How to avoid paying a single supplement
Once upon a time, telling friends that you were going on holiday by yourself would have elicited gasps of horror, wails of pity or general incomprehension. Traditionally, holidays were all about spending quality time with family or friends, or romantic breaks with a partner. Why on earth would you go abroad alone?
But today, announcing your solo holiday plan is more likely to inspire sighs of envy than of concern. There are as many reasons for travelling solo, as there are solo travellers, but unfortunately, travelling alone can really test the budget as you are unable to split costs. However, for savvy solos, there are a few ways you can avoid incurring extra charges. And sometimes you’ll even be offered your own private room, neatly included in the tour rate.
Join a small group tour
Our small group holidays are very popular with solo adventurers. All travellers are charged exactly the same, regardless of how many people they are booking with. You can make the most of guided hikes, airport pickups, luggage transfers and adventure activities without any extra fee. You’ll only be charged a single supplement if you would like to book a private room, otherwise you’ll be assigned a room with someone of the same sex.
On some camping trips, such as bush camp safaris, the single supplement will only apply for a couple of nights of the trip, usually before and after you head out into the savannah. So they can be surprisingly affordable – often well under £100 for a two-week tour.
Book a no single supplement holiday
Some tour operators have noticed the growing trend in solo travel, and have adjusted their pricing so that no one needs to pay a single supplement for a private room. This is particularly common on trips which tend to attract solo travellers. These include learning holidays – where you can practise anything from painting and photography to Thai cooking and Cuban music. Physical wellbeing, such as yoga, dance and general fitness holidays, also tend to waiver the solo supplement; no doubt your own room is a welcome treat to keep up the zen levels and offer a quiet sanctuary. Walking and cycling holidays, too, often fall into this category. We have plenty of holidays that don’t require a solo supplement for your own room, so have a browse and get inspired.
Isle of Mull and Small Isles explorer
An extraordinary voyage exploring Mull & the Small Isles.
From
£1435 to £2220
8 days
ex flights
Vegan holiday in Greece, cooking and food
Being vegan the Mediterranean Way - Greek cooking holiday
From
£1795
8 days
ex flights
Learn Spanish & yoga holiday in the Picos de Europa
Spanish & Pilates + Yoga in stunning green Spain
From
€1645 to €1860
7 days
ex flights
Cooking and walking holiday, Spanish Pyrenees
Gastronomy and beautiful walks in the Spanish Pyrenees.
From
€1995
8 days
ex flights
Sweden holidays, Wolves, Moose and Beavers
Venture into the Swedish forest for wolves, moose & beavers.
From
€1890
5 days
ex flights
Galapagos cruises
Cruise the Galapagos Islands on sailing boats and yachts
From
£2200 to £8750
8 days
ex flights
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Travel in low season
Occasionally, a tour operator might waive the single occupancy supplement if you are travelling in the low season – a time when rates are traditionally lower for accommodation, flights and services in general. Tour groups may not be filled, and there may be less likelihood of there being another traveller of the same sex for you to share a room with. So it’s worth asking to find out if this is a possibility.
Sometimes, tour prices are considerably lower at this time, so you might even find that combined with the cheaper flight, you have enough left in your budget to pay the supplement, and the trip could still cost less than it would have done in peak season.
Book a bed, not a room
There is one tried and tested way to avoid paying a solo supplement, of course – stay in a hostel. You’re being charged for the bed, not the whole dorm, so prices are fixed per person.
More No single supplement articles
If you are travelling solo and get a little put out at the concept of a ‘single supplement’, read on.
All travellers on our group holidays pay the same, regardless of who they travel with.
Solo travel doesn’t need to mean heading off alone and booking dinner tables for one.
