What to Do When You Want a Holiday but Your Friends Don’t

For when everyone’s life schedules are mismatched but you’re in desperate need of a vacation ✈️

This article is in partnership with Contiki. 

Uni breaks feel way too short to spend scrolling through everyone else’s travel photos while you stay home.  

You’ve finally got a decent chunk of time off, you’re itching to explore somewhere new, try foods you can’t pronounce, and collect memories that don’t involve your local café or shopping centre. 

But there’s just one problem: none of your friends are free, keen, or financially ready to go with you. 

What to do when schedules don’t line up. 

Between jobs, family commitments, internships, and different budgets, getting a whole friendship group together for a holiday can feel next to impossible.  

Someone can’t get leave approved, someone else wants to “save for next year,” and suddenly your dream trip gets postponed indefinitely. 

Instead of waiting around for the perfect timing, group travel offers a smart alternative - especially for students who still want to go away without the stress of organising everything themselves. 

Plus, students can score a sweet extra 5% off their next Contiki trip.

Why group travel just makes sense. 

Group travel gives you the best of both worlds: independence and connection. You’ll be travelling with a group of likeminded people (most of who are also solo travellers). That means hanging with people who are keen to explore and meet new faces. 

One of the biggest perks? The planning is done for you. Accommodation, transport between cities, and key experiences are all organised, which means no group chats arguing over Airbnb’s or last-minute itinerary changes.  

You get to focus on enjoying the trip, not managing it. 

And with Contiki’s Flexibility Promise, you get peace of mind if your travel plans change with 24/7 support for whatever happens.  

You’re not actually travelling alone. 

Even if you’re the only one from your friend group booking the trip, you won’t feel solo for long. Group travel naturally brings people together through shared bus rides, navigating new cities and swapping stories over dinner after a big day of sightseeing. 

These trips are designed to make socialising easy. You’ll meet people from different unis, backgrounds, and even countries, all brought together by the same goal: to experience somewhere new.  

More experiences for way better value. 

Skip the headache of planning everything in a convoluted Google doc or spreadsheet. Get around like a local with tour group guides that are professional and well versed in the ins and outs of every location you’re going to.  

Discover hidden gems, local restaurants and must-see spots that you wouldn’t find travelling without an expert. 

If your friends can’t make it work, that doesn’t mean your holiday has to wait. Group travel lets you explore confidently, meet new people, and make the most of your uni break, without the stress of planning or the fear of travelling alone. 

If you’re looking to make it even more affordable, Student Edge members can score an exclusive 5% off deal with Contiki, making it easier than ever to turn your travel plans into reality.