Posted on Monday, 13 January 2014

There are distinct advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone, in a tour group, or using the services of a tour guide. Here we look at what those pros and cons are, guided by the simple question: how can I have the best holiday possible? Of course, aside from your personal preferences, the opinions of any fellow travellers, the time you have available and your budget will all play a part in identifying which approach suits you best.

Go it Alone

To some people, holidaying or long-term travelling by themselves is terrifying; to others it's the most freeing and exciting way to explore a new country or city. However, as with the three approaches to travelling we're looking at here, it has its pros and cons.

Travelling alone gives you ultimate control over your itinerary. Fancy getting up at 5am to see the sun rise over the pyramids? Want to take the train to Florence on a whim? When you're by yourself, there is no one to compromise with, no one to make you late or get into an argument with.

And if you decide to shun tour groups and tour guides, you won't be herded onto a minibus at 7am, and then get told when and where you can eat your lunch or go to the toilet. You will also save a good deal on tour group/guide fees, and be able to seek out the cheaper hotels and eateries. Tour groups sometimes have affiliations with certain hotels and restaurants, or simply assume the group wants to patronise the most costly, touristy establishment.

On the downside, travelling alone can sometimes, depending on your character or given mood, be a lonely experience. You're looking up at Michealangelo's masterwork in the Sistine Chapel, and there's no one to share the beauty of it with (that said, you may well meet fellow single travellers or groups along the way). And without a tour guide or group, you will have to find out all the information about such sights yourself.

Travelling alone does raise some safety issues too – especially for women – and requires a little more care when moving about by one's self. This issue will be of more or less consequence depending on your destination country. Some of the risks of travelling alone can be addressed – at least in terms of financial recompense – by adequate insurance. Choosing the best travel insurance for your trip is important however you choose to travel, but can offer real peace of mind to the independent traveller.

Alone Together

If you're travelling as a couple or in a group of friends, but not in a tour group or with a guide, most of the above pros and cons still stand. However, travelling in a pair or a group offers more safety than going it alone, and means you'll always have someone to enjoy your destination with – but will require more compromising!

A Tour Group

Tour groups take many forms, from a few days in a minibus to a two-week jaunt on a luxury coach. It may also involve safaris, boat trips, bicycle rides and innumerable other activities and modes of transport.

The key idea of a tour group is that it ensures you see the most important sights in an organised manner. It is also a very social experience, since you will be in close proximity to other holidaymakers. How you gel with these people can have a big effect on how much you enjoy your tour. But you will never have to worry about finding a hotel or somewhere to eat. For those who have little time and want to see as much as possible, a tour group could be ideal. For older people or those with young children, it may also take a lot of the hassle out of travel.

Depending on what you want from a holiday, there could be downsides to a tour group too. It will probably cost more than organising everything by yourself, and if you find a place you really like, you won't have the option of staying a day or two longer. Being told what to do all day long, and enduring talks about subjects that might not interest you could also become tiresome.

A Personal Tour Guide

Hiring the services of a personal tour guide might be done long term or short term. You might, for example, hire someone to show you round a city for the day. On the other hand, you might hire a guide for a two week tour – giving you the advantages of a tour group, but with more power to change the itinerary as you wish. Some tour guides may provide transport as part of the deal. You will get a far more personalised experience with your own tour guide; you'll be able to ask questions when you want to, and if you want to stop and rest or have a bite to eat, your tour guide is sure to oblige. If your guide is experienced, he or she will ensure you see all the most important tourist sights, or tailor the tour to your particular interests. For example, you may be more interested in battlefields and prefer to spend less time in art galleries.

And if you only have a short time in a city or country, a good tour guide can ensure you see as much as possible in the most efficient manner; a little local knowledge can go a long way when you're in a foreign country.

Decision Time

Of course, it is possible to combine all three of these approaches, although this will depend on your time constraints, budget and what you feel like doing. All three are a compromise between personal control, comfort and how adventurous you feel, but all three can help you make the most of your next holiday.

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