If you’ve been putting off your first big trip because you’re an unsure 1st time traveler, or you only have 8 – 12 vacation days or the idea of planning is too overwhelming. Then group travel might be exactly what you need.
While solo travel gets the spotlight online, group tours are often the fastest, safest, and most efficient way to start traveling internationally, especially if you’re new or short on time.
If you’re stuck in the solo travel vs group tours debate, this guide will show you exactly why group travel might be your secret weapon.
What is group travel?
Cutting right to the chase… you’re traveling the world with other like-minded people. Instead of doing everything yourself, you meet others like you on a group tour that handles everything for you. These tours do everything for me from the hotel booking, group transport, local guides and showing me around the hidden gems a city has to offer. At least for me, group travel will also leave you with lasting memories and even friendships.
Why group travel converts hesitation into vacations.
1) Skip the Stress, Keep the Adventure:
Planning an international trip from scratch takes hours sometimes weeks. Researching neighborhoods, comparing hotels, figuring out transportation, reading safety reviews…it adds up fast.
With a group tour:
- Hotels are pre-booked.
- Transportation is arranged.
- Key experiences are organized.
- Local guides are included.
Your first international trip shouldn’t feel like a logistics exam. Instead, you should zero in on what actually matters: experiencing the destination. If you’re balancing a full-time job and limited mental bandwidth, that convenience alone is worth it.
2) Limited Vacation Days? See More in Less Time:
When vacation days are limited, those days become precious.
Group tours are designed to optimize routes and eliminate wasted time. You won’t spend hours figuring out train schedules or navigating unfamiliar transit systems. You’ll move seamlessly between cities with a structured itinerary that hits the highlights without chaos.
In one week, you can experience multiple cities or even multiple countries without all the logistical headaches that would normally stress you out.
For 1st time travelers, that convenience is the difference between “someday” and actually going.
3) Built-In Safety and Support:
Let’s talk about reality for a second. Walking around a new country alone, especially if you’ve never done it before can be intimidating. On top of that, you don’t know the customs and probably don’t speak the local language. Group travel gives you:
- Safety in numbers.
- A knowledgeable local guide.
- Structured transportation.
- On-the-ground assistance if anything goes sideways.
With group travel, you won’t be wandering alone trying to decode foreign systems. You’re learning how international travel works with backup. That layer of support makes a huge difference for first-time travelers.
4) Instant Social Circle
One of the biggest fears new travelers have is feeling alone. Nothing can kill a vacation faster than loneliness. Group tours eliminate that instantly. You’ll share meals, explore landmarks, and swap stories with other travelers from day one.
No awkward solo dinners. No pressure to “network” in hostels.
It’s social travel with ZERO effort. And if you want solo time? Most tours build in free afternoons or optional excursions.
True Story: When I went to Cambodia I remember friending a couple of travelers from Australia. When the trip was over they connected back home and within 4 years I saw their engagement on Facebook…you never know what can happen.
5) Predictable Budgeting (Fewer Surprise Costs)
When you travel independently for the first time, surprise costs can creep in with last-minute taxis, booking mistakes, overpriced tourist areas, tourist scams…the list goes on.
Group tours bundle major expenses into one upfront price, making budgeting clearer. Accommodation, transport between cities / countries, and guided experiences are typically included.
Before booking any group tour, CHECK the itinerary. It will show you the optional add-ons (extra activities) with the costs laid out. That will allow you to pick and choose which ones you want to do. The only thing you need to budget for are the meals that are not included, alcohol and any souvenir shopping.
For first-time travelers, that financial clarity reduces stress dramatically.
6) The Fastest Way to Build Travel Confidence
Here’s something people rarely mention about group travel: they offer incredible training for future trips when you feel confident enough to travel solo.
You’ll learn:
- How international airports operate.
- How border crossings work.
- How guided tours function.
- How seasoned travelers move through new environments.
By the end of the trip, navigating a new country won’t feel nearly as intimidating. That exposure helps you grow and you learn without being thrown into the fire.
Many confident solo travelers started with group tours first. It’s a smart progression.
7) You Experience More Than Just “The Highlights”
A great tour leader doesn’t just march you past landmarks. A good guide will do the following:
- Share cultural insights.
- Explain historical context.
- Introduce you to local cuisine.
- Translate when needed.
- Help you understand what you’re actually seeing.
- Take you to local hot spots that tourists normally don’t know about.
Without that guide you may miss out on some very unique hidden gems that may turn out to be a highlight. With the right group tour, you walk away with stories not just photos.
True Story: I had a local guide in Brazil who asked if I wanted some sorbet…I said “sure”. He drives up to a side of a building in Rio and pulls on a string with a bell on it from a 3rd floor apartment. A basket comes down with a sorbet menu…I ordered the mango. Yup…that really happened.
8) Group Travel Is Ideal For A “Taster”
I did this when I went to the Balkans. I went in totally blind, knowing virtually nothing about the Balkans other than the war back in the 1990’s
To be upfront, I wasn’t at all sure if I would like the region. I found a group tour that looked perfect for sampling the Balkans. Yes, it was a multi-country and fast-paced tour BUT I fell in love with the Balkans…now I want to go back. This allowed me to:
- Experience several cities.
- Discover which destinations I want to revisit.
- Let me decide if this kind of travel style suited me.
Instead of committing 8 to 10 days in one or two locations, I got to experience the most beautiful parts of the Balkans, since I only had 10 days, it was perfect.
Who Should Book a Group Tour?
- This is your first international trip.
- You only have 1 to 2 weeks off.
- You don’t enjoy heavy trip planning.
- You’re nervous about safety or logistics.
- You want to be with other travelers like you.
If that sounds like you, group travel isn’t “settling” it’s strategic!
Don’t think that group tours are for ‘old people’ either. There are plenty of tour companies that cater to 18- to 35-year-olds.
Cons of Group Travel 👀
I need to be straight up with all of you and talk about some real-world issues with group travel that you need to be aware of.
Limited control over your trip: You may be in a city for only 2 or 3 days and then you’re off to the next.
Time spent doing things you don’t want to do: There may be an activity that you don’t really care for. In those instances, I personally will not join the group and I will go off doing my own thing.
Personalities may clash: This is RARE for the most part, everyone is on their best behavior.
Single room supplemental can cost more: This is almost always the case when you request a single room. I prefer my privacy.
Some major attractions may not be included: Depending on the tour and what the itinerary is, a particular attraction you want to see may not be included. It’s so important to read the itinerary to make sure that the attraction you want to see is in there.
Where to Find the Best Group Tours 🔥🔥
If you’re ready to compare options, TourRadar is the easiest platform to start with. I’ve been on TourRadar for the past 6 years and it’s made my travel life so much easier.
It allows you to:
- Compare thousands of tours worldwide.
- Filter by budget, duration, travel style, and age range.
- Read verified traveler reviews.
- Choose between fully guided or partially guided options (I prefer fully guided).
👉 Instead of jumping between dozens of tour company websites, you can view everything in one place and filter down to exactly what fits your schedule and budget.
👉 On top of that TourRadar constantly has sales throughout the year!
👉 👉If you’re short on time, this is the most efficient way to narrow your options quickly. If you’re new to travel, here’s a powerful approach
- Take a group tour somewhere slightly outside your comfort zone.
- Learn the basics of navigating international travel.
- Build confidence.
- Try solo travel later when you feel ready.
Keep in mind that travel isn’t binary. You don’t have to pick a side forever. It’s about choosing what fits your life right now. I’ve done both group and solo travel and I love both options.
Hot Tip: If you need some more info, then read my complete breakdown on why TourRadar is the best.
Final Thoughts: Stop Waiting, Start Traveling
You don’t have to be a solo traveler to prove you’re a “real” traveler. That’s total bullshit; the majority of my trips have been group travel…it’s so much more fun that way.
If you’re new to travel, short on vacation days, or overwhelmed by the planning, group travel removes the biggest barriers:
Less stress.
Less guesswork.
More momentum.
The goal isn’t to do it the hardest way possible.
The goal is to just go.
If the idea of a group tour will get you on the plane faster then hop on to TourRadar and start searching for a destination you want to visit with more confidence and fewer headaches, it’s not just a good option.
It’s the smart one!
Group Travel FAQ’s 👀
What types of destinations and travel styles can I do with group travel?
You can choose any destination in the world and go with any travel style you choose. You can go on culinary tours, cycling tours, sailing tours, or cultural tours. Let your imagination take you there!
How many people go on a tour
Most tours usually have around 10-25 people. This allows for closer connections and personal space.
Can I get my own room on a group tour for privacy?
Yes, you can request a ‘single room supplemental’, just remember they always cost extra. By default, nearly all tours will pair you with another traveler (same sex) so 2 to a room.
Is there downtime in group travel?
Yes, you’re not required to go to every pre-planned activity. Even with the activities you usually have plenty of downtime to relax and explore on your own…it can be the morning, afternoon or evenings.
Do I need to be an experienced traveler?
NOPE! Group tours are practically designed for new travelers. If you have never even left your own country, let experienced tour operators do all the heavy lifting for you.
