Note from Bailey: The following post was written by a digital nomad friend of mine, Loren Ross. He was kind enough to share some pro tips to help you decide if it would be better to travel alone or with a tour group. The ending may surprise you! Enjoy.
Introduction
Deciding whether to travel with a tour group or go solo is a common dilemma for many adventurers. Both options offer unique experiences, but they come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the question comes down to your personality.
Do you prefer stability or freedom? Personally, I believe your answer to this question will tell you which choice you should make. If you prefer stability, a tour group is going to be better, less to worry about, a lot of the stress is taken care of, less uncertainty.
If you prefer freedom, then you may end up running into some rough patches, but you’ll have great stories because of it.
A picture of an incredible waterfall I found just on the side of the road in eastern South Africa. We stopped and hiked around for a while, something I likely wouldn’t have been able to do in a travel group.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each choice
Traveling with a Tour Group
Advantages
- Convenience and Organization: One of the biggest advantages of joining a tour group is the convenience it provides. Tour companies handle most logistics, including accommodations, transportation, and itinerary planning. This allows you to relax and enjoy your trip without worrying about the details.
- Safety and Security: Traveling with a tour group offers enhanced safety measures. With a group, you have extra sets of eyes and ears looking out for you, reducing the risk of potential dangers. Additionally, tour guides are usually knowledgeable about the destination and can provide valuable insights and assistance. For solo (particularly female) travelers this can be a huge advantage of course.
- Social Connection: Joining a tour group allows you to meet like-minded travelers from different backgrounds. It provides an opportunity to form new friendships and share memorable experiences together. Group travel can be particularly beneficial for solo travelers who seek companionship during their journey.
- The “Ohh, Ya I’ve Been There” Factor – Most tours are going to take you to the places everyone’s been to, so if someone asks you did you go to Paris and see the “x” you can say yes, instead of shamefully saying no (cue the sad violin music).
A shot of me and my Chinese spy (no joke) in Chengdu China. Having to explain to people that I’ve been to China but never seen The Great Wall isn’t ever an easy thing to explain.
Traveling with a Tour Group: Disadvantages
- Lack of Flexibility: Tour group itineraries are pre-planned, leaving little room for spontaneous exploration.
- Limited Personalization: Group tours cater to a wide range of preferences, resulting in a generalized experience. If you have specific interests or wish to immerse yourself in local culture independently, you may find that a tour group cannot provide the level of personalization you desire.
- Social Dynamics: Although meeting new people can be exciting, there is a chance that you might not get along with everyone in the group. Being in a group with people who really piss you off can take its tool for sure
A shot taken from a hike in Norway, an incredibly long hike that was done solo and poorly planned. I think the look on my ex-girlfriend’s face here tells it all.
Solo Travel
Advantages
- Freedom and Flexibility: Solo travel allows you to create your own itinerary, follow your interests, and change plans as you please. If you want to stop and check out some random thing you can, if you want to spend a couple extra days somewhere, no problem.
- Self-Discovery and Independence: Traveling alone provides a unique opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth if you’re mindful about it. It can also lead to endless partying with strangers if you’re into that too.
- One-off Experiences: When traveling solo, you are more likely for unique, one-off experiences.
A shot of a 15 drink tasting of Calvados (apple brandy) in Normandy, France. Something we stumbled upon, the guy who ran the tastings was an encyclopedia of French history and French alcohol. I’ve done A LOT of wine and alcohol tastings in my day, but stumbling on that dude’s small shop in the countryside was one of the best tastings I’ve ever done.
Solo Travel: Disadvantages
- Loneliness and Safety Concerns: The lack of companionship can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness, especially during long journeys. Additionally, solo travelers may face higher safety risks, particularly in unfamiliar or remote areas.
- Increased Planning and Responsibility: Planning and organizing every aspect of the trip falls solely on your shoulders when traveling alone. This can be time-consuming and sometimes overwhelming, requiring meticulous preparation and research.
- Limited Support: In challenging situations, having a group to rely on for assistance can be comforting. Solo travelers may need to rely more on their own problem-solving skills and resourcefulness.
A very grainy shot of my Mom, when we were outside of Cartagena Colombia and got stranded in the hot sun for a couple hours waiting for a bus that was supposed to come. If we had been in a tour group that very likely wouldn’t have happened.
But There Is A Way To Balance Both!
With Travel Planners (like Bailey at B. Adventuras) you can get the best of both worlds!
Someone else can plan out the details, and you can work alongside them to create the perfect experience for you. A mix of hyper-touristy things (let’s be honest, a lot of them are fun) as well as time for spontaneity, so you can wander around and stumble upon new things.
Good travel planners also spend lots of time getting to know the area as well as your preferences. So you get insights on the culture, the customs, and the cool lesser-known things to do, as well as custom built plans that match your interests and hobbies.
Solid travel planners who have a passion for cultures and people are really the best way to strike a balance between the freedom & stability in travel.
—
About The Author
Loren Ross has been sporting speedos and traveling the world for over 10 years now. He has a brand for existing & aspiring digital nomads, Digital Nomad Lifestyle and runs a digital marketing firm to help pay the bills for his trips. If you’re looking for great digital nomad spots around the world check out his blog!
