Are group tours good for solo travellers? What you need to know

Throughout my travels, I have done a mixture of group tours and solo travel. There are benefits to both and I honestly find mixing it up gives you the perfect balance. Last year, I travelled full-time for a year and a half, and I ended up doing a combination of both styles of travel depending on the country and my circumstances. These tours aren’t just for solo travellers either. They can be great experiences with friends too.

There are plenty of reasons I sometimes opt for a group tour as a solo traveller. For example, when I travelled to China, I chose to book one because I was unsure about visiting on my own. It turned out to be the best decision; I would happily go back and do it solo now, but at the time, it was the most out of my comfort zone I had ever felt. I’m so glad I had the support of a group tour for that experience. This was the same when travelling in more remote areas of Australia that didn’t have many public transport options, like the South West and West Coast of Australia.

In Japan, it was a completely different story. A sale popped up, I had some time and I wanted to escape the Australian winter. So I jumped on a last-minute group tour as a solo traveller, and it worked out perfectly. And then with New Zealand, I found a tour I really liked. As much as I love slow travel, New Zealand is expensive, so in my head it made sense to book something more organised to save money and get more value.

And this year I’ve got another one lined up, I’m heading to India with Intro Travel. I’ve always wanted to go to India, but as a solo female traveller, I’ve been advised that a group tour is the best and safest option. When a new Intro Travel tour became available at an affordable price, I put down a deposit before the price increased. I’ve been impressed with them as a company, so I was already looking for another chance to travel with them.

So, if you’re wondering, “should I book a group tour as a solo traveller?” Let’s break down the pros and cons

The pros of a group tour

Your choice will ultimately boil down to the kind of experience you’re looking for, but here are some of the biggest benefits I’ve found from joining solo travel group tours:

1. A good way to meet people: I’ve met so many people on tours who I’m still friends with today. I’ve even met up with some of them again on later trips. If you’re looking for social connections while travelling alone, this is one of the easiest ways to find them.
2. Well-researched itineraries: Tours are carefully planned, usually taking you along the best routes and to the must-see spots. Group leaders often know the best times to visit places too, because they’ve done the tour multiple times.
3. Insider recommendations: Group leaders and local guides often suggest additional activities and food spots you might not have found on your own. I’ve tried so many things I wouldn’t have even known existed if I hadn’t been on a tour.

1. Onward travel advice: Leaders and fellow travellers are usually full of tips on where to go next, especially if you’re on a long trip and still planning as you go.
2. Confidence boost: A group tour is a great option for your first time abroad, or if you’re nervous about visiting a specific country. Having the support of a guide and group makes things feel less intimidating.
3. A break from planning: If you’re travelling long term, it can be exhausting to constantly organise transport, accommodation and activities. Joining a group tour is like taking a holiday from your holiday; you can let someone else do the organising for a change.

The cons of a group tour

Of course, group tours aren’t perfect. Here are some of the downsides I’ve experienced (or heard from other solo travellers):

1. Fixed structure and timelines: You’re tied to an itinerary, which means sometimes I’ve wanted to stay somewhere longer but couldn’t because the tour moved on.
2. Big upfront cost. Tours can look expensive, especially when you’re paying in one lump sum. That said, when you break down the cost: accommodation, transport and activities, it usually balances out, especially if you manage to find an offer.
3. Group dynamics: Most of my tours have had amazing people, but you can’t control who ends up in your group. Sometimes personalities clash, and that can affect the vibe of the trip. This has, of course happened on tours I have been on, but it has never ruined the experience.
4. Less freedom: With everything planned out, you might feel like you’re missing the chance to wander off the beaten path and create your own adventures. However, usually group leaders are happy to make things happen if possible. Like in Japan, our group leader moved our itinerary around slightly because we all wanted to head to Universal Studios.
5. Optional extras can add up: Some tours seem affordable at first, but once you add in the cost of all the optional activities, it can become pricey.
6. Pace of travel: Tours tend to pack a lot into a short timeframe. If you prefer slow travel, you might find the pace a bit overwhelming.

Choosing the right group tour

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that not all group tours for solo travellers are the same quality. I’ve now travelled with a few different companies and spoken to countless other travellers along the way. What stood out to me is that a company’s quality can even differ by region.

For example, when I travelled with Intrepid in China, it felt quite unorganised compared to what others had told me about their amazing experiences with Intrepid elsewhere. This made me realise how important it is to look beyond just the company name and read reviews specific to the region you’re visiting.

Price can also be a big factor. Some companies are more expensive, but usually, there’s a reason for it. Cheaper tours often come with a lot of additional costs once you’re there, optional excursions or entrance fees. This isn’t always a bad thing, especially if you want the chance for more free time. In places like New Zealand, there are loads of optional activities, which gave me more freedom to choose what I wanted to do. In India, on the other hand, most activities are included, so I won’t need to budget as much extra. Bigger tour companies like G Adventures and Intro Travel also tend to include extras like airport transfers, which can be a nice bonus and save you a lot of stress on arrival.

Finally, think about the vibe you want. Some tours have age restrictions (for example, 18–35s) and are more focused on nightlife and socialising. You will find this a common theme in Southeast Asia. Other tours are open to all ages and can be a better fit if you want a mix of travellers.

So… are group tours worth it?

At the end of the day, booking a group tour as a solo traveller really depends on what you want from the experience. If you’re craving connection, want peace of mind or just need a break from organising everything yourself, then a solo group tour can be absolutely worth it.

My advice? If in doubt, try it for yourself. Do some research, follow tour companies on social media, and keep an eye out for sales. You might be surprised by the opportunities that pop up. And once you’ve tried a group tour, you’ll quickly work out what suits your style of travel.