How to Travel More (Even If Your Friends Can’t—or Won’t)

We’ve all been there: you drop a dreamy travel idea into the group chat—“Should we go to Greece next summer?”—only to be met with “Maybe!” “I’ll check with my dog’s daycare!” or the dreaded silence.

If you’re tired of watching your passport collect dust while waiting for your squad to maybe commit, I’ve got good news: you don’t need anyone else’s green light to travel more. You just need a little courage, a few good options, and perhaps a sturdy carry-on.

Here’s how to travel more, even when your friends flake harder than a croissant in the wind.

1. Embrace the Solo Trip: It’s Not as Lonely as You Think

Traveling alone might sound intimidating, but it’s secretly one of the most fulfilling things you can do. You’ll learn what you actually enjoy, wake up when you want, and never have to negotiate over dinner plans.

Want to stare at manta rays for an hour? Go for it. Want to bail on a museum and sip coffee for three hours? Same. Solo travel = ultimate freedom.

But is it lonely? Almost never. You’ll chat with locals, make fast friends on excursions or in hostels, and have meaningful solo moments that make you feel alive, not alone. Plus, you’ll return home with the best stories—and a whole new level of self-confidence.

Check out my in-depth post on planning a solo trip here.

2. Small Group or Boutique Trips: Instant Friends, Zero Planning

If planning a trip makes your eyes cross or you’d rather not have to figure out every detail on your own, small group travel might be your golden ticket. Think yoga retreats in Costa Rica, diving liveaboards in Indonesia, or women-led adventure tours through Peru.

These curated trips are usually capped at 10–15 people, so you’ll actually get to know your fellow adventurers (and maybe share a bottle of wine or two). They’re designed for people like you—those who want to travel more, but don’t have a parter or friends who are as enthusiastic.

Downside? They’re usually more expensive than doing it all yourself. But that’s the price of ease—and sometimes, sanity.

For scuba trips, I like Girls that Scuba and Insider Divers.

For ocean travel more generally, I like SDM Diving.

I also really enjoyed by El Camino Travel trip to Cuba.

There are also a ton of instagram influences running boutique tours or starting tour companies.

Not ready to fly totally solo, but not looking for small/luxe either? Larger group travel might be your jam. Companies like Intrepid, G Adventures, EF Ultimate Break, Contiki, and Trafalgar offer everything from week-long Eurotrips to multi-country adventures in Asia or South America.

You’ll likely be part of a 20–40 person group, but these trips are generally more affordable, beginner-friendly, and come with built-in logistics. Transportation? Sorted. Itinerary? Done. Travel buddies? Provided.

If you’re looking to dip your toes into solo-ish travel with a social safety net, this is a great option because the group is big enough that you can sneak away to do your own thing. Just bring earplugs—you never know who snores.

Stop Waiting, Start Packing

The truth is, if you want to travel more, you have to stop relying on someone else’s schedule or comfort zone. Whether you go solo, join a small crew, or hop on a bus with 30 strangers, adventure is waiting—and it doesn’t care if your bestie bailed again.

So book the flight. Take the trip. Be the one who went.

Your friends can catch up later (or not).