, it means that the only shopping I do is for food for immediate consumption. The longest solo trips that I have had were 5 weeks, and I have never at any stage felt bored. But I have learned this by doing it. I admit that solo travel is not for everyone, and the only way to find out is by trying it.

A suggestion I can make is that you could actually do both a tour and solo travel on your upcoming trip. By this I mean joining a tour for part of the trip, and spend the rest of the trip solo. That way you can find out which one you prefer.

I'm comfortable traveling solo (been doing it for more years than you've been around) and I've learned to be proactive in initiating conversations. I also take day or half-day tours. I've rented cars to use my time more efficiently - though that doesn't always work out to be more efficient :-( I do get to places I wouldn't visit otherwise.

I have taken several tours as well, all to destinations I felt would be too challenging as a solo traveler. While they are more expensive, there is added value that makes them worthwhile and the RS tours I've been on have definitely lived up to expectations. That doesn't mean I'm about to take a tour to places I can easily visit on my own. Even if I had unlimited travel funds, I doubt I'd choose to take tours in most of Europe.

What Ted said:

A suggestion I can make is that you could actually do both a tour and solo travel on your upcoming trip. By this I mean joining a tour for part of the trip, and spend the rest of the trip solo. That way you can find out which one you prefer.

I travelled solo for years when I was single. While, I could manage and do it inexpensively, I've been back to some of those places on a tour, and enjoyed them so much more because of guides and not having to plan logistics.

But, you say that meeting people is a priority. My observation from 4 regular RS tours, is that since most of the group are couples, it is a lot harder to break into the cliques that form. Especially a single male. Your age is about half that of the typical RS demographic. I'd look for a company that specializes in younger (singles) groups.

Hi. 40M single, introvert here. I second Laura Virginia,s reply and geovagriffith. Traveled solo recently. Stayed at good hostels (I.e. not a “party hostel” unless you like that). private rooms. Tried shared also. Much cheaper.

Met interesting people at their breakfast/lounge areas. Went on day tours. Met more interesting people. Went for dinners and walks with some of them. I get triggered when traveling solo (when I see other couples, families) but and none of that happened because of the hostel experience.

If you go a tour, example Rick Steves, the demographic matters x it will be much older. Plus younger, solo people end up in hostels. The standard tours have couples mostly and the couples stay together so the interaction will be limited. But tours save us from the travel logistics PIA and the nitty gritty (and time!!) of planning. They are great if I had no time or inclination to do it. My friends (couple, same age) traveled Gate1 for years and have been quite happy.

Thanks for asking and to everyone who shared their experience. Helpful for me as well

I've been traveling solo for the last 25-30 years throughout Europe and parts of Asia. There were 2 trips that I took with a friend, and I didn't have as good a time with those for various reasons, but mainly because I felt constrained. I like doing things on my own and like my own space and love the freedom and flexibility of solo travel. And I've NEVER been bored!

Now that I'm getting older, however, I'm starting to think about a low-key tour (like RS or Road Scholar). If I did something like that, I would probably combine it with some solo travel of my own (for example, flying over a week or so early, then joining the tour. I haven't done it yet so I don't know how it would work, but it's a kindled spark right now.

However, as a 34 year old who wants to meet people and keep costs low, I would second (or third) the suggestion that you stay in hostels. There are some very nice ones out there and you don't have to sleep dorm style, unless you want to. Most hostels offer single and double rooms to travelers. You still get the value of the community living and meeting other people.

FWIW I did my first RS tour at your age and had a wonderful time. It was mostly people much older than me on the tour but they were all lovely, interesting, thoughtful folks. I also second all of the suggestions from Laura from Virginia - but full disclosure, I know her because we met as solo travelers on a RS tour :)

For me, tours are good bets when I want to cover a lot of ground (e.g., the Best of Eastern Europe tour) or visit places that are more challenging without language skills (e.g., I did a tour of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam). On trips I've taken without a tour, I set up day trips, guided walks, cooking classes, bike tours, etc. to get a bit of social interaction.

You won't know what works for you until you try - so if your primary focus is cost savings, book a solo trip and see how it goes. Adjust accordingly on the next one.

I fully understand what you are saying. From a purely cost perspective, solo travel is 30-50% cheaper than tours. I have actually costed it out down to the prices to enter sites. Plus, I am not a big bus fan as I am a train hound. On tour descriptions I also find there are a lot of times where you either "drive by" sights or there are many "on your own" afternoons which to me defeats the purpose of paying for a tour.

Lots of great pros and cons written here. I am like you, I just can't get over the difference in the cost when that extra cost will buy me more time and more places to see. If you are an extrovert, you will find plenty of conversation and connections, you just have to look for it.

I’m a few years older than you and feel like I have aged out of the hostel scene but am not ready for the Rick Steves tour scene yet. I find that having a tour or activity of some type booked every couple of days is enough to keep me from feeling too lonely and other than that, I have no trouble filling my time. Dinner alone has been a bit of a pain point for me over the years but even that has improved for me now that I can use Uber eats or a similar service to have dinner delivered if I don’t see a casual restaurant near my hotel. Also I like having control over my hotel rooms. Even though I’m traveling solo, I generally get a double room instead of a single just because having a twin bed makes me feel like I’m a kid again (and not in a good way)

If you want to interact with other American tourists, go on a group tour. If you are reasonably outgoing and relaxed, go solo and be prepared to interact with locals.

True, tours are generally more expensive than do it yourself, but not always.

Example, we did a four day tour of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with PeruAgency.com in Peru in 2019.
Total cost was $799 per person. Included lodging, admissions, tours, transportation and most meals. Also, it was a PRIVATE tour only for the two of us.

We stayed in a great hotel in Cusco that was a 250 year old hacienda for a wealth local, converted to a hotel as well as an excellent hotel near MP for one night. Our guides were university educated.

Further, trying to do this on your own, especially renting a car and driving over some very poor highways or taking a bus loaded with people, would have been a royal pain to deal with on our own.

We did have to pay for our flights from Lima to Cusco (less than $200 pp RT).

A middle ground approach, as mentioned, could include solo travel with group day tours. It may be the best of both worlds.

One disadvantage you might want to check is whether the activities you want to do with other people can be booked by a solo traveler. I have run into this previously where some half-day small group tours require me to sign up on-line as at least two people. One I wanted to reserve in Parma yesterday was requiring I sign up a minimum of 4 people!

I am a solo traveler and have been that way since I was in my early 20s. Even though I’m married 17+ years, I still travel on my own especially when my vacation and my husband’s don’t align. When I visit a Cathedral, Palace or Museum for example that is new to me, I take the one hour tour & love it. I would never, ever be part of a tour group for my vacation because I don’t travel to Europe to be with other North Americans. With guidebooks like those of Rick Steves & Fodors, one can be an independent traveler and have a wonderful time. I’m always talking to locals when I travel so I don’t feel alone or lonely. I return the favor when travelers come to NYC. Travelers stop me & ask for directions, for example, and that conversation often leads to recommendations for restaurants, plays, & things to do when it’s pouring outside. 🙂

A very good case is being made here for solo traveling. In Germany and Austria I've traveled almost exclusively alone, especially on lengthy trips, and see very few disadvantages in doing just that. Going solo precludes any marked differences and disagreements when it comes to travel style. As pointed out above, if you started young as a solo traveler, you just get used to it, advantages and disadvantages.

One advantage of going solo is that of the itinerary; if one of the travelers is not keen on seeing the "typical" tourist sights focusing rather on non-tourist and esoteric places, at least non-North American priorities, the flexibility of itinerary is there.

The one type of tour I would be interested in doing is a river tour on the Danube, the Oder, the Rhone