Independent Travel

Independent Travel

Independent travel is more popular nowadays than it ever was in previous decades. Today’s boomer generation is living longer and has a more active senior lifestyle, which means they are traveling more often. Senior tour companies have not only seen to accommodate the influx of senior tours and senior trips, but they’ve also seen to accommodate more independent travel tours.

There are more senior tour companies incorporating independent travel into their itineraries, making it easier for seniors to participate in independent travel in countries and top cities all over the world.

Which Tour Companies Offer Independent Travel Tours?

The better question to ask is what senior tour companies do not have independent travel tours! Most tour companies offer independent travel tours and bunk independent travelers in rooms together, slightly in the same way hostels work. A few companies that are known to have excellent independent travel tours are

  • Intrepid Travel
  • Adventure Women
  • Absolute Travel
  • Globus
  • Presley Tours
  • ResponsibleTravel.com
  • Cazenove & Loyd (luxury)
  • Cox & Kings (luxury)

Some might say that traveling in independent travel tours defeats the purpose of independent travel. However, you couldn’t be more wrong! Many senior tour companies cater to the individual, allowing itineraries to be made and changed at the last minute (the luxury companies are especially known for accommodating last-minute changes). Most independent travel tours also give the participants time to travel around an area by themselves. The itinerary might include a guided bus tour of a city in the morning, but then allow travelers to walk around by themselves for the afternoon with a rendezvous point in the evening.

Also, participating in an independent travel tour is safer than simply traveling alone. Tour companies will have information on the safest forms of senior transportation, be able to book events that might otherwise be sold out, and can actually be cheaper than traveling independently because they book hotels and events in bulk.

What is a singles supplement?

The problem that many seniors had in earlier years with independent travel is the charges. Along with paying for a room that is designed (and priced) for two people, solo travelers also had to pay a singles supplement.

A singles supplement is a cost that is charged in addition to the cost of the adventure in senior tour groups for traveling alone, as an odd numbered group, or for people who are specifically requesting a single room. These come up when an individual is participating in a senior tour.

Many tour companies have now demolished the singles supplement from many of their tours. However, some companies, like Head Out Adventures, will only waive the supplement if they can find another independent traveler of the same sex to share a room with.

Most Popular Independent Travel Destinations

Paris is a destination for couples; Greece is a destination for history buffs, Southeast Asia for the artist. But where do independent travelers go? There are countless lists online of “best traveled” and “best” places for independent travel. The website TravelIndependent.info created this list of popular and recommended independent travel countries:

With how small the world has become with planes, trains and cruises one can travel anywhere by themselves. However, participating in an independent travel tour might not only be the safer option, but one that will help you experience the culture and atmosphere of a new country more fully. For more information on independent travel, check out our article entitled Finding and Enjoying Affordable Solo Senior Trips.