Is solo travel more expensive?
- Sassy Travels
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Other than safety concerns, price is often another reason why many get cold feet when it comes to solo travelling. But it is not necessarily more expensive than sharing costs with others. In fact, sometimes it can be way more cost-effective than travelling in groups. So, in today’s post, I will share my top tips and insights on how you can make your solo trip more cost-effective.
Accommodation: this is the price you can probably save on by travelling with others. But fear not, it does not mean there are no ways to keep the cost of it down. Instead of booking hotels or Airbnb’s, look out for hostels. And don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to stay in bunk beds. Many hostels offer private rooms, many are even en-suite. This is often a more budget-friendly option than hotels. This can also help you find fellow travellers more easily, an added bonus.
When you travel solo you have more flexibility to travel off season. This often means lower prices on both, flights and accommodation. Take advantage of this opportunity.
When you decide to embark on a trip solo it is also easier to budget as there are no compromises. You won’t have to eat brunch in that fancy restaurant your bestie saved on IG or join a cruise down the Nile if that’s out of your budget. This is the part where I think solo travel actually gets to be cheaper than travelling in a group. You can do whatever is within your budget without feeling bad or under pressure. It’s hard to budget when everyone else wants to easy dinner in a Michelin star restaurant, but when you travel alone no one will tell you not to buy cheap street food instead.
Food - this is another area where you can definitely save on your trip. Going solo often means that you won’t be going to restaurants (although I definitely think you should give it a go at least once, it is the biggest comfort zone challenger and confidence booster you can find). When travelling solo I like to save money on breakfast, as that’s what I find is the most premium price for what you actually get. Some eggs, granola and yogurt or an avocado toast is easy to make wherever you go. This will help you keep costs down. On top of that I do this for health reasons too. When I travel for weeks it’s nice to start the day with more nutritious food, so that I have more stable energy during the day.
Search for alternative routes when it comes to flights. Having flexibility comes in the picture once again. When you travel alone you can look into flying for a bit longer, for a better price on return. You won’t have to adhere to anyone else’s schedule but to yours. Last time I wanted to fly from Venice to the UK it costs way more than what I was planning to spend on it. So, I looked into different ways of flying back. Turned out it was very cheap to fly to Dublin then to the UK on that same day. All I had to sacrifice was a few extra hours of layover. Just to put things into perspective: the original direct flight I was looking at was going to cost me £285 (about $385) instead I took two flights for £37 in total (about $50). Because I was alone and I only had to fit my own schedule around this change, I could.
As you can see, most of the ways you can save on solo traveling is by being a little bit more flexible. I think a lot of people underestimate how much freedom comes with traveling alone. You get to do it exactly as you want, for exactly as much as your budget can be. Let me reassure you, solo traveling can often be less expensive than traveling in groups. So, if you were looking for a sign to book a solo trip but the costs concerned you, this is your sign to do it!
To make your travels even easier, I’ve put together a FREE travel freebie filled with strategies, checklists, and insider hacks I wish I’d known earlier. Inside, you’ll find simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals to help you feel at home—no matter where your journey takes you. And the best part? It’s completely free.
