There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about group travel. Some people think it’s for old, friendless loners, while others imagine it’s like college spring break. On a group tour, you might imagine spending your days being dictated to by a guide, forced to take part in activities you don’t like, before heading back to a shared room in a hotel with a fellow traveller who snores and doesn’t shower.
That’s not anyone’s idea of a good time. However, this situation couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we absolutely love this form of travel for solo travellers — and if you give it a go, we reckon you’ll love it, too! Here are some of the best reasons to embrace a group holiday for your next big adventure.
As we get older, it gets harder and harder to meet new people. That’s particularly true in the modern world. Many of us are single and childfree, which means we’re not going to strike up a conversation at the school gates. The culture of working from home has made it harder than ever to make friends at the office — and who has time for hobbies nowadays?
All this means that holidays for singles over 30 are a great way to finally meet new people. What’s more, it’s easy to strike up a conversation because you’ve got something in common right away — you’re all on holiday together, sharing experiences. Maybe you can remember meeting people on a backpacking trip over your gap year. Well, group travel is the grown-up version of that.
After a group trip, you may well be inspired to travel more with your new friends. Compare your bucket lists, see if you share any destinations, and get ready for the next adventure! Alternatively, just sign up for another group trip, where you’ll meet even more awesome people.
Oh, and another great thing about hanging out with new people on your group trip? No obligations. When you travel with friends, you’ll often spend your days arguing and compromising over where to go for lunch, how much to spend on day trips, and whether to go sightseeing or just relax on a sun lounger. Group travel lets you spend time with your companions when you want, but you can also drift off to do your own thing if you’re not in the mood for chit-chat. That’s the kind of freedom we love when we’re on holiday.
Some of us are natural organisers, although most of us aren’t. Planning a holiday can sometimes feel like a military operation. You need to choose accommodation, which means scrolling through endless reviews, trying to decide if they’re real or fake, checking prices, comparing hotels —and that’s before you even consider transport, day trips or meals!
On holidays for singles over 40, there’s no need to worry about any of that. Let the experts do the hard work for you, and you can just relax and enjoy your trip. Hotel? Sorted. Transport? Organised. With group travel, you don’t have any big decisions to make — which is just the way we like it when we go on holiday.
When you check the prices for group holidays, you might wince a bit. It can feel like a lot of money to shell out in advance, but you’ve got to think about this carefully. In fact, group holidays can often help you get the best bargains. We don’t want to sound arrogant, but the people organising group trips know a thing or two. If you’ve never been to a different country before, you’re in danger of getting ripped off. That danger disappears when you book group travel.
You can also save money because of group discounts. If you’re travelling alone, you’ll be paying for your own tickets wherever you go — and sometimes that means a singles surcharge. That’s one of our least favourite things about solo travel — it can really feel like people are rubbing your single status in your face! On group trips, the operator can often negotiate some nifty discounts, so you’ll pay far less than you would if you were alone.
What’s more, sharing rooms can help you get a bargain. When you travel alone, you’ll pay for a full hotel room — but on a group trip, you’ll often have a roommate. That means even lower costs. The best thing about all these low prices? You’ll save money to spend on more holidays in the future!
Travelling alone can sometimes be scary, particularly if you’re a woman. Female solo travel is fraught with difficulties. If you’ve ever lost hours reading horror stories about travellers having harrowing encounters in exotic locations, you know exactly what we’re talking about.
Group travel gives you all of the adventure with none of the fear. There’s a reason why people talk about safety in numbers. You’ll have companions by your side, so there’s always someone to help out if something goes wrong.
Joining a group makes solo travel for women a real possibility. You’ll never be alone —unless you want to be, of course! There’s no need to worry about wandering through an unfamiliar city in the middle of the night or getting into a taxi with a dodgy-looking driver. Your guide will help make sure everything runs smoothly, and you’ve got fellow travellers to make you feel even safer.
Group trips also let you visit places that may be too intimidating alone. Some of the best destinations for solo travellers are countries that can be, well, a bit rough. On a group holiday, you can conquer your fears. Visit those bucket list destinations you’ve always dreamed of but were too nervous to see alone. You’ve got a professional guide to look after you — and they come with great local connections. That means you’ll manage to avoid scams and sticky situations, which can sadly befall travellers on their own.
Another great reason to opt for a group trip is this: your guide has local knowledge, which they can share with you. That means they’ll be able to take you to the best restaurants, show you cool hidden gems and even make friends with some locals.
When you travel alone, you often feel like you’re just skimming the surface of a destination, seeing nothing but the major highlights. Sure, you can tick a few things off your bucket list, but are you really getting a feel for the place? Travel with an organised group, and you’ll get a deeper appreciation for your surroundings and the local culture.
Now you’ve seen why we’re so passionate about group holidays, but you may still have some doubts. Let’s take a look at some of the worst misconceptions and see if we can clear them up before you start planning your next trip.
Does your heart sink at the thought of holidays for singles? Yeah, we get it. Well, the good news is that a group holiday is not a dating event. Yes, we know some people who’ve found a spark while on a group adventure, but there are plenty more who have no interest in hooking up with their companions. Friendship is always on the agenda, but holiday romance may not be.
Something may be advertised as a singles holiday for 30 to 40 year olds, but that doesn’t mean you’re expected to get your flirt on. Like-minded people? Yes. Relationships? Nah.
For some people, the thought of group travel conjures up images of unhygienic youth hostels, complete with bed bugs. Well, think again. Because group trips are often more cost-effective, you may well stay in some pretty impressive accommodation. Depending on where you’re going, that could be anything from luxury hotels to glamping adventures.
Of course, you can check with your operator before you travel and see what the accommodation will be like. On a hiking trip in Nepal, for example, you’ll probably have to do some camping, but many group trips now involve spectacular places to stay.
Well, we admit that some group tour operators do tend to pack their buses like cattle trucks, getting as many travellers as possible, but that’s not always the case. Many operators focus on small group sizes, with a maximum of about 15 people. That definitely makes for a much more comfortable trip.
It’s also worth looking for operators that put together groups of similar ages. If you’re 20 years older or 20 years younger than your fellow travellers, you’ll probably feel like you’re stuck on the sidelines. Travel with a tour company that organises groups by age, and you’re more likely to make connections and have a good time.
Nope! You might think that you’ll be rushed around all day, but that’s simply not true. A group trip is not a prison sentence, and you can always skip activities or take time off. Don’t want to eat with the group? Just tell your guide you want an hour to yourself. No problem.
In fact, most tour operators know that we all need some well-deserved me time. You’ll likely have scheduled free time that you can take advantage of, often in a city where you can wander off and explore on your own. Sometimes a little time alone is just what the doctor ordered.
Hours and hours on a bus is no one’s idea of a good time. That’s why more tour operators are moving away from this traditional model. Nowadays, you’ll find self-driving group tours where you and your fellow travellers share a car — and yes, that means you can crank up your favourite tunes and enjoy some karaoke sessions along the way!
Some tour operators also use local transport. Taking the train in a country like India or Sri Lanka is a real adventure — and one you may not want to try alone. Let a tour operator organise it for you, and you’ll find that it’s a thrilling part of your experience.
Good tour operators also plan their trips carefully to minimise travel time. Of course, if you want to visit a large area, some travel time is inevitable. But if it’s organised properly, you’ll barely even notice it. Bring a sleep mask and use the opportunity to get some shut-eye or just admire the scenery passing by your window.
Are you ready to try group travel for the first time? Check out our guide to how it works and learn more about WeRoad. We’ve got an amazing number of trips for you to choose from, with destinations all over the world. Enjoy an action-packed hiking trip in South America, or go island-hopping in Thailand or Indonesia. If you’re still a little nervous, why not book a short express trip to one of our European destinations and get a feel for it? We’re waiting for you!
