Traveling solo can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Without the constraints of coordinating with a travel partner, you have the freedom to set your own itinerary, linger where you like, and follow your whims. However, for some solo travelers, especially women, seniors, and those over 50, group travel options provide community, security, and peace of mind in unfamiliar destinations. The good news is there are many reputable tour companies and travel groups geared specifically toward solo travelers looking to connect with like-minded adventurers.
Solo Travel Groups for Women
Women make up a growing share of solo travelers, but some still prefer the camaraderie and security of a group. Several tour companies cater to solo female travelers with a range of guided and self-guided trip options.
Adventures Abroad offers small-group tours limited to 16 people with a focus on culture, nature, and adventure. They offer female-only departures, including an “Italian Vistas” tour and trekking in Nepal. The company prides itself on using expert local guides and promoting meaningful interactions between travelers.
Intrepid Travel is a pioneer in small group adventures, with a range of women-only tours from Morocco to India. Their trips emphasize interaction with local communities and environmentally-friendly practices. Intrepid also has a dedicated Solo Traveler program with no single supplement charges for solo accommodations.
Wild Women Expeditions specializes in outdoor adventures for women, including hiking, biking, and multi-sport trips on six continents. They welcome solo travelers and match them with a compatible roommate. The women-only environment helps cultivate community and empowerment.
Flash Pack offers group adventures for solo travelers in their 30s and 40s with a focus on culture, nightlife, and unique experiences. Destinations include Bali, Costa Rica, and Japan. The “Solo Travel Squad” program pairs solo travelers in twin-share rooms and hosts group dinners and social events to facilitate connections between travelers.
Holidays for Seniors and Those Over 50
Mature travelers often appreciate the convenience and companionship of group travel. Several companies cater to seniors and the over-50 crowd with guided tours and cruises.
Road Scholar offers educational adventures for older adults, including intergenerational family trips. They offer airfare-inclusive guided tours around the world, as well as self-guided options for independent travelers. Road Scholar provides single-occupancy rooms and matches solo travelers with a roommate.
Grand Circle Travel specializes in guided tours for Americans over 50. They offer river cruises, ocean cruises, and land tours on all seven continents. Grand Circle waives or reduces single supplements and provides roommate matching for solo travelers. They emphasize comfortable accommodations, cultural experiences, and opportunities to connect with locals.
Saga Holidays provides guided tours and cruises for British travelers over 50. They offer European river cruises, as well as escorted tours to destinations like Japan, South Africa, and the United States. Saga’s “Solos” program offers single and twin rooms with no single supplement charges on select trips. Social meetups and dinners help solo travelers connect with each other.
Overseas Adventure Travel offers small group adventures designed for Americans over 50. They provide an array of land and sea journeys to all seven continents with a focus on culture, soft adventure, and interaction with local communities. OAT provides single rooms with no extra fees and matches solo travelers with a compatible roommates. Their tours include meals, accommodations, and activities to minimize hassle and maximize enjoyment for mature travelers.
General Travel Groups for Solo Adventurers
In addition to niche companies serving women, seniors, and the over-50 crowd, many general tour operators welcome solo travelers and help facilitate connections between them.
Contiki offers group tours for 18 to 35-year-olds with a focus on adventure, nightlife, and budget travel in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas. Contiki’s “Me Time” option provides single rooms at no extra cost on most tours. Their fast-paced, social trips are ideal for young solo travelers looking to make friends and memories.
G Adventures offers small-group adventures on all seven continents for all ages. They provide a range of tour styles from casual to luxury. G Adventures waives single supplements on some tours and provides a "Share Your Room" option to match solo travelers of the same gender. They emphasize meaningful cultural experiences, environmental sustainability, and bonding between travelers.
Topdeck Travel provides group tours for 18 to 39-year-olds focused on adventure and nightlife in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Topdeck offers a “Room to Yourself” program with no single supplement charges on most tours. Their fast-paced, social trips facilitate connections between like-minded young travelers.
Trafalgar offers guided group tours and river cruises worldwide for all ages. They provide high-quality trips with a focus on cultural experiences, cuisine, and comfortable accommodations. Trafalgar waives or reduces single supplements on select departures and matches solo travelers with a same-gender roommate when possible. While pacing varies, Trafalgar appeals to a wide range of solo travelers looking for a balance of independence and group interaction.
Intrepid Travel, in addition to their women-only tours, offers a range of small group adventures for all ages in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Their “Solo Traveler” program waives single supplement fees on select trips and matches solo travelers with a same-gender roommate. Intrepid's commitment to responsible travel and authentic experiences makes it a popular choice for solo adventurers of all ages.
