Best Group Travel for First-Time Solo Travelers

If you’re researching the best group travel for first-time solo travelers, you’re probably excited, and also a little unsure what to expect.

You might be asking:

• Will it be awkward if I show up alone?
• Will everyone already know each other?
• Will it feel like a party tour, or something totally stiff?
• Will I actually make friends, or just travel alongside people?

For many people, group tour travel is the easiest and most comfortable way to experience solo travel for the first time; especially when you choose a company designed for solo travelers.

This guide breaks down the best group travel companies for first-time solo travelers, how they differ, and which one is likely the best fit for your age, comfort level, and travel style.

Quick Answer: What’s the Best Group Travel for First-Time Solo Travelers?

For most first-time solo travelers, the best group trips are ones that:

• Attract a high percentage of other solo travelers
• Make it easy to connect without forcing interaction
• Offer structure without rigidity
• Set clear expectations around age range and group vibe

Under30Experiences (often called U30X) is one of the best overall options for first-time solo travelers who want a social, balanced experience, but it’s not the only choice depending on what you’re looking for.

Why Group Travel Works So Well for First-Time Solo Travelers

Traveling solo for the first time can feel intimidating, especially internationally.

Group travel removes many of the biggest friction points:

Built-in community

Most travelers arrive solo, so no one feels like the odd one out.

Logistics handled

Transportation, accommodations, activities, and pacing are pre-arranged.

Support without babysitting

You have a trip leader and a group — but still plenty of independence.

Social flexibility

You can be social when you want, and take time alone when you need it.

The key is choosing a group trip that feels natural, not overwhelming.

What First-Time Solo Travelers Should Look For

Not all group trips are ideal for first-time solo travelers.

The best group travel for solo first-timers usually includes:

• A high percentage of solo travelers
• Clear expectations around age range
• Small to mid-sized groups
• Shared meals and experiences that make conversation easy
• Flexible evenings and downtime
  

This is where companies differ the most.

Age range matters more than many first-time solo travelers expect. Some companies attract peers in a similar life stage, while others operate primarily with mixed-age groups.

Best Group Travel Companies for First-Time Solo Travelers

Under30Experiences

Best for: First-time solo travelers who want connection without pressure

Under30Experiences attracts a large number of solo travelers, many of whom are traveling alone for the first time.

Why it works especially well for first-time solo travelers:

• Most travelers join solo
• Groups typically skew late 20s to early 30s
• Travelers tend to be in a similar life stage
• Social connection is encouraged, never forced
• Leaders help facilitate group cohesion naturally

What trips actually feel like during your first solo travel adventure:

• You’re welcomed immediately
• Conversations happen organically
• Some nights are quiet, some involve drinks, some turn into nights out
• There’s never pressure to drink, party, or stay out

Not ideal if:

• You want total independence with no group interaction
• You want nightlife to be the main focus of the trip

Explore upcoming Under30Experiences trips

Intrepid Travel

Best for: Independent first-time solo travelers comfortable with mixed-age groups

Intrepid Travel is a popular option for solo travelers who want cultural immersion and are comfortable navigating social dynamics independently.

What to know:

• Many travelers join solo
• Groups are typically mixed ages
• Some age-specific itineraries exist, but most departures are mixed
• Social connection varies significantly by group
  

A good option if you value culture and responsibility over a socially curated group experience.

G Adventures

Best for: Adventure-focused solo travelers comfortable with mixed-age groups

G Adventures appeals to solo travelers who want physically active, experience-driven trips.

What to know:

• Many travelers join solo
• Groups are mixed ages on most departures
• Itineraries can be physically demanding
• Social connection exists, but adventure comes first

Best if you’re comfortable pushing yourself physically and don’t need a peer-based group dynamic.

FTLO (For the Love of Travel)

Best for: Solo travelers in their mid-30s to 40s who want a curated, comfort-forward experience

FTLO is designed for travelers who want a highly curated, design-driven group trip, often later in their travel journey.

What to know:

• Travelers frequently skew mid-30s through 40s
• Smaller groups with a polished, boutique feel
• Premium accommodations, including a hotel room and dining
• Slower pacing and a higher price point
  

Trade-offs for first-time solo travelers:

• Less adventure-driven
• Less spontaneous group bonding
• Social connection is more curated than organic

A good fit if comfort and aesthetics matter more than adventure or high group energy.

Contiki

Best for: Younger first-time solo travelers who want a high-energy, social experience

Contiki is often the first brand people encounter when researching solo group travel.

What to know:

• Groups tend to skew younger (often early 20s)
• Fast-paced itineraries with frequent nightlife
• Strong emphasis on social energy and going out

A good fit if nightlife and high-energy group dynamics are a core reason you travel. 

These trips can feel intense for travelers seeking a calmer or more flexible first solo experience.

EF Ultimate Break

Best for: College-aged and very early-20s first-time travelers

EF Ultimate Break focuses on structured trips for students and recent graduates.

What to know:

• Groups skew 18–22
• Highly structured schedules
• Strong support and hand-holding

Often a good first step for very young travelers, but many people outgrow EF after college. Many travelers move on to other group travel styles after their first few international trips.

Is Group Travel Awkward If You’re Traveling Solo?

This is the most common fear, and the answer depends on fit.

Group travel is rarely awkward when:

• Many travelers arrive solo
• People are in a similar life stage
• Expectations around pace, comfort, and social energy are aligned

When those elements are present, solo travelers often say:

“I never actually felt alone.”

What Good Group Travel Is Not Like

For first-time solo travelers, it helps to reset expectations.

Well-designed group trips are not:

• Constant forced interaction
• Awkward icebreakers
• Nonstop togetherness
• Nightlife-only itineraries

The best trips balance connection and independence.

Final Takeaway: Solo, Not Alone

The best group travel for first-time solo travelers offers:

• Support without restriction
• Connection without pressure
• Structure without rigidity

If you’re traveling solo for the first time and want a safe, social, and well-balanced group experience, Under30Experiences is one of the strongest places to start.

Explore Under30Experiences trips

Frequently Asked Questions

Do people really join group trips solo?

Yes. Many group trips are made up mostly of solo travelers.

Will I feel out of place if I come alone?

Not when many travelers arrive solo and the group shares similar expectations, especially on trips designed for young adults.

Can I take time alone on a group trip?

Absolutely. Free time and personal space are built into good itineraries. You can always skip the included activities to go do your own thing. 

Are Under30Experiences trips party trips?

No. Under30Experiences trips are social, but they’re not built around partying. People often enjoy drinks and occasional nights out, but nightlife is never the focus of the itinerary. Some nights are low-key, some are social, and some may turn into nights out–it depends on the group. There’s never pressure to drink or keep up.

What kind of accommodations do Under30Experiences trips use?

In some destinations, yes, but only when they meet a higher standard. Not traditional dorm-style accommodations.

Under30Experiences most often stays in boutique hotels and locally run guesthouses. On select itineraries, accommodations may include modern, design-forward hostels that operate more like small hotels, often offering private rooms with en-suite bathrooms rather than traditional dorms.

Accommodations are chosen for comfort, location, and group experience, not budget or party vibes.

See upcoming trips for first-time solo travelers