If you are a first-time traveler, if you like company, or just feel safer traveling with other people than tour groups are the option for you. There are two types of travelers, the ones that like to travel solo and the ones that like to travel with other people. Depending on the destination, you might fall into one or the other category of travelers.
Why are tour groups a good option?
The most important thing in my opinion when it comes to group tours is the fact that the itinerary is organized by someone else. This means that I don’t have to worry about the places I should see, the things to do and not to do, and everything that has to do with planning a trip. If you think about it, traveling with an organized group is a lot more advantageous than traveling solo.
Lower costs with group travel
Another good reason why you would choose group tours is the fact that most of the time, the costs are lower than traveling alone. It is always cheaper to book airlines and hotels in bulk than for only one tourist. A lot of hotels and airlines offer discounts for groups larger than 10 or 20 people, this way the cost of the trip is lower.
Shorter waiting times when visiting
If you are planning to do visit a lot of tourist attractions that are usually very crowded and have long waiting lines then you should definitely travel with a group. Many tourist attractions have separate entrances and paths for group tours, so you don’t have to wait in line for such a long time. This way, you can visit the attraction that you want and move on to the next, without wasting valuable time.
Relax and worry less
Strength in numbers is another advantage when it comes to traveling. If you are part of a group, you can relax and worry less about the planning, or if something doesn’t go according to plan. The solution to any problem is simpler when more minds focus on the same problem.
Having someone to handle everything that comes with planning and organizing the trip, allows you to relax a little more.
Learning experience
More people means more experiences. For me, it is great to share experiences and learn from others at the same time. If you are traveling with tour groups, then you most certainly have something new to learn, so make the best of it to talk, share, and learn from the other travelers.
On our thirds trip to Thailand, we already knew a thing or two about what to do and what to visit, so we shared our experience with other people in our group. We shared our opinions about certain day trips, tourist attractions, and restaurants. This helped others save money or have extra time on their hands by not choosing a day trip that was actually not worth taking.
Another thing that we found out on one of our previous visits to Phuket, was that when you choose a day trip that involves traveling by boat, you can opt for speedboats or for larger boats. In our case, we did not know that the first time we visited Phuket and were defaulted to the speedboat option. Let’s say that we should have taken the “slower” boat instead of the speedboat. It’s not that it is something wrong with the speedboats, but it just wasn’t for us.
Local travel guide
Unlike solo travel, group tours have a local guide. This can be very helpful since you are traveling to a destination you never visited before. Some tips and knowledge can really help you make the best out of the trip. Local guides have a lot of information that they are willing to share and you’d better listen if you want to make your holiday even better.
On our trip to Thailand, our guide knew the ins and outs of Bangkok and Phuket, so it made our trip a lot better. He told us where to get the best deals for souvenirs, where to book our day trips to get the best services at lower costs, and also where to eat the best lobster, which by the way, is extremely cheap compared to Europe or the United States.
Meet people and make new friends
Last but not least, being part of tour groups allows you to meet new and interesting people and make new friends. It is very likely that in a group of 10 or 20 people, to find like-minded people and befriend them. After all, you already have something in common, you all chose that destination.
Ready to see the world on your own? Forget tour groups and go solo.
If you are an experienced traveler and don’t want to be tied to a certain schedule, then solo travel is the way to go. When you already saw a lot of places and know your way around places you never visited before, then you are ready to go out into the big world on your own.
Frankly, this can be a little intimidating and scary at first, but after a couple of trips, you will actually enjoy the freedom that being a solo traveler gives you.
There are a few things that you have to keep in mind when traveling on your own. The most important thing I learned is that you always have to be prepared. You should always think ahead a few steps as there is no one else you can rely on if things don’t go according to plan. Don’t get me wrong, you should embrace the unknown, but when it comes to safety, you shouldn’t take any unnecessary risks.
In order to be prepared and not forget something when packing for a trip, I have prepared the complete travel packing list, so that you don’t leave anything important at home. Check it out and see if there is something missing from your packing list.
Conclusions
No matter what type of traveler you are, choose how you travel according to your destination. If you are traveling to a destination that might have a higher safety risk, then you should opt for the tour groups, but if you are heading to a place of relaxation, you should definitely opt for the solo route.
Whatever you choose, make sure you enjoy every second of it. That is what is truly important when traveling the world.