Thinking of going on vacation alone but not sure if you’ll enjoy it? Many travellers feel overwhelmed at the thought of solo travel. However, there are so many reasons why travelling alone can be an eye-opening, life-changing experience. Joining a group tour on your own is one of the best ways to meet new people and see top destinations without ever having to worry about safety or logistics. Expat Explore is here to put all your travel fears to rest with this handy guide travelling solo on a group tour!

Single travel, solo travel, travelling alone – what’s the difference?

When you travel as part of a group (like on an Expat Explore tour) you’re not really travelling solo. Rather than being a solo traveller, you’re actually a single traveller. This is because as much as you are not travelling with family or close friends, you are not at all alone on your travels. By the end of your group tour, you’ll likely have a bunch of new friends! In fact, you never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

Is it possible to travel without friends and family and enjoy it?

While there’s nothing quite like making memories around the world with those you love most, travelling by yourself can be just as memorable. It’s a completely different experience as a whole. Like many other single travellers will tell you, it’s like becoming part of a new family. It’s the perfect way to make new friends.

Touring on your own doesn’t have to involve any stress. With a little help from our group tour packages, most of your travel arrangements will be taken care of by the click of a button. Below we’ve shared our top tips for anyone planning to join a group tour as a solo traveller.

1. Look after yourself

As with any travel, safety is always the first thing to think about. When you’re unfamiliar with a place, extra safety measures are usually wise. Travelling in a group means that you’ll be in a group for most of your holiday, led by your tour leader and a local guide in some destinations.

However, for those times when you would like to spend some free time exploring, be sure to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Know your limits when it comes to alcohol, and avoid becoming too intoxicated while alone in a strange place. As always, keep your valuables close, and try not to walk around with unnecessary valuable items or large amounts of money. And, perhaps, make use of the buddy system. You are bound to find at least one other person travelling solo, who shares your interests, and you could both stick together while out exploring.

Related: Here’s how to keep your money safe while travelling.

2. Speak to someone you’ve never met before

Going on holiday alone is the perfect excuse to come out of your shell. Even if you’re not usually a bubbly, people-person, solo travelling requires you to leave your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to start up conversations, be chatty and welcome others into your conversations as well. This goes for other travellers in your group, as well as travellers that you may meet in passing, and even locals! You may even meet new friends or a future partner on your travels!

3. Make your budget work for you

An important tip to remember is to be prepared for your trip financially. There’s nothing worse than being stuck somewhere without money and no one to rely on. Set out a budget for your trip and plan for expected and unforeseen expenses. Think about the possibility of having to take a taxi if you’re ever out after hours (and public have stopped running), buying medicine if you happen to get sick or buying a warm jacket if an unexpected cold front comes in.

Related: Make staying in your travel budget super easy with these helpful tips.

4. Trust the experts

Tour leaders are a special kind of people. They are basically travel addicts that are also trained and experienced professionals. You’ll go far to find anyone as passionate about travel as them! Equipped with first-hand and historical knowledge, your tour leader will provide you with all the assistance and guidance you need on tour. Rely on them when you need help, can’t find your way or simply want to know where to find the best coffee. They are there to keep you informed, safe, and happy during your vacation. The same goes for your coach driver and the locals guides in destination. We only travel with people that we can trust. You can too!

5. Dare a little…

One of the best tips for travelling alone is to be adventurous! Try things you’ve never tried before, and make sure your solo holiday is full of new, fun experiences.

Related: Get your adrenaline going with these top adventure experiences in Europe!

6. Think about the rooming situation

If you’re not aware, you have a choice when it comes to your hotel accommodation. You can either purchase a single supplement, an extra amount that you pay for having a hotel room to yourself, or you can share a hotel room with another single traveller of the same gender. Having someone share a room with you is actually an ideal way to meet another solo traveller. We try to match roommates according to gender and interests as far as possible. Here is everything you need to know about room sharing.

7. Keep in touch with family and friends at home

If you’re going to travel abroad alone, your friends and family are going to want to keep in touch with you. Make sure you can message them by arranging cellphone usage while you’re away. You can also communicate over social media, and show them all what they’re missing! To save on roaming bills, we recommend you purchase an international SIM card or eSIM from a reputable company such as Airalo. Just be sure to do so in the month leading up to your trip!

8. Travel insurance – make sure you’re covered

Another one of our golden solo travel trips is to buy travel insurance that will have you covered for any emergency. Since you won’t have anyone with you that is aware of any prior medical history, make sure you have travel insurance that covers you medically. Taking a vacation by yourself may be daring and courageous, but you still want to be responsible and wise.

9. Share your travel plans with your loved ones

Before you leave, share your plans with those back home. Make sure they know where you’ll be and when – in case they need to get a hold of you.

10. Capture the memories

Yes, it’s important to be present in the moment and live it. But it’s also really great to take home some evidence of the amazing experiences. After the tour, you’re bound to share travel photos with your new travel friends on online communities or on social media. Be sure to take a few to relive the memories – if you like taking photos or not.

Related: Why not visit some of the world’s most instagrammable spots?

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There are no more excuses to not travel alone! We have seen people enjoy some of the best solo vacations on our group tours. We believe that travel is #BetterTogether and we can’t wait to welcome you into the Expat Explore family!