Solo Travel Tips to Cut Costs in 2024

As someone who loves to travel alone, I know firsthand the frustrations of getting slapped with single supplements and other solo traveler fees. But over the years, through trial and error, I’ve discovered ways to cut costs significantly and make solo journeys much more budget-friendly.

In this article, I’ll share my top money-saving tips for affordable solo travel in 2024, from skipping package deals to volunteering abroad. As a solo traveler myself, I aim to provide actionable advice that has worked for me across multiple trips to Europe, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Whether you’re backpacking long-term or just looking for a brief getaway, these strategies can help you avoid overspending while still creating memorable experiences.

Steer Clear of Pre-Packaged Tours

Package tours and group deals sound enticing, but they often hide inflated costs for solo travelers. According to UK Debt Expert, going solo can add a £500 premium over traveling as a couple. Instead of relying on packages, create your own custom itinerary by piecing together flights, hotels, and activities separately. The extra effort pays dividends through significant savings.

I use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner and Google Flights to hunt for the most affordable airfare. And I always book directly through the airline to avoid sneaky third-party fees. For lodging, apps like Expedia, Trivago, and Booking.com make it easy to filter search results to show rooms suitable for one.

Pro Tip: Consider lower-cost destinations like Southeast Asia or Eastern Europe where day-to-day expenses like food and attractions cost less than pricier regions.

Stay in Hostels, Homestays, or Vacation Rentals

Fancy hotels with sky-high single supplements are often unnecessary for solo travelers on a budget. Instead, I opt for hostels, homestays, or vacation rentals through Airbnb. Sites like Hostelworld, Agoda, and Airbnb make sorting through listings quick and easy. The cost savings are significant, plus hostels and homestays offer opportunities to meet fellow travelers.

As an added bonus, Airbnb lets you book private rooms with access to a kitchen so you can prepare some of your own meals. And for free homestays, check out house-sitting sites like TrustedHousesitters. Simply pet sit or watch someone’s home in exchange for free lodging. It’s a win-win!

Leverage Public Transportation

Taxis, rental cars, and private airport transfers can drain a travel budget fast. Whenever possible, I navigate cities by bus, metro, or commuter rail. Sites like Omio and Rome2Rio are invaluable for deciphering complex public transportation systems in foreign countries. And tools like Google Maps make trip planning a breeze.

In locations with bike and scooter shares, I take advantage of these affordable and eco-friendly options for getting around too. For instance, I rented an electric scooter for just €24.95 for three days of exploring Tenerife.

For popular tourist destinations, visiting during shoulder seasons (just before or after peak times) yields smaller crowds and lower prices across the board. According to travel writer Rebecca Crowe, costs for flights, hotels, tours, and attractions can be up to 50% less than during busy periods.

The weather is often still pleasant during shoulder seasons too. By traveling off-peak as a solo wanderer, I can easily work around school holiday schedules and take advantage of low-demand deals.

Volunteer Abroad as You Travel

If you have time and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, volunteering while traveling can massively reduce costs. Sites like Workaway, WWOOF, and HelpX connect travelers with hosts willing to swap room and board for a few hours of daily farm work, childcare, manual labor, or other tasks.

What’s great for solo travelers is that volunteer hosts often prefer solo guests since they can more easily be paired with other workers. It’s a wonderful way to gain cultural immersion while cutting expenses.

Join a Small Group Tour

Contrary to popular belief, not all guided tour groups are created equal. Boutique adventure travel companies like G Adventures, Intrepid Travel, and Much Better Adventures cater to small groups with a max of 16 people or fewer. For solo travelers, they’ll match you with another single traveler to share hotel rooms and tents. This built-in roommate eliminates expensive single supplement charges.

According to Sam Bruce, Co-Founder of Much Better Adventures, sharing the experience with someone who has similar interests often enhances the trip too!

Maximize Credit Card Rewards

In recent years, major travel credit cards have rolled out improved rewards programs and perks for solo jetsetters. For instance, the new Avios Credit Card from Barclaycard offers an annual cabin upgrade certificate for solo flyers. And American Express revamped their British Airways card to allow cardmembers to redeem companion flight certificates for 50% off when traveling alone.

By racking up points and miles efficiently and leveraging targeted solo traveler perks, I’ve scored nearly free flights, hotel nights, and other big trip discounts.

The Takeaway

With some creative planning and budget hacks, solo travelers can avoid overpaying and have enriching adventures on any budget. Skipping cookie-cutter tour packages, staying in budget-friendly accommodations, traveling during off-peak seasons, and volunteering abroad are some of my tried-and-true ways to cut costs. I hope these tips help fellow solo wanderers maximize savings while making lifelong memories. Let me know if you have any other questions.