Tips for Traveling Solo
on a Guided Tour

What to Know Before You Book a Guided Tour as a Solo Traveler

Traveling alone can be a transformative and enriching experience, fostering personal growth, self-discovery, and a sense of independence. But for many, especially first-time travelers, hitting the road solo can seem overwhelming. That’s why a guided tour can be a great compromise; it provides a supportive framework for solo travelers, offering a harmonious blend of independence and the benefits of group travel. 

"The itinerary, engagement level, and destinations were beautiful and memorable. The director was informative and inclusive of every tourist. There is a reason I continue to keep GET in mind when choosing a vacation. As a third timer, I continue to feel safe as a single traveler and at ease meeting other tourists while traveling!" - Jene, Cost Rica Eco Adventure

The Best Way to Travel Alone: Guided Tours & River Cruises

Guided tours and river cruises are excellent choices for individuals new to solo travel or those who desire a combination of autonomy and group assistance. Both provide a structured itinerary, knowledgeable guides, and the opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers while still allowing for personal exploration and discovery. Here are some benefits of guided tours and river cruises:

1. Expert Guidance: Guided tours are led by experienced Travel Directors who have in-depth knowledge of the destinations you'll visit. They offer valuable insights, historical context, and local expertise, enhancing your overall understanding of the places you explore.

2. Safety and Security: Safety is, understandably, a top concern for solo travelers. Guided tours include safety measures, such as well-planned itineraries, pre-arranged accommodations, and shared group activities that can provide a level of security and peace of mind.

3. Built-In Companionship: While solo travel offers solitude, guided tours allow you to connect with like-minded travelers. You'll have the opportunity to make new friends, share experiences, and create lasting memories with people who share your interests.

4. Logistical Ease: Planning a trip can be overwhelming, especially to a foreign country. Guided tours handle many of the logistics and details for you, such as transportation, accommodations, and meals, freeing you from the stress of organizing these yourself.

5. Cultural Immersion: TTC guided tours include cultural experiences, interactions with locals, and access to unique attractions that may be challenging to arrange independently. This enriches your travel experience and deepens your cultural understanding.

6. Flexibility: Many guided tours offer a mix of structured group activities and free time, allowing you to strike a balance between shared experiences and personal exploration. This flexibility can cater to your preferences and comfort level.

7. Support Network: In case of unexpected situations or emergencies, having a Travel Director and fellow travelers can be invaluable. They can offer assistance, advice, and emotional support when needed.

8. Learning Opportunities: Guided tours often offer educational components, such as workshops, lectures, or hands-on experiences, which can enhance your knowledge and skills in various areas.

The Difference Between a Solo Room and a Room Share

If you plan on embarking on a guided tour on your own, it's important to take into account whether you would prefer to have a room to yourself or if you're okay with sharing with another traveler, which helps to cut down on expenses. This decision can impact the overall experience of your trip, so it's worth spending some time weighing the pros and cons of each option before making a final choice. 

Solo Room on a Guided Tour

A solo room is also known as a "single"  or "private" room, is a room you have all to yourself. It's important to note that booking a solo room generally comes at an additional cost compared to sharing accommodations with other travelers. For many solo travelers, the benefits of privacy, comfort, and personal space outweigh the extra expense.

Benefits of Booking a Solo Room

Depending on their preferences and priorities, booking a solo room on a tour can be a great choice for certain travelers. Here are some reasons why you might consider booking a solo room on a tour:

1. Privacy and Comfort: One of the most significant advantages of booking a solo room is the privacy and comfort it offers. You have your own space, including a private bathroom in many cases, which allows you to relax and recharge in solitude after a day of exploration.

2. Personal Space: A solo room provides a dedicated space to unwind, spread out your belongings, and organize your things without considering a roommate's preferences or habits.

3. Flexibility: You have more flexibility with your schedule and routines without needing to coordinate with a roommate. This is especially valuable if you have specific preferences for waking up early or staying out late.

4. Quality Sleep: If you're a light sleeper or have specific sleep requirements, a solo room ensures that you can get a good night's sleep without being disturbed by a roommate's habits or snoring.

While solo rooms on guided tours are generally more expensive, they do offer the benefit of privacy, comfort, and the ability to enjoy your own space during your travels. However, to save on the total price of your trip, you may want to consider a room-sharing option to balance cost and comfort.

Room Share on a Guided Tour

A room share is a great choice for solo travelers open to being paired with a same-sex traveler by the tour operator, avoiding the single supplement surcharge required when booking a single room. Room share is also a great way to make friends and in some instances, find a new travel companion for future trips (yes, that really does happen!)

Benefits of Booking a Room Share

Booking a shared room on a guided tour has several benefits, especially for travelers who are more mindful of their budget and open to social interaction. Here are some advantages of booking a shared room on a guided tour:

1. Cost Savings: Sharing a room with another traveler reduces the overall cost of accommodations. This can make guided tours more budget-friendly and accessible, allowing you to allocate your budget to other aspects of the trip, like purchasing local goods and finding the best souvenirs.

2. Built-In Companionship: Sharing a room provides an opportunity to connect with fellow travelers. You'll share experiences, enjoy social interactions together, and might even make a friend for life. This can enhance your overall travel experience and create lasting memories.

3. Safety and Security: Traveling with a roommate can provide an additional layer of security, especially if you're in an unfamiliar destination. You can look out for each other and offer mutual support in various situations.

4. Solo Travel Comfort: For those who may be hesitant about traveling solo, sharing a room can offer a degree of comfort and companionship while still allowing you to explore independently during the day.

5. New Insights: Sharing a room with someone from a different background or culture can provide a unique opportunity to gain insights into their perspectives, customs, and experiences.

6. Help with Logistics: When traveling with a roommate, you can share responsibilities like coordinating wake-ups, meals, and departure times.

7. Availability: Shared rooms are often more readily available than solo rooms, and they can be more cost-effective for travelers. This means you may have more flexibility in choosing your travel dates and destinations.

8. Group Dynamics: Many guided tours foster a sense of camaraderie among group members. Sharing a room can enhance your integration into the group, making it easier to participate in group activities and excursions.

When booking a shared room on a guided tour, it's important to note that you should be considerate of your roommate's preferences and communicate openly to ensure a harmonious experience. While shared rooms offer several advantages, they may not be suitable for travelers who prioritize privacy, have specific sleep requirements, or prefer complete autonomy during their travels. 

Tips from the Road

Embrace the Solo Experience: We strongly encourage you to not skip out on an activity, destination, or restaurant that really speaks to you simply because you have no one to go with. Even on a guided tour, solo travel offers true autonomy for those who seek it, and the opportunity to spend your free time however you wish. This is your chance to make your travel dreams a reality.

Tip From a Solo Traveler: Instead of fearing the time when you’ll have to venture out on your own – make it a goal. Before your trip starts, set a goal of experiencing something on your own once, twice, or even three times. You can even do this on one of your group activities by taking some time to explore on your own and admire your surroundings. By doing this, you’ll feel more confident and will come to enjoy the moments you have to yourself.

Don’t Be Afraid to Be More Social: Understand that most people, even those traveling in pairs or small groups, are a bit shy when it comes to meeting new people. It’s perfectly fine to enjoy your own company. It’s also fine to be the first person to speak up and introduce yourself. Don’t be afraid to say hello. Try asking your travel companions open-ended questions to help get the conversation going. True, you may not hit it off with everyone in the group, but odds are that you will find a handful of other guests that you truly enjoy. 

Tip From a Solo Traveler: Find someone you click with and ask them if they’d like to have lunch with you, grab a coffee, or go for ice cream after a day of sightseeing. If you’re feeling uncomfortable or shy, look for an activity that involves walking so you can talk about your surroundings and don’t feel pressured to keep the conversation flowing every second.

Learn the Language & Strike Up Conversations: We’re not suggesting that you become fluent in French or hold full conversations in Spanish (though if you want to take that on, we say go for it!). Instead, learn some basic phrases in the local language, and at the very least, learn how to say hello, please, and thank you.

Tip From a Solo Traveler: Talk to the locals even if you don’t need anything, and even if you don’t know much – or any – of the local language. Simply ask “do you speak English?” and start your conversations that way. Many Americans assume that people might be put off by this type of thing, but the fact is that people love meeting Americans and practicing their English!