The Higher Costs of Traveling Alone: Why Solo Travelers Pay More

Traveling solo should be liberating — an adventure on your own terms. But for many of us, it comes with a price tag that feels more like punishment than freedom.

I learned this lesson through my experiences with Black Kings Travel, a group I supported for four years. I had no prior connection with any of the men before my first cruise. Though I was surrounded by a group, I approached the journey as a solo traveler.Like many others, I booked my cruises well in advance — sometimes three years before sailing. Most of the Black Kings were traveling as solo passengers, and at first, it seemed like a fair system. The company even offered discounts for booking the next trip immediately after the last one ended, which many of us took advantage of.

But in the past two years, everything changed. Despite our early commitments, Black Kings Travel began announcing — sometimes only months before sailing — that the payments we had made applied to double cabin occupancy only, and if we were traveling solo in a single occupancy cabein we now owed an additional fee. In my case, the amount was an additional $1,600.

The so-called “discounts” for booking early had turned into unexpected surcharges. Those who couldn’t come up where forced to find a roomate or pay the additional fee otherwise you were simply out of luck. Mind you the cabins consist of one double bed. Refund and cancellation requests went ignored by Black Kings Travel organizer, leaving travelers to either walk away from their investment or pay an addtional $1600 more to keep their spot.

What’s most appalling is the response — or rather, the lack of it — from Black Kings Travel’s leadership. The organizer made no effort to resolve these issues or assist those caught in this dilemma. Instead, appeals from loyal travelers have been ignored. Email communications were literally ignored.

After years of support, I’ve soured on the group’s management. This year we will final cruise with the group. In November we will take a final 7 day voyage to include excurison stops at Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Some have chosen to book the tour but not through Black Kings Travel. Unless I see real changes, I won’t be traveling with the group again. Unfortunately, my story is not unique — it’s part of a larger, systemic issue that solo travelers face across the travel industry.

The Solo Traveler Boom

Solo travel is no longer niche. Google search data shows the term “solo travel” steadily climbing throughout the 2010s, reaching record highs in 2025. Women, in particular, are driving this trend: a luxury travel network report recently revealed that nearly 70 percent of its solo clients are women.

Despite this surge, solo travelers are still treated as second-class customers, expected to pay more for the same experiences couples or families enjoy.

Common Problems Solo Travelers Face

1. The Single Supplement
   Most tour companies, cruises, and even safari lodges add extra fees — sometimes thousands of dollars — to cover “missing” occupants. Even when cabins or rooms would otherwise sit empty, solo travelers are forced to pay the difference.
2. Opaque Pricing
   Airlines have been caught charging single passengers more than couples on identical flights, a quirk of fare algorithms that few travelers understand. Cruises often advertise “per person” rates that assume double occupancy, leaving solos blindsided later.
3. Lack of Transparency
   Like my experience with Black Kings Travel, hidden costs often appear late in the booking process. By then, travelers have already invested in deposits or payment plans, making it nearly impossible to back out.
4. Limited Options
   Hotels and cruise ships still cater to pairs. True single rooms or cabins are rare, forcing travelers to either pay more or bunk with strangers.
5. Missed Experiences
   Some tours and excursions require a minimum number of guests. Solo travelers either pay extra or get excluded altogether.

Signs of Change

Thankfully, the tide is starting to turn. A growing number of operators now see solo travelers as a market worth serving:

• Cruise lines like Norwegian are redesigning ships to include dedicated solo cabins and lounges.
• Luxury operators such as Tauck have begun waiving single supplements on select river cruises.
• Adventure outfits in places like Tanzania are waiving solo fees during shoulder season.
• Lifestyle hotels (think Marriott’s Moxy or Hilton’s Tempo) are built around public spaces that welcome individuals as much as groups.
• Platforms like Tours by Locals and Airbnb Experiences give solo travelers the freedom to book curated group activities without long-term commitments.

These are encouraging steps — but change is uneven, and surprises like the Black Kings Travel surcharges are still all too common.

Tips for Avoiding the Solo Penalty

• Book in shoulder season. Operators are more flexible when rooms or cabins would otherwise go unsold.
• Seek out “no single supplement” deals. Many cruise lines and tour operators now advertise them.
• Use group excursion platforms. Join curated activities to experience community without committing to a group trip.
• Research thoroughly. Don’t rely on headline prices — read the fine print and ask directly about solo policies.
• Connect with solo travel communities. Online groups are invaluable for spotting red flags and sharing solo-friendly deals.

Final Thoughts

Solo travel is growing — not shrinking. Companies that continue to penalize independent travelers risk losing a loyal and expanding customer base.

For me, the lesson is clear: transparency matters. If companies want to earn the trust (and repeat business) of solo adventurers, they must stop hiding behind fine print and treat us as equals at the booking table.

Because traveling alone should feel like freedom — not like paying a penalty for daring to go it alone.