Those who were bitten by the travel bug know that traveling is one of the greatest pleasures on offer. It is easy to enjoy and hard to let go of, but there are many things you need to consider before starting your journey into foreign lands.
You can either travel solo or in a group. Both ways have their pros and cons, so the final decision will ultimately have to be made by you – the traveler. However, we’ll try to explain some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of travel here, so that your decision could be more informed.
Safety and Convenience
The problem of security is probably the first thing that comes to mind when we consider traveling into a foreign country alone vs with friends or family.
One of the main reasons group travel is so popular is because it offers a level of safety in numbers. Also, when we travel in a group, it is often someone else’s responsibility to work out the travel plan and even accommodation and food.
If you choose to travel on your own, you’re going to have to put in a lot more work into researching the tiniest details of the trip, and if anything goes wrong, there will be no-one to blame but yourself.
Even though most places nowadays are safe to travel on your own, there are still factors such as cultural differences and similar details that you’ll have to work out if you hope to blend in properly. When you travel in a group, you won’t often run into these types of concerns.
Independence
On the flip side, the autonomy provided by solo travel is hard to ignore. Any other mode of travel, whether you’re on a paid tour or merely renting an AirBnB with a group of friends, can’t compare with the full range of freedom you have when you travel on your own.
Feel like taking a jog through the city? Put on a pair of running shoes and go! There’s no-one to stop you or complain about how they want to go to the aquarium or a museum instead. Those of us who like to stay physically active during our travels also like to have the proper gear at all times. If you’re not sure how to pick out top-quality sports equipment, you can find more here and end up with plenty of fitness reviews and recommendations.
Cost
Fun, games, and sudden bursts of exercise motivation aside, traveling alone is not cheap. Apart from safety, this is probably what most people will think of when listing the pros of traveling in a group. The quality of your trip will be significantly determined by how much you’re expected to pay along the way.
Group travelers can often take advantage of discounts, and your accommodation is likely to be a lot cheaper. Also, if you’re renting a car, it’s much better to split the cost between four people than having to pay for the whole thing yourself.
On the other hand, though, if you’re traveling on your own, why do you even need a car? A solo traveler can save money in all kinds of situations where they would be tempted (or expected) to spend if they were in a group.
Conclusion
In the end, it all comes down to what you’re willing to sacrifice more – your independence or your convenience and safety. Cost is a significant factor as well, but both modes of travel offer some advantages and disadvantages in this regard.
Weighing all the pros and cons against each other will give you a clearer picture of what you want to gain from your travels, so think carefully before embarking on your next adventure.
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