Is really solo travel more expensive?

Travel

One of the main problems that we solo travelers face is the “solo tax”, like some people call it. This is the extra money that some companies (or hotels) make you pay as a single supplement. But is it really solo travel more expensive? Following I will some part about travel that are somehow a problem when traveling solo.

Transport and solo travel

This is an easy one. In most cases, two tickets will be twice the price of a single one. That is the situation for planes, and most buses. So no hidden single fee there. Now, there’s something to comment regarding the price of private transportation. For example, if you rent a motorcycle or a car, proportionally, you will be paying more. It is not because it is going to be more expensive per se, it is only that you alone will have to pay for the whole cost of the vehicle. A way to go around these expenses is to go for other options. Maybe you can take the train. Or get in one of the public buses and start a conversation with some of the locals? So, instead of asking yourself “Is solo travel more expensive?” take it as an opportunity to try new means of transportation.

Also in transportation, though something else: Cruises

About this, I cannot really speak from experience: I have never been to a cruise. That said, I am well aware of deals for solo travelers. You can go to an average cruise and get a single cabin. There, you will be paying slightly more than someone paying half a double. But there are exceptions, some companies are starting to focus their efforts on solo travelers and there are cruises for singles. Yes, it is for singles, not solo travelers, but depending on the destination… it should still be a nice fit. Finaly there are some companies that do not have a “solo tax”. I know of this because I am a following member of The Solo Traveler World (old Society) and once a month they send deals without single supplement.

Accomodation as a solo traveler

By far, this is the hardest part to discuss. In general lines, were you to ask me if is solo travel more expensive or not regarding accomodation, the answer would be yes. Unless you are going to hostels, in most cases you will have to pay more to sleep alone. If you go to an AirBnB, because the whole industry is set for couples or families, you will often pay a solo tax. Moreover, even though some hotels do have single rooms, you will pay above the price per head in a double. As unfortunate as it all is, there are ways to work around it.

For example, last summer I was with this guy I was dating in the north of Italy for four days. In total, we spent about 400€ in accomodation. And it was all quite simple, a double private room in a hostel and a couple of nights at a B&B. Nothing fancy. If I would have been on my own, I would have planned to move a bit my dates outside weekend. Then, I would have tried to find a cheaper accomodation for one, likely a hostel or a room in an AirBnB. Besides, I would have probaly chosen a hotel a bit farther away from the city and commute every morning which would have resulted in a much cheaper solution. Because I would have been alone, I would not have hesitated in taking the slightly harder choice over the comfortable.

Eating and drinking while traveling solo

Most people when they travel they eat at restaurants. I am one of these people. You are one of them. But there are many ways of doing this. When I travel on my own, I often go to a bakery for breakfast and eat something on the go or sit there for ten minutes. Then, I either go to a restaurant for lunch or dinner, though not usually both, and I complement with supermarket sandwitches. Besides that, at least once during my trip, I splurge a little and go to a fancy restaurant.

When I travel with someone else, we often go to a bakery or a bar for breakfast, and then we end up doing restaurant for lunch and dinner. And maybe a beer or a cocktail here or there. If not going out for drinks after dinner. I know that you can travel solo and still do all these things, but it is much easier to do them when you are traveling with someone else, hence the extra expenses.