Hello,
I am looking for advice between the two European Tour companies Trafalgar and Rick Steves. I am a 26 year old female looking to do a trip next spring by myself. Can anyone provide a comparison based on your experience?

Thanks in advance!

I've used both.

First, you will probably be the youngest person, though there will a few in the 30-60 age range.

Hated my one Trafalgar experience--too many people, too many excursions that were extra cost, tipping expected.

I have gone on 2 RS tours and will go on more. Read their website to see the pluses. Well run, lots of free time, terrific local guides.

I've never been on tours from either, but don't be afraid to do it entirely on your own, either. Or do a tour for part of your trip, the rest on your own. I've traveled solo to Europe numerous times. Yes, the first time was a little scary, but that was before I had an internet device with me. Nowadays it would be way easier to do the first time.

I've considered a Rick Steves tour. I defer to elberko's experience with them. But I understand that some of their tours are more active than others (some require more walking and exertion than others). Look at the tour description to see what kind of tour it is.

If you want to meet people your own age, consider staying at hostels and traveling alone. Take tours in individual cities and towns if you want. Obviously, there's lots of info here and on other travel forums to help you plan your own thing.

If I was 26 I'd never consider a Trafalgar tour. I might do a RS if the itinerary was exactly what I wanted. But even RS would be a better fit for 40's or 50's IME.

95% of the people here are independent travelers, so you will not find many who have actual tour experience of Europe.

The Rick Steves website has good forums too, and you may find more RS tour alumni there on the various country forums, even some RS admins who can answer specific questions about them.

Have you looked at Contiki Tours? They specialize in tours for 18 to 35 year old travellers.

Where do you want to go? Which tours interest you?

I have not been on a Trafalgar tour, and from what I've read I wouldn't consider them. I have been five RS tours, starting back in the 90s. You need to be energetic, pack light and handle your own luggage. The hotels will be central, the guides excellent, included meals good, no shopping ops and no tipping.

Contiki has a reputation for party tours. Depending on where you want to go you might look at Intrepid:

http://www.intrepidtravel.com/us

But Europe is dead easy on your own. Plenty of help for doing that here. Try reading the "Rough Guide to First Time Europe" and "Europe Through the Back Door".

I have been on 8 tours with Insight Vacations, a sister company of Trafalgar. The main difference is that the Insight tours never exceed 40 people and the hotels are centrally located. The majority of the people are 50+ but there have been younger couples or adults accompanying their parents on these tours, especially families from Australia and New Zealand.

I have written trip reports on most of the tours I have been on. Click on my name to find them.

Sorry, but 40 people is way over my limit. RS tours max at 28, although some tours cap at less, and I still find that a bit much. I think the Intrepid max is 12.

Depending on where you want to go also check out Adventures Abroad. I have been on 7 or 8 tours with them and there are usually people younger the 40 on them. They limit tours to 21 people and only do public transportation when in cities.

Do Croatia without the tour company, so much more freedom etc, etc.