Single Supplements Explained & How to Avoid Them

**Ally** · 06-15-2006, 11:35 AM

Having to pay that extra money just because you are travelling solo can be a real put-off to those who have limited budgets.

What are single supplements?

The price of a holiday is usually based on double occupancy. So if a traveller goes alone, s/he must pay for the other person. This additional charge is called a single supplement.

Single supplements are often charged at a flat rate all year, even when the main holiday price varies with the seasons. Many hotels have no single rooms at all, meaning solo holidaymakers must pay sole-occupancy charges for a double room.

What can you do to avoid single supplements?

It's possible to avoid single supplements if you travel at certain times of year (usually the months out of season for your destination), or if you share with another traveller. Sharing can have its benefits, firstly because it will reduce the cost, but also because you'll have someone to discuss the day's activities with - you never know, you might even meet a lifelong friend.

Trying a more adventurous holiday, such as an overland trek, means you won't have to worry about hotel rooms, as accommodation is accounted for in the price of the trip. This kind of travel isn't for everybody, but it does tend to attract single, like-minded people.

You can sometimes find affordable trips by waiting until the last minute to book. The prices of tour companies can dramatically fluctuate as travel dates get closer, so you have to time it just right. At cheaper rates you can afford to pay for a two-person room, even if you're going alone.

Some countries, notably the US, charge per room, rather than per guest, so you could save money this way.

Do any companies specialise in solo travel?

Companies such as Solos Holidays or Solo Travel Online specialise in single travel and offer a selection of packages from different tour operators in the UK and overseas to suit any age group and cater for any interests. However, it's worth spending a while searching on the web to find the company that best suits your needs. You can see other tour operators listed on our Travel WebGuide.

You can also get a list of holiday companies that do not charge single supplements by writing to:

STAG (Single Travellers Action Group)
Church Lane, Sharnbrook,
Bedford
MK44 1HR.

**Ally** · 06-15-2006, 11:41 AM

Single supplements on cruises can be anything upto, and sometimes over, 200% of the stated price per person stated in the brochure.

There are a few special offer cruises where the supplements are not charged and even fewer cruise lines who have single cabins.

Being a solo myself, I know first hand just how expensive it can be. However, the cruise line who I have 4 cruises with over the next couple of years has single cabin that don't break the bank. There are a couple of lines out there with single cruisers in mind, but on the whole, we solo's get a pretty rough deal unfortunately.