The Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers

I signed up for my first group tour in 2023, a 12-day trip through Peru with G Adventures, because I wanted to hike the Inca Trail but did not want to organize the logistics alone. I expected to tolerate the group experience for the sake of the trail. Instead, I made four friends from four different countries, ate meals I would never have found on my own, and learned more about Peruvian history from our guide in four days than I would have learned in two weeks of independent travel. That trip changed my thinking about group tours, and I have since taken seven more with different companies. This guide covers the tours and companies that have worked best for solo travelers, with specific prices, itineraries, and honest assessments of what to expect.

G Adventures: The Solo Traveler Standard

G Adventures is the most popular group tour company among solo travelers, and for good reason. The company offers over 700 tours across all seven continents, with a specific "Roamies" line designed for travelers aged 18 to 35 and a "Classic" line for all ages. The average group size is 12 to 16 travelers, which is large enough to be social but small enough to feel manageable. The company's "My Own Room" option lets solo travelers book a private room for a supplement that is typically 50 to 75 percent lower than the standard single supplement charged by most tour companies. On a 12-day Peru tour, the "My Own Room" supplement is about 400 dollars, compared to a single supplement of 800 to 1,200 dollars on comparable tours.

The "Inca Discovery" tour is G Adventures' flagship South American itinerary and one of the company's best-selling trips. The 12-day tour starts in Lima and ends in Cusco, passing through the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu. The price starts at about 2,200 dollars per person, including 11 nights of accommodation, some meals, transportation, a licensed Inca Trail guide, and entrance fees. The Inca Trail portion is four days and three nights, with camping equipment provided. The tour does not include international flights, which typically cost 600 to 900 dollars from major US cities. The group size on the Inca Trail is limited to 16 people, and the trail permit, which is included in the price, must be booked months in advance because the Peruvian government limits daily trail access to 500 people total.

G Adventures' "Marine" line offers sailing trips that are particularly well-suited to solo travelers who want a social experience in a relaxed setting. The "Greek Island Hopping" sailing trip, which visits Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, and other islands over eight days, starts at about 1,600 dollars per person. You sleep on board a 50-foot catamaran with 8 to 10 other travelers, and the price includes all meals on board, a skipper, and a host. The sailing is done by the skipper, so no experience is required. Shore excursions, like wine tasting in Santorini or visiting the ancient ruins on Delos, are arranged by the host and cost 20 to 50 euros each.

Intrepid Travel: The Responsible Alternative

Intrepid Travel is G Adventures' closest competitor, with a similar range of destinations and a comparable pricing structure. The company's key differentiator is its focus on responsible travel: Intrepid is a certified B Corporation, offsets all carbon emissions from its trips, and has a policy of using locally owned accommodations and restaurants wherever possible. The average group size is 10 to 12 travelers, slightly smaller than G Adventures, and the company offers a "Solo Traveller" service that waives the single supplement on most departures, pairing solo travelers of the same gender in twin-share rooms.

The "Vietnam Express" tour is one of Intrepid's most popular trips in Asia. The 12-day itinerary runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, passing through Hue, Hoi An, and Nha Trang. The price starts at about 1,400 dollars per person, including 11 nights of accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner, transportation, and a local tour leader. The tour includes a overnight train Trip from Hue to Hoi An, a cooking class in Hoi An, and a cyclo tour of Ho Chi Minh City. The group size is limited to 12 travelers, and the pace is active but not exhausting, with free time built into most days for independent exploration.

Intrepid's "Basix" line offers the same destinations at a lower price point, using simpler accommodations and fewer included meals. The "Vietnam Express Basix" version of the same itinerary starts at about 1,000 dollars per person, staying in guesthouses and hotels with fan-cooled rooms rather than air conditioning. The savings of 400 dollars may not be worth the comfort tradeoff for all travelers, but for budget-conscious solo travelers, the Basix line makes group travel accessible at a price that is competitive with independent travel.

Flash Pack: For Solo Travelers 30 to 49

Flash Pack targets solo travelers in the 30 to 49 age range, a demographic that is often underserved by the main group tour companies. The company's tours are designed for people who want the social experience of group travel but are not willing to compromise on comfort. Accommodations are boutique hotels rather than hostels or basic guesthouses, and the itineraries include a mix of cultural activities, adventure experiences, and free time. The average group size is 10 to 14 travelers, and the company guarantees that all rooms are private, with no single supplement required.

The "Classic Japan" tour is one of Flash Pack's flagship itineraries. The 12-day trip covers Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, with highlights including a stay in a traditional ryokan, a tea ceremony in Kyoto, and a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. The price starts at about 4,500 dollars per person, which is significantly more expensive than G Adventures or Intrepid for a similar route, but the accommodations are Especially better, including a night at a ryokan with onsen baths and a hotel in Tokyo's Shibuya district. The price includes 11 nights of accommodation, 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners, a local guide, and all internal transportation including a bullet train ride.

Flash Pack's "Morocco Uncovered" tour is another popular option. The 10-day itinerary covers Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert, and the coastal town of Essaouira. The price starts at about 3,200 dollars per person, including a night in a desert camp with camel trekking, a cooking class in Marrakech, and a stay in a traditional riad. The group size is limited to 12 travelers, and the company's matching system pairs solo travelers with roommates of the same gender. The no-single-supplement policy makes Flash Pack particularly attractive for solo travelers who value private accommodations but do not want to pay the premium.

Contiki: The Young and Social Option

Contiki is the largest group tour company for travelers aged 18 to 35, and it offers the most extensive range of itineraries in Europe, with over 100 different tours ranging from 3 to 45 days. The company's reputation is mixed, with some travelers loving the party atmosphere and others finding it too focused on nightlife. The reality depends on the specific tour and the group of travelers on your departure. The "European Highlights" tour, an 8-day trip through France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria, starts at about 1,800 dollars per person, including 7 nights of accommodation, 7 breakfasts, and 3 dinners, transportation by coach, and a tour manager.

Contiki's strength is the social aspect. The tours are designed to maximize opportunities for meeting other travelers, with group dinners, optional excursions, and free time in cities with active nightlife. The "Simply Italy" tour, a 10-day trip from Rome to Venice, includes wine tasting in Tuscany, a pasta-making class in Florence, and a gondola ride in Venice. The price starts at about 2,200 dollars per person. The accommodations are a mix of hotels and special stays, including a converted monastery in Assisi and a resort on the Adriatic coast. The single supplement is about 50 percent of the twin-share price, which is lower than the industry standard.

The main criticism of Contiki is that the pace can be exhausting, with early mornings, long bus rides, and packed itineraries that leave little time for independent exploration. If you prefer a slower pace, G Adventures or Intrepid may be better choices. But if you are young, social, and want to see as much of Europe as possible in a short time, Contiki delivers on its promise. The company also offers "Camping" tours, where you sleep in tents, which are significantly cheaper, starting at about 100 dollars per day, and offer a more adventurous experience.

Specialized Tour Companies for Niche Interests

Beyond the major companies, several specialized tour operators cater to solo travelers with specific interests. Cycling tours with companies like Exodus Travels and DuVine Adventures combine physical activity with cultural immersion. Exodus's "Cycle Vietnam" tour covers 450 kilometers from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City over 15 days, with a price starting at about 2,800 dollars per person including accommodation, most meals, a support vehicle, and a local guide. DuVine's "Bordeaux Wine Country" tour is a six-day cycling trip through the vineyards of Bordeaux, starting at about 4,500 dollars per person and including wine tastings, chateau visits, and gourmet meals.

Photography tours with companies like National Geographic Expeditions and Wild Eye offer guided photography experiences in wildlife and Scene destinations. National Geographic Expeditions' "Patagonia Photography Expedition" is a 12-day trip led by a National Geographic photographer, covering Torres del Paine, the Perito Moreno Glacier, and Tierra del Fuego. The price starts at about 9,000 dollars per person, which is expensive, but includes expert photography instruction, small group sizes of 10 to 14 travelers, and accommodations in lodges that are chosen for their proximity to prime photography locations.

Culinary tours with companies like Devour Tours and Food Walks offer food-focused experiences in cities across Europe and Latin America. Devour Tours' "Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Tour" in San Sebastian, Spain, is a four-hour walking tour that visits five food stops, including a pintxos bar, a cider house, and a traditional Basque market. The price is about 100 euros per person, making it an accessible option for solo travelers who want a structured food experience without committing to a multi-day tour. The tours are limited to 12 people, and the small group size makes it easy to meet other travelers.

How to Choose the Right Tour

The most important factor in choosing a group tour is the pace. Read the itinerary carefully and count the number of one-night stays. If the tour has more than three consecutive one-night stays, the pace will be tiring, and you will spend a significant portion of your time on buses or trains rather than experiencing destinations. A good tour has at least two nights in most locations, with one-night stays reserved for transit days where the primary activity is moving between destinations. G Adventures and Intrepid both publish detailed daily itineraries on their websites, so you can assess the pace before booking.

The group size matters more than you might think. Groups of 8 to 12 people are ideal for solo travelers: large enough to guarantee a variety of personalities but small enough that everyone can sit together at a single restaurant table. Groups of 16 to 20 people can feel unwieldy, especially in restaurants, markets, and small venues. Groups larger than 20 people are common on Contiki tours and some budget operators, and while they can be fun, they make it harder to form genuine connections with other travelers. Check the maximum group size before booking, and if it is not listed on the website, call the company and ask.

Read reviews from solo travelers specifically, because the experience of traveling alone on a group tour is different from traveling as a couple or with a friend. The TourRadar website has filters for solo traveler reviews, and the comments section often includes information about the solo traveler experience on specific departures. Look for reviews that mention the group Active, the guide's attitude toward solo travelers, and whether the itinerary allowed enough free time for independent exploration. A tour that is excellent for couples can be mediocre for solo travelers if the pace is too fast, the accommodations are designed for sharing, or the activities do not Help social interaction.