Traveling solo can be one of the most rewarding experiences, offering the freedom to explore the world at your own pace, meet new people, and immerse yourself in unfamiliar cultures. However, when embarking on a solo adventure, choosing the right travel company can make all the difference. Whether you’re a first-time solo traveler, a solo female traveler, or someone looking for a unique experience in a group setting, there are travel companies designed specifically to cater to your needs and preferences.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best travel companies for solo travelers, from those offering small-group tours to those focusing on adventure, cultural immersion, or relaxation. These companies provide proven solutions for solo adventurers, ensuring that you have a safe, exciting, and enriching travel experience. With a range of options for every type of traveler, you’ll find the ideal company to help you embark on your next journey with confidence.
Best travel companies for solo travelers
1. Intrepid Travel
Overview: Intrepid Travel is a global leader in small group tours, specializing in adventure, cultural immersion, and responsible travel. They operate in over 100 countries and have a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism.
Solo Traveler Experience: Intrepid is known for its friendly, small-group tours that typically consist of around 10-16 people. Solo travelers often find that this provides the perfect balance between socializing and personal space. Intrepid also offers a wide range of trips for solo travelers, from cultural city breaks to remote trekking expeditions.
Why Choose It: Intrepid’s focus on authentic local experiences and small group dynamics makes it ideal for solo travelers seeking an immersive experience without feeling overwhelmed. The company also offers trips specifically designed for women, including women-only tours to regions like Morocco or India, where solo female travelers might feel more comfortable traveling in a group.
Solo Traveler Perks: Solo travelers often benefit from lower single supplement fees, allowing you to book a single room without the financial burden of solo travel.
2. G Adventures
Overview: G Adventures offers over 700 tours in 100+ countries, with a focus on responsible tourism and small-group adventures. The company prides itself on providing sustainable travel that supports local communities and the environment.
Solo Traveler Experience: G Adventures welcomes solo travelers with open arms, offering a variety of small-group tours perfect for meeting new people. Many of their tours focus on immersive cultural experiences and offer activities that encourage social interaction, such as group cooking classes or hikes with local guides.
Why Choose It: With their wide range of activities, from wildlife safaris in Africa to trekking in the Himalayas, G Adventures is ideal for solo travelers who want to have an adventure while still being part of a group. The company’s “Connect with Locals” experiences are tailored for solo travelers who want to meet people and learn from local communities.
Solo Traveler Perks: G Adventures offers a “Solo Traveler” discount and a “No Single Supplement” guarantee on certain tours, making it easier for solo adventurers to travel without the extra costs of booking alone.
3. Contiki
Overview: Contiki is renowned for catering to solo travelers aged 18 to 35, offering fun, high-energy tours that focus on adventure, nightlife, and socializing.
Solo Traveler Experience: Contiki’s tours are designed with solo travelers in mind. Their group sizes range from 20 to 50 people, so it’s easy to make friends and feel part of a community while still enjoying time to yourself. These tours often include excursions, activities, and social events designed to keep the energy high.
Why Choose It: If you’re a younger solo traveler looking to meet new people and have an action-packed vacation, Contiki is the perfect choice. Their tours include plenty of opportunities for social interaction, whether it’s partying in European cities, exploring ancient ruins in Greece, or camping in the Australian Outback.
Solo Traveler Perks: Contiki is great for solo travelers who want to stay active and social. They often offer free activities like city walking tours and discounts on excursions for solo travelers.
4. Exodus Travels
Overview: Exodus Travels is a specialist in active travel, offering small group tours focused on hiking, cycling, and adventure travel. They operate in over 100 countries, from remote wilderness to bustling cities.
Solo Traveler Experience: Exodus caters to solo adventurers who enjoy active and adventurous holidays. Their group tours are small, allowing for more intimate experiences and allowing solo travelers to bond quickly. Exodus is particularly great for those who prefer a slower, more relaxed pace while enjoying the great outdoors.
Why Choose It: If you enjoy physical challenges like cycling or hiking but also want to travel with a group for safety and camaraderie, Exodus is the ideal choice. Their tours often focus on specific regions or activities like hiking the Inca Trail in Peru or cycling through Vietnam, which appeals to solo adventurers who want both a challenge and adventure.
Solo Traveler Perks: Exodus offers a range of tours with no single supplement, allowing solo travelers to book accommodations without the extra fees typically associated with traveling alone. Many of their tours are designed for people who prefer small-group, active travel.
5. Road Scholar
Overview: Road Scholar, formerly known as Elderhostel, specializes in educational travel experiences for people over 50. They offer over 5,500 learning adventures around the world, with a focus on enriching, intellectual travel.
Solo Traveler Experience: Road Scholar’s tours are perfect for solo travelers over 50 who want a slower-paced, educational experience. Their tours combine sightseeing with lectures, guided activities, and opportunities to learn about history, art, culture, and the natural world.
Why Choose It: Road Scholar is ideal for older solo travelers looking for enriching, culturally immersive experiences without the physical exertion of traditional adventure travel. Their trips often feature small group sizes, ensuring a more intimate and comfortable environment.
Solo Traveler Perks: Road Scholar offers many tours with no single supplement, and their trips are specifically designed for solo travelers who want to engage with a group of peers in educational and social environments.
6. Topdeck Travel
Overview: Topdeck Travel offers small-group tours for travelers aged 18-39, focusing on high-energy adventures and cultural exploration.
Solo Traveler Experience: Like Contiki, Topdeck is designed for younger solo travelers who are looking for a fun and social experience. With a focus on making lifelong friends, Topdeck offers active tours that include plenty of downtime for solo reflection and group activities for building camaraderie.
Why Choose It: Topdeck is perfect for solo travelers who want to mix sightseeing with social activities, whether partying in a major European city or hiking in New Zealand. The company’s focus on cultural immersion and fun makes it appealing for solo travelers who want both adventure and interaction.
Solo Traveler Perks: Solo travelers can expect discounts and social activities designed specifically to help them meet others, and group tours ensure that you never feel isolated.
7. Trafalgar
Overview: Trafalgar offers guided tours that focus on delivering immersive cultural experiences, providing expert guides and local insights. With over 70 years of experience, Trafalgar is known for its premium quality and rich itineraries.
Solo Traveler Experience: Trafalgar’s tours are ideal for solo travelers who want to experience culture in-depth, with a guide to provide historical context and local knowledge. Their groups are generally small and well-managed, ensuring personalized attention.
Why Choose It: Trafalgar’s extensive range of itineraries makes it easy for solo travelers to pick the perfect trip. Whether it’s exploring ancient ruins in Greece or enjoying culinary experiences in Italy, Trafalgar provides well-rounded, culturally immersive experiences for solo adventurers.
Solo Traveler Perks: Trafalgar offers solo travelers exclusive deals and often waives the single supplement fee, which is a big perk for those traveling alone.
8. The Solo Traveler
Overview: This travel company is tailored specifically for solo travelers, providing small-group tours and custom itineraries designed to cater to the individual.
Solo Traveler Experience: As the name suggests, The Solo Traveler focuses entirely on solo adventurers, offering unique trips that encourage interaction with other solo travelers while allowing for personal freedom. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday or a cultural exploration, the tours are designed with solo travelers in mind.
Why Choose It: This company is perfect for anyone who wants to meet other solo travelers but still enjoy an individualized experience. Their trips are designed to create bonds between travelers, allowing for social engagement without sacrificing personal space.
Solo Traveler Perks: With a strong focus on solo traveler needs, the company offers customized trips and low-cost single accommodations, making it an affordable and personalized option.
9. Wild Frontiers
Overview: Wild Frontiers specializes in bespoke, off-the-beaten-path travel to destinations that are often overlooked by other tour companies. They offer a wide range of adventure-focused trips to remote destinations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Solo Traveler Experience: Wild Frontiers is ideal for solo travelers who are looking for a unique and adventurous experience. Their tours typically consist of small groups, offering a more intimate and personalized approach to travel. The company prides itself on providing cultural immersion and allowing travelers to experience destinations through local guides.
Why Choose It: For those looking for an authentic and adventurous experience, Wild Frontiers provides unique destinations that you won’t find on typical tourist itineraries. Solo travelers can enjoy the benefit of expert guidance while exploring the world’s most hidden gems.
Solo Traveler Perks: Small group sizes and a focus on personalized experiences ensure that solo travelers will feel valued and safe.
10. National Geographic Expeditions
Overview: National Geographic Expeditions offers a mix of luxury and adventure with small-group tours led by experts in science, history, and nature. Their focus is on in-depth exploration of nature and culture.
Solo Traveler Experience: National Geographic’s tours are ideal for solo travelers with a passion for nature, culture, and education. They offer a range of trips from expeditions in Antarctica to wildlife safaris in Africa. Travelers can learn from leading experts while exploring some of the world’s most incredible places.
Why Choose It: National Geographic’s expert-led tours provide travelers with opportunities to learn about the environment, history, and culture in a way that is unique to their specific interests. The small-group tours make it easy
Safety and Security: The Top Priority for Solo Travelers
For any solo adventurer, safety should be the foremost consideration when choosing a travel company. Solo travel can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with the responsibility of ensuring your well-being in a foreign place. This is especially true for solo female travelers, who often seek additional reassurance about their security.
Best Travel Companies for Solo Female Travelers: Look for companies that have a solid reputation for prioritizing the safety of their guests. The best tour companies for solo female travelers offer group travel experiences designed specifically with women in mind. These tours often include women-only groups, female guides, and a focus on destinations that are known for their safety and welcoming environments.
Small Group Sizes: Opting for the best group travel companies for solo travelers that offer small groups ensures a more intimate and personalized experience. Smaller groups are often more manageable and safer, particularly when traveling to remote or lesser-known destinations. They also allow for more interaction and the opportunity to form close connections with fellow travelers.
Safety Protocols: Look for companies that clearly outline their safety protocols. This could include 24/7 customer service, emergency response systems, and insurance options. Some companies also provide solo travelers with pre-trip safety briefings and guidelines for navigating potential risks in certain destinations.
 Flexibility and Customization: Tailored Experiences for Solo Travelers
One of the biggest appeals of solo travel is the ability to create your own itinerary and explore the world at your own pace. However, not all solo travelers are looking for complete independence, and many prefer to strike a balance between personal freedom and expert guidance. This is where flexibility and customization become essential.
Customizable Itineraries: While the best travel companies for solo travelers offer predefined tour packages, the best ones also allow for flexibility. Look for companies that offer customizable itineraries that let you add or remove activities based on your interests. This is ideal if you’re someone who likes to mix structured plans with spontaneous adventures.
Adventure vs. Relaxation: Depending on your travel preferences, you may want to choose a company that offers options for both adventurous trips and more relaxed getaways. For instance, some best tour companies for solo travelers specialize in action-packed adventures such as trekking or cycling tours, while others focus on cultural exploration or wellness retreats.
Solo Traveler-Friendly Options: Many solo travelers prefer not to feel like they are just “tagging along” with a group. Companies that understand this need will offer solo traveler-friendly packages that allow for a mix of social interactions with fellow travelers and opportunities for independent exploration. For example, a company might offer a guided city tour in the morning but leave the afternoon free for solo exploration.
 Group vs. Independent Travel: Striking the Right Balance
When choosing the best travel companies for solo travelers, it’s important to consider whether you want to join a group or travel independently with some support. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice depends on your personality and travel goals.
Group Tours for Solo Travelers: Many solo travelers enjoy group tours because they provide the chance to meet like-minded people while still offering structure. The best group travel companies for solo travelers often have programs specifically designed for people traveling alone. These companies typically offer small, close-knit groups, which provide opportunities for meaningful connections without feeling crowded or disconnected from the experience.
Independent Travel with Expert Support: If you’re someone who enjoys traveling on your own but values the support and safety of having a guide or expert available, consider opting for companies that offer semi-independent travel experiences. This might mean traveling with a guide but staying in independent accommodations or choosing optional group activities that are not mandatory.
Solo Traveler Tours for Specific Demographics: Some companies cater specifically to certain demographics, such as solo travelers over 50. For example, the best travel companies for solo travelers over 50 often design their tours with a slower pace, focusing on cultural immersion, relaxation, and comfort while still offering opportunities for adventure and exploration.
Cost and Value: Finding the Right Balance
While solo travel offers an unparalleled level of freedom, it can also be expensive. The best travel companies for solo travelers strike the right balance between cost and value, ensuring that you get your money’s worth without sacrificing the quality of the experience.
Affordable Group Tours: For solo travelers looking to save money, group tours can often be a more cost-effective option. Joining a group helps reduce the overall cost of accommodations, transport, and activities, making it easier for solo travelers to explore exotic destinations without breaking the bank. Look for companies that offer best group travel companies for solo travelers, as these are often tailored for cost-conscious travelers.
All-Inclusive Packages: Some companies offer all-inclusive packages that cover everything from flights to meals and excursions. These packages are often a great value for solo travelers, providing peace of mind and making it easier to budget for the entire trip.
Special Offers for Solo Travelers: Some travel companies offer exclusive discounts or perks for solo travelers. For instance, they might waive the single supplement fee that many hotels and cruises charge when booking a room for one. Be sure to look for these types of offers when searching for the best travel companies for solo travelers.
 Destination Expertise: Choosing the Right Tour Company for Your Ideal Trip
The best tour companies for solo travelers often specialize in certain destinations, giving them a deep understanding of the region and the most enriching experiences it has to offer. This expertise can be incredibly beneficial, particularly when traveling solo in a foreign country where language barriers or cultural differences might present challenges.
Regional Specialization: Choose a company with strong expertise in the destination you’re interested in. For example, if you’re dreaming of an African safari or trekking in Nepal, you’ll want a company that has a proven track record of organizing safe, high-quality tours in those areas. Look for companies that emphasize local knowledge, whether that means working with local guides or offering exclusive access to certain attractions.
Tailored Cultural Immersion: Many solo travelers seek authentic cultural experiences. The best travel companies for solo travelers often offer immersive experiences where you can engage with local communities, learn new skills, or enjoy unique activities that are off the beaten path.
 Conclusion:
In conclusion, solo travel offers a unique opportunity to explore the world on your own terms, and selecting the right travel company can enhance this experience in countless ways. Whether you’re seeking adventure, cultural immersion, or relaxation, the best travel companies for solo travelers provide tailored experiences that ensure both safety and excitement. From small-group tours to personalized itineraries, these companies offer everything you need to embark on your journey with confidence and ease.
Remember, the right travel company can make all the difference in creating a memorable solo adventure. By choosing a provider that aligns with your interests and travel style, you’ll not only explore new destinations but also meet like-minded individuals and gain deeper insights into the world around you.