Italy Solo Tours & Holidays

If you're traveling solo to Italy, it's completely up to you.  Intrepid trips organize rooming on a twin-share basis, so solo travelers are paired up with another traveler of the same gender as per the gender marker on their passport.  If you'd prefer your own room, most of our trips offer a single supplement for an extra charge – just mention this to our customer service team when booking your trip and they'll arrange it for you.  As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

While our trips do have set itineraries, the amount of free time you'll have depends on the travel style. If you're joining a group trip to Italy, chances are you'll have designated time set aside for you to do your own exploring if you'd like, and your guide will be able to provide tips and recommendations before you head out on your own. 

Intrepid's travelers are connected more by attitude than age.  They’re a friendly, open-minded, and curious bunch, and a lot of them elect to travel alone (so no third-wheeling, we promise). Our trips attract a mix of genders and ages generally ranging from 25 to 65. It’s hard to know exactly who you’ll meet, but you can be assured you'll be a part of the fun.  Heading to Italy on a group tour?  Expect your fellow travelers to come hungry and get ready to share.

We have a range of trip styles, Basix, Original, Comfort, and Premium, all of which offer different levels of flexibility and free time. While there’s always a set itinerary for the group, our Basix trips tend to have fewer included activities and more time to roam on your own, Original trips have a 50/50 balance, and our Comfort and Premium trips have the most included activities. Many of our travelers choose to travel solo, so it’s common for people to want different things from their experience. Make sure to communicate with your leader; they can recommend places to explore during your free time or things to try after the trip has finished. 

Solo travel on a group tour can be much more cost-effective than heading out on your own.  Joining a tour guarantees a lot more inclusions, extras, and bang for your buck than you’d get if you were alone, plus, you'll be splitting the cost of meals with fellow travelers (no more living off of peanut butter sandwiches here).  When you travel with a local guide in Italy they can help you avoid certain dangerously expensive tourist scams like vendors selling counterfeit designer goods, which will usually be marked up for locals and can carry thousand euro fines.

Good advice for us all, but particularly for people travelling solo. Make copies of your itinerary, contact details, passport and travel insurance, then email them to yourself and to one or two friends/family at home. Check-in on social media when you can so people can keep track of where you are. 

If you’re arriving late in a city by yourself, book a hotel with a front desk or concierge service (many hotels also offer private transfers that don’t cost the earth from the airport or train station). If you're travelling with us, we can help you organise an arrival transfer. Read your maps before you head out for a walk (you can use a map app on your smartphone – or take screenshots of where you’re going if you don’t want to use up your precious data). If you need to check your map when you’re out and about, duck into a shop or café to do it. Leave the blingy jewellery, wedding rings and designer clothes at home, and aim to dress like the locals do – hit up the local markets if you haven’t packed the right outfits. Aim to keep track of travel times, so you’re not caught out after dark.

Most mobile/cell providers now offer travel passes to help manage your international roaming costs (which, let’s face it, are expensive!). For a few dollars a day, you’ll have access to data, which means you can log into your apps (like Skype, email and WhatsApp) when you’re out of WiFi zones and quickly get in touch with someone – a friend at home, someone in your group, or the police – if you need to. It might also be worth checking out the local cell/mobile providers as these can be quite cost effective. 

Solo travellers are way more likely to be ‘taken for a ride’ at the airport by unscrupulous taxi drivers, so do your research before you arrive. Make sure you get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – if you’re not sure where to go, just head to the information desk for help. Touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and promise cheaper rates, but can often be dodgy. When you get to the cab rank, ask the driver to use the meter or request a cost estimate before you hop in the car – if it’s way higher than it should be, pick another vehicle. A lot of airports have train stations attached as well, so consider public transport if you want to save a dollar or two.

It’s one of the advantages of travelling solo on a group tour: safety in numbers. The big, 50-person bus groups stand out on the road, but a small Intrepid group of eight or nine people, with a local leader showing the way – including areas to avoid and getting around safely – won’t draw much attention. Plus, it’s a great way to see parts of the world you may feel uncomfortable exploring on your own. If you want to do things on your own, consider a day tour to familiarise yourself with a city and get to know the local way of life. 

Solo travel is all about confidence. If you’re relaxed and self-assured on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. When you meet new people, don’t assume they’re all out to get you, but be sensible too and trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Remember: the popular tourist areas are often the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a juicier target for pickpockets and scammers. Just use your common sense; half of travel safety is simply being aware of your surroundings.