Do you think it’s better to travel alone or with a group?
Group travel refers to any organized trip lasting several days that you book in advance and join a group of other travelers who have booked the same trip. Traveling in a group often includes a leader, pre-planned activities, and arrangements for most of your accommodations and meals. The goal of group travel is to make it easier for you to relax and enjoy the journey without having to worry about your own logistics.
One of the biggest attractions of group travel is that you don’t have to plan anything; you simply choose which country or place you want to visit. Let the travel company and tour guides handle the logistics and take you on an adventure-filled journey in the area. A major advantage is that the tour guides will have a wealth of local knowledge and can provide you with great suggestions on places to visit during your free time, as they will schedule downtime where you will have the freedom to explore on your own. However, the main drawback of group travel is the lack of freedom, as you must always consider that you are sharing the experience with others and that the trip is not just about you. Therefore, most of what you do during the trip must align with the interests, tastes, and priorities of many people. Flexibility in group travel is necessary because you must agree with your companions and resolve conflicts peacefully and respectfully. Additionally, you must accept the reality that the majority opinion is important, and you should respect it.
Group travel allows individuals to meet new friends and exchange experiences. This can be incredibly enjoyable and is a hidden gem of group travel. These trips often bring an energy that you would not experience if you were not socializing and exploring with others. It gives you the opportunity to form lasting relationships until the trip ends. This is something new that you should experience to help you step out of your comfort zone. However, sometimes meeting new people on a trip means that you may not get along with some members of the group and have to travel with them throughout the journey. The best way to handle this is to approach the trip with an open mind and understand that others may not be like you or even like the people you usually befriend. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy their company during the trip, learn new things, or expand your boundaries regarding what you seek in others.
Moreover, a very common concern is about safety. Tourist hotspots sometimes come with worries such as pickpocketing or bag snatching. But great tour guides will help here as well. At each stop, they will inform you about safety issues or if there are parts of the city to avoid. They will also provide suggestions on places to visit, how to get there, and of course, general safety tips for the area.
Traveling alone can be one of the most rewarding experiences you ever have. Solo travel forces you to step out of your comfort zone, tackle challenges, and push your limits. It offers you the greatest flexibility during your journey, but it also requires you to make all the decisions and handle all the planning. When traveling solo, the experience can be fulfilling and extraordinary, but it is entirely up to you.
You can choose when and where you want to go and what you want to do without pressure from others. For example, you can select destinations based solely on your interests and needs, extend your stay in places you enjoy, or leave places you don’t like as much earlier. However, the responsibility of traveling alone can be overwhelming, as you are solely in charge of the entire trip planning, including logistics, how to use transportation, ensuring you arrive on time, and much more.
The experience of traveling solo will push you out of your comfort zone in many ways, and this may happen repeatedly. You might have to navigate to your destination in a foreign language or learn how local public transportation works. Research confirms that solo travel provides benefits for developing autonomy. It also helps enhance maturity. You will be forced to make hundreds of decisions, only to later realize that whatever you do may not turn out exactly as you expected, and that’s what makes it enjoyable and helps you grow.
The personal growth from solo travel is truly invaluable. After the trip, you will feel satisfied and proud of your ability to do it. On the other hand, traveling alone increases your chances of socializing with others, such as locals and other solo travelers. When traveling solo, you will find many opportunities to start conversations with people anywhere, such as in hotels, tourist attractions, and more. There’s nothing wrong with socializing and making new friends while traveling alone, as some encounters can lead to lasting friendships.
Furthermore, meeting people from all over the world, different ethnic groups, and diverse backgrounds will enrich your experience. However, those who travel alone will inevitably experience feelings of loneliness and often feel isolated. Not everyone is comfortable with the solitude that comes with solo travel, especially in new places and situations. While traveling alone, you may miss your family or friends. Additionally, loneliness can affect you if you are not good at socializing or making new friends. Moreover, the freedom you gain from traveling alone also has some downsides. The downside is that you must take full responsibility for your decisions during the trip, even if the outcomes may not be favorable.
The last serious concern for some solo travelers, and often the reason why family and friends advise against traveling alone, is safety. Traveling in general is safe, but when exploring unfamiliar places alone, you may find yourself in unwanted situations or areas. The best thing you can do is use common sense. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry or accessories.
Don’t leave your bags unattended. Don’t draw attention to yourself. If traveling to outdoor destinations for hiking or wilderness exploration, make sure to be aware of wildlife, weather conditions, trails, and don’t hesitate to hire a guide. You don’t need to be afraid of traveling alone, but you should do your research and understand that you may look like a stranger in a foreign city while getting around. And don’t forget to always inform a friend or family member about where you are and what your plans are.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to both group travel and solo travel. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Many people choose group travel for reasons of safety and ease of planning, while others prefer the maximum flexibility that solo travel offers. My advice is to try both types of travel in small doses to see which one you prefer. Many people start as solo travelers within a group before gradually becoming more adventurous and exploring on their own. Whatever your choice, I believe the best advice for anyone is to choose something. Step out and start traveling outside your comfort zone. You will discover the rest along the way.
By: Nabila Alifalisy Syafa’ah
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