Thinking about joining a group tour like Contiki, Intrepid, or G Adventures as a solo traveler?
You’re not alone—literally! Group tours have become even more popular, especially among solo travelers looking for ease, safety, and social connections without all the planning stress. But are they right for you?
In this updated guide, we’ll walk you through:
Pros & cons of group tours vs. going it solo
A comparison of top group tour companies (including price range and ideal traveler types)
Tips, advice, and insights to help you pick the right fit
Let’s dive in.
(Note: I have no affiliation with these operators and do not accept sponsorship).
Pros & Cons of Group Tours For Solo Travelers
Pros of Group Tours :
Instant community: You’re surrounded by fellow travelers from day one. Making friends is easy—especially since many group tours now cater specifically to solo travelers.
No planning required: Accommodation, transport, daily activities—it’s all done for you. Just show up and enjoy.
Safety in numbers: Whether walking through busy markets or heading out at night, it’s safer to explore with others.
Local guides, real insight: Tour guides bring destinations to life with context, history, and tips you won’t find in a Google search.
Access to remote or tricky destinations: Places like the Galápagos, Patagonia, or Bhutan are way easier (and cheaper) to visit in a group.
Social AND romantic potential: Let’s be honest—group tours are a hotspot for casual flings, travel romances, and maybe even something long-term.
Great for first-time solo travelers: If you’re nervous about going alone, a group tour can help you dip your toes into solo travel without fully diving in.
Cons of Group Tours:
Limited freedom: Itineraries are usually fixed. Want to stay longer somewhere? Too bad—it’s on to the next stop.
Introvert overload: Constant group interaction can be draining. If you need alone time, you’ll have to carve it out intentionally.
Too much partying (on some tours): Certain tours (especially in Europe or Southeast Asia) still lean heavy on the nightlife. Read reviews to avoid surprises.
One-size-fits-all experiences: You may miss out on spontaneous adventures or deeper cultural moments because the schedule’s too tight.
Risk of bad group dynamics: Every tour is a roll of the dice. One annoying person—or feeling like an outsider—can sour the whole experience.
Less local interaction: Locals are less likely to engage with a group. Solo travelers often have more authentic encounters.
Cost: Some tours charge a premium for convenience. Always compare with DIY travel to see if it’s worth it.
Group Tour Providers: Who’s Who in 2025
These companies have been around for years—and many have evolved to better suit solo travelers post-pandemic. Here’s how they stack up (alphabetical order):
Contiki
Full name: Contiki Travel Tours
Founded: 1962 (New Zealand)
Description: “Contiki is the travel company exclusively for 18-35 year olds. Our purpose is to connect young travellers to the time of their lives.”
Where they go: “350 trips across 6 continents” (everywhere except Antarctica)
Target demographic: 18-35 year olds
Price range: $230 – $9,800 USD
Trip length: from 3 to 55 days
Trip photos: Contiki Instagram feed
Quotes from real people on Reddit:
“I would 1000% do Contiki again… a great gateway for someone like me who had never been to Europe and was nervous about planning everything.” – kb32492
“Lots of drinking and such. It was expensive, but easy to organise… The hotels we stayed at were reasonable, but not awesome.” – loggerheader
“Absolutely no regrets… We had a good enough mix of people: those wanting to party and those just wanting to see sights and experiences.” – swanny246
“Great for people in their mid 20s. Fast paced, get to see a lot… I liked my Europe Spain Contiki better than my Asia Contiki.” – s0ysauce09
Summary:
- Best for: Ages 18–35, party-loving travelers
- Vibe: Fast-paced, social, nightlife-heavy
- Destinations: Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America
- Cost: $$–$$$
- Social media: “Fun if you’re looking to party, but not great if you want cultural immersion.”
G Adventures
Full name: G Adventures
Founded: 1990 (Toronto, Canada)
Description: “G Adventures is an adventure travel pioneer offering the planet’s most awe-inspiring selection of affordable small-group tours, safaris and expeditions.”
Where they go: Over 700 different tours across 100+ countries (all continents)
Target demographic: minimum 18 years old. No upper age limit on most tours, but their 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours are limited to 18-to-39-year-olds
Price range: $240 – $16,000 USD
Trip length: from 2 to 65 days
Trip photos: G Adventures Instagram feed
Quotes from real people on Reddit:
“I’ve done 5 trips with them… picked tours where the logistics would have been difficult to do on my own… good mix of ‘organised time’ and ‘free time’.” – cupp95
“Massive fun… you always have people to hang out with if you want… their tours in all of Latin America are great, they’re epic in Central Asia, and fantastic in Africa.” – windcape
Summary:
- Best for: Eco-conscious travelers, ages 25–45+
- Vibe: Culturally aware, small group, more chill
- Destinations: Global
- Cost: $$–$$$$
- Social media: “Professional, ethical, and great value. You actually learn about the places.”
Intrepid Travel
Full name: Intrepid Travel
Founded: 1989 (Melbourne, Australia)
Description: “The world’s largest small-group adventure tour company, carrying over 100,000 travellers across the globe each year”
Where they go: “more than 1,000 adventures in over 100 countries” (all continents)
Target demographic: all ages (18+). Some tours are limited to 18-29 year olds.
Price range: $515 – $18,000 USD
Trip length: from 4 to 58 days
Trip photos: Intrepid Instagram feed
Quotes from real people on Reddit:
“I went to Egypt and Jordan… as a solo traveller, 28 years old… lots of socializing… group dinners were optional.” – lhs0726
“Huge variety of age ranges. A lot of younger people will do the trips specifically for younger people.” – huddle1031
“The cheapest tier is (almost) always full of young people, the expensive tier is (almost) always full of older people.” – furiousfire
“15-day trip to India… had an amazing time… I was solo, as were a few others.” – kilroyishere89
Summary:
- Best for: Responsible travelers who want depth over speed
- Vibe: Similar to G Adventures, with strong local connections and sustainability focus
- Destinations: Global (including less-touristy spots)
- Cost: $$–$$$$
- Reddit says: “Ideal for solo travelers who want structure but also downtime.”
Topdeck
Full name: Topdeck Travel
Founded: 1973 (United Kingdom)
Description: “We offer variety, comfort and value for money, and promise a hassle-free holiday, loaded with authentic local experiences.”
Where they go: “330 different tours in 65 countries” (all continents except South America and Antarctica)
Target demographic: “18 to 30-somethings”
Price range: $180 – $7,700 USD
Trip length: from 4 to 58 days
Trip photos: Topdeck Instagram feed
Quotes from real people on Reddit:
“We were in 9 countries in 3 weeks… almost too much… everything is planned for you, you can sit back and enjoy the ride.” – travelboy
“Both tours were brilliant… really easy to make friends… it was a pretty small group (10–12 people).” – lukemarlin
One Redditor (Uleh11) went above and beyond with a full pros/cons list:
Pros:
- It’s a fantastic balance of scheduled activities and free time
- Got to meet a group of fantastic people
- Everything was booked. Didn’t have to worry about finding transport and accommodation
- Knowledgable guides who could answer any questions I had. Give good recommendations on what to do on free time
- always had somebody to do activities with but could also just do your own thing on free days
- a lot of meals are included (65% on estimate)
- my group was very sociable. Always went out on a night, met new people from other tours. However there was no stigma if you decided to have an early night – definitely made friends for life
Cons:
- not as cheap if you booked it all by yourself
- the final couple of days I was starting to get sick of a few people. just stayed away from them; was fine-
- if somebody gets sick, most likely you will as well
- having to get up at 8am for travel days is hard (just sleep on bus)
- only a couple of days in each city. If you like a place it’s not enough time. However if you don’t like it your out of there quickly
- you’re hanging out predominately with Aussies, kiwis and Canadians.”
Summary:
- Best for: Young adults, similar to Contiki but slightly more balanced
- Vibe: Social and scenic, with slightly less alcohol than Contiki
- Destinations: Europe, Australia, New Zealand
- Cost: $$–$$$
- Reddit says: “Great balance of fun and sightseeing. Not as wild as Contiki.”
Free & Easy Traveler
Summary:
- Best for: Adventurous backpacker types
- Vibe: Laid-back, local, immersive
- Destinations: Southeast Asia, Central America, more
- Cost: $$ (and includes lots of extras)
- Reddit says: “Feels like traveling with friends. Smaller groups, less structure, more adventure.”
CONCLUSION
TL;DR Key Takeaways:
Contiki & Topdeck = party-focused, great for social butterflies in their 20s.
G Adventures & Intrepid = slower pace, more culture, better for late 20s–40s.
Free & Easy Traveler = indie vibe, very solo-traveler-friendly.
Pro tips:
Call or email the tour company. Ask about age range, typical group size, and solo traveler ratio.
Read recent reviews. Reddit and Facebook groups are gold mines for unfiltered feedback.
Budget wisely. Don’t just look at the price—check what’s included (meals, activities, internal flights, etc.)
Trust your gut. If a tour seems too party-heavy, too rigid, or just not “you”—keep looking.
Hope this guide helps you choose a tour that fits your style.
Got a question or want to share your experience? Drop it in the comments or send a message—happy to help!
Safe travels, solo warrior. 🌍✈️
PS. Looking for solo travel destination ideas? Check out our article featuring great trip ideas for new solo travelers.
Check out one of our free destination guides (organized by country)!