9 reasons why people choose to travel solo
Going on a guided tour as a solo traveler has great perks—private rooms in handpicked hotels, local experts and a Tour Director to handle all the details.
When you’re ready to explore the world, there’s no need to wait until you find the perfect traveling companion. More and more travelers (25% of us) are choosing to travel alone. And why not? Going on a guided tour as a solo traveler has great perks—private rooms in handpicked hotels, local experts and a Tour Director to handle all the details, and the company of like-minded travelers to share your journey. Here are the top reasons to travel solo.
1. Plenty of time to explore on your own
“It was so nice to have the benefits of being with a group, but the free time to spend on our own,” said traveler Jacqueline about her experience on our guided tour of Venice, Florence & Rome, which includes a full free day in each city.
If you crave a ton of free time to explore everything a new destination offers (museum-hop the day away, sample local culinary delights, or simply people watch from a sidewalk cafe), you’ll enjoy the freedom to go your own way as you travel alone on a guided tour. You’ll enjoy the company of fellow travelers and the expert advice of a local guide during scheduled activities, but the joy of striking out on your own when that’s what you want. It’s the best of both worlds!
2. Touring is more fun with like-minded travelers
“What made this trip memorable were the people that I met,” said traveler Stephanie, about her Food & Wine Tour of Southern Italy & Sicily.” “Having a smaller group allowed all of us to get to know each other. I was traveling solo, but I never felt alone because there was always someone to eat, drink, or shop with.”
That’s the beauty of touring with a group as a solo traveler: You’ll never travel alone. You’ll always have your Tour Director and fellow travelers to keep you company. Solo travelers find sampling Portugal’s signature pastel de nata, a flaky and flavorful custard tart, a lot more fun when they have new friends to share in the excitement of taking that first bite. Those shared experiences are often the ones that stay with you long after your trip is over.
3. Takes the guesswork out of exploring someplace new
Need tickets to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna? Want to dine like a true Italian at a local’s home in Rome? Wondering how to hire a boat to float down the Nile River? Our experts will help you securely and easily navigate a destination you’ve only dreamed about exploring. They’ll take the mystery—and worry—out of getting from point A to point B, allowing you the freedom to soak in the beauty of your bucket list destination. That was the appeal for five-time traveler Tracie, who explored the rainforests, volcanoes, and wildlife of Costa Rica.
Tracie said the trip offered “an introduction to Costa Rica that you just can’t get by heading to the beach or planning by yourself.” When you visit destinations you’ve never been to before, we handle all the details. The Tour Director and local guides will take you from off-the-beaten-path haunts to a country’s most famous icons, and will be sure you see the very best of each spot. For solo travelers, that’s just one of the advantages of traveling in a group.
4. No need to find a traveling partner
“I’d been trying to make my way over to Europe for the past year and a half and was waiting for a friend to go with,” said traveler Diane. “But I finally got tired of waiting and said to myself ‘No, I’m going to do this and it’s going to be awesome!’”
Perhaps the biggest reason people travel alone is not having someone with matching travel interests. Traveling solo opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You get to go where you want and when you want. And you get to choose the experiences along the way that interest you. That French cooking class you’ve always wanted to take? Go for it. Just have to kiss the Blarney Stone? You got it. Going solo allows you to chase your dreams without waiting for someone to come along for the ride. Go ahead and take the leap. You deserve it.
Read about traveler Dana’s experience traveling alone for the first time →
5. The perks of a private room add to the joy of traveling
Is there anything better, after a day of exploring, than retiring to your own room? Far too often, solo travelers are held back from traveling with a group because they don’t want to be paired up with a roommate they don’t know yet. (How did that work out your freshman year in college?) Or because they don’t want to pay for a single supplement (industry lingo for an extra fee for a private room). With Go Ahead’s specially designed group tours for solo travelers, you don’t need to worry about either of those things. One of the top reasons to travel alone is that a private room is included on all of our Solo Tours and we won’t pair you up with a roommate. And because we handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm, we’re confident you’ll be more than satisfied with your home away from home.
6. Focusing 100% on enjoying your journey
“Traveling and seeing the world has changed me because I have an open mind,” said solo traveler Katie. “There is some kind of beauty in every country out there. I feel like I continue to grow and learn the more I travel, not just about the countries, but about myself as well.”
Just because you’re traveling solo, doesn’t mean there’s more work involved. Go Ahead takes care of all the details of your solo trip, so that you can simply soak it all in. That way you can fully immerse yourself in every moment without having to think about transportation, entrance tickets, or meals. That makes for one introspective, moving solo journey. So, get your journal out, get your smart phone or camera ready, and get yourself prepared to take the trip of a lifetime, with everything included… and without the hassle of worrying about how to travel.
Travel solo right here at home on a guided trip of the U.S. national parks →
7. The comfort and security of traveling in a group
One of the top reasons to travel alone in a group is that it provides a peace of mind that’s hard to find when you strike out for far-flung places without the safety net of travel experts, local guides, and fellow wanderers. Just ask traveler Alexandria, who said of her guided tour to Greece, “I absolutely loved everything about this trip! We had the best tour guide, Kostas. Everywhere we went was beautiful. I know I got to experience things I would have never done had I traveled on my own.”
Whether heading out for dinner on the town or exploring off-the-beaten-path sites, solo travelers on a group tour always have the option of inviting fellow travelers along for company and added peace of mind. And on all Go Ahead tours, our global experts are there for you 24/7 wherever you go.
8. Exploring adventures beyond your comfort zone
“I knew once I retired I’d want to travel more,” said traveler Cheryl. “The only way I could do that was to step out of my comfort zone and travel solo. It’s a great experience. Sure, I was nervous at first, but it all just works out so well.”
Expanding your comfort zone traveling alone is not just exhilarating, but easy on one of our small group adventure trips. You’ll find yourself learning and trying new things, from what you do (hands-on activities) to where you’ll go (roads less traveled) to how you get around (think outside the bus). All you need to get started is an open mind, a good pair of walking shoes, and a passion for taking the side streets.
9. Making new friends along your journey
“Words cannot express the magic and passion behind this adventure,” said traveler Stacey about her guided tour to London, Paris & Rome. “The group and director instantly connected and bonded from day one. I started this journey as a solo traveler and gained friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Sharing “wow!” moments with new-found friends and fellow travelers turns great trips into unforgettable journeys for solo travelers. “The thing about Go Ahead Tours is that by the end of the tour, you’re all just one big happy family,” said traveler Cheryl. “There’s never a loss for anybody to eat with or sit down with or have wine with. It’s just a lot of fun.” Making new friends is one of the best things about traveling alone. And we make connecting with others easy—before and after your trip—through our exclusive Solo Travel Facebook Group and our free mobile app where you can chat with fellow travelers.
Dreaming of a solo adventure? Explore our tours designed exclusively for solo trippers like you!
