Excursions are at the crux of any good trip, and they truly can make or break the overall experience. While figuring out what it is, exactly, you want to do on your getaway is the first step, travelers must then consider the ultimate question: Do I book alone or with a group? Adventurers faced with this challenge will quickly discover the answer isn’t always black and white, and there are many moving pieces that influence their final choice. For those plagued by indecision, here’s a breakdown of important factors to consider, helping you determine the best course of action.
Identifying Personal Preferences
Budget
First things first, travelers need to settle on a budget for their trip. Understanding what’s important to you as a visitor and what aspects you’re willing to compromise on can more clearly guide your decision.
For instance, travelers eyeing multi-day treks or adventure trips may find these to be more costly. While part of that price tag is the convenience and security of booking with a tour operator, visitors need to think about what they want out of the trip. If the excursion was the entire purpose of the trip and booking with a group is the way to achieve it, then the answer is clear. On the contrary, if it’s an activity you’re only mildly interested in and the cost pushes you over budget, it might be better to avoid that particular excursion.
Freedom
It's likely that visitors who are considering a solo excursion are already traveling alone, and these individuals tend to prioritize flexibility and spontaneity in their plans. Part of the appeal of traveling solo is freedom — you get to choose when and where you eat, what method of transportation to take, how much you’re willing to spend on something and if you want to alter your itinerary at the last minute.
Some adventurers value this flexibility more than others, and with group excursions, you often surrender a piece of that control. There’s no hanging back to explore a destination for longer or moving on ahead of the others to skip past something.
Before deciding, take some time to research the proposed group itinerary. Does it move too fast or slow? Are there places or activities on there that don’t appeal to you? What kinds of accommodations are offered, and are you satisfied with that arrangement? Are there built-in free time blocks where you can explore independently? Evaluating these scenarios can help travelers pin down if the group excursion meets their expectations and is worth sacrificing some of their trip flexibility.
Social Dynamics
To some, exploring a new destination with a group of strangers and no perceived “escape” is the definition of their worst nightmare. For others, it’s an opportunity to meet new travel companions and form lasting friendships. You know yourself best, so be honest about how you think you’ll vibe with a group excursion.
This can be a fantastic way to get in some socialization on your travels, and it’s likely you’ll already have some interests in common, seeing as you booked the same excursion. Group activities can combat loneliness for solo travelers, but if large groups or dynamic personalities feel overwhelming to you, it might be recommended to take a step back and reevaluate. In all fairness, travelers never really know how a group experience will pan out, but at the very least, taking a moment for introspection can help alleviate potential frustrations down the line.
Safety Considerations
Part of the anxiety some adventurers feel while traveling is related to safety, and that translates to a couple key areas. The first is physical safety — the adrenaline-inducing, blood-pumping excursions some travelers are interested in can be unsafe to tackle alone. Novices at these types of activities should book with a group and seasoned guides to ensure that they can revel in these experiences without putting themselves in danger. Activities like whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, scuba diving or backcountry skiing require proper equipment, local expertise and emergency support that group tours provide.
Situational safety is something else to consider. The reality is that not every destination is welcoming to all visitors, and if travelers are worried about how they’ll be received, a group excursion could offer a much-needed sense of security and peace of mind for these individuals.
Activity-Specific Considerations
As a rule of thumb, certain activities are better in group scenarios while others can almost always be done alone. Something like a photography walk, museum visit, public hikes, art galleries, food tours, bike rides or craft workshops are easily accessible to solo travelers and generally don’t pose any immediate risks. Do consider that on occasion, group leaders have pre-existing partnerships with local businesses to get groups into restricted areas or secure skip-the-line acess, which may influence a solo traveler’s decision.
Longer and more strenuous activities are typically reserved for group settings. Wildlife safaris, adventure sports, island hopping, multi-day treks or nighttime activities in unfamiliar areas can be a pain to book individually. These outings are elaborate and would require far more planning to achieve than if the visitor hopped in with a group.
Practical Considerations
What kind of price tag do you put on ease and convenience? Challenges like navigating transportation systems, communicating in foreign languages, dining at restaurants and shopping along pedestrian streets will inevitably emphasize some of the biggest barriers of visiting a new destination: language (if you’re headed international) and local knowledge. Some travelers find satisfaction in overcoming these obstacles alone, viewing them as part of the authentic travel experience. Others are overwhelmed by that prospect and prefer a more curated approach. If a stress-free trip with minimal planning on your end sounds like paradise, a group excursion is the way to go. You’ll benefit from a guide’s insider knowledge, pre-arranged logistics and the ability to simply show up and enjoy.
Making Your Decision
Knowing when to go at excursions alone or with a group takes a certain level of preliminary reflection. The best thing travelers can do for themselves is to be honest about what they want, even if that means forgoing an opportunity they were excited about. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and many travelers find that mixing both solo and group excursions throughout their trip creates the ideal balance. Travel is supposed to be fun, so whichever approach keeps that enthusiasm alive, is the right way to go.
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