Travel can be one of the best ways to gain independence, discover new things and figure out who you are and what you want from life.
But if you don’t have the confidence to go it alone, you may keep putting of the adventure of a lifetime for seemingly safer, more comfortable options. This doesn’t have to be the case.
These days there are loads of great travel companies who have changed the game in terms of ‘tours’, and instead of simply ferrying you around the tourist hotspots by bus, allow you to get off the beaten path, try new things and generally have the most epic time exploring the globe.
Here we look at some of the best young adult travel companies, offering awesome experiences from Asia to Antarctica and everywhere in between!
Why use a group travel company?
While there are advantages and disadvantages to group travel, for most people, using a tour company is the perfect option for their first foray abroad.
Having an experienced company create your itinerary enables you to enjoy the best bits of a destination (not just the most popular on TripAdvisor!) as well as:
- Skipping the queues
- Having insider knowledge about the best restaurants
- Knowing where to find the perfect place to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand!
Plus,
The adventures you can have while travelling with a group allow you to get your heart racing, try local cuisines, learn about new cultures and best of all, make friends for life!
As you won’t have to worry about where to go and what to do, you’ll have time to be well and truly bitten by the travel bug, meaning you won’t be able to resist planning more adventures in the future.
Most group travel itineraries also allow you to have some free time during your trip.
This gives you a taster into what solo travel is like and allows you to gain confidence and skills which you can use on future solo adventures.
Who are group travel companies for?
There are tons of travel companies out there, so whoever you are you’ll be sure to find a group that suits your style.
Whether you love hiking, partying, eating or exploring ancient ruins, there will be a group travel company that offers your perfect trip.
The best thing about
Some will be first-time
If nothing else, you’ll know have one thing in common: the desire to travel and meet new people.
Everybody who books on to a group trip is open to experiences and just wants to have a great time – what’s not to love about that?!
Discover some of the best group travel companies for young adults (18-30s):
Contiki
Contiki is one of the longest-running group travel companies for 18-35-year-olds, having been planning epic trips since 1962!
With an emphasis on fun, Contiki tours are perfect for sociable travelers who want to make new friends, see awesome sights and create memories of a lifetime.
Contiki currently runs trips on six continents, so it’s all too easy to start with a simple trip to Europe and end up planning tours all over the world!
Their not-so-secret formula for the perfect trip includes: unique experiences, amazing accommodation, a top team organising and leading their trips, delicious local cuisine and finally, having groups of like-minded travellers in the same age range.
While allowing you to get the perfect Instagram shot is obviously part of the plan, Contiki also wants to ensure you actually experience each and every moment too. Getting off the beaten track, meeting locals and giving back to communities are all part of what makes Contiki trips unique.
There will definitely be a fair amount of partying during Contiki trips so if you’re more comfortable tucked up in bed with a book by 9pm than dancing to a DJ on the decks, then Contiki may not be the company for you.
Find out more:
- Save up to 30% on Contiki’s last minute deals
#TravelWithNoRegrets
G Adventures
G Adventures have almost 30 years’ experience creating fast-paced, action-packed adventures with a sustainable and environmentally-friendly ethos
These trips manage to create the perfect balance between organisation and freedom so you don’t feel as though you’re just being guided from site to site but that you’re actually making your trip your own too.
While G are sure that you’ll make some new BFFs from all over the world, they also get that not every person in every group is going to want to be together 24/7. Therefore, they want you to have the freedom to decide.
Once you find your tribe of fellow travelers within the group, you can choose any additional activities that suit you. Some might fancy going to a pool party, while others may want a massage, and that is totally fine.
The G Adventures guides will ensure there is time to experience must-see spots as a whole group, as well as allowing for some independence and downtime.
As the largest independent adventure travel company, these guys know a thing or two about what makes the perfect adventure, and everyone from the first person you speak to on the phone, to the customer service team and your trip’s CEO (Chief Experience Officer) will be on hand to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.
Under 30 Experiences
Authenticity is key for Under 30 Experiences (U30X) and they want to ensure you gain more than just a few photographs from your trip.
The company’s founder, Matt Wilson, felt the need to see the world and to connect with others who felt the same.
Therefore, the company was born out of connecting travelers who are longing to explore, with locals who show pride in showing off their communities, traditions, and cuisine.
Under 30 Experiences offer trips to everywhere from Iceland, Ireland
Their trips love to put the great outdoors front and
While Under 30 Experiences obviously want you to have a fun, memorable, hassle-free experience, they also want you to learn more about yourself and others along the way.
This is why they love to include elements of fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition where possible too! Check out the Live Different Podcast to hear what Matt has to say and to find out of U30X is your tribe.
One thing U30X do understand well is that sometimes life gets in the way, and as such, they do all they can to ensure you don’t miss out on your sought-after-trip due to last-minute issues.
Under 30 Experiences offer a ‘switch your trip’ option, allowing you to change your plans and join a different trip at a later date – winning!
Another awesome bonus of travelling with Under 30 Experiences is that you instantly become one of the alumni, who regularly organise meet-ups to chat life, travel, experiences and goals!
This is perfect who never want to forget their epic U30X experience.
Topdeck Travel
To become a #Topdecker you need to be a curious 18-39-year-old filled with wanderlust and the desire to explore new places with a group of like-minded travellers.
If this sounds like you, you could be on to a winner!
Starting as a group of mates en route through Europe in a double-decker bus, Topdeck Travel has expanded year-on-year to host a whole range of trips from sailing, ski trips
The whole company has a passion for travel and they hope that through a trip with Topdeck you will be bitten by the travel bug and want to make
Each trip has been designed to allow you flexibility and choice while still remaining as hassle-free as possible.
Choose your destination, budget, and style, and Topdeck will find a trip to suit you.
Whether you’re traveling on a shoestring and want a cheap and cheerful camping trip or would prefer a little more luxury with the Hotel packages (no dorms here), Topdeck Travel will match you with fellow travelers looking for the same style.
Topdeck Travel want you to have the best time so they won’t miss out on top tourist hotspots just to stand
Find Out More:
- Save up to 30% with Topdeck’s Last Minute Deals
- Under £650 Trips
EF Ultimate Break
If you want to travel but can’t stand the faff of booking flights and accommodation or searching for the best activities and restaurants in each location, fear not, EF Ultimate Break has you covered.
If they had a middle name, “Ease” would be it! EF Ultimate Break want you to be able to completely kick-back and relax, knowing that everything has been taken care of before you depart so you can fully enjoy the experience. As such, absolutely everything from flights, accommodation, transfers, breakfasts, entrance fees and metro passes are included!
To make it even easier (if that was even possible!) they allow payment plans so you can book your trip of a lifetime and then pay it off in chunks as the excitement creeps closer and closer.
Plus, EF Ultimate Break set you up with a private Facebook group so you can get to know your fellow travellers, share pictures and keep in touch long after the main adventure is over.
With over 65 trips worldwide, EF Ultimate Break offers everything from African safaris, to European island-hopping adventures, meaning you could travel with them time and time again without ever getting bored!
For The Love Of Travel
For The Love Of Travel (
Their trips aim to bring together creative millennial professionals to connect through their love of travel.
By having a narrower target audience, it is more likely that FTLO travelers are on the same page in terms of where they’re at in life and what they want from their travel experiences.
While FTLO trips aren’t exclusive or overly luxe-y there may be times when the group decides to splurge (e.g. on a fancy meal or massage), which may not be the case if everyone was a budget backpacker.
Therefore, you’ll need to see if
For The Love Of Travel fully believe that travel can change lives, both for those entering a new country and experiencing new
Through low-impact activities, authentic experiences and the practice of ‘slow travel’, FTLO trips allow you to enjoy natural habitats and local traditions while still treading lightly on the world.
Summing Things Up
This insight into some of our favorite group travel companies simply scratches the surface of young adult travel, but it hopefully shows you
Travel is an experience that broadens your mind and horizons every time you enjoy it, so if you can, get out there and explore the world as much as possible!
Just because your friends or family might not want to come with you, doesn’t mean you should dampen the flame of your inner wanderlust!
Join a group, travel the globe, try new things; and who knows, you might just find your tribe…
