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I’ve been lucky enough to experience both solo travel and group travel – whether with friends, family, a partner, or with strangers.
In my early 20s, it was all about travelling with friends – because let’s be honest, at that age, freedom is practically a given. No mortgages, no major responsibilities, just an endless summer and the ability to pack a bag, book the cheapest flight, and disappear for a couple of weeks backpacking.
But then, when I got into a long-term relationship, it naturally shifted to more couples’ holidays – the occasional city break and, of course, still backpacking, but just in nicer private rooms rather than hostel dorms.
As everyone around me moved into their mid-late 20s, they started to juggle big commitments – landing full-time jobs, planning hen dos, or even their weddings – and suddenly, those “let’s book a trip!” group chats started to fizzle out.
People had bills to pay, limited annual leave, or just weren’t up for splurging on a big adventure like they used to. And that’s when I had to ask myself – do I sit around waiting for someone to be free, or do I just go for it alone? Even if the thought of solo travel scared the sh*t out of me?
The truth is, travelling alone for the first time can feel pretty daunting, but here’s the thing – both solo and group travel have their own unique perks (and let’s be real, their fair share of challenges too). So if you’re stuck in that “should I wait or should I go?” dilemma, stick around – there’s a lot to unpack!
Advantages of Solo Travel
- ✅ One of the best things about solo travel is the fact that you’ll meet sooo many more people than you would if you were travelling with friends or a partner. Seriously, when I was on trips with others, I barely met anyone new. Because let’s be real, when you already have company, you’re not always looking to socialise. But when I travelled solo? Game changer. I kid you not – I never felt alone. The people I met were also mostly solo travellers, which made it ridiculously easy to connect.
- ✅ Beyond the social aspect, solo travel is hands down one of the best ways to solidify your independence. There’s something really empowering about doing things on your own – knowing who you are as an individual without constantly being attached to someone else. On a solo trip, you are your only priority. No compromising, no waiting around for someone else – you get to call all the shots.
- ✅ This one is totally cliché, but you do get to know yourself better. You’ll experience the full range of emotions from moments of excitement, frustration, and pure joy, to even a little homesickness. But all that solo time also gives you space for self-reflection, so you can find what you love and hate about being alone.
- ✅ Most importantly? Solo travel gives you freedom. You make, change, or scrap plans as you wish – lounge by the beach or hop on a random day trip. No one to consult; this trip is all about you!
- ✅ You only have yourself to rely on. That’s actually a pro. Making plans and ensuring they happen builds confidence, especially when things don’t go perfectly – a skill that sticks long after your trip.
Disadvantages of Solo Travel
- ❌ Let’s not beat around the bush – solo travel can get a bit lonely sometimes. There were moments on my own trip when I caught myself thinking, “It’d be nice to have someone here right now”. Whether it was sitting alone at dinner, on a long bus or train journey, or even watching the sunset on the beach, it happens. That being said, there were also times when I loved travelling alone. And that’s the thing – solo travel is a mix of highs and lows. Feeling lonely now and then is completely normal. But don’t let it overshadow your trip, so try and enjoy this rare opportunity to fully focus on yourself.
- ❌ It can be more expensive. The most annoying part is that hotels don’t care if there’s one of you or two. You’re still paying for the whole room, and even if you do get a single discount, you are either put in a room with a single bed or given a very small amount off the original price. If you had a travel buddy, at least you could split the cost. But nope, solo travel means you’re footing the bill alone.
- ❌ You have to be naturally more aware of your surroundings as a solo traveller, especially as a female. There’s no one to watch your bags while you nip to the loo, no one to double-check directions, and no friend to share that slightly sketchy taxi ride with. But here’s the flip side – you learn to trust your instincts, be more street-wise, and take responsibility for your own safety. It can feel daunting, but there’s something freeing about knowing you can handle everything on your own.
Advantages of Group Travel
- ✅ You have someone to rely on to make decisions. Planning a solo trip means you have to figure out everything – from where to stay to where to eat to whether or not that dodgy-looking bus is actually going to your destination. It can get exhausting. But when you’re travelling with others, the responsibility doesn’t rest solely on your shoulders. Someone else can help with the itinerary, book the tickets, or find the best places to eat. Sometimes, it’s nice for someone else to take the lead!
- ✅ You end up doing things you’d never have picked yourself. Travelling solo means you get to do exactly what you want. But here’s the thing – when you’re with others, you end up trying activities you never would have done on your own. Maybe your mate convinces you to go skydiving or your partner talks you into an early morning hike, and suddenly, you’re enjoying this activity that you had no desire to do. Some of my favourite travel memories have come from going on a trip with friends and hyping each other up to do something wild like a Bungee jump in Thailand (true story!).
- ✅ Travelling with someone means you get to share the memories. There’s something so incredibly special about looking back on a trip, reminiscing about all the good times and laughing at all the things that went horribly wrong. Some of my absolute favourite travel moments come from those unexpected, chaotic experiences like taking a night bus in Malaysia. At the time, it was terrifying – the driver was going way too fast and we were being thrown around in our seats. But afterwards, we laughed about it for hours (we were probably delirious from the lack of sleep, to be honest!!). But nothing bonds you quite like surviving a ridiculously stressful travel day together.
- ✅ Group travel is cheaper (sometimes significantly so). Solo travellers get hit with the dreaded single supplement – because hotels, taxis, and even some activities assume everyone travels in pairs. But when you’ve got someone else with you, you can split the costs. Accommodation is suddenly half the price, taxis don’t feel like a rip-off, and you might even get discounts on activities for booking more than one ticket.
- ✅ Safety in numbers. It’s just a fact – you’re less of a target when you’re with a group. That doesn’t mean solo travel is unsafe (I had no issues on mine!). However, it does mean you need to be a bit more switched on. This includes things like making sure that your phone is charged or sticking to well-lit, busy areas. With friends, you naturally feel a little bit more at ease!
- ✅ Long journeys don’t feel quite as long. If you’ve ever sat through an eight-hour bus ride alone, you’ll know the struggle. Sometimes, you just want someone to chat absolute nonsense with to pass the time. Even if you’re both just sitting, staring out the window in silence, it’s oddly comforting knowing someone else is there.
Disadvantages of Group Travel
- ❌ You don’t put in as much effort to meet new people. When you’re travelling solo, you naturally put yourself out there more – chatting to strangers, bonding with fellow solo travellers, and making those random travel friendships that sometimes last a lifetime. But when you’re with friends or a partner? It’s way too easy to stay in your little bubble, as you don’t need to make the same amount of effort to meet new people. Before you know it, you’ve spent the whole trip talking to the same two people and missed out on meeting some seriously cool strangers.
- ❌ There is a potential for tension with group travel. Honestly, no matter how much you love someone, spending 24/7 with them can get… intense. That little habit that didn’t bother you before? Now it’s driving you absolutely mad. Fuelled even more so by a lack of sleep or food! It could be the way they take forever to get ready or their inability to navigate Google Maps. It’s all fine at first, but if you’re travelling long-term, frustrations can creep in. The key? A little solo time now and then can do wonders.
- ❌ Other people can derail your plans. You might have the perfect itinerary planned, but if your travel buddy suddenly decides that’s not what they want to do, you need to compromise. When travelling solo, you make all the decisions, meaning you can do exactly what you want.
Solo Travel vs Group Travel: Is Solo Travel Worth It?
Absolutely! Even if you only do it once in your life, solo travel is 100% worth it. A little independence goes a long way, and learning to enjoy your own company is huge. Who knows – you might love it so much that it becomes your new favourite way to explore the world!
Solo travel isn’t perfect – but neither is group travel. It all comes down to weighing up the pros and cons and figuring out what works best for you.
On my solo trip, I joined the Highlights of Jordan group tour as a solo traveller before fully venturing out on my own in Croatia – and I’m so glad I gave solo travel a go. I spent two weeks on my own, and while I really enjoyed it, if I were to do it again, I’d probably stick to one or two weeks max.
I also realised that I do personally prefer group travel, especially with family, friends, or a partner, as I just love having company and sharing experiences. That being said, I’d definitely do another solo trip in the future. I’m already eyeing up a solo surfing adventure in Taghazout, Morocco!
And that’s the thing about solo vs group travel – it’s all about personal preference. Some people thrive on solo adventures, while others can’t stand it. Some love the chaos and camaraderie of group trips; others find it overwhelming. The only way to know for sure? Try it for yourself! No matter what, you’ll come away with great stories – and probably learn a little more about yourself along the way.
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Kirsty x
