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Solo holidays?

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  • 24-01-2020 1:32pm
    #1
    Pauliedragon
    Registered Users Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭


    I've been casually browsing holiday sites and I've noticed all deals have a little * saying "based on two people sharing". I've never gone on holidays solo before does it make much of a difference?


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    #2
    Caranica
    Registered Users Posts: 10,005 ✭✭✭✭Caranica


    Yes. There will be an increase for the vast majority of packages, anything from 1/4 extra upwards when I've looked at various single supplements.


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    #3
    Tenzor07
    Registered Users Posts: 8,449 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    Don't browse/book any package holiday sites/deals, just go into Booking.com and get your accommodation separately...


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    #4
    con747
    Registered Users Posts: 5,777 ✭✭✭con747


    Pauliedragon wrote: »
    I've been casually browsing holiday sites and I've noticed all deals have a little * saying "based on two people sharing". I've never gone on holidays solo before does it make much of a difference?

    Just remember if you book it all separately and anything goes wrong your on your own unlike package deals. I use both options and so far have been ok booking flights and accommodation separately. But expect to pay a premium for accommodation as a single as most rooms are either double or twin.

    Don't expect anything from life, just be grateful to be alive.



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    #5
    Tenzor07
    Registered Users Posts: 8,449 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    My last solo holiday I booked 9 separate hotel rooms without issues.

    I paid no additional premium or fees for a single occupancy room.


    All done on the aforementioned site booking.com


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    #6
    con747
    Registered Users Posts: 5,777 ✭✭✭con747


    Tenzor07 wrote: »
    My last solo holiday I booked 9 separate hotel rooms without issues.

    I paid no additional premium or fees for a single occupancy room.


    All done on the aforementioned site booking.com

    Good for you, not much good for the op going on a first solo holiday if something goes wrong and has no comeback and is stranded. I also said I have used BOTH methods of travelling so know the pitfalls. Also I have encountered a lot of accommodation charging more per room for a solo traveller as I travelled for work for 30+ years and stayed 4 nights per week in all sorts of accommodation.

    Don't expect anything from life, just be grateful to be alive.



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    #7
    munstergirl
    Registered Users Posts: 771 ✭✭✭munstergirl


    I find as a solo traveler you can get good deals May, Sept, I look for hotel rooms on Trivago, and have booked a few hotels or apts on Travel Republic. Flights aerlingus or ryanair.

    London is a great city to go to as a 1st solo trip lots to do and its not too far away

    Beach holiday Portugal.

    NCL cruises do solo cabins so do Virgin Voyages.

    Also have a look on www.loveholidays.ie you can put any airport, any destination, any date, one person.
    Then put price low to high & see what comes up.

    Read reviews of hotels too, so your someplace central & safe.


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    #8
    bigar
    Registered Users Posts: 596 ✭✭✭bigar


    con747 wrote: »
    Good for you, not much good for the op going on a first solo holiday if something goes wrong and has no comeback and is stranded. I also said I have used BOTH methods of travelling so know the pitfalls. Also I have encountered a lot of accommodation charging more per room for a solo traveller as I travelled for work for 30+ years and stayed 4 nights per week in all sorts of accommodation.

    What a pessimistic view. I have travelled 20 years solo booking all my trips on different sites for hotels. The worst that can happen is that you show up at the hotel and there is no room booked for you. I have never had this happen to me but if it would, I would simply find another hotel. If you are not up a mountain somewhere, there will always be some available rooms.

    If you check well on Booking.com, you will find hotels where you can have rooms for a good price, definitely cheaper than a room for two people. From experience I can say that a lot of hotels now have rooms with single beds.

    OP, just book your hotels on a site like Booking.com and when the reservation is confirmed, look forward to your trip without any worries.


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    #9
    con747
    Registered Users Posts: 5,777 ✭✭✭con747


    bigar wrote: »
    What a pessimistic view. I have travelled 20 years solo booking all my trips on different sites for hotels. The worst that can happen is that you show up at the hotel and there is no room booked for you. I have never had this happen to me but if it would, I would simply find another hotel. If you are not up a mountain somewhere, there will always be some available rooms.

    If you check well on Booking.com, you will find hotels where you can have rooms for a good price, definitely cheaper than a room for two people. From experience I can say that a lot of hotels now have rooms with single beds.

    OP, just book your hotels on a site like Booking.com and when the reservation is confirmed, look forward to your trip without any worries.
    Other websites are also available to book from......

    Don't expect anything from life, just be grateful to be alive.



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    #10
    Emme
    Registered Users Posts: 4,055 ✭✭✭Emme


    The best way to manage solo holidays is to go as independent as possible. Book a cheap flight for a time outside school holidays where possible. Book a guesthouse or Airbnb with good reviews on TripAdvisor or Airbnb. I know people give out about Airbnb destroying cities but they often have very good options for solo travellers. Take public transport. If you are happy with basic accommodation and no frills travel you will get a better deal.

    Some sites claim to specialise in solo travel but the charge a hefty price for it. The only other option would be to book an activity based holiday and be prepared to pay a little extra for solo occupation, but not too much.

    I didn't have good experiences with booking.com but friends travelling with partners have. Any time I used them to book solo accommodation I got the worst room in the house. The last time I used them the room I got was hotel staff accommodation hastily converted into a guest room. Windows had to be kept closed because there were bins directly outside and the view was of a carpark.


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    #11
    CelticRambler
    Registered Users Posts: 6,696 ✭✭✭CelticRambler


    Pauliedragon wrote: »
    I've been casually browsing holiday sites and I've noticed all deals have a little * saying "based on two people sharing". I've never gone on holidays solo before does it make much of a difference?

    To answer the question you've asked :rolleyes: if you're looking at a deal then usually, yes, it makes a difference, as the deal will be more than just a room - even if that's just breakfast. Whoever's putting the deal together can advertise a lower per-person price "based on two people sharing" because they can split the cost of the room between two people.

    If you stay away from this kind of deal (which is essentially group travel broken down into couples) then the price won't be significantly different. And if you're flexible with either dates or destinations, you'll find plenty of hotels offering room-only rates that come in at about the same per-person price - especially if you can stay three nights (third night might be free)

    Travelling solo occasionally opens up other significant savings, e.g. the option of being voluntarily bumped from a full flight and being rewarded with a night's free accommodation and a cash payment; or being able to take up a free/discounted ticket at the door of a concert/theatre.


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    #12
    kyrasubmit
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭kyrasubmit


    very expensive



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    #13
    Strumms
    Registered Users Posts: 24,807 ✭✭✭✭Strumms


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119181588#Comment_119181588

    The only more expensive aspect is hotels…

    I’ve done couple all be it 6/7 years ago and even then I found that single supplement is pretty much a thing of the past..

    I’d give anywhere a wide berth that tried that in this day and age.

    most hotels now you pay for a room not a person.

    single supplement is basically Dick Turpin style codology.



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    #14
    Coillte_Bhoy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,884 ✭✭✭Coillte_Bhoy


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119181588#Comment_119181588

    What a pointless and negative post, been on plenty of solo holidays and if you book independently and o even a minimum bit of research you'll be fine



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    #15
    pgj2015
    Registered Users Posts: 8,927 ✭✭✭pgj2015


    Is there solo holiday sites where say a load of Irish singles go on a holiday together? im single and none of my friends have money :( so im going to have to do something like this. life is too short.



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    #16
    Tauriel
    Registered Users Posts: 30,340 ✭✭✭✭Tauriel


    Travel Department and GTI are Irish travel agents that offer solo friendly holidays.

    Also have a look at Intrepid (although more international based so not necessarily going to have other Irish people on their tours), it is possible to arrange solo friendly tours operated by them through Irish based travel agents.



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    #17
    dory
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,480 Mod ✭✭✭✭dory


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119605614#Comment_119605614

    Look up Rory's travel group (or something like that). They seem to have lots of trips away for Irish people. Mostly around Ireland but I'm sure they do international as well.



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    #18
    itrip
    Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭itrip


    Also try Intrepid or Exodus....can book directly or through Trailfinders(who will sort flights too)



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    #19
    naughtysmurf
    Registered Users Posts: 3,242 ✭✭✭naughtysmurf


    Just book it all separately, been doing it for years travelling as family, no issues. Travelling solo next July for first time for 11 nights to Spain, flights, transfers, Airbnb all booked for a couple of months now, Complex has a pool, five minutes walk to the Mediterranean / supermarket / bars & restaurants. I’m a fairly seasoned traveller with the mrs & kids, just happens I’m on my todd next year. I prefer an Airbnb or private rental as a solo traveller, hotels can be a bit couple / family oriented, really looking forward to doing my own thing & chillin’ in my own space.

    Different hotels will have different policies as regards single supplements so read the T&C’s or do a dummy booking & price a room for two & then for one, you’ll know where you stand then, some hotels may even have specific rooms for solo travellers which may not have a balcony for example

    When using Airbnb I only use well reviewed Superhosts, for hotels join their loyalty program, then book, for hotels I book direct with them, if you do a bit of research & planning, should be fine

    My only problem is I have to find someone to slap some SPF50 on my back😁

    Flights were 300, accom <1000, airport transfers 60



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    #20
    billyhead
    Registered Users Posts: 9,545 ✭✭✭billyhead


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120052071#Comment_120052071

    Whereabouts are you traveling to if you don't mind me asking?



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    #21
    naughtysmurf
    Registered Users Posts: 3,242 ✭✭✭naughtysmurf


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120052743#Comment_120052743

    Mojacar area of Spain,



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    #22
    Lockheed
    Registered Users Posts: 666 ✭✭✭Lockheed


    I went solo to Berlin this autumn, booked a double private room in a hostel. No single occupancy fees, (only paid e45 a night, too) privacy of my own room plus the company that you get by being in a hostel. Aer Lingus had the cheaper flights.



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    #23
    dalyboy
    Registered Users Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭dalyboy


    I’ve been travelling solo to Thailand on 3 weeks stints for the last 15 years. €12 per night in secure safe areas of Hua Hin and Chiangmai. Usually standard 1 or 2 bed apartments with free access pool and gym.

    Flight about €550. All in package (booking everything myself separately and using Airbnb) works out about €850 for the 3 weeks.

    I’ve never been hit with solo traveller extra charges etc.



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