Round The World Tickets

Subscribe to the RTW Newsletter

Subscribe to our RSS feed

Home » RTW Travel Deals » Traveling Solo or In a Group: Pros and Cons (Part 2)

Traveling Solo or In a Group: Pros and Cons (Part 2)

Previously I discussed the pros and cons of traveling in a group, which for many would be the ideal way to travel. A lot of people, however, would consider solo travel to be the ideal way to go. Like traveling with others, it also has its pros and cons.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

If you’ve never traveled by yourself before, the thought of it may seem daunting. You might not have anyone to talk to for long stretches of time, you’ll have to figure everything out by yourself, there won’t be anyone to watch your back, and you won’t have anyone to share those awesome moments that make traveling great with. Or will you?

Truth is, there are times when you travel by yourself that there’s no one around to talk to. And there are times when it can be difficult to figure everything out, and times when you wish there was someone else to watch your back, or to assist in making a decision. However, if the choice is between traveling alone and not traveling, then by all means, travel alone! That very choice was what sent me on my first solo backpacking trip, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The reality is that when you are traveling, it’s really easy to meet other travelers. When you travel in a group or with one other person, sometimes it is harder to meet people. But when you are alone, you are easily approachable, and it is easier for you to approach people – because if you don’t, you won’t have anyone to talk to. You’ll find that you can easily meet other travelers and hang out for a meal, some drinks, or even link up for a few days of traveling.

Like it or not, most smaller countries definitely have a “circuit” that travelers will be on. In each place, there’s usually a handful of sites or activities that everyone is going to want to do. That makes it easy to join up with some new friends and head out together, or book a tour or activity together to save money.

Hostels are great places to meet people, and being a solo traveler there is not a big deal at all. In fact, many solo travelers you meet on the road wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s so easy to meet people in many places that you are never hurting for company. But unlike traveling with a friend or group, when you don’t feel like being around people, it’s very easy to do your own thing. You never have to feel pressured to do something you don’t want to do when you’re traveling by yourself, because you make all the decisions. If you meet up with some people and spend a few days with them, but then realize they aren’t as cool as you thought, you can just say farewell (or not) and disappear. Try doing that with a friend from home.

Solo travel, like anything, has its ups and downs. And while it isn’t for everyone, don’t rule it out just because it doesn’t sound right for you. Try it once and you just might think it’s the only way to go.

« Traveling Solo or In a Group: Pros and Cons (Part 1) | Home | Find the nearest toilet – online? »