Solo Travel & Single Supplement Comparison

Which Tour Companies Are Best for Solo Travelers ?
I Compared Their Single Supplements

Traveling Solo? The Cost Can Vary A LOT

Sometimes we travel alone because circumstances leave us no choice. Other times, we simply want to—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But traveling solo can come with a hefty extra cost.

I compared eight popular tour companies to see who offers the best deals for solo travelers, including free or reduced single supplements and room-share options.

If you've traveled with a tour company, you've probably encountered those two dreaded words: single supplement.

Most tour prices are based on two people sharing a room. When you're traveling alone and want your own room, the company may charge an additional fee to cover the cost of that room.

On a cruise, the same basic idea applies to your cabin. And because cruise cabins can be expensive, the single supplement can make a surprisingly big difference in what your trip actually costs.

That's why I don't think solo travelers should compare tours or cruises based only on the big number in the advertisement.

The price you really want to know is the price you'll actually pay.

Sometimes we travel alone because circumstances leave us no choice. Other times, we simply want to — and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But traveling solo can come with a hefty extra cost.

Single supplements can vary dramatically from one tour company to another — and even from one trip to another.

That's why I decided to compare eight popular tour companies to see how they treat solo travelers. I looked at more than just the advertised price. I wanted to know who offers free or reduced single supplements, roommate options and other ways to avoid paying a small fortune for having your own room.

And there's an important distinction you'll see throughout this article:

"No single supplement" doesn't always mean "private room for free."

Sometimes it means you can share a room with another solo traveler. Sometimes it means you get your own room at no additional charge. And sometimes the deal applies only to certain departures, cabins or room categories.

So let's take a look.

Why Single Travelers Need to Pay Attention

First, What Exactly Is a Single Supplement?

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT)

My take: One of the strongest choices for solo travelers who want their own room.

OAT has made solo travel a major part of its business. The company currently promotes free or low-cost single supplements on its adventures, and its 2026 materials say 92% of its 25,000 single spaces are offered with a free single supplement. OAT says that includes all land trips and trip extensions; the remaining single spaces have reduced supplements.

And OAT offers both land adventures and small-ship adventures, so don't assume the policy is identical on every trip.

My own Antarctica adventure is a good example. It was a tour, but most of the trip was aboard a small ship. That's why I think of it as a cruise as much as a tour.

Thrifty Traveler tip: If you're traveling alone, check several departure dates. A free single supplement can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

And if the single spaces on your preferred departure are gone, OAT also has a free roommate-matching program for travelers willing to share with someone of the same gender.

Grand Circle Travel

My take: Definitely worth checking, particularly if you're flexible about dates or willing to share.

Grand Circle Travel and OAT are part of the same Grand Circle family of travel companies. Grand Circle generally has larger groups than OAT, which is one reason I haven't traveled with them yet. But when it comes to solo travel, I wouldn't ignore them.

Grand Circle says most trips offer a limited number of single rooms, with the single supplement varying by program. It also offers roommate matching on trips where sharing is possible. If you agree to share and Grand Circle can't find you a roommate, you won't be charged a single supplement.

That can be a pretty valuable benefit.

Grand Circle offers both land trips and cruises, so once again, don't assume the single-room price is the same from one trip to another.

Thrifty Traveler tip: If you find a Grand Circle itinerary you love, check three things before booking: the single-room price, the roommate option and other departure dates.

You might discover that the trip you thought was too expensive suddenly looks pretty good.

Road Scholar

My take: One of the most solo-friendly companies out there.

Road Scholar has embraced solo travelers in a big way. It offers a substantial collection of solo programs, including adventures specifically designed for people traveling alone.

And Road Scholar has an interesting approach to the single-supplement problem. The company says solo travelers can choose to share a room with another Road Scholar traveler, and it can match roommates. But it also says that some programs offer single rooms with no extra charge.

Its current solo collection specifically highlights programs with no single supplements, including opportunities where solo travelers can have their own room.

Road Scholar also offers river cruises, and selected cruise programs and cabins can have no single supplement.

Thrifty Traveler tip: If you're traveling alone and like the idea of combining travel with learning, interesting activities and a built-in group of fellow travelers, Road Scholar deserves a serious look.

Rick Steves

My take: Great for European travel—but solo travelers need to budget for the extra cost.

Rick Steves changed its solo-traveler policy beginning with its 2026 tours.

Solo travelers now book a private room and pay a single supplement. The old "single share" option—where you could be paired with another solo traveler to save money—is gone. Rick Steves says the single supplement is now calculated at a flat <strong>$50 per day</strong>.

That makes the math pretty easy.

A 14-day tour would add $700. A 21-day tour would add $1,050.

Rick Steves is primarily known for European land tours, so this is one of the simpler policies to understand: if you're traveling alone, build the supplement into your budget from the beginning.

Thrifty Traveler tip: I like policies that are easy to understand. Rick Steves' $50-per-day formula makes the extra cost predictable. But if avoiding a single supplement is your priority, other companies on this list give you more opportunities to do that.

Trafalgar

My take: A very good option if you're willing to share a room.

Trafalgar gives solo travelers a choice on nearly all of its tours.

You can request to share a room with another traveler of the same sex and pay the regular twin-share price. Or you can have your own room and pay the applicable single supplement. Trafalgar also offers reduced single supplements on selected departures.

There is an important catch: the room-share option isn't available everywhere. Trafalgar says the option is available on trips in Europe, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand, but not on trips to Asia, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Trafalgar is primarily a land-tour company, so cruise pricing isn't really where its solo policy shines.

Thrifty Traveler tip: If you're comfortable sharing a room, Trafalgar becomes much more attractive from a budget standpoint. If you insist on your own room, find out the supplement before comparing the tour's advertised price with another company.

Tauck

My take: A surprisingly good deal for solo travelers—especially on European river cruises.

Tauck isn't exactly the first company that comes to mind when I think "thrifty." It's a luxury travel company.

But its solo-traveler policy deserves attention.

For European river cruises, Tauck currently offers something pretty remarkable: solo travelers pay no single supplement on Category 1 cabins on every departure of every European river cruise. The single price is the same as the double price. Tauck says that can represent savings of up to 50% for a solo traveler.

That's a much better deal than simply saying, "We sometimes waive the supplement."

Tauck also offers solo savings on selected land journeys and other cruise categories. Its current policy tells solo travelers to look under "Pricing and Availability" for specific solo savings.

Thrifty Traveler tip: Don't automatically dismiss a Tauck trip because you think the price is too high. If you're traveling alone, check the total price. A waived supplement can change the math considerably.

G Adventures

My take: Excellent for budget-conscious solo travelers—if you're comfortable sharing.

G Adventures has one of the clearest solo policies of the group.

The company says most of its trips do not have a single supplement.

Sounds great, right? There's a catch.

The standard accommodation is generally twin-share. If you're traveling alone, you'll usually share with another G Adventures traveler of the same sex.

If you want your own room, G Adventures offers a "My Own Room" option on eligible trips for an additional cost.

G Adventures also has Solo-ish adventures specifically designed for solo travelers, although the accommodation on those trips is generally shared as well.

So here's the important distinction: No single supplement does not necessarily mean a private room.

For someone who doesn't mind sharing, that can be a terrific bargain. For someone who wants their own room, you'll need to compare the additional cost.

Thrifty Traveler tip: Decide what matters more to you—saving money or having your own room—before comparing G Adventures with companies that include private accommodations.

Globus

My take: Watch Globus Escapes if you're flexible about when you travel.

Globus has created an interesting opportunity for solo travelers through its <strong>Globus Escapes</strong> program.

These are special European vacations, generally designed around off-season travel. On selected Escapes trips, Globus waives the single-room supplement entirely. That means you can potentially combine a lower-season tour price with no single supplement.

That's the kind of math I like.

The catch, naturally, is that the waiver applies to selected Escapes vacations and restrictions apply.

Globus also offers river cruises and other cruise options, but I wouldn't assume the Escapes single-supplement deal applies to them. As always, check the individual itinerary and cabin or room category.

Thrifty Traveler tip: If your travel dates are flexible, don't overlook off-season departures. Sometimes the best bargain isn't finding a cheaper tour—it's taking the same kind of trip at a different time of year.

So Who Wins the Solo Travel Sweepstakes?

Well...there isn't one winner. And that's actually the point of this comparison.

If you want your own room without paying a fortune, OAT and Road Scholar deserve a very close look.

If you're willing to share a room, Trafalgar and G Adventures can eliminate the single supplement on eligible trips.

If you're considering a European river cruise, Tauck's Category 1 cabins are hard to ignore.

If you're a fan of European travel and don't mind paying extra for your own room, Rick Steves gives you a simple and predictable $50-a-day formula.

And Grand Circle Travel and Globus both belong on the shopping list, particularly if you find a departure with a free or reduced single supplement.

The important thing is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

The best company for you depends on whether you want your own room, are willing to share, can travel during less popular dates—and, of course, where you want to go.

My Biggest Piece of Advice Regarding Solo Travel

Don't shop for a tour based only on the advertised price.

If you're traveling solo, the price you see in the big bold type may not be the price you'll actually pay.

Before booking, ask three questions:

1. How much is the single supplement?

2. Are there departures with a free or reduced single supplement?

3. If I don't want to pay it, can you match me with a roommate?

And if you're looking at a cruise, add one more:

4. Which cabins qualify for the solo deal?

Those questions could save you hundreds—or potentially thousands—of dollars.

And if you know me, you know I like saving hundreds or thousands of dollars.

That's kind of the whole idea behind being a Thrifty Senior Traveler.

A Final Thought From A Solo Traveler

Traveling alone doesn't have to mean traveling lonely.

In fact, one of the things I've learned from years of group travel is that many solo travelers aren't really looking to be alone. They simply don't have a travel partner available—or they've decided they're not going to wait around for one.

That's a pretty good attitude.

So if you've been putting off that dream trip because you're worried about traveling alone, don't automatically assume you'll have to pay a huge premium.

Shop around. Compare the single supplement. Check different dates. Ask about roommate matching. And look at the total price—not just the advertised price.

You might be surprised by what you find.

Written by Jesse Slome, The Thrifty Senior Traveler
Originally published September 1, 2026 | Last updated September 1, 2026

I created the Thrifty Senior Traveler website to share my experiences and tips with others who enjoy traveling (and bargains). I don't work or get paid from any particular company.

I clearly like Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). They meet all my checkmarks: great tours for great value. I am after all the Thrifty Senior Traveler.

If you are booking a first trip with
OAT or their parent company (Grand Circke Travel), I have a favor to ask.

OAT and Grand Circle have a
special "Referral Program".
When booking your reservation, please tell them "I was referred by Jesse Slome # 932019."

You'll qualify for the first-time traveler savings of $100-per-person.

And, I receive a 1-time credit toward a future adventure.
It costs you nothing. I only get credit once. Then you get to earn referral credits.

So far, 88 travelers have said that they were referred by Jesse Slome.
I hope you'll be #89!

Thank you - and I hope to see you somewhere in the world!

Planning To Book Your First
Tour or Cruise With

Overseas Adventure Travel - or with -
Grand Circle ?