Table of Contents
Introduction
I’ve done a lot of travelling in my time (59 countries and counting). I have done all types of solo travel or group travel I’ve done weekend girls’ trips with close friends to group travel adventures with companies like GoJolley, MountNoire, Windcollective, CycyTravels and Ajala Travels Tours. Not to mention family trips and of course, the sweet freedom of a solo escape or a romantic getaway. So lets have it out solo vs group travel.
Each type of trip has taught me something different. I’ve learned how to navigate personalities, like how to have patience with my friends when they travel. And I’ve experienced the excitement of interacting and meeting new people on curated group travel trips. I’ve grown through the quiet lessons that come from travelling alone, with one person or with a partner. I’ve also had a few glimpses of what family travel might feel like, which brings its own dynamics and joys.
All of these trips have been fun, and sometimes chaotic, each in their own way. But over time, I’ve come to understand better the kind of traveller I am. And how that shifts depending on solo travel or group travel and it can be highly dependent on where and where I am in life.
I write and share this post today because I want to share my experiences on which is better. The post isn’t about choosing one style over another, because honestly they all have their own benefits. This post is about recognising the unique lessons of both solo travel vs group travel. I hope it helps you figure out which type of travel suits you most.
The Good, The Bad & Ugly of Group Travel
The Good
Now, there’s a unique kind of joy that comes with travelling in a group. Whether it’s a girls’ trip. A destination wedding. Or a curated experience with companies like GoJolley or Ajala Travels Tours. Group travel has given me some of my loudest laughs and most iconic memories. I’ve travelled to countries like India, Peru, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania (Zanzibar) because of groups. I have shared delicious meals in Jordan.
I met some genuine people that have become long-term friends. It has also pulled me out my character, as someone that loves their own space it has given me a chance to explore ways to interact with different people globally. The shared interests, playlists and memories built have instantly taken me back to more group trips.
The Not So Good
That said, group travel is not without its challenges. Planning with multiple people can be a full-time job, which I have experienced a lot with my friends. This happens especially when everyone has different budgets, priorities, styles and levels of organisation, even appetites for food. One person wants luxury. Another wants budget-friendly, someone else doesn’t want to plan at all and literally just shows up LOL! Or some might not like the food of the destination you are going to. It can be challenging to know please everyone gastronomic appetite.
Then you have people who want to do different things, some people want all-inclusive and don’t want to leave the hotel. I, on the other hand, love a mixture of adventure and relaxation on my trips. In all honesty, when it comes to group trips, decision fatigue can get very real, and things like lateness, overspending, or poor communication can easily turn a group trip that doesn’t even leave the group chat! Which sometimes is heartbreaking for me.
If you’re leaning towards solo but don’t know where to start, the Solo Travel Challenge was made just for you. This September, you’ll learn exactly how to plan your first solo trip and you will actually go.
Join the Challenge.
When It Works Best
In my experience, group travel works best when everyone is aligned, whether that’s when you’re travelling with friends, family or your partner. They all carry elements of travelling in a group. Want my thoughts read: A Good Friend to Travel With: Lets discuss it could help consider what you’re looking for in a good travel friend.
Then you have the organised companies like GoJolley, Cycy Travels or Ajala Travels. They come in when you want to meet like-minded people with the similar vibes, similar expectations, and hopefully shared goals to enjoy the trip. The only con with these trips is that they can be quite pricey, but the monthly payments can help.
All the same, these in my opinion can be beneficial if you want to go to countries that your friends, family and partner won’t go and you don’t feel safe travelling solo to.
Freedom, Flow & Finding Yourself in Solo Travel
As a natural ambivert, I would say introverted, I’ve found that solo travel offers me the perfect blend of peace and connection. I have travelled to over 25 countries solo! Countries that I don’t often see Black British people travel often like Colombia, Montenegro, Croatia and more.
People often say, “I could never travel alone,” but I used to feel that way too until I tried it. And honestly, it changed everything for me.
For me, solo travel brings a unique kind of joy. Honestly, I love it, and as I type, I smile. Solo travel has taught me to trust my instincts, embrace my natural rhythm, and truly listen to myself. There is no pressure with solo travel to follow anyone else’s schedule. You’re free to wake up when you want. Eat where you want. Stay where you want and spontaneously decide between booking a tour or lounging in your hotel with a view all day.
What isn’t amazing about that? And of course, solo travel has deepened my relationship with food. I’ve had the freedom to linger over long dinners with a view, order exactly what I want (without compromise), and explore local markets without distraction. Whether it’s grabbing street empanadas in Cartagena or a quiet breakfast with mint tea in Morocco.
Most of my favourite trips have been from solo trips, it has allowed me time to connect with God and just focus on the most important things in life. There’s something about doing things your way, solo, independently, without someone holding your hand, you know, without compromise. In these moments, whether walking through a new city alone or savouring a peaceful meal by yoursel,f you truly learn to discover just how resilient, intuitive, and fascinating you truly are.
The Not So Good..
However, I do understand that solo travel is not for everyone and many enjoy group travel. Solo travel can be more costly at times if you don’t have someone to share costs with. Depending on the country you may not want to go solo travelling. It might just not fit with your personality, mainly my extroverts that love company. However, I would always say regardless of you budget, personality or whatever is stopping you I strongly recommend trying solo travel at least once. You might be amazed by what you discover or who you become.
What Solo vs Group Travel Has Taught Me
So, which one is better? Solo travel or group travel? I don’t think I could ever really say one is better than the other. They have both shaped me in ways I couldn’t even begin to describe, maybe I need another post for this lol.
What I can say is this. Each style of travel, whether it’s solo or group travel, has taught me something new, something different, all of which are equally valuable to me.
Group trips have helped me build shared memories, stories for my journal and for years to come. It has deepened my understanding of different characters, friendships, given me the discernment to know someone is not for me, while also allowing me to connect with people I may never have met otherwise.
Solo travel, on the other hand, has taught me to trust my instincts. It’s reminded me that I’m resourceful, that I can do things for myself, like build my own itinerary man should I do my own group trips man?! It has taught me to be flexible and capable more than I sometimes give myself credit for. It has made me a better planner, a better listener, a better decision maker and most importantly, a better companion to myself.
Personal Reflection on Solo Travel vs Group Travel
Solo travel doesn’t mean lonely. It means you trust yourself to move. To not wait for people to do things. It means more than being lonely which 99% of time is far from the truth! That said group, travel doesn’t always mean perfect connection sometimes it can show people in different lights or it could open you to have shared memories.
As a foodie, food has shown up in every travel style. In groups it’s a connector in group trips sharing plates in India and a grounding ritual in solo eats in Cape Verde or ones going on solo cooking classes in Bali. There’s no “better” way to travel. Both have their place, their needs and benefits and most importantly, their lessons.
If you’re someone who’s been hesitant to travel solo, I hope my experiences give you the push you need to try it even once in your life. I would always say start small, go out to eat by yourself or try a staycation. And on the other side, if you have a destination you want to go to but don’t want to go solo try a group trip or companies, maybe it’s just about finding the right group or the right destination for you.
Travel is personal. It evolves and shifts. And the more you do solo travel or group travel, the more you learn about the different styles you want to explore.
Thank you for getting to the end with me on my thoughts today. How about you? Have you done both solo travel or group travel? What did they teach you?” I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
If you’re leaning towards solo but don’t know where to start, the Solo Travel Challenge was made just for you. This September, you’ll learn exactly how to plan your first solo trip and you will actually go.
Join the Challenge.
Speak soon, traveller,
MBV x
