Is Group Travel Worth It If You’re Going Alone?

Have you ever found yourself wanting to do something – a trip, a concert, a big experience – but your friends just weren’t as into it? So you pause the plan. You wait. You circle back later. And eventually… it never happens.

I’ve been seeing this trend all over social media: a group of friends finally traveling together to a bucket-list destination, with text on screen that says something like, “We finally got the trip out of the group chat!” I love these videos. Truly. There’s something special about a group of friends putting in the effort to plan a trip and spend their money on an experience together.

But there’s another side to those videos that doesn’t get talked about as much.

Behind every group chat that does make it out into the world, there’s usually another one that doesn’t. And behind that chat is often one person with big travel dreams that never quite come to life. Not because they don’t want to go, but because the people around them aren’t ready, available, or interested in the same way.

No more of this. I’m serious.

The world is too big to put your plans on hold waiting for others to commit.

Why Group Travel Can Be a Great Option for Solo Travelers

One of the biggest misconceptions about group travel is that you need to arrive with friends in order to fit in. In reality, our small-group trips are designed specifically with solo travelers in mind.

At Kook’s Wild Ride, solo travelers are not only welcome, they’re encouraged. Traveling alone within a group setting can actually be one of the most comfortable ways to step outside your comfort zone. You’re independent, but supported. You don’t have to plan every detail yourself, but you still get the freedom of traveling on your own terms.

You’re not relying on a friend’s schedule, budget, or energy level. You’re showing up for yourself.

This is one of the reasons small-group adventure travel works so well for people traveling solo. Whether you’re hiking together, sharing meals, or standing in quiet awe on a safari during our Zimbabwe adventure trip, shared moments tend to break down barriers quickly – without anything feeling forced.

“But Will I Feel Awkward If I Come Alone?”

This is the most common question we hear — and it’s a fair one.

Getting on a plane and heading somewhere new without knowing anyone can feel intimidating. That initial leap takes courage. But once you’re immersed in the experience – wandering through colorful streets, sharing meals, navigating new places – the question of “Will I fit in?” tends to fade. This happens often on trips like our Colombia group experience, where connection grows through everyday moments as much as big adventures.

Our shared experiences have a way of fast-tracking connection.

Many of our travelers arrive solo and leave with friendships that extend well beyond the trip itself. Not because anyone is trying to make it happen – but because when you spend meaningful time together, bonds form naturally.

A Real Example: Peru & Machu Picchu

Take our Peru trip, for example. Last year, we had two solo travelers sign up who had never traveled with Kook’s Wild Ride before. They were drawn to the itinerary, the pacing, and the intentional nature of the experience – even though they didn’t know a single person going in.

One of those travelers, Abby, shared a moment that stuck with me.

“I’ve always wanted to come to Machu Picchu,” she said. “My favorite movie growing up was The Emperor’s New Groove.”

Traveling more than 4,500 miles from home (Chicago) to visit one of the world’s most iconic places, Abby decided not to wait for the “perfect” group of friends to align. She signed up, showed up, and checked a lifelong dream off her list – surrounded by people who, just days earlier, were strangers.

That’s the power of saying yes to the experience instead of waiting for circumstances to be ideal.

Is Group Travel Worth It If You’re Going Alone?

If you value connection, structure, and shared experience – yes, absolutely.

Group travel isn’t about losing independence. It’s about removing friction. You don’t have to research every route, coordinate logistics, or worry about whether plans will fall through. Instead, you get to focus on being present, curious, and open to what unfolds.

That said, group travel isn’t for everyone.

If you need to be in control at all times, or if unpredictability makes you uncomfortable, it may not be the right fit — and that’s okay. But if you’re willing to lean into the experience, even when things feel unfamiliar, traveling solo within a group can be one of the most rewarding ways to explore the world.

The Bottom Line

Waiting for the group chat to align can keep you stuck longer than you realize. If there’s a place you’ve been dreaming about – Peru, Patagonia, anywhere that’s been quietly calling your name – you don’t have to wait for permission to go.

Sometimes the most meaningful trips start with a simple decision: I’m going anyway.

And you don’t have to do it alone.