Best Group Travel Companies for Solo Travelers in 2026
- FTLO Travel
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Finding the right group travel company isn't just about the destination. It's about finding your people.
Solo travel is one of the fastest-growing segments in tourism – the global market hit $482 billion in 2024 and is on track to top $1 trillion by 2030, and with 74% of travelers saying they don't want to wait for others to see the world, it's easy to see why. But traveling alone doesn't have to mean going it alone. Whether you're a young professional looking to make lifelong friends in your 20s and 30s, a solo woman craving a female-only empowering adventure, or someone seeking an active outdoor trip, there's a group travel company built specifically for you.
This guide breaks down the best group travel companies by traveler type, so you can skip the scrolling and find the one that actually fits your life.
Quick Comparison: Best Group Travel Companies at a Glance
Company | Best For | Age Range | Group Size | Trip Style |
FTLO Travel | Solo travelers in their 20s & 30s seeking social, curated trips | 25–39 | Up to 15 | Social, curated small-group trips with authentic local experiences |
Contiki | Young travelers who want high-energy, budget-friendly group trips | 18–35 | Up to 50 | Fast-paced, nightlife-friendly |
Wild Terrains | Women who want boutique, women-supporting-women cultural trips | 25–79 | 10–12 | Female only small-group cultural & culinary trips |
Modern Adventure | Food, wine & culture lovers seeking tastemaker-led luxury trips | All adults | Small groups | Luxury tastemaker-led culinary & cultural experiences |
Intrepid Travel | Sustainable-minded travelers who want cultural immersion | All ages | 12–16 | Responsible small-group touring |
Backroads | Active travelers who want premium cycling & hiking trips | All adults | 6–18 | Active/outdoor premium guided tours |
Saga Holidays | Travelers 50+ seeking premium, hassle-free escorted tours and cruises | 50+ | Varies | Escorted tours, hotel stays & boutique cruises, all-inclusive perks |
FTLO Travel — Best for Solo Travelers in Their 20s & 30s Seeking Social, Curated Trips
Who it’s best for: Busy professionals aged 25–39 who want to travel solo, connect with like-minded people, and experience new cultures, without the stress of planning.
FTLO Travel (short for For the Love of Travel) was founded in 2016 with a clear mission: make it easy for solo travelers in their 20s and 30s to explore the world while building real friendships along the way. Every detail of the FTLO experience is designed around connection. About 80% of guests sign up solo, and the age range of 25–39 means you’re guaranteed to be surrounded by people in the same life stage, navigating careers, adulting, and the desire to see more of the world before responsibilities pile on.
What sets FTLO apart from generic group tours is its emphasis on curated, local experiences over “follow-the-flag” sightseeing. Think Sahara sunset camel rides, ice floating under the aurora borealis, and island hopping throughout Greece, not crowded bus tours. The average group size is 12 people, and trips run 5–10 nights across 35+ destinations.
Average group size: 12 people
Age range: 25–39
Trip length: 5–10 nights
Price range: Mid-range
Google rating: 5.0 (1,500+ reviews)
Trustpilot rating: 4.9 stars (1,650+ reviews)
What travelers love: Reviewers consistently highlight how quickly strangers become friends, the quality and energy of trip leaders, and the balance between planned activities and free time. The social vibe is the top selling point. FTLO trips have spawned relationships, travel friendships that span continents, and yes, even couples.
Best for you if: You want the social magic of group travel as well as a fully curated itinerary with comfortable accommodations, delicious local cuisine, supporting local communities, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences you truly couldn't arrange on your own.
Contiki — Best for Young Travelers Who Want High-Energy, Budget-Friendly Group Trips
Who it’s best for: Travelers aged 18–35 who want to see a lot of the world quickly, make a ton of friends, and experience the full social energy of group travel without breaking the bank.
Contiki is one of the most recognized names in youth travel, operating tours across 60+ countries for nearly six decades. It’s built for pace, variety, and a strong social atmosphere. Trips often move through multiple cities in a single week, with a mix of included highlights, optional add-ons, and plenty of time to bond over shared experiences, including nightlife.
Groups can be large (up to ~45 people), which means a bigger social pool but less of the intimate small-group feel. What Contiki offers is unmatched: breadth of destination, affordability, and the kind of electric, high-energy atmosphere that defines travel in your early 20s.
Group size: Up to ~45
Age range: 18–35
Price range: Budget-to-mid
Tour Radar: 4.7 stars (+6,200)
Trustpilot rating: 3.8 stars (+130 reviews)
Best for you if: You want to maximize destinations and social experiences on a budget, and you’re energized by a big group with a party-friendly, adventure-forward vibe.
Wild Terrains — Best for Women Who Want Boutique, Women-Supporting-Women Cultural Trips
Who it’s best for: Women of any age who want a beautifully curated, small-group experience centered on food, art, culture, and design, and who want their travel dollars to go directly to women-owned businesses in the destinations they visit.
Wild Terrains hand-selects and partners exclusively with women-owned businesses in each destination, from boutique hotels to local chefs, artists, and guides. That means experiences like a private silk-dyeing workshop with a female artisan in France, a secret dinner hosted by a celebrated female chef in New Orleans, or a graffiti workshop with a local street artist in Mexico City. Groups are intentionally tiny (10–12 women), and the multigenerational mix, with most trips spanning ages 25 to 79, is a deliberate and beloved part of the experience.
Group size: 10–12 women
Age range: All women (typically 25–79)
Price range: Premium (trips from ~$3,290/person)
Google Reviews: 5.0 stars (159 reviews)
Best for you if: You’re a woman who wants travel that feels like it was planned by your most well-connected, culturally savvy girlfriend, and you want every experience to be meaningful, not just memorable.
Modern Adventure — Best for Food, Wine & Culture Lovers Seeking Tastemaker-Led Luxury Trips
Who it’s best for: Curious, culturally engaged adults who want to experience a destination through the eyes of someone extraordinary, a James Beard Award-winning chef, a celebrated winemaker, a renowned artist, and who are willing to invest in a truly one-of-a-kind group experience.
Modern Adventure is built around the idea that the best way to understand a place is through its makers. Every trip is co-designed and led by a “Tastemaker,” an iconic personality from the worlds of food, wine, design, or culture, who doesn’t just accompany the group but actively shapes the experience. Think touring India’s ancient spice markets alongside a James Beard-nominated chef, or exploring Georgia’s Caucasus region with the team behind one of America’s most celebrated Eastern European restaurants.
Modern Adventure operates on six continents and has partnered with tastemakers and brands including celebrated chefs Gregory Gourdet and Traci Des Jardins, winemaker collaborations with Scribe Winery and Dom Pérignon, and creative partnerships with brands like Heath Ceramics and Outside magazine.
Group size: Small groups
Age range: All adults
Price range: Premium/luxury
No Review Data
Best for you if: You’re a food lover, wine enthusiast, or culture devotee who wants a group travel experience that goes far beyond sightseeing, one where the Tastemaker leading your trip transforms every meal, every market, and every moment into something you genuinely couldn’t access on your own.
Intrepid Travel — Best for Sustainable-Minded Travelers Who Want Cultural Immersion
Who it’s best for: Travelers of any age who care about responsible tourism and want to go beyond the tourist trail to connect with local communities in a meaningful way.
Intrepid Travel has been running small-group adventures since 1988 and is a genuine pioneer in sustainable travel. The company is B Corp certified, carbon-neutral, and channeled AUD $3.4 million to community organizations through its foundation in 2025 alone. Every trip is designed to support local economies: guides are local, accommodations are often family-run, and experiences are built around community connection.
Intrepid offers a wide range of price points (Basix through Premium), making it accessible to budget backpackers and comfort-seeking travelers alike. Group sizes stay small (12–16), and destination breadth is unmatched.
Group size: 12–16
Age range: All ages
Price range: Budget (Basix) to premium
Tour Radar: 4.5 stars (+12,000 reviews)
Trustpilot rating: 4.3 stars (2,300+ reviews)
Best for you if: You want your travel dollars to actually benefit the places you visit, you’re curious about off-the-beaten-path destinations, and you care as much about how you travel as where you go.
Saga Holidays — Best for Travelers 50+ Seeking Premium, Hassle-Free Escorted Tours
Who it’s best for: Travelers aged 50 and up, particularly those in the UK though internationally accessible, who want a fully managed, premium travel experience with everything taken care of from the moment they leave their front door.
Founded in 1951, Saga Holidays has spent 75 years refining what group travel for the over-50s should look like, and the result is one of the most comprehensive end-to-end travel experiences available for this demographic. Every escorted tour includes a nationwide chauffeur service to and from the airport, travel insurance, a dedicated Saga Tour Manager, and selected excursions, all wrapped into the headline price. It’s a level of built-in convenience that few competitors match, and it’s precisely why Saga has earned such a loyal repeat customer base.
Beyond escorted tours, Saga’s portfolio spans hotel stays, river cruises, and ocean cruises aboard its own boutique ships, all exclusively for over-50s. The company has received a Which? Recommended Provider designation for city breaks, earning an 80% customer satisfaction score and consistent praise for delivering trips that match what was promised. Special interest “SPIN” holidays (built around hobbies like birdwatching, archaeology, or walking) are a growing and well-reviewed part of the lineup, particularly popular with the 50–69 age bracket.
Note: Saga is a UK-based company, so some perks, like the chauffeur service and ATOL financial protection, are most relevant to UK travelers. International travelers can still book many Saga tours, but it’s worth checking availability and inclusions for non-UK departures.
Age range: 50+ (exclusively)
Price range: Mid-to-premium
Trustpilot rating: 4.0 stars (2,800+ reviews)
Best for you if: You’re 50+ and want a genuinely stress-free travel experience where every detail, from the ride to the airport to the tour manager on the ground, is handled for you with no surprises on price.
Backroads — Best for Active Travelers Who Want Premium Cycling and Hiking Trips
Who it’s best for: Fit, active adults of any age who want physically engaging, beautifully organized adventures, cycling through wine country, hiking national parks, or paddling remote coastlines, with top-tier support and accommodations.
Backroads has been running active travel trips since 1979 and is widely considered the gold standard for guided cycling and hiking vacations. Every trip is supported by a team of guides (typically 2–3 per small group), with vehicles that carry gear, handle logistics, and ensure no one is left behind. Accommodations are boutique hotels and inns, and meals are a genuine highlight.
Groups are intentionally small (6–18), and pacing options within each trip mean faster riders and slower strollers can share the same itinerary comfortably.
Group size: 6–18
Age range: All adults (trips designed for specific pace levels)
Price range: Premium
Tour Radar: 4.5 (149 reviews)
Best for you if: Staying active on vacation is non-negotiable for you, you appreciate exceptional food and lodging, and you want a trip where physical adventure is the itinerary, not an add-on.
How to Choose the Right Group Travel Company
With so many great options, the right choice comes down to a few key questions:
What’s your age range and who do you want to travel with? FTLO Travel (25–39) segments by life stage, which is a game-changer for group chemistry. Saga Holidays is exclusively for 50+.
What’s your travel style? Social and nightlife-forward (Contiki), active and outdoorsy (Backroads), culturally immersive (Intrepid, Wild Terrains), or tastemaker-led luxury (Modern Adventure, Black Tomato)?
What’s your budget? Contiki offers real value at lower price points; Modern Adventure, Black Tomato, Backroads, and Saga Holidays sit at the premium end; most others fall comfortably in the mid-range.
Do you want a women-only space? Wild Terrains and Backroads Women’s Adventures offer dedicated female-only departures.
How important is group size? Smaller groups (FTLO at 16, Wild Terrains at 10–12, Backroads at 6–18) create more intimacy; larger tours (Contiki at up to 45) offer a bigger social pool.
Are you 50+ and want everything handled for you? Saga Holidays builds the chauffeur, insurance, and tour manager into every trip, making it one of the most genuinely stress-free options for older travelers.
The best group travel experiences tend to happen when the company has designed the trip for someone who looks and thinks like you. We created a full guide HERE to help you pick the best one for you!
Information in this article is based on publicly available company data and traveler reviews current as of early 2026. Prices and group sizes may vary by trip and departure date.
