Solo travel tours are one of the fastest growing sectors of group travel for all ages. They’re popular with solo travelers because they offer shared adventures that translate into easy camaraderie, and they take the tedious details like hotel bookings and flight reservations out of planning a solo trip. Once the trip starts, you’ll be escorted by expert guides who handle everything from airport transfers and meals to tours and guides, too.
Our top picks: best tour companies for solo travelers
Many tour groups for solo travelers will pair singles with a roommate so you won’t pay a penny extra for traveling alone; others will offer single rooms at a discounted rate so you won’t have to pay the entire dreaded “single supplement.” Some of the best companies even have tours designed specifically for solo travelers. Here are my picks for 2024’s top companies offering solo travel tours.
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1. G Adventures
A popular tour company offering small group tours worldwide, G Adventures offers a range of itineraries to suit solo travelers. If you’re traveling solo, you will either be paired with another traveler of the same sex for rooming purposes, or in your own room if you pay a single supplement. G Adventures tends to attract likeminded participants, creating a good environment for solo travelers looking to meet new people. Trips support local businesses with a goal of helping communities to better sustain themselves.
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Travelers under age 35 are drawn to the company’s new Roamies itineraries, which are immersive small group trips to iconic locations with overnights at some of the world’s finest hostels. The company’s Local Living tours allow you to participate in the rituals of daily life and see what life would be like if you resided in the destination. And its Jane Goodall wildlife-centric trips to places like Belize and Madagascar are particularly popular. A large percentage of G Adventure guests are solo female travelers, gravitating to destinations such as Morocco, Costa Rica, Peru, and Jordan.
Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with G Adventures
- Average group size: 12 people.
- Price range: Moderate.
- What’s included: Accommodations and some meals.
- What’s not included: Airfare.
- Primary audience: Adults ages 30 to 55.
- Destinations: More than 750 trips in 100 countries on all seven continents.
- How to book: Directly through G Adventures, Travelstride, Tourhub, or TourRadar; or through a travel agent such as AAA
2. Trafalgar
Guided tour company Trafalgar operates more than 300 tours across seven continents, with trips that range from culinary adventures to wildlife safaris, and solo travelers represent a significant portion of its customer base. While Trafalgar doesn’t operate specific tours groups for solo travelers, 61% of women on its women’s only tours are traveling solo. Additionally, the company offers you the option to be matched with a roommate on nearly all itineraries or receive single room supplements at reduced rates. On select trips, solo travelers may even enjoy a single room upgrade for free.
Sought-after destinations for solo travel tours with Trafalgar include Italy, Portugal, and Egypt. Tour directors have least three years of road experience, and many have been with the company for decades. One-of-a-kind travel experiences such as dining with locals and VIP entry to iconic sights sets Trafalgar apart. (Read our full Trafalgar review here.)
Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with Trafalgar
- Average group size: 40 people.
- Price range: Moderate.
- What’s included: Accommodations, daily breakfast, many meals, luxury coach transportation, Wi-Fi in most countries, airport transfers, and luggage handling.
- What’s not included: Airfare.
- Primary audience: Adults over 50.
- Destinations: All seven continents.
- How to book: Book online with Trafalgar, Travelstride, Tourhub, or TourRadar; or through a travel agent.
3. EF Go Ahead Tours
EF Go Ahead Tours offers tours to fit travelers of every stripe, including solo travel tours to destinations including Peru, Portugal, Thailand, and Egypt. You’ll get your own room for no extra charge and all of your tour mates will be other solo travelers. EF Go Ahead organizes hotels, meals, activities, and local transportation.
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You’ll be accompanied by a local EF Tour Director who has extensive experience, gently guiding you every step of the way. The tour company partners with a range of local experts, enriching each stop along your journey. Once you’ve booked, you can download the free mobile app and connect with fellow travelers before departure. EF Go Ahead Tours also offers a Solo Travel Facebook group, providing access to an online community. (Read our full EF Go Ahead Tours review here.)
Quick Facts about Group Tours for Solo Travel with EF Go Ahead
- Average group size: Capped at 38 guests; usually 10 to 22 people.
- Price range: Moderate.
- What’s included: Guided tours, meals, accommodations, and transportation during the tour.
- What’s not included: Airfare.
- Primary audience: Adults aged 35+ with a mix of solo, couple, and group travelers.
- Destinations: 87 countries on all seven continents.
- How to book: Directly through EF Go Ahead or through a travel agent such as AAA.
4. Abercrombie & Kent
Abercrombie & Kent’s luxury escorted tours hit the sweet spot with solo travelers, blending the experience of vacationing with like-minded travelers with the privacy of retreating to your own accommodations at the end of each day. A Resident Tour Director remains with the group throughout and is assisted by specialized local guides.
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Abercrombie & Kent’s website has a page dedicated to solo travelers, including special offers on single supplements, in some cases discounted by as much as 75%. Safaris in East and Southern Africa are very popular. By definition, safaris are not a solitary experience; guests go on game drives together, drink sundowners around the campfire, and converse about the day’s wildlife sightings over dinner.
Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with Abercrombie & Kent
- Average group size: 14 people.
- Price range: Upscale.
- What’s included: Inter-itinerary flights, accommodations, luggage transfers, meals, mid-journey laundry, activities, and expert guides.
- What’s not included: Airfare, though a flight concierge is available 24/7 to assist with airline delays.
- Primary audience: Gen X to Boomers.
- Destinations: More than 100 countries and on all seven continents.
- How to book: Directly through Abercrombie & Kent or Travelstride; or through a travel agent such as AAA.
5. Wild Frontiers
Trips with British-based Wild Frontiers go off the beaten path to destinations such as Guatemala, Jordan, and Pakistan, and it’s especially suited to solo travel tours because approximately 70% of participants are solo travelers. If you’re willing to share a room, it will match you with a fellow traveler of the same sex. If there’s no other single on your tour, you’ll get your own room without paying any supplement.
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Tours are fully escorted with experienced guides who use their logistical expertise to troubleshoot the potential pitfalls and challenges of deep-dive, international travel. Hotels may not be the most expensive in town but they are characteristic of the destination and create a sense of place. Meals focus on independently owned eateries serving authentic regional specialties.
Quick Facts about Group Tours for Solo Travel with Wild Frontiers
- Average group size: 12 people.
- What’s included: All accommodations, meals, transport, and entrance fees.
- What’s not included: Airfare.
- Primary audience: Solo and adventure travelers of all ages.
- Destinations: Central Asia and the Far East, Europe and the Caucasus, India Subcontinent, Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Pacific, and Sub Saharan Africa.
- How to book: Directly through Wild Frontiers or Tourhub; or through a travel agent such as AAA.
6. Road Scholar
Not-for-profit Road Scholar is top option for solo seniors and boomers. Approximately 30% of its trip participants are traveling solo, with 85% identifying as female. Road Scholar trips tend to attract lifelong learners who are keen to plunge beneath the surface, so expect a robust exchange of ideas and plenty of stimulating conversations.
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Two leaders ensure solo travelers feel included in the broader group. Leaders take care of logistics while local instructors add expertise on a broad range of topics along the way. Some of Road Scholar’s most popular tours for solo travelers include island hopping in Croatia, exploring New Orleans, and culinary adventures in Oaxaca. Road Scholar also has a collection of tours offering single rooms at no additional cost. (Read our full Road Scholar review here.)
Quick Facts about Solo Traveler Tours with Road Scholar
- Average group size: 22 people.
- Price range: Moderate.
- What’s included: Accommodations, most meals, hands-on experiences, gratuities throughout the program, and the Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
- What’s not included: Travel to and from the program and cancellation insurance.
- Primary audience: Baby boomers and seniors.
- Destinations: 150 countries and all 50 states, from Arizona to Zimbabwe.
- How to book: Directly through Road Scholar or Travelstride; or through a travel agent such as AAA.
7. Intrepid Travel
At Intrepid Travel, more than 50% of its customers are solo travelers. Responsible, experience-rich travel is a mission at this not-for-profit organization. The tour company prioritizes the preservation of indigenous cultures, climate education, and personal connections with locals. Solo travelers may choose a single room for a small extra charge or be paired with another traveler of the same gender.
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Intrepid strives for inclusivity, so if you identify as a different gender than what is on your passport, let them know in advance so rooming options may be discussed. Popular solo travel tours with Intrepid include exploring Morocco, trekking in New Zealand, and visiting Bali. In addition to taking care of the most minute details, your expert local leader also knows all the under-the-radar spots that many tourists miss, and trips tend to offer a bit of free time as well.
Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with Intrepid
- Average group size: 10 people.
- Price range: Economical/moderate.
- What’s included: Accommodations, local transport, and some meals.
- What’s not included: Airfare and travel insurance.
- Primary audience: Solo travelers and adults ages 25 to 40.
- Destinations: More than 1,000 trips to 100 countries across seven continents
- How to book: Directly through Intrepid, Travelstride, Tourhub, or TourRadar; or through a travel agent such as AAA.
8. REI Adventures
For solo travelers who crave adventure in the great outdoors, REI Adventures hits the spot. The power of nature acts as a catalyst for bonding over shared fresh-air experiences, from kayaking to biking. And you won’t be staying at run-of-the-mill hotels, either. Instead, you’ll camp under the stars in comfy tents or sleep at a cozy park lodge. Trips for individuals who identify as women are guided by women and are very popular with solo travelers. Trips that cater to those under 35 years old attract youthful solos.
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REI Adventures focuses exclusively on American itineraries. Popular trips for solo travelers include hiking in Bryce Canyon, kayaking around the San Juan Islands, and backpacking in Joshua Tree. To keep costs reasonable, REI will pair you with a roommate; if no roommate is available, the company won’t charge you a single supplement fee. If you request private accommodations, you will pay a modest additional fee. REI members receive a discount.
Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with REI Adventures
- Average group size: 10 people.
- Price range: Moderate.
- What’s included: Camping gear, meals, and national park fees.
- What’s not included: Transportation to the trip starting point.
- Primary audience: Travelers who love the outdoors.
- Destinations: Eight states including Wyoming, Alaska, and California.
- How to Bbok: Directly via the REI Adventures website.
9. CIE Tours
Though U.S.-based, CIE Tours is partly owned by the Irish government’s national transport company. It offers guided group trips to the U.K, Iceland, and Italy, but specializes in Ireland and is recognized as a bona fide expert and a top choice for anyone wanting to explore the Emerald Isle. Unlike most tour companies, which can charge extra when you come alone, CIE actually gives you a discount if you’re traveling solo.
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Guided vacations are helmed by personable local tour directors who’ve undergone extensive training as well as annual workshops to keep them up to date. CIE’S guides also garner guest accolades thanks to their wealth of insider knowledge, including tidbits of Celtic lore that enhance the journey. Many have the Irish gift of gab, assuring easy conversations and sense of belonging. (Read our full CIE Tours review here.)
Quick Facts about Solo Travel Tours with CIE Tours
- Average group size: Up to 44 people.
- Price range: Moderate.
- What’s included: Most meals including daily hot breakfast, all entrance fees to attractions and experiences, all on-tour transportation, free Wi-Fi on coaches and in hotels, baggage handlings, local taxes, and hotel service charges.
- What’s not included: Airfare.
- Primary audience: CIE Tours travelers average between 45 and 70 years old, and are primarily from the U.S. or Canada.
- Destinations: Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, Italy, and Iceland.
- How to book: Directly through CIE Tours, Travelstride, or TourRadar; or through a travel agent such as AAA.
10. Tauck Tours
Family-owned Tauck has been offering guided group vacations for close to a century. It doesn’t match single travelers with roommates, but in an effort to embrace solo travelers, the company has reduced or eliminated single supplements on some of its most popular trips. Trip directors work hard to ensure solo tour guests are integrated into the group dynamic and feel secure throughout the journey.
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Tauck has longstanding relationships with a network of global partners, assuring every detail of each trip is seamless. And guides are known for their personal touch and are well-versed in local customs and traditions. Meals and hotels are notably top notch. (Read our full Tauck review here.)
Quick Facts about Solo Traveler Tours with Tauck
- Average group size: 35 people.
- Price range: Upscale.
- What’s included: Gratuities, sightseeing and admissions, most meals, airport handling, luggage transfer, and taxes.
- What’s not included: Airfare and adult beverages.
- Primary audience: Upscale travelers over age 50.
- Destinations: Over 100 destinations in more than 70 countries on seven continents.
- How to book: Directly through Tauck, Travelstride, or Tourhub; or through a travel agent such as AAA.
