When I first started traveling, I knew nothing of group travel and solo travel terrified me. The thought of walking around an unknown country or city was anxiety-inducing. Over the years I discovered solo travel vs group tours and in that time I’ve tried both – several times. In places ranging from the bustling cities of Southeast Asia to the lush green landscapes of South America. As a seasoned budget traveler, I’ve learned that the real story isn’t in the brochures or influencer posts. It’s in the little things no one talks about.
If you’re a young professional juggling a demanding job, a limited number of vacation days, and a limited bank account, this one’s for you. I’m going to walk you through what I’ve learned – the good, the bad, and the parts I wish someone had told me sooner. If you’ve ever wondered who wins in the solo travel vs group tours debate, I got your back on this one.
The Immediate Differences I Felt in Solo Travel vs Group Tours:
Structure vs. Spontaneity: The contrast hit me like jet lag on my first group tour in Europe. On my group tour through Germany and Prague, everything was planned – wake-up calls, sightseeing schedules, meal stops. It was efficient, sure, but also rigid. I remember standing in front of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin however none of us could enter the stadium – all we could do was just look at it.
Compare that to a solo journey I took through Old Town Cartagena, where I could sleep in, walk the Fort at my own pace, do some souvenir shopping at boutique shops, and chase the street food when I felt like it. The difference in autonomy was staggering. Solo travel gave me space to follow my curiosity. Group tours gave me structure, but little room for deviation.
Pace of Travel: If you’ve ever done a multi-country group tour, you know the feeling: new hotel every other night, rushed meals, barely time to unpack before it’s back on the bus. I did a 9-day group tour through The Balkans that had us hitting a new city every two days so it did feel like I was speed-dating with countries. I knew going in the trip was a “taster” so I knew which countries to hit again when I go back.
Solo travel, on the other hand, gives you the freedom to move at your own speed. In Pereira, I took several days to myself to discover my dad’s hometown and another couple of days to meet up with my aunt and cousins in Cocora Valley. Having the time and freedom to do what you want to do is awesome. That kind of freedom is hard to beat.
What the Brochures Don’t Mention: Money Matters in Solo Travel vs Group Tours:
Group Tours: Convenient but sometimes costly: At first glance, group tours seem like a smart deal. You get accommodation, transport, and a guide – sometimes meals too. But the hidden costs add up:
- Single supplement fees: If you’re traveling alone and don’t want to share a room, the tour will charge extra. Sometimes hundreds more.
- Tipping expectations: So many of these tours have local guides so it’s best practice that you tip them for their time. After all, they are showing you around and giving you the history of that particular site.
- Optional / Add-ons: There are several items that aren’t included like Camel rides in Morocco, cooking classes, or wine tastings. Always read the itinerary before booking so you know ahead of time what they are and the cost. However, keep in mind these are optional.
Solo Travel: More Control, But More Variables:
While you have greater control over your budget when traveling solo, there are some hidden traps too:
- Accommodation: Dorm beds are cheap, but sometimes you need a private room. And in some regions, solo travelers pay more per person than pairs in group tours (not always the case).
- Transportation inefficiencies: Without a shared group vehicle, you may end up paying more for taxis or ride shares to get between spots.
- Safety premiums: In certain countries, I paid extra for more secure hostels and hotels, private transfers, or guided day trips for peace of mind. I did exactly this in both Colombia and Brazil.
Still, solo travel lets you adjust on the fly. In every place I’ve visited, I was always careful about how much I spent. Many times, I would slow down, cut back on the alcohol and eat the local street food. Even on group tours, I would be very careful with spending and sometimes I would skip a group dinner and just walk the city on my own….never once was I hassled.
Social Vibes and People: Solo Travel Vs Group Tours:
The Group Tour Bubble: Group tours are like summer camp for adults. You meet a dozen strangers and are suddenly spending every moment with them. Most of the time it’s amazing. On a tour through Morocco back in 2019, I met a mother and her children whom I still keep in contact with. Other times, it can be a mixed bag. On that same tour, one of the girls wasn’t very fond of her travel mate she was sharing a room with. I myself have never had a negative encounter – the last thing I need is for someone to dampen the mood.
The upside? Built-in social life. You’ll never eat or drink alone, and you’ll always have someone to share a great experience with. The downside? You don’t get to choose who you travel with.
Solo Travel – More Work, More Reward: Traveling solo will require you to be intentional if you want authentic encounters. In all my solo travels I personally had a hard time bonding for the simple fact there were few English speakers I came across. On the flip side, I’ve come across other solo travelers that approached me like it was nothing so I didn’t have to put in much effort.
These are the types of connections that hit different. They’re not forced, they happen because you’re present, open, and on your own path.
Who Should Choose What? Comparing Solo Travel vs Group Tours:
There’s no one-size-fits-all, but I’ve found some patterns that can help you decide based on your situation:
Choose a Group Tour If:
- You’re traveling for the first time and want extra support.
- You have limited vacation days and need to see a lot fast.
- You’re uncomfortable planning logistics in unfamiliar places.
- You’re looking for a social trip without putting in much effort.
Choose Solo Travel If:
- You crave flexibility and independence.
- If you have time 2 weeks or more to hop around from city to city.
- You want deeper cultural experiences.
- You’re willing to invest time in planning your own itinerary.
- You want space for reflection or personal growth.
What No One Tells You About Solo Travel vs Group Tours (But I Will):
Here’s the stuff I wish had been in the brochures:
- Tour leaders shape everything. A really good tour leader will add value, local insights, and makes everything run smoothly. A bad one feels like a babysitter with a megaphone. Luckily, I’ve only had great tour leaders who made my group tours awesome.
- Group tours can be very fast-paced. Some tours cram a lot into a 9-day trip. If I’m traveling to one country then I want to spend the best so I’ll try to find trips that have us stay for 2 – 3 days in one city before moving on to the next. Doing multi-country tours can be tricky, I prefer to spend at least 3 – 4 days in one country and then move on to a neighboring country for another 3 – 4 days.
- Solo travel is liberating – and sometimes lonely. The worst solo trip for me was NYE in Cartagena…I never felt so alone. On the flip side, the most liberating solo trip I had was on the island of San Andres – I reveled in the peace of being completely alone.
- Solo travel = advanced planning! You will need to research the country you plan to visit to see what you want to do. You’ll also need to figure out the transportation part on your own if you plan to visit different cities.
- Safety is relative. I’ve felt safer walking alone at midnight in Thailand than I did during the day in some major cities back home. Do your homework, trust your gut, and adapt as needed.
- Burnout is real. The only time I’ve experienced was in Paris. I was there for 11 days and frankly, I was good after 4 days. Burnout can be felt on both types of trips so learn to rest and, not quit.
My Take: What I’d Recommend in the Solo Travel vs Group Tours Debate:
If I could go back and talk to my 25-year-old self – just dying to travel but short on experience – I’d say this:
Start with a group tour. Pick a place that challenges your comfort zone, and let someone else handle the logistics while you learn to navigate travel basics.
Then, once you’re comfortable, go solo. Pick a region with good infrastructure (like Southeast Asia or parts of Europe), and just go. Book a few nights in a social hostel, book a walking tour, and see what unfolds.
Mix and match. Travel is not binary. When I did my solo tour of Brazil I made sure to book more than one day tour along the way. On my last trip to Colombia, I booked half the tour to visit some family and for the remaining 5 days I went solo to the coast. That flexibility makes the experience uniquely mine.
Quick Comparison Table:
| Feature | Solo Travel | Group Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Convenience | Low | High |
| Cost Control | Variable | Moderate |
| Social Life | Intentional | Automatic |
| Pace | Your own | Pre-set |
| Planning Required | High | Low |
My Favorite Tools and Tricks:
Here are a few resources that have saved me time, money, and stress!
Solo Travel Favorites:
- Hostelworld: Filters help find social, safe, budget places
- GetYourGuide: Great for planning day tours and excursions
- Viator: Another great platform for booking day tours and excursions
Group Tour Resources:
- Expat Explore: Responsible travel, small groups
- Intrepid Travel: Inclusive, sustainable itineraries
- TourRadar: The best for comparing multiple tour companies at once
My #1 Resource for Group Tours:
Hands down my #1 go to website for searching group tours is TourRadar.com – simply said it can’t be beat. You can search for fully guided or partially guided tours from around the globe. You get instant access to 2500 tour operators that will cater to any type of traveler. You can also use numerous filters to search party tours, youth tours, foodie tours, cycle tours, cultural immersion tours etc…etc…the list goes on and on.
If you still need convincing then read my full review of this overlooked valuable resource.
Final Thoughts: Solo Travel vs Group Tours Comes Down to What You Need Now:
Travel isn’t a one-time decision – it’s a series of choices, phases, and seasons. You don’t have to pick a side. Instead, ask yourself: What do I need right now?
Do I need ease, companionship, and structure? Maybe a group tour is perfect.
Do I need time, space, and autonomy? Solo might be the way.
Whichever path you choose, lean in fully. Show up open-minded. Talk to strangers. Try the weird food. Learn a few local phrases. Get lost – metaphorically or literally – and see what you find.
Because in the end, it’s not about the method of travel. It’s about the moments that stay with you and change you.
And trust me – both paths have plenty of those.
