6 Ways to Deal with Tour Groups as a Solo Traveler

When I’m planning my next trip, I always imagine myself peacefully wandering down medieval streets, getting personal glimpses into the lives of locals, marveling at the intricate details of a palace or cathedral, setting up my camera to capture the magic of a special moment of wonder. I board the plane excited, convinced nothing’s going to get in the way of my vacation vision.

Then I get out on the streets of my destination and the tranquil moments are interrupted by the slow-moving stampede of a tour group.

Don’t misunderstand me — tour groups can be great. I regularly go on trips with tour groups. It’s wonderful having someone else plan your itinerary, provide you with detailed information about culture and history, and listen to you when you complain.

But tour groups also move at a glacial pace, take up way too much space, and are completely oblivious to the individuals around them. And when I found myself constantly butting up against them in Saint Petersburg, I reached the edge of my patience and considered snapping whatever umbrella/paddle/do-hickey the guide was using to corral them in order to vent my frustration.

Realizing that wouldn’t be productive in the long run, I instead came up with a couple of ways to deal with tour groups as a solo traveler.

1. Wait Them Out

Push aside the initial frustration that comes when a big group flows into a room or down a street – and stops right in front of you. Chances are the guide only has five minutes of their attention anyway before they’re moving on again. Take the time to really enjoy your surroundings or set up your camera so that you’ll be ready for the perfect shot once they clear out.

2. Block Them Out

In some places, there’s no ebb and flow of tour groups. It’s a steady stream of congestion. This happened to me in the Hermitage, where I had barely gotten past the entrance before I was exasperated by the globs of tour groups. Trying to maneuver around the groups and shut out the guides’ narration was sucking the fun out of my own experience. I made a u-turn and went back to the entrance, to the lady with the audio guides. They weren’t exactly cheap and I’m no art enthusiast, but being able to block out the masses and focus on my own experience at the exceptional Winter Palace was well worth the rubles.

Another option is to download music before you go, a pleasant alternative to a list of dates and facts about wood paneling. Even earplugs might be preferable to the constant hum of other tourists.

3. Make Sure People Know You’re a Solo Traveler

At an attraction that’s a pit stop on every tour group itinerary, the employees are usually wired to deal with the masses. In Peterhof Palace in Saint Petersburg, the staff would gate-keep the exit of every room, only letting one tour group at a time move on. I had to wiggle my way through the crush up to the door, smile and hold up a finger to show it was just me. I usually got waved on immediately.

4. Get Creative

One of the annoying habits of tour groups is how they seem to spread throughout a room, taking up as much space as possible to photograph everything. In a place like the Hermitage it becomes nearly impossible to get a clean picture of anything. Sure you want to remember the highlights, so get the standard shot (sometimes eclipsed by a shoulder) and then move on. Take a moment to look for a more creative picture, one that would capture the mood of the room or scene without an iPad-wielding tourist in it.

Another way to be creative is to be a tour guide for yourself. Make up your own stories for the portraits and antiquities. Even if your ideas are far out there, it will involve you in the experience in a more memorable way.

If you’re traveling with someone, tour guide for each other. Do it within earshot of other tourists to see if you can get them to believe your made-up stories. On Santorini my boyfriend and I convinced a woman that the ancient island civilization imported their water. It led to a good laugh and a warm connection with another traveler.

5. Go in the Off Hours

To be honest, there are no ‘off hours’ at many places but at cruise ship destinations, like Tallinn, at least the swarm is predictable. Get up early to have time to yourself and see the locals start their day.

And avoid special days when attractions are free. I went to Montreal during Free Museum Day, thinking it was excellent timing and a great opportunity to see some of Montreal’s museums for free. Until I tried to go to the Biosphere at two in the afternoon. Ever been jammed packed in a rainforest with dozens of over-tired, over-stimulated children and their exhausted parents? I wouldn’t recommend it.

6. If You Can’t Beat ‘Em…

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is eavesdrop, which naturally spins out into eavesdropping on tour guides. You can’t hang around a group too long before the guide gets suspicious, but you might be able to catch a little snippet of interesting information.

And you might want to join a tour for a day, just to make it easier on yourself. There are some places that are difficult to find information on or are hard to access. It’s better to give up a little independence than to miss out on a destination entirely. I still regret not getting on an organized tour to visit Catherine’s Palace outside of Saint Petersburg. In the end, the logistics were too overwhelming and I just skipped it.

Like I said, sometimes it’s worth it to have someone else take care of the details for you.