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How to save money while on a solo trip
Being a solo traveller comes with tons of perks. You get to travel when and where you want without having to wait for someone else. You can customize your itinerary to your interests and not have to worry about balancing out what your friend or partner wants to see or do as well. Plus, you get to set the budget.
However, when it comes to budgeting as a solo traveller, things can get a bit tricky. Being solo can, in some cases, mean spending more. This is most notable for things like accommodation, group trips, and even activities and excursions.
But don’t let that stop you – as an avid solo traveller, here are a few of my tried and tested tips and tricks to help save money abroad while travelling solo.
(Don’t forget! While it’s great to save money abroad, you don’t want to skimp on your home insurance to protect your home while you’re away. Get a free quote for home insurance to ensure that you’ve got the coverage you need.)
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Accommodation
When it comes to solo travel, one of the most expensive parts is accommodation; after all, it’s much cheaper to split a room with someone than to pay for it all yourself. Depending on your budget, you might want to consider staying in a hostel. Hostels are typically the most affordable form of accommodation, with the added benefit of being a great way to socialize and meet fellow travellers. The downside is a lack of privacy because hostels traditionally offer a bed in a shared dorm, and dorm size can vary – you can find super cheap beds in backpacker dorms that have 10+ beds per room. Alternatively, there are smaller 4-bed dorms as well as female-only dorms if you are a woman travelling alone.
But while hostels are likely your cheapest option, they aren’t for everyone. In this case, look for hotels that have single traveller rooms. (These are especially common in Europe.) The room will be smaller and often just a single or twin bed rather than a king- or queen-sized bed. While it might not feel as luxurious, that difference will cut costs pretty significantly.
Day trips and tours
Another area where solo travellers tend to struggle is with day trips and tours. In many cases, you won’t want to go through the hassle of renting a car and driving in a foreign country, which means you’ll rely on tour companies that offer day trips. That being said, it’s common for day trip companies to have a minimum booking requirement – they often want at least two people, sometimes four.
One alternative for day trips is to consider public transit. The trip might be longer or perhaps not as in-depth as if you went with a tour group, but it could still be an affordable option. As for city tours, keep an eye out for free walking tours. These are common in many cities and don’t have a minimum requirement, plus they’re a fun way to meet other travellers.
Dining and eating out
Going to restaurants by yourself doesn’t have to be more expensive than dining with others, but some solo travellers do find it daunting. If this is the case for you, consider getting meals to go rather than eating in restaurants. Shop at grocery stores and get some basics that you can easily have for breakfast or snacks in your hotel room (especially if the room comes with a fridge). Visit cafes and bakeries to get sandwiches or salads that you could eat picnic-style on a park bench. If you are staying in a hostel, many of them have cooking facilities, which allows you to cut costs by making your own meals as well.
Other money-saving tips
If you are travelling solo, chances are you have more flexibility with the time you’re travelling. For short-term trips, weekdays are cheaper than weekends. For international travel, look at traveling outside of the high season and any big holidays in order to find more affordable airfare.
If you don’t want to travel alone, look at trip companies that don’t charge a single supplement. Companies like Intrepid Travel offer incredible itineraries around the world where solo travellers are always welcome. There is the option to pay for a single supplement if you want your own room, but if you don’t mind sharing, they will put you with a fellow traveller (of the same sex) so you don’t have to pay any extra fees.
Finally, consider travelling slower. This is a good way to save money whether, you are solo or not. Longer stays (usually a week or more) frequently grant you a better deal on accommodation. Plus, if you spend more time exploring one place, then you could also save on transportation costs.
Solo travel is a lot of fun and incredibly rewarding, but it does mean you have to plan a little differently. Keep these tips in mind to help keep things affordable on your next solo adventure abroad.
Hannah Logan is a paid spokesperson of Sonnet Insurance.
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