How to avoid single traveller supplements
In this post, we’ve taken a look at single traveller supplements. We'll tell you what they are and what you need to be aware of when you travel alone. Read on to find out more.
1. Share a room
Booking an organised tour that’s specifically for solo travellers can help reduce costs. Companies such as Flash Pack, Just You and STA Travel organise comprehensively planned solo trips, arranging everything from excursions to accommodation. As these are group trips, in some cases you’ll have to share a room, but you may be able to pay a little extra for a single room, which would certainly be less than the full room rate you might pay if you booked your own accommodation direct.
2. Stay in a hostel
You could consider staying in hostels rather than hotels to avoid the extra charge. Most hostels provide mixed-sex and same-sex dorm rooms, so you can choose whichever you’re comfortable with. Private rooms may even be available at a slightly higher cost; however, this is still usually a lot cheaper than paying a single traveller supplement on a hotel room intended for two to share. Some modern hostels are now more like boutique hotels than the barracks of old, and with the emphasis on staying social, you won’t feel lonely when spending the night in one.
3. Stay with a host
Airbnb and Couchsurfing allow you to connect with local people by staying in their spare rooms. As these are private bookings (but still organised through reputable companies), no official supplement is payable. Not only can this be an affordable way to travel, you can also use it as an opportunity to find out more about the day-to-day life of a local.
4. Just ask
You could try your luck and ask the hotel to waive the fee. The best way to negotiate is to call and see if they can do anything to reduce the cost for you -- if the hotel has low occupancy, they may be willing to waive or decrease the supplement to secure the booking.
5. Travel out of peak season
Hotels will be busier during peak season and therefore have no incentive to reduce costs for anyone looking to stay. If you travel during shoulder season (in Europe, this is roughly defined as April to early June and mid-September to late October) or low season, destinations are quieter and hotels may be more open to negotiating better rates, including for solo travellers.
6. Pitch a tent
Camping around Europe can be an adventurous and affordable alternative to hotels and hostels, as well as providing a way to see parts of a country you would not usually see, such as the rugged mountains in Écrins National Park in France or the lush Black Forest in Germany. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not try wild camping? Pitching a tent on public land is legal in Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden and Norway.
With these tips, you can save costs on your accommodation. Check out these solo travel deals and book your next solo adventure.