To Solo or Not to Solo

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I want to comment on the bane of people who prefer to travel alone. As I mentioned earlier, if you check into a hotel on your own, you'll have to pay almost as much as two people would be charged. If on a tour, you may be subject to the infamous "single supplement" charge that can add 25 percent to the cost of your trip. Understanding the logic of the supplier's point of view makes it no more palatable.

Strategies for the Solo Traveler
The first is simple: negotiate. Don't just accept what is offered. You may have no luck with a rule-pound chain hotel desk clerk but the owner of a small hotel or a bed and breakfast, is likely to be more flexible. In the later evening, you are very likely to get a fine room at a considerably lower price than first offered.

The same is true for tours and cruises. Sure, they'd like to collect the single supplement, but as a departure date approaches with rooms empty they become very open-minded. You won't get it unless you ask for it.

Involuntary singles can seek a partner through a travel club or one of the services (such as Travel Companion Exchange) that help match travelers with, hopefully, compatible travel companions.

Last, travel with a tour operator that offers a "guaranteed share" program. They agree to find a same-sex person to share the room with you. If they don't, you pay no supplement. Since this approach is a little like Russian Roulette, you might want to try it only for relatively short trips.

What's the bottom line, you ask? Travel solo? Travel with one or more companions? They are very different experiences, but either works as long as you make the decision thoughtfully.

Either way, bienviaje.