The holidays where single travellers are ripped off – and how to dodge the high prices

Solo travel is on the rise. Around one in 10 of us holidayed alone between August 2021 and 2022, according to figures from Abta. 

And yet, the travel industry continues to penalise solo travellers, with extra charges on hotel rooms and cruise cabins the norm. Package deals often come with a hefty ‘single supplement’ and holidaymakers on the likes of coach trips have reported being given substandard rooms despite paying over the odds. 

New research from Which? has highlighted the extent of the problem, finding that single travellers are being charged up to 87 per cent more than those in a pair. The watchdog analysed thousands of package holidays across Europe from the UK’s two largest providers, Jet2holidays and Tui, plus various cruises. 

Taking into account all holiday and accommodation types, it found a solo traveller holidaying with Tui would pay almost half as much more (47 per cent) than those in a pair, with the average cost coming in at £1,147, compared with a per person cost of £781 for a couple. Those booking with Jet2holidays were found on average to pay 36 per cent more for their trip.

Perhaps most egregious of the findings was the mark-up on all-inclusive holidays. This is despite the fact that a solo traveller could reasonably be expected to consume half the amount of food and drink and require only one plane seat. For a week’s all-inclusive trip to Majorca this June with Tui, Which? reported being quoted £840 per person for two people sharing, and was apparently even offered an upgrade to a larger, one-bedroom apartment for no extra charge. However, it said a single traveller would have to pay 70 per cent more (£1,448) for the same package, without the perk of an upgraded room. 

In response to the findings, a Tui spokesperson said: "The price increases referenced in the report don’t reflect the travelling habits of our customers, with most solo travellers travelling outside of peak holidays and who choose single occupancy rooms."

“We offer a large number of holidays that cater for solo travellers with hotels offering us single rooms, with associated single occupancy rates. In addition, we also offer solo traveller discounts, including those single parents travelling with children. Where hoteliers only offer double occupancy rates, unfortunately the cost will be passed on to the customer," they added.

Jet2 holidays, which fared better in the report, said in a statement: "We have recently been rated the top provider for solo holidays by Which? and we were recognised as a Which? Recommended Provider for solo holiday providers on the back of this. We are very proud of this recognition and do everything we can to cater for solo travellers including offering a range of adult-focused hotels, working with hotels to offer single rooms or rooms for sole use, and giving solo travellers £30 off their booking through a promotion code. Although many contracted hotels have single rooms or rooms for sole use, allocations do vary and can sell out quickly.

“The cost of the Jet2.com flight element is the same for solo travellers, however the price of the accommodation does mean there can be a difference in the overall price. We are working with hotel partners on this, and hope to announce further details in the future.”

Elsewhere, cruise lines has long been guilty of charging extortionate single supplements and few show signs of changing their ways. On a popular P&O Mediterranean cruise route in May, Which? found solo travellers being quoted 87 per cent more to occupy a single occupancy cabin, when compared with a pair sharing a larger, double room. The consumer body says it was quoted £749 per person based on a couple sharing a double room, inclusive of flights. To book the same room as a single traveller cost 37 per cent more (£1,198). Bizarrely, if altering the booking to select a smaller, single occupancy room, the price increased by a further £200.

A P&O spokesperson said: “We have removed single supplements on selected cruises which means that solo guests can book a spacious cabin at half the price than if there were two guests sharing. Where there is a single supplement, solo travellers will always pay a reduced price compared to if we had two guests staying in the same cabin."

Solo travellers also routinely report being allocated substandard rooms compared to couples. On a recent coach holiday to Wales with Shearings, Elizabeth Knowlson said she was left with a dirty room which has a bucket outside the door to catch leaks from the ceiling. Though the company did offer her a new room, it was a small single. 

She told Which?: “I could simultaneously touch the opposite walls with outstretched arms. I don’t mind paying a single supplement, but this room was only fit for one person.”  

Shearings said it "proactively seeks accommodation with low or no single room supplements for our guests, and only ever charge a supplement if a hotelier imposes this charge to us as a company."

Commenting on Ms Knowlson's case, a spokesperson added it was "disheartening" that she accepted the second room but remained unhappy, and that any concerns should have be raised with hotel staff so they could be resolved. The company has since announced that it has plans to remove single supplements in as many as 27 of its UK hotels.

As well as being overcharged and undervalued, solo travellers also face more limited choice when it comes to holidays. Which? found both Jet2holidays and Tui had notably fewer offerings for solo travellers – 10 per cent fewer in the case of Tui, and 20 per cent for Jet2.

However, it’s not all bad news for those travelling alone, as there are a number of tour operators who specialise in solo travel or don't penalise those heading out alone. Below, we highlight the travel companies to consider when booking your next solo adventure. Some offer specialist singles holidays, others have departures with no single supplement or help customers avoid the charge by arranging same-sex room shares.

Solo travel specialists

There are always more women than men travelling on these trips: usually 65:35. Everyone who joins a tour has their own en-suite room, which is usually a double for single occupancy.

Friendship Travel (0289 446 2211; friendshiptravel.com) House party-style beach holidays in Greece and Majorca taking over small hotels entirely. A Friendship host is always on hand to ensure no one is left out. Group size is around 20, most aged 35-60. There’s also a range of short breaks and long-haul options including the Caribbean, Mexico and Cambodia.

Just You (0800 112 3311; justyou.co.uk) An impressive portfolio of holidays, from Cotswolds weekends to Antarctic adventures, plus culture-and-chill weeks in the Mediterranean. Most holidays are led by a British tour manager. Group size is up to 30; fewer on long-haul trips but always more than 12. Age spread is 35-70.

One Traveller (01760 722011; onetraveller.co.uk) Aimed at the over-50s and escorted by experienced British hosts. Suggests first-timers try a break in Budapest or Prague. Maximum group size is 25. Long-haul options include Sri Lanka, China and North America.

Solos (0844 815 0005; solosholidays.co.uk) More than 35 years’ experience organising singles holidays worldwide, including cruises. There are four age bands, and minimum group size is around 15 with a 60:40 female:male ratio. Runs its own hosted ClubSolos holidays in Greece, Majorca and the Algarve.

Activity and adventure
 

Adventure specialists attract a mix of couples, friends and singles who travel, sightsee and take meals together. Most offer same-sex room shares or affordable supplements for your own room.

Contiki (0808 281 1120; contiki.com) A big choice of holidays worldwide for 18-35s, from Greek island-hopping to new tours of India. Group size varies from 30-50; a mix of nationalities, most with English as their first language. Travel by coach with a Contiki tour manager organising activities and sightseeing.

Dragoman (01728 861133; dragoman.com) Focuses on overland camping, travelling in a converted lorry, on trips ranging from 10 days to four months. South America and south-east Asia tend to attract the under-30s; adventurous 60-somethings might tackle the Silk Road and North America.

Explore (01252 883963; explore.co.uk) More than 400 tours worldwide, from leisurely explorations with beach time in Europe to treks up Kilimanjaro. About half of its customers are travelling solo (60 per cent females), mostly aged 30-65, though the more expensive trips attract the 50-plus. 

Wild Frontiers (020 8741 7390; wildfrontierstravel.com) Ground-breaking itineraries worldwide for groups of up to 12, many of whom come solo. Wide age range, from 30-70, mostly well-travelled professionals. 
Activity

Spice (0161 873 8788; spice-escapes.co.uk) An organisation of activity clubs with a membership largely comprising singles aged 35-55. A big choice of adrenalin-fuelled days out as well as chill-out weeks in Turkey and the Costa Blanca.

ATG Oxford (01865 315678; atg-oxford.co.uk) Runs superb walks with top-class food and hotels in southern Europe.
Ramblers (01707 818388; ramblersholidays.co.uk) Has well-priced walks worldwide for groups of up to 18 with no single-supplement options. Also an Adagio programme for those who prefer gentle walking mixed with sightseeing.

On Foot Holidays (01722 322652; onfootholidays.co.uk) Can organise walks for those who prefer to walk alone (luggage transported) all over Europe with low single supplements.

Cultural tours

Age is no limit when it comes to going solo on a cultural tour. Around half of the group will be travelling on their own, paying single supplements of around 10 per cent of the holiday cost. You can usually rely on finding good conversation over dinner.

Andante (01722 713800; andantetravels.co.uk) Escorted, lecturer-led archaeological tours worldwide with a focus on the Mediterranean. The rump of the group will be in their 60s. 

Martin Randall Travel (020 8742 3355; martinrandall.com) Provides a range of all-inclusive cultural holidays and visits to music festivals which attract fairly highbrow customers, led by lecturers who are chosen for their social skills as well as their scholarship. Singles are well looked after with convivial meals hosted by lecturers and the company’s own tourmanagers. 
 

Jules Verne (020 3733 5762; vjv.com) No single supplement on 40 of its escorted tours including European river cruises and city breaks, plus longer holidays to Africa, China, Burma and India. 
 

Cruising
 

The last bastion of big single supplements is the cruise industry, but that is changing. New ships are being built with a complement of single cabins; some cruise lines offer supplement-free double cabins to both early and late bookers as they struggle to match capacity with demand. There are sometimes get-togethers for singles, and restaurant managers can arrange singles tables. Here are some cruise lines that are making a big effort.
 

Fred Olsen (0845 004 2747; fredolsencruises.com) Has 40-plus single cabins on each of its four ships and good twin-for-sole-occupancy deals for late bookers.
 

NCL (0845 201 8900; ncl.co.uk) leads the way when it comes to solo cruise travel. Most ships offer generous studio staterooms for singles (full-sized bed and bathroom) and exclusive access to a dedicated lounge and bar to interact with other solos.

Pandaw Cruises (0208 326 5620; pandaw.com) No-supplement deals for singles occupying twin cabins (for early bookers and to sell last-minute spaces) on most departures of its luxury cruises on the rivers of south-east Asia.

Skiing

Redpoint Holidays (0345 680 1214; redpoint.co.uk) British BASI instructors offer ski guiding in Austria for up to 10 solo skiers for five days a week on selected departures and arrange group dinners. Based on single rooms at the Hotel Bruno in Fügen. Most customers are aged 40-60.
 

Skiworld (0330 102 8004; skiworld.co.uk) A choice of social trips aimed at singles staying in catered chalets in France. Some single rooms or the option of a supplement-free same-sex twin share. Larger chalets often attract a mix of couples and singles, mostly professionals, who hook up to ski together.