In the advent of Valentine’s Day 2025, Gazet van Antwerpen (GvA) analysed the situation of single people. The number of households consisting of one person is on the rise. While ‘living alone’ isn’t the same as ‘being alone’ (romantically), it’s an indication. GvA looks into housing, the fiscal situation… but also travel. Travelling solo is often branded as much more expensive. But is it? The newspaper asked some (solo) travel experts. Let’s test their arguments against reality. 

Solo travellers often find themselves at a financial disadvantage compared to couples, facing extra hotel surcharges and the inability to split costs. However, this is balanced by the freedom of independent travel, an expanding array of holiday options, and a richer social experience. Solo travel is growing in popularity because it feels so authentic.

With more people in Antwerp and beyond living alone, many aspects of life are still designed for couples. From housing and taxes to travel, singles often face higher costs. But does this translate into outright financial discrimination for solo travellers?

The ‘single supplement’

Jan Van der Borg, professor of tourism at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) and the University of Venice, does not believe financial discrimination against solo travellers is severe. 

Other travel experts echo this sentiment, but that does not mean there aren’t differences. Some of which can work in favour of solo travellers.

One of the biggest financial hurdles is the single supplement charged by many hotels. Britta Baeke of Travel Like A Pro notes that booking a room for one person in high season without a surcharge is nearly impossible. That extra fee frustrates many solo travellers, and she completely understands why. But from a business perspective, hotels see it differently.

A hotel room occupied by two guests generates more revenue through excursions, bar tabs, and restaurant bills. To compensate for this perceived loss, hotels impose an additional charge on those booking a room alone.

Can you avoid the ‘single supplement’?

The cost of a ‘double single-use’ room varies by hotel. Piet Demeyere from tour operator TUI explains that if you book a package holiday in peak season, the single supplement can add 10 to 15 per cent to the total cost compared to booking as a couple. During peak periods, the availability of single rooms is very limited. But in low season, that extra charge often disappears.

Because of this financial model, where two guests are more profitable than one, hotels are rarely eager to market themselves as single-friendly.

Case study: hotel room for one in Karlovy Vary

In autumn 2021, Sam, Danny and I travelled to Czechia. At Hotel Imperial in Karlovy Vary I had a single room, and Sam and Danny a room for two. We could do a direct comparison. 

Danny and Sam paid 996 euros for their room for a week, while I paid 726 euros, 73% of their cost, for a single room with half board at a five-star hotel. This isn’t a complaint about Hotel Imperial, but since we booked simultaneously, the comparison is revealing.

My room wasn’t small, but it was noticeably smaller than theirs. It had a bathroom, a vestibule, sleeping quarters, a desk, a balcony, and basic amenities. However, I only had a single bed, one set of towels, and a tiny cupboard. It felt restrictive, like boarding school. Hotels may want to prevent outsiders from staying over, but what if I wanted to meet another guest for some bed-based sports?

A single room will never cost half of a double, as essential features like lighting and furniture remain the same. But 73% of the price? It seems I only got a discount for one fewer person eating breakfast and dinner. If that’s the case, I might as well have had a larger room, a double bed, and two sets of towels.

Hotel room for one 

You can read the full report here. 

An expanding travel market for singles

Singles are a diverse group, including lifelong bachelors, single parents, widows, and widowers. With a variety of travel options available, most can find something that suits their preferences. 

Professor Van der Borg sees singles as a booming segment within tourism. With more singles travelling, demand increases, and the industry responds with better and more varied offers.

He also points out that younger people, even those in relationships, are showing more interest in solo travel. It’s part of the trend towards authenticity and unique experiences. 

Travelling with a partner can sometimes make it harder to connect with locals or other travellers. Because solo travel often encourages social interactions, its appeal is only increasing. The small financial disadvantage is clearly outweighed by the experience.

Cruises, “A haven for solo travellers”?

Cruises have long been a favourite for solo travellers. Britta Baeke notes that some cruise lines now cater specifically to solo travellers, offering smaller single cabins at lower prices than standard rooms. They also organise activities to help solo guests meet each other, without necessarily implying romantic matchmaking.

Single = social?

I personally have a hard time following this reasoning. Yes, cruise companies cater to solo travellers and they organise social meet-ups. But for lunch and dinner in the main dining restaurants, singles will be put together at the singles’ table.

I had this experience on The Canadian, a ‘cruise on rails’ in Canada. I was the fifth wheel on the wagon, so I was always seated at another table. As such, that is not a big issue. But every meal I had the same conversation. “Where are you from? What do you do? You travel alone? You travel often?”

Types of hotels

What type of hotels appeal most to solo travellers? Piet Demeyere explains that they tend to prefer centrally located hotels where it’s easy to explore the surroundings, preferably with a more discreet atmosphere. 

Remote resorts and large family hotels with sprawling pool complexes are less popular. Meanwhile, hotels with nightclubs are particularly appealing to younger solo travellers.

Flexible travel dates

One financial advantage solo travellers have is the freedom to travel outside peak periods. While families with children are locked into expensive school holidays, singles can take advantage of lower prices in off-seasons. In theory, this can cut costs in half.

However, off-season travel isn’t always ideal. Britta Baeke warns that a half-empty hotel, limited facilities, or closed restaurants and pools can diminish the experience. While it’s certainly cheaper, it’s not always more enjoyable.

At TUI, they’ve noticed an increasing number of singles and child-free couples travelling during school holidays. For flight-based holidays in July and August 2024, 75 per cent of bookings were made by adults without children, while 81 per cent of city break reservations were for the same demographic.

Flexibility is a privilege 

Baeke, Demeyere and GvA journalist Steven Vankerckhoven only think of people with office jobs. Teachers are bound to school holidays. People involved in the construction sector are bound to construction breaks. 

Us, as train guards (conductors, manages), have to apply for time off a long time in advance. So while we’re not bound to specific periods of the calendar, we don’t have flexibility to jump on a last minute or participate in a contest. 

A surprise getaway on days we didn’t ask off a long time ago? We can’t go along, sorry. Travel to the Eurovision Song Contest in the very competitive month of May? Forget it. 

What is high season anyway?

Also, we should ask ourselves, are July and August still (as) high season (as they used to)? With climate change and popular destinations heating up, maybe not so much. 

Travel tips for solo travellers

How can solo travellers avoid financial pitfalls? There are no magic solutions, but there are strategies to help. Britta Baeke advises booking as early as possible to secure the best deals. 

I agree on that one.

She also suggests considering travelling with a friend to avoid single supplements or aiming for the low season. 

Indeed, it’s been a while since I travelled solo properly. My friends don’t let me! I’m kidding. I’m so happy I hav friends such as Danny and Oriol which are also great travel buddies. 

Open-plan bathrooms

Hotels that offer designated single rooms are often more affordable. If sharing a room with a travel companion, ensure it offers enough privacy—open-plan bathrooms “are still a rarity”, but they do exist.

No, dear interviewees and Gazet van Antwerpen, open-plan bathrooms are not a rarity anymore! 

Online reviews

Online reviews are a valuable resource. Piet Demeyere notes that people tend to highlight negatives more than positives, so concerns like privacy issues often surface quickly. 

He also recommends discussing expectation. What if one of you wants to bring someone back to the room?

Hostels can also be a great option, offering affordable private rooms and social spaces where solo travellers can connect with others.

The reality of booking solo

Are solo travellers at a disadvantage when booking holidays? Gazet van Antwerpen tasted the pudding for some proofing. 

A weekend stay in an Antwerp hotel in February costs 256 euros, whether booked for one or two people. No penalty for going solo. 

However, a ten-day cruise in Northern Europe in June tells a different story. A cabin with an ocean view costs 8,359 euros for two but 7,848 euros for one. The solo traveller pays slightly less overall, but without someone to split the cost, the difference is stark—an extra 3,668.50 euros. Ouch!

As for package holidays, finding single-friendly options can be a challenge. On one well-known travel website, solo trips are buried in the theme section, between romantic and sporty. The limited selection includes a family-friendly resort in Greece and a hotel on the Turkish Riviera that boasts multiple waterslides. Why would that interest a single, childless adult? 

In the end, a hotel in Tenerife seemed the best option for an August getaway. A junior suite with a sea view cost 1,491.86 euros for two people over eight days. But when booking solo, the room disappeared from the options. Instead, only a general single room was available, without the sea view. No sea view for singles. 

So?

Solo travel is rewarding and increasingly popular, but financial challenges remain. Whether it’s the dreaded single supplement, limited accommodation options, or hidden fees, those travelling alone often pay more. 

Still, for many, the freedom and unique experiences make it a price worth paying.

A general conclusion I can broadly adhere to. It does motivate me to have another go at it.