Navigating your 20s and early 30s is like riding a roller coaster; it is both scary and thrilling. Frequently, young adults choose to travel to chase the thrills and challenge their fears. Group travel for young adults are getting popular as young travelers recognize the excitement of making new friends along the way. As a 20-something travelers, I feel that traveling is the magic trick to widen our horizons and meet new people from all around the world.
For that reason, group travel companies have tailored trips specifically for young adults, specifically age 18-35 years old. The group trips are fast-paced, thrilling, and highly social which fits the youthful energy. It provides ease and safety for youngsters as they help planning the trips and connecting with fellow travelers. So, what are the best group travel companies for young adults? Let’s find out!
Best Group Travel for Young Adults – Summary
- GAdventures
- Contiki
- JoinMyTrip
- Intrepid
- EF Ultimate Break
- Intrepid
- Topdeck
- Under30Experiences
- One Life Adventures
1. GAdventures
- Best For: Fast-paced adventurers
- Age Group: 18 – 39 years old
- Group Size: 12-20 people
GAdventures is one of the world’s largest group travel companies. They provide small group tours, consisting 12-20 people, to various destinations around the globe. GAdventures is open to all ages, even families. However, they have adventurous group tours for young adults in 18-to-Thirtysomethings and Roamies packages.
The 18-to-Thirtysomethings travel style comes with affordable prices, good amount of free time, and private transportation. The tours also provides guided ‘night out’. It is the moment when you can find the best local eats while getting to know the group better. Meanwhile, Roamies is a collaboration with Hostelworld. Travelers who book Roamies will stay in a curated hostel, enjoy local experiences, and have a group consisting 16-24 people. Some popular destinations for Roamies are Southeast Asia and Central America.
2. Contiki
- Best For: Party-goers and social travelers
- Age Group: 18-35 years old
- Group Size: 12 – 20 people
We won’t leave Contiki out when talking about group travel for young adults. The tour operator has a vibrant and youthful brand, calling the wild and social travelers. If you are looking to make lots of friends, Contiki’s tours are for you. The large group size, consisting a maximum of 20 people, making it a haven for social butterflies.
Moreover, Contiki’s tours are known to cover more than one country in one journey. The 11-day European Horizon – one of the most popular packages – travels to seven countries in the continent. The tours’ considerably affordable prices invite young travelers who want to get the best out of their journey while not breaking the bank. Some of the group tours include crazy parties and fantastic raves, matching the 20-somethings energy to dance the night away.
3. JoinMyTrip
- Best For: Solo travelers and off-the-beaten-path explorers
- Age Group: 18 – 35 years old
- Group Size: 12-20 people
Having a hard time to match your schedule with your friends? Don’t let it stop you from flying to your dream destination because JoinMyTrip got your back! JoinMyTrip is a Germany-based group travel company that specializes in incredibly small group trips. JoinMyTrip welcomes young travelers aged 18-35 years old who want to find like-minded travel buddies while exploring their dream destinations. The existing group trips are created by experienced travelers whom we call TripLeaders. They are looking for like-minded people to join them in a wholesome voyage. However, if you cannot find your preferred destination, you can sign up as a TripLeader and create your own trip instead.
JoinMyTrip takes group travel for young adults to the next level. You can check off your craziest bucket list with us as we travel to mindblowing destinations, like Svalbard and Kazakhstan. Moreover, find reasonable prices as low as USD 250 for a weekend trip, which won’t break your bank as a college student or new jobber. Additionally, JoinMyTrip welcomes only 3-8 people per trip, allowing you to build a deeper bond with your group.
4. EF Ultimate Break
- Best For: Weeks-long and fast-paced adventures
- Age Group: 18 – 35 years old
- Group Size: 20 – 44 people
Founded in 1965 in Sweden, EF Education First is a global leader in educational travel, offering young adults the chance to explore the world, learn new languages, and gain academic experience. Their programs, like EF Gap Year, EF Ultimate Break, and EF College Study Tours, blend travel with learning and cultural exchange, making every trip meaningful and enriching.
EF offers something for every schedule and interest. For example, EF Gap Year provides pre-college students with programs like The Voyager, a 10-week journey through Australia, Thailand, and Japan. Then, EF Ultimate Break features group trips for 18- to 35-year-olds, ranging from relaxing in Thailand to exploring Italy and the Greek Islands. For college students, EF College Study Tours offer faculty-led experiences focused on areas like healthcare in the Dominican Republic or intercultural studies in South Africa.
5. Intrepid
- Best For: Socially-concious travelers and cultural immersions
- Age Group: 18-35 years old
- Group Size: 12-20 people
Awarded as TIMES Most Influential Companies in 2023, Intrepid has a long record of designing trustworthy group trips. They specialize in hosting lengthy but small group trips to over 100 countries around the world. As a 30-years-old company, Intrepid’s tours are inclusive in terms of age groups. However, Intrepid has special group tours for the young and wild souls craving for adventures.
Intrepid offers the 18 to 35s tours that are targeted towards the youngsters. The tour packages have more adventurous itineraries, like road trips or hiking. They are also tailored for socially-concious travelers, providing authentic cultural experiences. Moreover, the 18 to 35s tours are relatively cheaper than Intrepid’s classic tours. They choose more budget-friendly accommodations and activities, including staying in hostels and joining free walking tours.
6. Topdeck
- Best For: Social travelers and immersive experiences
- Age Group: 18 – 32 years old
- Group Size: 10 – 18 people
Founded in 1973, Topdeck specializes in creating adventures for young travelers aged 18 to 30-something. Topdeck takes the hassle out of planning by covering all the essentials—accommodation, transportation, and unique activities. Their trips are carefully curated to deliver incredible experiences that go beyond the ordinary, giving travelers the chance to explore new destinations while connecting with like-minded adventurers.
Topdeck trips are perfect for larger groups of 20 to 40 people. Every trip includes comfortable accommodation, reliable transportation, and a dedicated trip leader to ensure everything runs smoothly. Whether you’re chasing sunsets in Europe, exploring Australia’s natural wonders, or embarking on a cultural adventure in Asia, Topdeck’s itineraries offer a stress-free way to travel.
7. Under30Experiences
- Best For: Ecoutourism and outdoor adventures
- Age Group: 21-35 years old
- Group Size: 12-20 people
Under30Experiences is designed for young travelers aged 21-35, offering small group trips focused on sustainable and meaningful travel experiences. Their tours emphasize connecting with local communities, exploring nature, and minimizing environmental impact. With trips covering five continents, popular destinations include Costa Rica, Thailand, and Iceland.
In addition to their trips, Under30Experiences builds a sense of community through city-based WhatsApp groups across the U.S., where like-minded travelers can connect before and after their journeys. These groups provide a supportive network, enhancing the travel experience with opportunities to meet new people, share advice, and stay in touch long after the adventure ends.
8. One Life Adventures
- Best For: Flashpackers (backpacker with more budget) and socially-conscious travelers
- Age Group: 21 – 35 years old
- Group Size: 10 – 22 people
Focusing on social impact and cultural immersion, One Life Adventures takes its young travelers off the beaten path. Their itineraries cover a few of the most popular attractions in a destination, but also add a touch of local culture. For example, you can experience a Buddhist chanting session in South Korea and trek through ricefields in Sa Pa, Vietnam.
Due to the company’s adventurous nature, it is designed for young adults aged 21-35 years old. They travel to 10 countries around Asia and Africa, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Morocco. If you are looking forward to ditch overtourism and looking for something more authentic, One Life Adventures is worth the shot.
Group travel for young adults is a fantastic way to make new friends within the same age range and checking off bucket lists. Joining organized group trips that are catered to young adults also allows you to travel hassle-free and safe. So, while you are young and adventurous, are you ready to get more passport stamps and meet cool people from around the world?