Benefits & Advice For Solo Travel

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There are many reasons why you would consider traveling independently over being in a group.

Independent travelers tend to have more freedom, convenience, and save money.

But there are far more things to consider than just saving time and money.

In this guide, I’ve listed some things to consider when traveling alone as opposed to a group, as well as listing all the benefits of Independent travel.

Why is independent travel is better than group travel?

If you’re planning your next vacation and you’re not sure whether to do it alone, here are some reasons why independent travel might be right for you…

1. Travel at a slower pace

Craig and I travelled through Africa independently backpacking from Kenya to Cape Town. We were always amazed at how fast the overland trucks (the guided tours) ripped through areas.

While we were relaxing in beautiful lakeside villages for days at a time, they were pulling in, setting up, and then getting up at the crack of dawn to pack up and leave again. It was quite exhausting watching it.

Independent travel allows you to go at your own pace, enabling you to get to know the local culture more and create more enriching experiences in one particular area.

You also get more free time as you are not rushing to be on a schedule.

2. You get greater authenticity

I hesitate to use the word “authenticity” because I believe that every moment is authentic because you are experiencing it.

So it doesn’t really matter if you are in a bus touring Europe, walking across the prairies, or eating rice with the Zao in the terraced mountain villages of Sapa, it is authentic.

What I am talking about here is cultural travel, a connection with the day to day living of a destination that might be harder to make on a tour.

I was speaking with a lady who recently returned from a guided tour of Africa with a tour company. While she thoroughly enjoyed her time, she did complain that she did not have enough “authentic” experiences.

She was really disappointed to not have the opportunities to step outside the world of the tour group to get to know local life in the villages.

The main reason was that their tour guide would not let them due to it not being safe enough. She was even more disappointed to hear that Craig and I had done the same trip, independently, walking freely amongst…