A definitive guide advising which form of travel is best for each destination.
Tour vs Solo these no definitive right way to travel. As we addicted, travellers all have our preferences. While I’ve experienced the joy of both types of travel, I found that each destination caters better for each form. Which is why I have come up with this guide. These go through some of the most popular backpacking destinations to determine which option is best.
Europe
This is a tough one to decide both have really strong cases. Many tours are operating throughout Europe with reasonable prices; it’s a tempting proposition. Myself fell fall a 3-week break with Contiki back in 2010, a last-minute deal that prospered me away from the interrail idea. I have no regrets; these tours offer great fun for your first European Adventures.
While traditionally Interrailing has been seen, as one of the crucial things to do on your bucket list. The addition freedom of a rail pass on a network that spans 31 countries and 40,000 destinations will give you Endless possibilities when planning an itinerary, which is why interrail just wins. However, if you just wish to see the most iconic cities in a short space of time while having a whole load of fun in the process. A tour might be best suited to your needs.
- Solo Budget Per Day = £50
- Tour Budget Per Day = £80/90
Accessible Solo Destinations
- Every Iconic and major City
- Alps
- Greek Islands
You may need a tour if you want to explore
- Scottish Highlands and Islands (Sone destinations are accessible using transport)
- Remote Scandinavia
Notable Tours
Suggested Solo Itineraries
Traditional Europe Route
Mediterranean odyssey
London-Paris-Bordeaux-Barcelona-Marseile-French Riveria-Swiss Alps-Milan-Pisa-Florence-Rome-Venice-Vienna-Prague-Berlin-Bruge-Brussels-London
Madrid-Lisbon-Faro-Sevile-Valencia-Barcelona-Sardinia-Naples-Rome-Cinque Terre-French Riveria-Swiss Alps-Venice-Lake Bled-Croatia-Athens-Santorini- Mykonos-Istanbul-Antalya
South East Asia
I would highly recommend a solo adventure for southeast Asia. With the option of doing small 2/3 day locally sourced tours for the places, you can’t necessarily reach that easily. Like the one, I took from Yogyakarta to Bali via Mount Bromo. Tours are cheap when compared to other western destinations. However, transport and accommodation are so much less expensive in South East Asia, that you will be paying double per day for a tour than a solo journey.
- Solo Budget Per Day = £20/30
- Tour Budget Per Day = £60
Accessible Solo Destinations
- Angkor Wat, and Siem Reap
- All Major Cities
- Palawan and many more destinations throughout Philippines
- Lombok, Gili Isladns Indonesia
- Koh Phi Phi
- Laung Prabang
You may need a tour if you want to explore
- Mount Bromo
- Halong Bay
- Komodo Island
Notable Tours
India
Image Courtesy of Andrzej Wrotek, Flickr
Within India these more of a chance that you might suffer from a culture shock, upset stomach, all disrespecting the locals, as these many different religions. As a person who’s never been to India, I might find it hard to travel around, which is why I would sacrifice my freedom and would recommend a tour. Especially at £30 a day they offer great value for money.
- Solo Budget Per Day = £30
- Tour Budget Per Day = £30/£50
You need a tour if you want to explore
It might be in Nepal but a tour is recommended for exploring the Himalayas
Notable Tours
Japan
Image Courtesy of Skyseeker, Flickr
Travelling across Japan is expensive. However, going solo will allow you to access plenty of cost-cutting measures from staying in capsule hotels, travelling by coach, eating from the markets. By taking full advantage of these measures, your typical daily budget could be £50/£60 a day, according to bloggers. While a luxurious tour staying in hotels will cost you back on average £120-£145 a day. A better, cheaper solution might be to check out a Japanese cruise. I found a 12-night cruise with flights meals and entertainment included for £2000.
- Solo Budget Per Day = £50/£60
- Tour Budget Per Day = £120-140
Notable tours
Central America
Image Courtesy of Armando Maynez, Flickr
Like South East Asia, tours do seem cheap in Central America. Again, though you will probably pay double per day for a tour all at least 1/3 more. It’s been noted that daily solo budgets for most countries are about 30/35 dollars a day, While Costa Rica Belize and Panama are more expensive $50.
Image Courtesy of Dennis Sylvester Hurd, Flickr
Image Courtesy of Andy Morffew, Flickr
Buses are the most prominent form of transportation for solo backpackers while these also a selection of ferry rides on offer. You may want to forget about flying though unless using one of Mexico low-cost carriers, air travel could cost an arm and a leg.
- Solo Budget Per Day = £35
- Tour Budget Per Day = £60
Notable Tours
China
Image Courtesy of Larry Qian, Flickr
I’ve never been inspired by travelling to China, so it’s hard for me to give any recommendations. However, that being said, it’s a vast country with a very different culture to western Europe, so it might be worth paying a bit extra for the comfort of having a tour.
- Solo Budget Per Day = £50
- Tour Budget Per Day = £50/£70
Notable tours
Australia
Australia is Within my top 5 countries to visit before you die list. It’s also probably one of the most expensive destinations to visit for backpackers. Which is why it’s so important to figure out the best form of travel, making your budget stretch that little bit further. If you want to explore my favourite part of Australia on the western coast, it’s best booking a tour as its very remote.
Otherwise, with a selection of low-cost airlines, bus and train pass a solo adventure will best suit your needs. While booking a Multi-stop flight could be a great option as well back in 2013 I flew with Qantas on eight flights on this itinerary London-Sydney-Cairns-Airlie Beach-Melbourne- London for £1120. Also, let us not forget the option of booking a cruise.
Accessible Solo Destinations
- Many Eastern Coastal Destinations
- Perth
- Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Rottnest Island
You need a tour if you want to explore
- Western Australia (Monkey Mia, Ningaloo Reef, Broome)
- Ayers Rock (3- Day tours from Alice Springs are available)
- Great Ocean Road (1-day tour from Melbourne)
- Whitsunday Islands (2/3 day tours from Airlie Beach)
Notable Tours
South America
Some areas are challenging to explore, but travelling solo is the best way to visit South America all certainly the Cheapest. While the aviation network is still developing these a couple of low-cost airlines to take advantage of Azul, Viva Colombia, and Gol. Plus, flight bargains can be found when booking a multi-trip ticket. I managed to book a ticket from Campo-Grenade, Punta Arenas- La Paz for £120.
The most budget-friendly option though is to travel on the Bus. Tickets can be booked in advance, especially on longer routes. My overnight journey from Iguazu falls to The Pantanal cost me £10. Throughout Brazil, Argentina and Chile they can be surprisingly luxurious as well.
- Solo Budget Per Day = £25/35
- Tour Budget Per Day = £56/£70
Accessible Solo Destinations
- Amazon (Ferry from Manaus)
- Machu Picchu
- Puerto Natales( Torres Del Paine)
- Most Major Cities
- Lake Titicaca
- Iguaza Falls
You need a tour if you want to explore
- The Pantanal (2/3 day tours from Campo Grande are possible)
- Atacama Desert (In depth look)
- Amazon (In Depth Look)
- Galapagos Islands (In Depth Look)
- Angels Falls
Notable Tours
North America
Photo Courtesy, hey tiffany, flickr
With North America, it depends on what you want to see and experience? The National Parks are amazing, but most can only be experienced through a tour, all your own transport. If you just wish to see the major cities and sites. Each place is easily linked with cheap low-cost flights and coach tickets. Although getting around some cities, can be challenging and frustrating at times, due to lack of public transport and an infrastructure system built overly reliant on the car.
I don’t think you’ve experienced proper America until you’ve visited the great national parks, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Moab,etc. That’s why I’ve picked tours as the winner.
Accessible Solo Destinations
- All Major Cities
- Niagara Falls
You need a tour if you want to explore
- Most National Parks Including Yellowstone
Notable Tours
Canada Road Trip from New York £2699. Covering from Top cities of the west to the splendours of the national parks to the east, this tour really shows you the best Canada has to offer.
Africa
Africa is where tours have the Strongest case, has public transport and infrastructure are very limited. Making the continent, in general, a difficult place to have a solo adventure (while it might be achievable in South Africa). At the same, the aviation market is underdeveloped, and lacking low-cost airlines, making flying expensive. With so many natural wonders to visit, landscapes to see, and big game to spot, tours are the perfect way to see the continent. They also take the hassle out of those pesky border crossings.
- Solo Budget Per Day = £20 based on South Africa
- Tour Budget Per Day = £30-£35
Accessible Solo Destinations
- Victoria Falls
- Some Major Cities
- Cape Town and Garden Route, (Busabout)
You need a tour if you want to explore
- Just about everywhere
- Safari’s
- almost all Natural Wonders
