The Price of Traveling Solo
Solo travel can be soul-stirring — a chance to explore the world on your terms. I fell in love with travel while traveling solo at the age of 22. I loved the freedom – the freedom of doing what I wanted when I wanted, of changing my itinerary to please myself, of wandering as my whims took me as I flaneured through cities.
However, there is a cost, and not just the emotional labor of dining alone or navigating language barriers without backup. Though honestly, those two aspects never bothered me as much as the unfair pricing that punishes solo travelers.
Because the travel industry has long been structured around couples and groups, solo travelers end up paying more for less. More than 38 million adults live alone, a significant increase from 9 million in 1967. The trend line is only going up: as of 2021, 25% of 40-year-olds in the U.S. had never been married, up from 20% in 2010.
However, the travel industry is not keeping pace with these significant demographic shifts.
It costs more to travel single. Let me count the ways…
The Solo Traveler Penalty — Line by Line
Cruises and Tours
- Single Supplements: Most cruise fares and group tours are priced per person based on double occupancy. If you want your own space, you’ll often pay a supplement of 25% to 100% more. (Booking through a travel advisor like me is recommended, as we can sometimes assist in getting those waived or reduced.)
- Limited Solo Inventory: A few solo cabins or single rooms may be available, but they’re often the first to sell out. Once they’re gone, solo travelers are left with expensive upgrades.
Hotels and Resorts
- Flat-Rate Pricing: Most hotels charge by the room, not by the number of guests. A solo traveler pays the same as a couple, but the cost to the hotel regarding wear and tear, supplies, and cleaning, is all reduced.
- Less Value for Amenities: The same is true for the value-added amenities, which only one person uses. So often breakfast for two is included, but only one breakfast is served. Therefore, solo travelers don’t receive the same level of value added.
- Double-Occupancy Minimums: Many all-inclusive resorts won’t accept solo travelers at the advertised rate. Booking alone may require paying for two people.
- Mandatory Fees: Resort fees are typically billed on a per-room basis. That inflates the per-person cost for single travelers.
Airfare
- Dynamic Pricing Bias: Some airline pricing algorithms charge more for solo travelers. As Travel + Leisure recently reported, a single person searching for a flight may be quoted a higher fare than a couple due to assumptions about urgency or limited flexibility.
- No Group Deals: Families and duos may qualify for special fares or bundled seat selections — benefits solo travelers rarely receive.
- Seat Selection Fees: Solo travelers are often left with middle seats unless they pay for upgrades, especially when flying basic economy.
Vacation Packages
- Built for Two: Many advertised package rates are per person, but only if two people book. Solo travelers may be forced to pay double.
- Wellness and Spa Retreats: Most packages assume shared accommodations and charge a premium for privacy.
Transfers and Excursions
- Private Transfers: Whether you’re one person or four, the cost of a private car or airport transfer is usually the same. There’s no sliding scale.
- Activity Minimums: Many guided tours or small group experiences require at least two participants. Solo travelers may be turned away — or asked to pay as if they were two people.
Social Costs of Solo Travel
Beyond financial penalties, solo travelers often face the emotional friction of navigating a world built for two:
- Restaurants that set every table for couples, hosts that offer the worst tables to those alone, and dishes designed to share.
- Spa treatments and room designs with romantic pairings in mind
- Marketing language and images that assume companionship is the default
Why It Matters
Solo travel is on the rise — particularly among women over 40 — and yet the pricing structure remains outdated, infuriatingly so. Many solo travelers are seasoned, discerning, and willing to invest in premium experiences. It’s time the travel industry recognized its value. And I assure you, I consistently ask about this issue in my meetings with suppliers.
Better Options Are Emerging
Some companies are beginning to adapt:
- Cruise lines like Virgin Voyages and Norwegian now offer solo cabins with no supplements. And other cruise and river cruise lines are increasingly waiving solo supplements.
- Boutique women-only group tours and wellness retreats are improving access and pricing for single travelers.
- Luxury advisors can advocate on behalf of solo clients to secure upgrades, perks, and waivers. And I do!
Traveling alone doesn’t mean settling for less — and it shouldn’t mean paying more. If you’re dreaming of a solo escape, I’ll ensure your experience is seamless, elegant, and fairly priced.
Let’s talk about your next solo journey.
