Travelling alone vs travelling with someone—the pros and cons. I’ve done both, and honestly, there are good and bad sides to each.
For me, it all depends on the type of trip I’m taking, and I think that’s the most important thing to consider when deciding whether to travel solo or not. But there are other factors, too—safety in numbers, costs, memories, and whether you actually want to share the experience with someone.
I don’t think it’s a case of solo travel vs travelling with someone. You don’t have to pick a side—you can enjoy both. I enjoy both.
That said, I do think solo travel offers more opportunities for self-discovery than group travel, which is why the real question is: Why are you taking this trip? If you want to grow, learn more about yourself, and have time to reflect, I’ll always advocate for solo travel.
But if you’re all about fun, shared experiences, and making memories with your bestie, then group travel is going to win. That’s not to say solo travel isn’t fun and memorable—it absolutely is.
There are so many things that can influence this decision. In this post, I’m running through literally every pro and con I could think of to help you decide whether to travel alone or with friends.
Travelling Alone Vs Travelling With Someone – Pros, Cons, And Which One Suits You Best
If you’re trying to decide whether to travel solo or go with a friend, I’ve put down all the reasons for and against each option to help you weigh up what suits you best. This is a comprehensive list of everything I could think of that might impact your decision to make it easier for you to choose.
However, I think there are some crucial questions to ask yourself at the end of it all.
- What type of experience am I looking for—adventure and self-discovery or shared memories with someone else?
- Am I comfortable navigating new places and situations on my own, or would I prefer the security of having a travel companion?
- Do I feel like I need someone to share the highs and lows of the journey, or do I thrive in my own company?
- Am I open to meeting new people along the way, or do I prefer having someone familiar with me?
- How important is flexibility to me? Do I want to set my own pace, or am I happy to go with someone else’s flow?
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The Pros and Cons of Travelling Alone
Let’s start with the positives and negatives of travelling by yourself and how realising these details might help you decide whether solo travel or group travel is for you.
Ultimate freedom vs. all the planning and decision-making is on you
My favourite thing about solo travel is the freedom. I hear a lot of people say this, and well, it’s true. When I travel, I have no responsibility, no worries in the world and I’m free to do what I want, when I want and how I want. It’s a wonderful feeling.
On the flipside, all the planning and decision making is on me. I have to make sure I know what I’m doing, where I’m going and how I’m getting there. This is fine for me since I’m a highly organised person, but it might not be your best trait.
More opportunities to meet new people vs. feelings of loneliness
I do feel that travelling by yourself makes it easier to meet people, simply because you’ll be in a situation alone and we are creatures of community—mostly. Therefore, I always seek out people to make friends with. Especially when travelling alone, you’ll become more approachable as well.
So if you’re intent is to meet new people and make new friends, then solo travel could be for you. I’m not saying that you won’t meet people when travelling with a buddy.
But, travelling alone can also mean bouts of loneliness. It’s true what they say that you can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely. I’ve felt it and it’s not a nice feeling. But it is something to be overcome, and for me, it never lasts long.
You’re personality trait is something to consider as well. If you’re an outgoing, talkative person, meeting new people is easy; however, if you’re typically shy, it could prove more challenging. Maybe solo travel would be a good way for you to come out of your shell!
More of a challenge vs. less motivated without a travel buddy
Another reason I love solo travel is because of the challenges. There are so many challenges to overcome, from deciding where to go, when to leave, how to move around, how to keep within budget and so on.
It’s also this feeling of total independence. You’ve got no one else to rely on other than yourself. You have to figure things out otherwise you’re screwed.
On the other hand, you might find that you become complacent and less motivated to do and try new things. If you’re not someone who is already outgoing and adventurous, travelling with someone can help push you out of that comfort zone.
Less bickering vs. no one to share responsibilities when things go wrong
I have to be honest, I had a huge argument with one of my friends when we were travelling, which led to us going our separate ways. This is probably the worst thing that can happen in regard to travelling with someone.
In a positive turn of events, it led to my “actual” first time solo travelling. (I say actual because although I left for Oz alone, I never felt alone and met and travelled with friends almost instantly—so I don’t count it, really).
Although there was no longer anyone else to think about, it did mean that all the responsibility—the trip, my safety, the money—was now all on me. I was a tad sad over my new situation, angry mostly, but if you choose to travel solo initially, then this won’t be a problem!
More immersed in the experience vs. no one to share those ‘wow’ moments with
When I’m travelling alone, I find myself more appreciative and aware of my surroundings and what I’m doing. I think it’s because I’m less likely to be deep in conversation.
So, when I think about travelling alone vs travelling with someone, I’m definitely more immersed in the experience when I’m alone. This was even more true when I was travelling in my twenties.
In my earlier years, travelling with a buddy meant I was too distracted to truly appreciate where I was and what I was looking at. Although, that could have just been an age thing?!
On the other hand, there’s no one to share those wow monuments with, unless, of course, you’ve made friends at the hostel and you’re at the attraction with them… which is what typically happens!
You realise you are capable of more than you imagine vs. it can feel overwhelming at times
I advocate solo travel if your aim is personal growth and gaining a deeper understanding of yourself. I attribute the independent, strong, outgoing and organised person I am today to travelling.
Not necessarily solo travelling, but I certainly learnt more about myself and how capable I am on these solo adventures than I did when I was travelling with someone. But it can feel overwhelming at times.
If you easily get overwhelmed, worried, panicky, or overthink situations, travelling alone can be too much. I would suggest shorter trips and see how you go from there. Solo travel can be great to overcome these traits, but it’s best to start small.
Great for building self-confidence vs. moments of doubt hit harder when you’re alone
I have to talk about how solo travel builds self-confidence! It’s one of the top reasons I think solo travel is so great.
You will, in no uncertain terms, become more confident in everything you do. It’s just impossible to return from a solo trip and not feel a sense of achievement and pride. You’ll feel like you can take on the world—’cause you literally just did!
On the flipside, when things aren’t going to plan, there’s no one that’s close to you to reassure you that things are going to be okay. However, you’re new friends will be there to tell you you’re doing just fine.
Travelling solo means you’re forced to figure things out on your own, which builds confidence and independence. But don’t be afraid to share your emotions if you’re feeling doubt, homesick or down.
More peace and quiet vs. no one to bounce ideas off or talk things through
I find that I have a lot of time for reflection during solo travel. It can be more peaceful. That said, these days, if I want “me time”, I take it whether in a group or not.
One of the cons to travelling alone is that there’s no one to talk things through. All the decision-making is on you, and although that’s generally a good thing, it can also become stressful—if you let it!
Solo travel is not as safe as group travel
When I think of the pros and cons of travelling alone vs travelling with someone, I think it’s fair to say that there’s safety in numbers and therefore, travelling alone is more dangerous.
From personal experience, I know I’m extra cautious about personal security when I’m alone. Even when travelling as a duo, it’s something that is always in the back of my mind. Larger groups are safer.
If this is something you’re really concerned about, then travelling in a group might be best for you.
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Solo travel is more expensive… or is it?
To be honest, I think it kind of works out the same, but it does depend on who you’re travelling with.
I’ve been quite lucky to travel with friends who have similar interests to me and as a result, there’s rarely a situation where I’ve had to do something I didn’t want to—in the sense that I’ve not spent money on experiences I wouldn’t have done if I was travelling solo.
If you’re travelling with someone who has different interests, this can mean spending more money on things you wouldn’t necessarily have done or compromising on activities you want to do to save money.
Sometimes, solo deals and budget tricks (like sharing meals) make it even cheaper, but then you might end up partying more with a friend.
Another example is the price of a dorm bed, which, in comparison to a private room, is typically cheaper, but maybe you’re both staying in dorms. If so, accommodation is going to be the same.
Overall, the price of your trip is going to work out similarly whether you’re travelling alone or travelling with someone in regard to a backpacking-type trip.
The Pros and Cons of Travelling With Someone
Let’s flip everything on its head and discuss the good and bad sides of travelling with someone.
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Shared experiences vs. conflicts over travel plans
Sharing those “wow” moments with someone is always great. It’s a lovely feeling being able to reminisce over stories of what I did and how it felt. No one truly quite understands what it’s like to be there unless they were there.
But then again, there’s always the risk of having different ideas on where to go and what to do. While you’re travelling with someone, there’s less flexibility.
If they disagree on travel plans, the conflicts can cause big problems. It’s important to communicate the plan before departure and during the trip so you’re both on the same page.
Understanding what is expected from the trip and from one another is crucial to group travel.
Less lonely vs. less personal space
I think one of the top reasons we travel with someone is so we don’t feel lonely. I touched on this earlier, and I want to reiterate that I think it’s a huge factor when deciding if you’re able to travel solo or not.
It is less lonely travelling with friends. This is certainly a positive attribute when considering the pros and cons of travelling alone vs travelling with someone.
I am a people person and enjoy being around people, although I love my personal space, and to be honest, my social battery is not what it once was! However, I’m at a stage where I can travel with a friend and yet when I want my own time, it’s fine. I just need to communicate this and I’m left alone.
If you’re someone who easily gets lonely and finds it challenging to talk to strangers, then travelling with someone is going to be the better option for you.
Splitting costs makes travel cheaper, but disagreements over money can arise
The jury’s out on whether travelling with friends is cheaper. I still think it works out around the same; however, certain aspects can make it cheaper, like splitting costs.
I want to dive a bit more into this since the type of trip you’re taking can impact the cost. I’ve been focusing on backpacking; however, if you’re going on a traditional holiday, then yes, travelling with friends is going to be more affordable.
Package holidays, group tours, taxis and meals, etc. typically cost less if you’re in a group. You’ll find group discounts, deals on accommodation and sometimes even special perks like free upgrades or added extras.
The downside is that disagreements over money can occur. Someone might have eaten more, drank more, wants to go on a different tour… and why should you have to shell out for them?
It can be a tricky field to navigate. My advice is to be totally transparent with your budget and expectations from the trip. If you’re travelling with friends, be clear and honest and don’t feel bad saying you can’t afford to do something or you’re happy to go alone if they don’t want to do something.
It’s safer vs. taking fewer risks and missing out on adventures
I’ve looped back around to the safety aspect of the trip. I do believe it’s safer to travel with someone, but it can also mean you take fewer risks and potentially miss out on adventures.
I’m all about the adventure and going off the beaten path, but when I was travelling a few years ago, I went with someone who worried… a lot. Due to this, I was talked out of doing things I probably would have done if I were alone.
Even to this day, I feel I missed out on some experiences, some adventure to be had, some exciting story to be told.
On the flipside, I didn’t feel unsafe at any point during those ten months galavanting around the world!
It can be less stressful vs there’s more chance of arguments
In certain instances travelling with someone can be less stressful. Saying that, it can also be more stressful.
It’s very important to choose your travel buddy with care. You’ll be spending a lot of time with this person, and if you have opposing interests, budgets and ideas on travelling, your trip is going to be stressful. There will be arguments for sure!
However, I’d like to think you’re going with someone you know, someone with the same ideas and interests as you. In this case, travelling is less stressful and sometimes more fun because you can share experiences, split costs, and have someone to navigate challenges with.
Someone to laugh with vs their bad moods can affect your trip
Having someone to laugh with is amazing. It’s one of my favourite things about travelling with friends, especially when that friend is on my energy level; you’ll positively bounce off one another.
On the other hand, when one of you gets down or is in a bad mood, this will, 99% of the time, rub off on you and affect your mood. Since you’re spending so much time with each other, it’s impossible for it not to. It’s a case of whether you can snap each other out of it and not let it affect the trip.
Find someone who matches your energy to have the best time travelling with a friend!
Less daunting vs. you may rely on others too much
Travelling with someone is certainly less daunting, especially if it’s a first-time trip.
Since I travel so much now, it never seems daunting anymore, but I remember my first big trip to Oz—I was scared. If I’d had someone to go with, it would have been easier for sure. Nevertheless, I still went on that trip and relied only on myself.
Although it might not seem like it, a drawback to travelling with someone is that the responsibility is shared. The problem is, you might rely on them too much—whether it’s navigating, making decisions, or handling challenges.
It’s easy to let them take charge, meaning you might miss out on personal growth and the sense of accomplishment that comes with tackling things alone.
So again, the question is, why are you taking this trip?
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How To Decide: Travelling Alone Vs Travelling With Someone
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. When I’m planning a trip, the three things I think about are my personality, the destination and my travel goals.
I know that some destinations are better for travelling with people while others would be better to travel solo. The same goes for location. Some countries, like Thailand, are super easy to navigate and perfect for solo travel, whereas others are harder to navigate, and I might want the support.
No matter what you choose, each option has its perks and challenges.
If you’re still not sure, you could even mix things up—travel solo for part of the trip and join group tours later, or meet a friend halfway through. So, it’s not travelling alone vs travelling with someone, it’s whatever is best for you.
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