Small Group Tours can bring a huge range of benefits to Solo Female Travellers. It can be a great way to make friends, feel safer, and have a break from planning the logistics. You can join a tour for a day, a week, or even longer. Here are recommendations to answer your question of ‘Should I join a Small Group Tour as a Solo Female Traveller?’
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What is a Small Group Tour?
If you’re wondering should I join a Small Group Tour as a Solo Female Traveller, it can help to understand what small group tours are. There a many companies offering small group tours, and they can vary. You can join a small group tour for part of your solo trip, and do other parts of your trip on your own. Or your entire trip could be with the tour. There’s no right way to travel – just whatever works best for you. If you’re looking for advice on specific tour companies, check out my blog here, or my blog about G Adventures small group tours.
‘Small’ groups
The definition of ‘small’ can vary between companies, so check the maximum number of people allowed on the tour so you have an idea of what to expect. Personally, I like groups of up to 20 people. I find that number gives a good range of people so you’re likely to find some friends and people you connect with. Groups any bigger than this can start to get frustrating, as you can end up waiting ages for people to get back on time from a toilet break. It can also be more difficult to make friends in a bigger group as you connect with people less. Moving around takes longer in a big group and you can lose some of the experience if you have to shuffle around in a big group. That’s why I prefer small groups if I’m joining a group tour.
Day tours
Some small group tours are just day trips. For example, if you’re staying in a big city like Melbourne in Australia, you can use a small group tour to take you to see some of the scenery, such as the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road or Phillip Island. The company will pick you up from somewhere central in the city (some may even pick you up from your hotel). Then you’ll be driven to a range of places, with free time in each place to explore. And then you’ll be driven home again. It means you can see the scenery without having to drive yourself, and you can chat to other people on the tour. It’s a really easy way of exploring and can be sociable as well.
Multi-day tours
Other small group tours are for for longer than a day, and you can spend a few days, a week, or even longer with the group. These might show you a selection of different places in a country. Your accommodation will usually be booked for you. Check with the tour company for what accommodation they use, as it can vary from dorm rooms in hostels to posh hotels. You might have to pay a single supplement for your own room as a solo traveller. Or some companies offer to pair you up with another solo female to share a room, so you can avoid the single supplement.
On multi-day tours, your transportation between the different locations will be arranged for you, and could involve a private minibus/coach or public transport. You’ll have some organised activities as a group, and also some free time to explore yourself. Some companies might also organise meals for the whole group to have together. Or you can meet up with others in your group for dinner so you don’t need to eat alone.
When booking your small group tour, read the details carefully. Companies will vary for what is included in the price and what is extra. They’ll also vary for the level of luxury – you could be camping and sleeping on overnight trains, or in a private minibus to a 5-star hotel. Choose one that suits your travel style best.
Is it still ‘solo’ travel if I join a group?
There are some people who might question whether joining a group tour means you’re still travelling ‘solo’. Don’t let that worry you. If you join the tour on your own, I’d still consider that solo travel. How you travel is up to you. As long as you feel safe and confident, that’s what matters. If you’d rather join a tour rather than hire a car to drive yourself, then that’s fine. Don’t let other people’s judgements affect your travels. If you think you’re on a solo trip, then you are. It really is that simple.
Read on the next page the benefits of joining a small group tour.
I did a small group tour in Northern Sweden to see the Northern Lights. I am so glad I did this.