Explore the joys and challenges of solo and group travel in 2024, weighing personal freedom, security, and self-discovery against companionship and shared experiences.
Ready to get out there and see the world?
Travel companions can enhance the experience, but only if you share the same plans for the trip. If you struggle to match one another’s energy, it might be better for you to go it alone.
It all comes down to deciding what’s right for you. No matter the sights you’re seeing or the destinations you’ll be passing through, it’s worth weighing out the pros, cons, and unexpected delights of travelling alone and with others.
Why choose to travel solo?
First up, the benefits of travelling alone are profound and well worth considering.
According to one recent survey, nearly three in ten people have already travelled solo across all age groups. The group most likely to have explored alone were those aged between 45 and 54 years old, where a third said they’d taken the plunge. A few of the reasons why people choose to travel solo include:
- Freedom: From the earliest planning stages to the day-to-day meal choices, going alone gives you the chance to be in charge of every detail about your holiday. Forget compromising to keep a group happy: when you travel on your own, the itinerary is yours.
- Affordability: Going solo is undoubtedly more cost-effective than travelling with friends. In addition to the inevitable savings on food and drinks, you’ll be able to plan and pay for only the activities that you choose. It’s worth learning how to travel solo on a budget.
- Self-discovery: Travelling solo is one of the best ways to get to know yourself more. You’ll be forced to make every decision on your own, which gives you an opportunity to learn more about your preferences, boundaries, and habits.
- New friends: Lastly, making new friends is much easier on a solo holiday. You can choose to join in with group tours, bar crawls, or entire activity packages to mingle with like-minded people and make lifelong memories.
What are the benefits of travelling with friends?
There are plenty of reasons to travel with friends. Whether you’re not quite ready to take the plunge with solo travel or you’ve been planning something special for years, there are several advantages to jetting off together:
- Security: Solo travel does come with some concerns over personal safety and security, especially for women. While the danger can’t be entirely removed, many tourists feel safer and more comfortable exploring a new destination when they go in a group. You’ll also have the peace of mind that if something goes wrong, you have someone to look out for you.
- Varied itinerary: When you’re on holiday together, group activities will include something that caters for every taste – so you might experience more than you would alone. It’s also easier to book something more suitable for groups, too. All-inclusive package deals and exotic MSC cruises include everything you need to keep everyone entertained on holiday.
- Companionship: It’s perhaps the most obvious benefit but being able to strengthen your bond with your friends is one of the best things about group travel. You’ll be forced to learn more about each other than you ever expected, and once you return home, you’ll be able to share stories and laugh at your holiday pictures for years to come.
Roundup
If you’d like to focus on yourself and your own travel goals, especially when it comes to discovering new countries and cultures, it’s hard to beat solo travel. However, if you’re looking for a foolproof option with plenty of fun and the bonus of extra safety, then group holidays with friends might be a better choice. Why not try both in 2024?