Is an EF Tour actually good for solo female travel? Here is my honest review of taking the Scotland EF Tour itinerary completely solo, including safety, tour pace, and whether the single room supplement is really worth your money.
I took this exact trip completely solo. While Scotland wasn’t originally at the top of my bucket list, I signed up because I couldn’t resist a spring trip to Europe.
Here is my completely transparent review of what it is actually like to navigate Scotland with EF Tours when you show up by yourself.
The Reality of Group Travel for Solo Women
The biggest fear most women have when booking a group tour alone is feeling like the odd one out. You wonder if you’ll be stuck with cliques or left eating dinner by yourself.
With EF, you get the independence of solo travel without the actual isolation. The moment you land at the airport (we flew into Glasgow), you have a dedicated Tour Director and an instant group of people to connect with.
You can wander the Royal Mile alone during your free time, but you always have a group to join for a Scotch tasting or a hearty lamb shank dinner in the evening. EF Tours always include a few group meals, so you get to know your fellow travelers.
The Single Room Upgrade: Is It Worth It?
Expect the Single Supplement Cost
The Financial Layout
When booking an EF Tour alone, you typically have to pay a single room supplement. For my trip, this ran between $300 and $400 extra.
Weigh the Value of Your Space
The Privacy Factor
EF hotels are clean, safe, and comfortable, but they aren’t five-star luxury. After a fast-paced day of walking miles through historical sites, having your own private space to completely recharge is invaluable. Since I am an introvert, this meant the world to me.
My Advice? Pay for the Upgrade
The Verdict
If you value your privacy, pay the supplement. It gives you the perfect balance of a highly social day with a completely quiet, independent night and morning.
Navigating the Wild Scottish Weather Alone
Our Tour Director, Chris, warned us on the bus ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh that you can easily experience all four seasons in a single day in Scotland.
When you travel solo with a group, you don’t have to worry about getting lost in a rainstorm or navigating public transit in bad weather. Your coach driver handles the logistics while you focus on the views.
He wasn’t kidding. We arrived in a miserable, cold downpour of rain and sleet. But the second the bus pulled up to the curb, the sun broke through and we were shedding our heavy winter gear.
What to wear in Scotland: One word, layers. Because the weather can change so quickly you will want to be able to change with with it while still looking fashionable. Visit my What to Pack for Scotland in Spring blog for the complete packing list.
Hidden Gem Excursions: St. Andrews
If there is one optional excursion you should absolutely add to your itinerary, it is the day trip to the University of St. Andrews.
Even if you aren’t an avid golfer (I’m not but my dad was,) the history of this coastal campus is astonishing. You get to walk the grounds where Mary Queen of Scots played golf and where Prince William met Kate Middleton.
EF gives you a guided tour, plus free time to explore the campus, the ruins, and the British Golf Museum, which is exactly the kind of experience solo travelers crave. How did I get these photos? I asked someone to take them! Most people are more than willing to help out a solo woman traveler and connecting over a photo can be a great way to get to know each other. Pretty soon, you’re taking their photos too.
Pro Tip for Your Packing List: Scotland requires a lot of walking. By the time we hit the final night of the tour, my feet were completely dead. Bring more than one pair of supportive walking boots and a reliable raincoat. You will use both! Visit my What to Pack for Scotland in Spring blog for the complete packing list.
This is not the only EF Tour I’ve taken solo. Check out my full EF Tour experience list here.
Happy Traveling!