An introvert’s guide to surviving group travel

The thought of round-the-clock "togetherness" — with friends, family or strangers bound together in a tour group — can be overwhelming to the estimated 57% of people who lean toward introversion.

Solo travel can suit introverts, who tend to re-energize by time spent alone. But even as its popularity increases, most trips are taken with other people.

But most uncomfortable moments can be avoided by following some of these ground rules, offered by fellow introverts.

The most popular recommendation by far: Book your own room.

"This allows for morning and evening downtime to defuse, regroup and refresh," said Jenny Olsen, a Los Angeles-based public relations consultant who describes herself as a "total introverted traveler."

If you have to share a room, she said, try to sleep in. "Then order room service to have breakfast alone in bed."

In fact, Olsen advises ordering room service once a day, whether "breakfast, dinner or a late night dessert."

Dori Nix, a marketing and communications director for the Colorado-based women-led tour company Adventures in Good Company, also recommends staying alone, even if means paying a single supplement.

"Having a space to decompress at the end of each day is often the only way I can function in social environments throughout the day," she said. "It's a safe place to escape."

In Psychology Today, author Sophia Dembling cautions introverts to research group trips well.

"A tour bus full of first-timers to Europe might include a lot of mighty friendly folks who love making friends," she wrote. "And I don't mean that in a good way."

Headphones are a good way to ward off unwanted conversations, especially on flights, said John Hackston, head of thought leadership at the The Myers-Briggs Company.

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