The six myths of solo travel

Travelling solo has never been more popular — more than one in six holiday alone, according to an ABTA survey, up by almost a third since 2011. There are solo holidays for every age, every budget, every style … yet somehow the myths still persist.

Here’s why they’re just not true.

It’s not safe

It’s still the biggest worry for solo travellers (and their family and friends!) especially before a first trip — and of course, it pays to take precautions. But while the occasional tragedy makes headlines, it’s important to remember that’s because they are so rare.

Make the most of technology, including checking in with others and options like taxi apps, and book your accommodation and airport transfers for the start of any trip.

Get advice from locals as well as the internet, and follow the same kind of safety rules that you would at home — not flashing expensive jewellery and electronics, knowing which areas are dodgy, not standing checking a map in full view.

If you want to head right off the beaten track — from the Silk Road to the Outback — you can join a group tour to explore deserts, rainforests and mountains, letting someone else worry about the practicalities.

Companies like Oasis Overland and Tucan Travel are great if you’ve got your sights set on Central Asia, Africa or South America.

You’ll be lonely

There’s a big difference between being alone and being lonely — and learning to be comfortable in your own company is a great skill to learn as you travel solo. But there’s no reason to be alone if you don’t want to be, with plenty of holidays where it’s easy to make friends.

If you’d rather eat your own backpack than start chatting to someone in a bar, the easiest solution is joining a group tour: companies like On The Go Tours visit more than 60 destinations, with around 20% of guests travelling solo, and groups of around 15 people, aged 18 to 70.

If you don’t fancy an escorted tour, choose accommodation that makes it easy to make friends. There are singles-only hotels, such as The Mistral in Crete and house parties organised by singles specialists Friendship Travel including cruises in Greece on a traditional gulet.

Or book a city tour, day boat trip or other activity and you’ve got a readymade group to chat to.

It’s too expensive

As more of us choose to travel solo, more companies are waking up to the fact that nobody wants to pay extra just because they’re seeing the world on their own.

It’s never been easier to avoid single supplements: as well as singles specialists, you can find hotels that don’t charge a fee (at least on certain dates), whether you want all-inclusive Caribbean or skiing in Europe with companies like Inghams, not to mention Mercury Holidays which has hotels with no single supplement around Europe, the Indian Ocean and Asia.

And if you check out sites like 101 Singles Holidays, you can find more hotels with no single supplement along with everything from supplement-free group tours to cruises.

I just want to chill out

You can climb mountains and trek through deserts on a solo holiday. But you don’t have to. How about a spa break, or simply lounging in the sun?

For a group singles holiday, check out the Greek island escapes from Solos Holidays, or for some truly indulgent “me time”, Barefoot Traveller has supplement-free holidays in the Maldives.

You could take a gentle walking holiday in Italy, or work on your yoga poses.

The whole point of going it alone is being able to indulge yourself and your interests after all. For once, there’s no compromising to keep everyone happy. Bliss!

You’ve got to eat alone

After safety, it’s been named as one of the things which puts off more solo travellers than anything else. But it’s one thing that you very quickly get used to while travelling alone.

From people watching to scrolling social media from your table, you’re unlikely to be sitting uncomfortably — and chances are nobody will give you a second glance. As for anyone who does look surprised at seeing you eating alone? Well, before long you won’t notice, let alone care.

But if you prefer a sociable supper, there are plenty of alternatives. More and more restaurants will have communal tables or the chance to eat around a bar, and some resorts and retreats have communal options, such as luxurious Caribbean resorts like Breathless Punta Cana.

Or make the food part of the travel experience — everyone from Airbnb Experiences to sites like EatWith and WithLocals include options to head into people’s houses for a real taste of the destination, quite apart from cookery classes and food tours.

I’m not single

The idea that people travel to find a partner is thankfully being left in the past where it belongs — along with the suggestion that you’d only travel solo because you don’t have anyone to go with.

Whether your other half simply doesn’t enjoy travel, can’t take the holiday or you want the experience of going it alone, plenty of those travelling solo are in a relationship, alongside plenty who aren’t.

Forget the ‘lonely hearts abroad’ reputation of singles holidays: travelling solo isn’t second best, it’s something to be enjoyed. So whether you’re loved up, recently broken up, or anywhere in between, why let your relationship status stop you from seeing the world?

For more solo travel ideas and inspiration, visit 101 Singles Holidays

Images: Pixabay