Solo Travel with Rick Steves Tours

I lost my husband in 2019. I couldn’t face Christmas that year so I spent the week before Christmas on the Rick Steves London city tour. I had a wonderful time. There were two other singles on the tour. But I believe that even had I been the only single I still would have enjoyed the tour. I made friends with the singles and the married couples and had a wonderful week.

We've done one tour, and it was a RS tour. There were at least 2 individuals traveling "alone". I felt like everyone made an effort to be social regardless of whether people were part of a couple or had arrived on their own. After that experience I would not hesitate to do a RS tour on my own. I might combine it with a few days of independent travel on both ends, but, having a tour in the middle would, I would think, be welcome.

Hi, I have taken four RS tours - two with my husband and two as a solo traveler. The tours are set up very nicely for either! I do recommend paying for the single supplement, so you can have a place to relax, especially if you would like a short break as a new widow.

Julie, I’m sorry for your loss. Welcome to the forum.

I’ve gone on three Rick Steves tours solo and signed up for another one in July. My husband won’t travel. I have not done the Ireland tour but am visiting Ireland on my own plus visiting friends in Dublin, after the South of England tour.

Don’t worry about touring solo. South of France tour had six solos, Village Italy had two and I was the only one on Berlin, Prague and Vienna. I have found tour mates to be inclusive; I didn’t lack for companionship.

I always sign up for the single supplement. I’d rather have my down time than share a room with someone whose routine doesn’t match mine.

Thanks so much for all those encouraging comments. Now I just have to gather my courage and sign up!

I think it's a wonderful gift to yourself! We've been on 3 RS tours; and have always had at minimum 1 or 2 solo travelers. Only one 40 something male on one, but otherwise women. On our last tour this spring, there were both women friends/sisters traveling together and women traveling solo; and they tended to gravitate towards each other.

There's no way to guarantee how your group will jive, but we've never met anyone who wasn't friendly or warm. I think part of being on the group tour is that because you are all together for many activities anyway, that it really doesn't matter who is paired up and who is solo. During free time, you may click with individuals who may want to join you for an activity or you may go at it alone. So you would want to consider that your free time may play out in any number of ways.

And 100% pay the solo supplement. I cannot imagine sharing with someone you don't know. I think that's where the risk is. I don't know which Ireland tour you are thinking of , but we did the 14 day Ireland. It was amazing!

Many sympathies for your loss. I have done 5 RS tours solo - enjoyed them all and met wonderful, interesting people. As others have said, please do pay for the single supplement to have your own space. On my very first RS tour I was roommate matched with a very recent widow and she struggled with sharing space with a stranger (rightfully so). It was pretty awkward too and hard to give her space in some kind of small hotel rooms. About half way through the tour she privately asked the guide if she could pay for her own room, which they could accommodate because our tour wasn't at capacity. Not knowing where you are in your grieving, it would be a safer bet to start off with privacy and see how you do.

I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve been on one Rick Steves tour and it was as a solo traveler. I did the best of Scotland tour in about 2016. Everyone was friendly and the tour guide was great. There were 2 other women solo travelers about my age. We spent some time together during the free times. I’m still Facebook friends with one of them. The other couples were friendly and inclusive. I also strongly suggest paying the supplement to have your own room. It’s pricey but worth it to me. I’ve traveled solo on my own since then, twice to Italy and once to London. I think a tour is a great way to take your first trip by yourself. Good luck!

I am so sorry for your loss. And I commend you for wanting to get out there and travel. I have taken 17 Rick Steves tours and always as a single (my hubby is gone too). At first I shared a room, but now I like to pay the single supplement for more privacy. I have never felt out of place or left out. There are always so many welcoming people on the Rick Steves tours and many opportunities to do things or eat with other folks. I have never really felt comfortable having dinner on my own, lunch on my own is a fine thing and I often prefer that. But you can always find someone who is happy to have you join them for the non-group meals if you wish. I highly recommend going on a tour. Ireland sounds wonderful! It's on my list for 2026. I hope to see you out there!

I have been on three RS tours since my husband passed away in January 2022. In fact, the first tour that I took in September of that same year, I reserved when my husband was literally on his death bed. I woke up at 3AM one morning and decided I needed to put a stake in the ground for something that I could look forward to. My husband and I loved to travel and I made up my mind that I was going to continue traveling after he was gone. I felt very comfortable on all three tours. There were always at least one other solo traveler but it wouldn’t have mattered if there wasn’t because everyone was very welcoming and there were always people to hang out with, or time to spend alone when I wanted to do that. Also, this year I went solo on a non-RS tour and I found the same thing to be true with that group. I definitely recommend that you pay the single supplement so that you have your own room. Happy travels. I know you will do just fine!

Can you stand another positive testimonial? I’ve done 12 Rick tours, about half solo (the other ones with my brother and SIL). I wanted to add that Ive also done 13 Road Scholar programs, all solo and 3 Seymour Travels tours solo. (Mark Seymour is a former Rick Steves guide). A tour is a really easy way to do solo travel until youve built up your confidence and skills.

Best of Ireland is excellent and a good place for a tour. Public transit is a bit harder in Ireland and the tour takes you to some places that are harder to get to.

I’ll add that I always arrive a day or two beforehand to give some flex time in case of travel hiccups or delays.

I’m also very sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace and comfort in your travels.

I haven’t been on any RS tours, but would also recommend Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). They have trips all over the world, including Ireland, and since they typically don’t charge a single supplement they attract many travelers like you. Their groups are small, usually no more than 16, and my trips with them have been a friendly mix of couples and singles. All of them have had at least several women who have lost husbands.

I traveled solo on one Rick Steves tour and met lovely friends (including single ladies) with whom to share a meal when I wanted, or go off on my own, whatever I felt at the time.

On another Rick Steves tour, I was with a friend. We met another single lady traveler and the three of us hung out together during free time.

Three other solo travelers on that tour (2 single ladies and 1 single man) became great friends and new travel partners.

They were all good experiences!

I have done more than a dozen Rick Steves tours solo. Most tours will have at least one other solo traveler. But even if you are the only solo traveler, you will never feel alone. Groups of people (strangers before the tour) often do things together during free time and plan to have lunch/dinner together. And don't be afraid to ask people "Do you have plans for dinner? Mind if I join you?" I've made so many friends on RS tours that I still stay in touch with.

Which Ireland tour? We did the 7 day tour this summer. There were at least two single women on the tour. It seemed like there were more group dinners than normal. So less time to be alone. I think we only had two open nights. We also had lunch together twice. Not sure if that is the norm.
We did invite the single people out to the pub with us. It is a quick trip and I would recommend the shorter tour to see if you like it.

You have heard from plenty of people that have had successful tours as solo travelers. I am one of them, but I think I will address a different issue.

First of all, my sincere condolences on your loss. I am also a widow and I recognize that the decision to move forward and keep traveling in spite of your loss is a big one and filled with unknowns. Like anything else as a widow, you just have to step out and give it a try. Taking that step usually brings good rewards in being able to build a new life for yourself because we all know you can't go back.

I think solo travel on a tour is something that you will need to experience for yourself in order to know if it is for you. I would pick a tour you are interested in and give it a try. My very first RS tour was called "The experiment" in my journal because that is what it was. I was experimenting to see if this would work for me. I found it did and it also gave me the courage to branch out and try several other ways of solo travel.

I also learned a few key strategies. First, if you are interested in doing something with others during free time or during a meal, speak up. Say, "I'm hoping to go out to dinner this evening at (fill in the blank) is anyone else interested?" The answer is usually yes but could be no. If its no, just go and eat by yourself and enjoy. Second, preplan several ideas for the free time. Then when people start discussing plans, you have some ideas to put out there.

With few exceptions, most people in a tour group are friendly and inclusive.

Another option for tours besides Rick Steves and others mentioned above that you might enjoy are some trips arranged through the Modern Widows Club.

”Now I just have to gather my courage and sign up!”. You’ve taken a big step of courage enquiring about the Ireland tour. Kudos to you! During the grieving process, I have felt that is nice to have something pleasant to look forward to in 2025. I am in the same situation as you. I am calling my upcoming independent trip in May 2025 trip my “Kindness Tour” - something to enjoy planning during the winter, while I am physically there in May, and afterwards with photos (and in your case, probably some new friends.)

I’m sorry for your loss. I am also a solo traveler who has done two RS tours so far. I’m signed up for a third next fall. The first had three other singles and we formed a nice little group. The most recent tour, I was the only singleton. Overall group dynamics made this awkward at times, but I could always find someone to eat a meal with just by asking “do you mind if I join you?” The answer was nearly always yes. Odd group dynamics aside, I still enjoyed the tour and am glad I went.
I never pay the single supplement, but that is just my effort to save a little money. I don’t mind sharing a room. I join tours for the companionship, but am always free to do my own thing. I usually arrive a few days ahead of time to do a few things that I want that aren’t in the tour.
As others have mentioned, be sure to look at the guidebook for ideas of what you’d like to do during free time. Usually there is someone else who wants to do the same thing. On my most recent tour, I was able to offer ideas for restaurants or activities to companions who hadn’t done so. We went together. In nearly every case they ended up saying it was an excellent suggestion and they were glad I thought of it. Go! Enjoy your trip.

Thank you all-what encouraging suggestions from everyone!

Hi tidelljulie!
i just read your post and firstly wanted to say how sorry I am for the loss of your husband, secondly, I was also terrified when I signed up for my first RS tour back in 2018 being newly single. It turned out to be one of the best trips of my life! I connected with another solo lady on that and we still see each other and keep in touch, I also met another solo lady, newly widowed on my second RS tour and wee have now done several RS tours together.

I do hope you sign up. I just signed up for the RS Best of Ireland tour that is on sale, departs 3/30/25. I also do the single supplement as I like my own space but there was another solo room available when I booked if you're interested. I'm really looking forward to it and have no problem going solo which I've done on over half my trips. Ireland will be my 9th RS tour!

Happy New Year and hoping you get to try solo travel, maybe I'll see you on the Best of Ireland 3/30/25!

Thank you for taking the time to reply! I loved reading your experience & your positive thoughts. I’m definitely feeling emboldened by all the encouragement.

I traveled as a single on the 8 day ( now 7) Ireland tour in 2023 and it was a great experience. Friendly group and I went to dinner/ pubs with a few members of the group and nice conversation on the bus rides as well. I am pretty independent and planned a day trip to Newgrange on the last day in Dublin and had a dinner at Out of the Blue in Dingle on my own. Just do it !

Happy New Year, tidwelljulie.

I just returned from the RS London tour of which fully 1/3 of participants were solo women. I believe two friends may have roomed together. The rest seemed to room solo, including me. I enjoy room time and space to myself.

I found myself spending time with married couples as much as with solo women travelers. We were an open and friendly group.

Julie, my condolences for your loss. I am still married and have never been on a RS Tour, but I think it might make sense to start with a one week tour and see how you like that style of travel.

I'm not a woman, but I have total respect for the better part of humanity. That declared, I have been a solo traveler on 2 Rick Steves tours: Paris in 7 Days, & Scotland in 8. I've also soloed in Greece, Belgium, France in some of my other 14 Euro trips. I travel all alone next month to Ireland--just me & Irish humanity.

Both RS tours included "solo" women, but that didn't set them (or me as a solo) apart from the RS group. We were lucky in that both these tours included welcoming & inclusive singles & couples. I & the solo women were together or apart when we experienced what activities we individually chose.

Confidence, common sense, adventurist spirit will bless your RS trip. Be welcoming & expect to meet people w/out demanding they need to embrace you--& expect to be embraced.