Sites for Solo Travelers

Avoid the Dreaded Single Supplement

It's not fair, right? 

You've finally saved up enough money to take that dream trip to New Zealand, but, because you're traveling alone, the tour company tacks on an $895 single supplement.  Ouch!

True, tour companies and cruise lines need to make a profit, and having one person stay in a double room only earns the company half as much as two people. 

But why pay extra when you don't have to?

Some tour companies offer to match you with a roommate, which can be a big money saver.  This can work out well or not, depending on who you end up with and how your personalities mesh.   But maybe you don't want to take that risk.

Good News for Solo Travelers

Recently, to entice travelers who are feeling the pinch from the economic slowdown,  some companies have not only lowered their tour prices but completely waived the single supplement fee.   For example:

• Overseas Adventure Travel is offering a lot of trips with no single supplements at all.  You can save as much as $1,795 on their Australia & New Zealand:  Adventure Down Under trip .
• Tauck Tours has carried over their Single Traveler program into 2009, waiving or reducing single supplements on 22 itineraries. 

Another way to save money when traveling alone is to travel with a company that caters to singles.  O Solo Mio, for example, takes groups of like-minded people on small, private trips.  And if you decide having a roommate is the way to go, there's a good chance you'll end up with someone who has common interests.

Or you may want to join a network of solo travelers to find your own roommate.   It's worth the time and effort.  You can gather tips and information about great places to travel solo, and maybe even make some good friends.

Here are some links to help you get started:

Solo Traveler Friendly Tour Companies

• Tauck Tours
• Intrepid Travel
• Overseas Adventure Travel
• Vantage Deluxe World Travel
• Adventure Center

Tour Companies that Cater to Singles

• Adventures for Singles
• O Solo Mio 
• Singles Travel International

Cruises

• Singles at Sea
• All Singles Travel
• Cruisemates

Solo Travel Focused Sites

• Where Are You Now?
• Travelocity's Meet Me In
• Connecting:  Solo Travel Network

Books for Solo Travelers

Two books for solo travelers that I recommend are Fly Solo: The 50 Best Places On Earth For a Girl to Travel Alone  by Teresa Rodriguez Williamson, and Solo Traveler:  Tales and tips for Great Trips by Lea Lane. 

Also, although I haven't read it yet, I hear that Beth Whitman's book, Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo is good, too.

The bottom line is that now is a good time to travel solo.  Take advantage of these rates and special discounts while they're being offered.

Do you have a favorite tour company, cruise line, or website geared for solo travelers that I missed?  If so, please share with Journeys Near and Far readers  in the comment section!

Top photo courtesy of Freefoto.com, photographer Ian Britton.

Comments

[Melody]

Thanks, Julie! It was nice to meet you in class and I look forward to keeping up with you, too!

[Julie]

hi melody! what a cool blog! i look forward to keeping up with you. :)

[Melody]

Thanks, Evelyn and Keith, for your comments and URLs! I'm happy to discover both of you and appreciate the resources (and Keith, I'll check out the articles on your site, http://velvetescape.com/blog/ ).

[Evelyn Hannon]

Hi Melody,
Happy to have discovered you. Thanks for this excellent blog on Solo Travel. I thought you might find this section of my www.journeywoman.com website appropriate for your list. Please see Solo Travel at: http://tinyurl.com/r6k9rf

[Keith]

Thanks for this post. Really handy solo travel info. I've written various solo travel articles on my blog too. I'm totally convinced of the enormous benefits of solo travel.
Another great solo travel resource is http://solotravelerblog.com.

Best regards,
Keith