How to Travel Alone For the First Time: Tips for Your First Solo Group Trip

Sharing is caring!

If you’ve been wondering how to travel alone for the first time and itching to see the world, but have no one to go with, allow me to introduce you to solo group trips. These group trips are the perfect compromise where you can visit one or more destinations solo, but together.

A solo group trip is where you arrive at your destination solo and don’t know anyone ahead of time, but you quickly join a group of like-minded travelers for a group travel experience that will foster friendships through exploration and discovery of cultures around the world!

In this guide, I’ll dish all the deets including tips for your first solo group trip, how to book one, and benefits to traveling this way!

Benefits of a Solo Group Trip

1. Less worrying, more fun

While I’m certainly the trip planner (that’s probably why you’re on Periodic Adventures, right?), one of the best parts of group trips is that you can be totally hands off.

No matter where you go, even to the ultimate luxury relaxed destination like The Maldives, when you plan a trip yourself, it’s stressful. There’s getting there, figuring out transportation, hotels, activities, food, and even more details to bog you down. And don’t even get me started on a language barrier.

With group trips, say goodbye to those worries! Stress-be-gone! Poof!

All you have to do is book your flights, pack (including your can-do attitude), and show up. 

The tour company and local guide will take care of the rest!

2. Solo, but together

One of the most intimidating parts of solo travel is the solo part. It can be scary to do things alone, especially high-adrenaline activities, if you ask me. I don’t love signing waivers that I could die…alone. Even dining out alone can feel awkward and less fun.

On group trips, you have an instant place to be. You have your people. They’ll turn into your support system and your comfort zone.

Of course, there’s usually some down time where you can “introvert out” as I like to say. More on the introvert experience down below.

3. Safety and security

So you told your grandma you want to solo travel to X destination and she freaked out about you being unalived. Whether you echo her thoughts or not, solo group trips allow you a level of safety and security, you wouldn’t be guaranteed solo.

Obviously, there’s safety in numbers but it goes beyond that.

On group trips, you typically have a local guide who knows the destination in and out. They can share their safety tips, take you to the best areas (while avoiding the sketchy ones), and are there to help you should anything happen that needs attention.

That includes stolen belongings, lost passports, medical problems, or whatever else may arise. (P.S. Don’t forget travel insurance, so you’re financially covered in these circumstances).

Whatever it is, you’re not handling it alone and that’s KEY.

For example, my cousin lost her passport on our group trip to Israel. We were in a mall and it just disappeared. While our group trip guide started making calls for arrangements, my cousin found her passport waaayyyyy under a shopping booth we were browsing at.

Crisis averted. BUT, the fact that the guide was on top of the situation and resolving it while we were searching for the passport was the most comforting thing we could have asked for.

4. Make new friends

Hard fact about life: as you get older and out of school, it gets harder and harder to make new friends. You’re just not thrown into forced groups anymore like you were as a kid in a classroom.

Enter: group travel. You’ll be with this group of peers for a week or more traveling together, trying new foods, discovering new cultures. It’s an instant recipe for friendships to blossom.

Even as an introvert, I guarantee, you’ll find your people. 

5. Cross off that bucket list

On group trips, the itinerary is specifically curated to show you the best of the best and often features multiple destinations in one trip.

That means, you can cross off multiple cities, national parks, and/or bucket list experiences in one go.

Any trip that gives you a good bang for your buck, is worth it!

6. Travel deeper

When you travel somewhere solo, it’s easy to fall into tourist traps. I’m the last person to tell you not to do the touristy things because a solo trip to Paris isn’t complete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower, but the joys of travel go beyond the surface level.

Making memories with locals, discovering local cuisine, and learning from local culture. These are all reasons why we travel and it’s tricky to get on that deeper level when you’re on a solo trip. Not that it’s impossible, just that you have to really actively work to find and prioritize those experiences.

On a group trip, you have a local guide and your itinerary is curated to include those unique local gems and experiences that become your best memories.

For example, you could experience sleeping under the stars in a Bedouin camp in Israel, visiting a Zulu village in St. Lucia, or experiencing an authentic Whirling Dervishes ceremony in Istanbul.

7. A group trip for every type of traveler

One of my favorite parts of group travel is that there are often lots of types of group trips that you can book. If you’re interested in something specific, you can find a group trip that focuses on it.

Some interesting ones to me are wildlife trips (like safaris in Africa), sailing trips, and even traveling for international festivals (I’ll make it to Holi in India one day!).

8. Push your comfort zone

Last but certainly not least, one benefit to group trips is that they allow you to push your comfort zone.

Some activities are easy to say no to if you’re alone, but in a group, you’ll find encouragement, support, and a bit of (healthy) peer pressure.

Not to mention, going on a group trip solo might be pushing your comfort zone all together, so just making it there and getting going is a huge push that will send you in a positive direction!

How to Book a Group Trip

There are a TON of group trip operators. In fact, you might have noticed your favorite travel creator hosting a group trip and been intrigued. How do you narrow it down?

Not all tour operators are equal, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for. 

For example, if you’re 18 – 35, you have access to specific companies that operate tours with this age range in mind. That means more fun, exciting activities, and a faster pace. I love this because you can check more items off your travel bucket list!

One of those companies is Contiki who has been operating group trips for over 60 years! In fact, my parents took one of Contiki’s Europe group trips when they were in their 20s.

I’m excited to share that I’ll be going on a group trip with Contiki to Portugal and Spain very soon! These are two new countries for me, so I’ll certainly report back and share all my insight. Be on the lookout for a follow up blog post!

When you book a group trip, be sure to check what’s included.

Many tour operators don’t include airfare as it’s easier to allow travelers to search their desired flights on their own.

Usually accommodation, transportation (during the trip), activities, and some meals are included. Often, there are optional activities for an additional fee and you’ll likely want to bring money to purchase some of your own meals as well as souvenirs.

The other thing to look out for is how large of a group your trip will be. For your first solo group trip, you might not know how big of a group to look for when booking, so it’s best to just go with the flow. 

In my experience, I’ve found that trips with a maximum of 20 – 25 people are ideal. Anything over that and it can be hard to corral everyone to get from point A to B and it can lend itself to cliquey behavior, especially in younger groups.

That said, it’s totally up to you. Regardless, choose based on the destination, your interests, dates, and your budget.

Tips for Your First Solo Group Trip

1. Go with the flow

The most important part of group trips in my opinion is your ability and willingness to go with the flow. Especially as a Type A planner, I know how hard it can be to hand over the reins to someone else.

But that’s the joy of group trips. You don’t have to worry about the details. Lean into that and go with the flow. You don’t need to know every detail in the itinerary ahead of time. Just check the weather so you know what to wear and show up.

2. Prepare for extra expenses

Not everything is included in group trips. Expect to pay for any additional activities you can book during the itinerary’s free time and any meals that aren’t listed on the itinerary as included…like all your gelato runs.

Plus, you’ll need to book your own flights most likely. This is actually in your benefit as you can create the flight itinerary you want, utilize miles, and even arrange to be in your destination on your own before or after the trip.

3. Put in the effort early

One of the best ways to start on the right foot is to put in your effort early on to meet your fellow travelers. 

Whether you’re an introvert or not, group trips tend to be fast paced and exhausting for everyone (in the best way). So, as you go along, you’ll have less and less energy to put into the “make new friends” game.

Not to mention, making friends early on means you get even more time to spend with them for the duration of the trip.

4. You don’t have to like everyone

On that same note, it’s okay to not like literally everyone on the trip. Some people just don’t click and that’s okay. You’ll still have a great time with the friends you do make, so avoid drama and don’t worry about it.

5. Be respectful

I cannot stress this enough. Be respectful on every trip you take, and especially group trips. It can be challenging to accommodate big groups so use your manners, actively listen to what your guide is telling you, and be kind.

Kindness goes a long way as does being quiet when someone is sharing their knowledge with you.

6. Sleep when you can

I’ve mentioned this a couple times, but group trips are busy and jam-packed. Sleep when you can, whether that’s on the provided transportation or at your accommodation each night.

Your body will thank you later.

7. Push yourself

When the itinerary is created for you, there may be some things on there you wouldn’t have chosen yourself. Allow that to be your sign to push yourself to try new things.

That includes going on the group trip in the first place. That includes tasting new foods. And, that includes saying “yes” more than “no.”

8. Know your limits

In that same vein, know your limits. It’s okay to say no to things.

For me that can look like saying no to optional activities so I can rest and recharge. It can also mean opting for alternatives when something pushes me beyond my physical limits. Ya girl’s asthma catches up with her sometimes and my severe allergies prevent me from horseback riding. It is what it is.

Your guide wants you to have the best time, so don’t be shy in expressing your needs. I promise they’ve heard worse.

And don’t worry about what your fellow travelers think. Chances are they’ll wish they had the chutzpah to speak up for their needs as well.

I’m an introvert, are solo group trips right for me?

Heyyyy, fellow introvert! I, too, am a huge introvert. I need my alone time to recharge and become an amicable human again after social interaction. Overstimulation for too long is the quickest way to make me irritable, so I hear your concerns.

As someone who has been on a few group trips in my day, I promise it’s a much better experience than you’re painting in your head.

Sure, the first day can feel scary and awkward. But that’s what solo travel is. It’s a leap of faith, not only in the group, but yourself!

Leave it to your guide to initiate icebreakers and do your very best to lean into it that first day. Have that fun fact ready for the inevitable ice breaker!

And sure, you will likely be sharing a room with someone, but here’s my experience.

If you feel uncomfortable letting your roomie know you need some quiet time at the end of the day to recharge, you can often find a quiet corner in your hotel to do so. Business centers and where the hotel serves breakfast are usually good spots.

AND, group trips are often crammed itineraries, so everyone typically gets tired by the end of the day. It may (pleasantly) surprise you at how much people calm down at night.

The other time you get to recharge is between destinations when you’re traveling in a coach or plane.

My number one tip for introverts is to pack noise canceling headphones or even Loop earplugs that block out background sound. Both of these can help you create your little oasis to recharge.

What to Pack on a Solo Group Trip

Aside from your usual stuff, here are some helpful things to bring on group trips specifically. You definitely want to pack light as hauling more than one large suitcase around multiple cities on and off transportation isn’t a fun time.

• Noise-canceling headphones: A must so you can escape to your space amidst others on the trip on the coach or in your lodging.
• Cold medicine: When you’re traveling with a group, the chances of getting sick increase, so even if you don’t end up needing it, someone will and then you can be the memorable helpful person to come to their aid.
• Menstrual hygiene products: Similar to the above, even if you don’t need it, someone will.
• Power converter/adapter: Don’t be that person that can’t charge their electronics and has to bum an outlet from someone else.
• Reusable water bottle: A packed itinerary means you’ll want to keep hydrated.
• Bathing suit: Even if you don’t have water activities on your itinerary, you might have access to a pool or hot tub at your accommodation and people love to hang out there, so don’t be left out because you forgot a bathing suit!

Ready to get started?

Browse Contiki’s trips here to get started! They have SO MANY options including weekend getaways and beach escapes for as little as $355.

---

This post was sponsored by Contiki, the first group trip operator for 18 – 35 year olds with over 200+ trips worldwide on a mission to bring people together. As always, all opinions are my own.

---

My Travel Essentials

• Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
• Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
• Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
• Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
• Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!

Save to Pinterest

Sharing is caring!