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There’s nothing like the freedom of traveling on your own—setting out solo and returning home after your journey with a special sense of independence and accomplishment. But just because you’re going to solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Group travel can be a great option for single travelers to meet new friends with similar interests while you travel solo!
As solo travel trends continue to grow, many who have never traveled solo have their reservations. Will it be lonely? Costly? Dangerous? We’ve put together this special resource page for solo travelers to help you navigate the world of solo travel, answer questions, address concerns and offer fun, interesting and helpful tips and inspiration to get the most out of your solo travels!
Be Sure Someone Knows Where You’re HeadedPrepare an itinerary, however rough, with contact information for your cell phone and the hotels where you’ll be staying. If you’re traveling with Road Scholar, we’ll provide an itinerary for you! Share this itinerary with a friend or family member at home so they know where you are and when you plan to be back, and check in with them throughout your trip. It’s always good to have someone who knows where you are when you’re traveling solo.
Set Up an International Phone PlanIf you’ll be going out of the country, contact your mobile phone provider and find out what kind of international plans they offer. Having a working phone with you on your travels can give you peace of mind in case of emergency and also makes it easier to navigate and look up information like museum hours if you have a smart phone.
Meet the Locals or Other TravelersTraveling solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone every day. Spark up a conversation with a local at a coffee shop or another traveler in line for the Louvre. Group travel organizations like Road Scholar offer you the chance to travel with others, and websites and apps like mealsharing.com and EatWith can connect you with a local to share a home-cooked meal.
Avoid the Single SupplementIn some cases, traveling solo means extra fees for the luxury of your own room. But when you travel with Road Scholar, you have options to avoid those fees. If you’re comfortable rooming with a fellow Road Scholar, we can match you with a roommate. If having your own room is the only option for you, you can also pay a small fee on most programs for your own room. Some programs even offer single rooms with no extra charge! Check out our programs with no charge for solo travelers.
“This was my first Road Scholar trip, and the experience exceeded my expectations! As a solo traveler, it was wonderful to be a part of the group and learn from others, as well as the experts who spoke to us. On my own I probably wouldn't have visited some of the stops that were on the program, but everything is interesting when your group is treated as educational travelers and given exclusive access.”
“It was wonderful to be a part of the group and learn from others!”
“I’d wanted to go to India for a while, so I decided to give Road Scholar a try. It was the first time I ever did any kind of organized travel program. Considering the quality of the food, the places we stayed and the price I paid, I really don’t think I could have done something similar on my own. I learned a lot and had unique experiences—like an Indian cooking lesson and meals with families in their homes.”
“It was the first time I ever did any kind of organized travel program.”
“This was my first Road Scholar trip, and I was very impressed with the organization of everything. The speakers and leaders were all excellent, and the participants were warm and friendly. Being single was not a problem! I am planning my next trip next month.”
“Being single was not a problem!”
“Just returned from the ‘Rim to Shore’ trip to Costa Rica. This was my first time solo traveling, and it couldn't have been more delightful. I felt included from the beginning and enjoyed sharing the educational adventures with a great group of people. The blend of lectures, field trips and active adventures was the perfect recipe for a memorable trip.”
“I felt included from the beginning.”
Bring a FriendJust because you’re single doesn’t mean you have to go solo. Get a friend on board to share a room, and you both save! If you’re enrolling online, select the double room option. Then a few clicks later we’ll ask if you have someone you’d like to room with. If you are enrolling with us over the phone, just mention that you’d like to share your room with a friend, and we’ll take it from there!
Bring Your GrandchildRoad Scholar specializes in Intergenerational travel, with over 150 programs that offer learning adventures around the world for you and your grandchild. What better way to share an unforgettable travel experience than with your grandchild? Select the double room option when you enroll! And if you need tips for planning a trip with your grandchild, be sure to visit our resource page for grandparents and grandkids!
Room with a New FriendIf you’re traveling on your own and would like a roommate, we can arrange that for you! Select the double room option when you enroll, and we’ll pair you with a roommate of your gender. Just like when you were in college, it’s very common for roommates to become lifelong friends.
Have Your Own SpaceSome solo travelers prefer to have their own room when traveling with Road Scholar, and nearly all of our programs offer that option. Since you won’t be splitting the cost of the room with someone else, you’ll likely have to pay a little more. However, we do have many special offers where single rooms are at no extra cost. Click here to browse programs with no extra cost for singles!
You Won’t Be AloneRoad Scholar is trusted and well-known for offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for couples and solo participants alike, particularly solo female travelers. The atmosphere you’ll find is of learning in the company of a small group of individual friends, rather than traveling with a collection of couples. And when you travel solo with Road Scholar, you very likely won’t be the only person without a partner, as nearly 1 in 4 of our participants goes solo.
You’ll Make New FriendsJust because you like to travel solo doesn’t mean you want to be alone. At Road Scholar, you certainly won’t be alone. Our educational programs attract adults who love learning and travel, and out of those shared passions arises a bond—a sense of camaraderie that you won’t find anywhere else.
You Can Focus on Learning and AdventureTravel planning can be stressful, but when you enroll in a Road Scholar program, we do the planning for you. We can even help you book flights! With all of this extra time and energy—you can focus on preparing for your educational adventure by studying books from our reading lists or researching the destination’s history and culture so you can get the most out of your experience.
You’ll Get a Deeper Understanding of Your DestinationWith Road Scholar, you can be sure that our educational itineraries are packed with lots of learning and people-to-people interactions — experiences you wouldn’t be able to find on your own. Plus your Group Leader speaks the language and can help you navigate and interact with locals for even more stress-free travel and a more interactive, engaging solo travel experience.
You’ll Be in Good HandsOn your Road Scholar program, you’ll never be far from your Group Leader, who is an expert in your destination and an expert in leading groups—which means if the unexpected should happen, your Group Leader is there for you! You can’t put a price tag on peace of mind.
Women today are venturing outside of their comfort zone, seeking challenging and rewarding experiences as opportunities for learning and growth. JoAnn Bell shares stories of solo female travelers.
“Journeying solo doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be alone.”
Read more
In this riveting memoir, follow Cheryl on her 1,100-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail and find out how the journey saved her.
Following her divorce, Elizabeth crosses Italy, India and Indonesia. This memoir chronicles her journey around the world and her journey to self-discovery.
This American travelogue by author John Steinbeck documents his 1960 road trip around the United States with his poodle, Charley.
(Or really anything by Bill Bryson.) Join the hilarious Bill Bryson beyond the beaten path on his travels across the continent of Australia.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alice Steinbach takes readers to some of Europe’s most exciting cities as she attempts to reconnect with herself.
In 1982, at the age of 40, Jonathan set out on a solo voyage that took him 4,000 miles around Britain in a restored sailboat. Join him on his adventures.
This collection of travel essays and recipes documents the travels of Rita Golden Gelman, a newly divorced woman who sold everything she owned and became a full-time nomad.
Following Eric Weiner’s career as a foreign correspondent working in some of the most depressing places on earth, he sets out to find happiness in the world.
English travel writer and adventurer Eric Newby published this comic masterpiece in 1958 about his adventures in the Nuristan mountains of Afghanistan.
Travel writer for the New York Times explores a new, immersive kind of travel when he allows himself to get lost and be guided by the destination.
Explore medieval villages, discover Renaissance architecture, visit ancient marble quarries and savor renowned wine and cuisine as you learn the timeless stories of Italy. Explore Italy Programs
The Big Island was home to Kamehameha the Great, Maui is iconic for its lush island landscapes and Oahu is a history buff’s mecca. Learn Hawaii’s story on this adventure of a lifetime. Explore Hawaii Programs
When it comes to world-class cities, Chicago is second to none. Come see why as you explore renowned art institutions, historic parks, the tallest building in North America and more! Explore Chicago Programs
With more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, 121 volcanic formations, 801 miles of coastline and hundreds of endemic birds, Costa Rica is a true Mecca for nature lovers to explore. Explore Costa Rica Programs
Discover the story of Northern New Mexico as you learn about its Pueblo People, historic monuments, unique architecture and Sky City — one of the oldest inhabited settlements in the US. Explore New Mexico Programs
Alongside experts, learn about Roman monuments, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, National Parks and idyllic villages nestled above the waters of the Dalmatian Coast. Explore Croatia Programs
The Galápagos in Ecuador and Machu Picchu in Peru are two of Latin America’s most renowned icons. Come see for yourself as you discover the unique wildlife and preserved ruins of these two sacred places. Explore Ecuador Programs
Revel in the artistry of Philadelphia as you visit some of the nation’s most celebrated museums, speak with a renowned sculptor and immerse yourself in the world of Rodin! Explore Philadelphia Programs
Stroll the cobbled streets of Havana, discussing baroque architecture, traditional music, complex history and the importance of agriculture in this vibrant island nation. Explore Cuba Programs
