How to Travel Alone and Save Money

A growing number of tour operators and cruise lines provide travel options specifically designed for people traveling alone, including solo room occupancy without the hefty “single supplement” that’s traditionally charged when you don’t share a double room.² Joining a tour can introduce you to new people and eliminate much of the stress of organizing your own trip. For a more leisurely experience, some cruise operators, such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, now have studio cabins that may cost much less than regular double-occupancy cabins.³

The challenges of traveling in an unknown territory can seem even more daunting when you’re alone. Apps can help you rise to the challenge – without hiring a human guide. Translation apps help overcome language barriers: Point your phone’s camera at a street sign, and the app may help you find out where you are; point it at a restaurant menu to reduce the lottery aspect of choosing what’s for dinner. You can download maps, in English, to help navigate the maze of streets in foreign cities. Other apps aim to connect you with other solo travelers, compare local eating places, find local tours and group events, share rides, and contact local hosts that may put you up for the night.

To get the most from these apps, you’ll need mobile data access. Instead of using your U.S. carrier’s often-expensive international plan, you may be able to save money by getting a local SIM card that connects you to a local phone company’s network for a fraction of the price.

Travel credit cards can help you cut the cost of your trip by earning points that you can redeem for travel. Depending on the credit card, you may be able to redeem points toward flights, hotel rooms, and tours. When you travel alone, you’ll have more flexibility to use your points exactly how you want. If you have internet access, you may even be able to take advantage of deals that you encounter during your trip. Some travel credit cards also offer money-saving perks like credits for ride-sharing services and a free checked bag on flights.

The word “hostel” may conjure up images of cheap dorm-style sleeping quarters. But hostels are changing and in many cases going upmarket – although they’re generally still a lower-cost option to hotels. So-called “designer hostels” may have amenities such as:

• Private rooms.
• On-site food and drink options, including restaurants and even cocktail bars.
• Free Wi-Fi.
• Bicycle rentals.
• Social events.

Hostels are springing up in the U.S. and also worldwide, especially in Asia and Eastern Europe. Most people who stay in them are under 35, and more than 70% are traveling alone, according to one survey.⁴

In many countries, you can pay for most things with a credit card. But each time you get a cup of coffee, buy groceries, or pay for a ride or train journey, you may be incurring the foreign transaction fees that are often charged on credit card purchases in a non-U.S. currency. You can avoid these costs by getting a no foreign transaction fee credit card.

Since you don’t have to coordinate your travel plans with anyone else, you may have more flexibility to grab deals on travel and accommodation. You’ll often get the best prices if you book early and travel off-peak, but you can also set airfare alerts through search engines and apps and jump on any enticing deals that pop up.

Ride-sharing apps can offer a relatively low-cost way to get around, and in some cities you may be able to pool with other riders to further cut the cost. If a road trip is your dream, you may be able to save money on a rental car or recreational vehicle with rental relocation platforms like Transfercar and Imoova. You drive vehicles between rental car company locations; in return, you generally avoid the daily rental fee, although you may have to pay for fuel and some other costs.⁵

Cut the cost of entertainment by searching for free options or low-cost entertainment. In certain U.S. and foreign cities, including Washington D.C. and London, some of the most impressive museums are free. You may also be able to nab tickets to shows and sporting events on platforms like StubHub, where people resell tickets they can’t use; single tickets are often the best deals, experts say.⁶

By planning carefully and looking for ways to save, you can enjoy the freedom of traveling alone while saving on cost. And since you don’t have to consider anyone else’s needs, you have more flexibility to take advantage of any cost-saving opportunities that appear.